It's Christmas for statisticians, with millions of households tonight filling out their Census. The 66-question survey shapes decision-making and has already proved vital in helping deliver services to Melbourne's booming west.

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A 43-year-old man wielding two 30-centimetre knives was tasered and apprehended by police on Belmore Street in Burwood at 4:15pm. Police allege the incident stemmed from a drug deal gone wrong involving the man and a 26-year-old accomplice, with the older suspect also carrying cannabis, methylamphetamine, two additional knives and a hammer in his backpack. The man remains under police guard in hospital and is expected to face multiple charges including using a weapon to avoid apprehension and possessing a knife in a public place.

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Federal authorities have moved to crush Melbourne's tobacco cartels, targeting a major independent service station chain accused of selling illegal cigarettes.

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Former Carlton captain Marc Murphy intervened in a violent assault in Rome, restraining a 22-year-old Tunisian man who had unprovoked attacked an Italian chauffeur. The 300-game Blues champion placed the attacker in a headlock and wrestled him to the ground, detaining him until police arrived while locals applauded his actions. The incident made local Italian news, with La Repubblica newspaper reporting on the tourist and driver who restrained the attacker before his arrest.

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Health workers, including physiotherapists and radiologists, have staged a statewide strike outside the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, demanding a 36 per cent pay rise after 11 months of failed negotiations. The industrial action has forced the cancellation of elective surgeries, while doctors are also planning to strike on Thursday calling for a 30 per cent pay rise and shift caps.

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New Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced sweeping changes to suppression orders, a pause on 'work from home' laws until at least July, and new measures targeting character references in court and coercive control.

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A 38-year-old man from Blind Bight, Matt Barrett, died when a car carrying three friends crashed into a tree in Beaumaris, Melbourne, shortly after midnight. The group was returning home from an eight-ball pool competition when their hatchback veered off the road.

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A 43-year-old man was tasered and arrested on Belmore Street in Burwood after allegedly carrying four large knives, a hammer, cannabis and methamphetamine. Police allege he was conducting a drug transaction inside Emerald Square Plaza when officers spotted him and a 26-year-old companion, prompting both men to flee.

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Shadow Foreign Minister Ted O'Brien concluded a media conference by delivering a message in Mandarin, declaring Australia to be the best country in the world. The Liberal frontbencher learnt the language while studying in Taiwan and on the Chinese mainland.

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Ten-year-old Scarlett Smith rescued a stranded humpback whale on K'gari Island while jet skiing with her mother. The young Queenslander helped keep the distressed animal wet until the tide turned, allowing it to return safely to open water.

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