/news3dMore than 350 structures lost to Vic bushfires as locals assess damageMore than 350 structures have been lost to bushfires in Victoria, with the Longwood fire believed to have been sparked by a trailer throwing sparks on the Hume Freeway. The Longwood fire alone has destroyed 154 structures, and the total number of structures lost across the state is now at 350. Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said there are still 12 major blazes burning, with over 1,000 agricultural properties impacted and livestock losses estimated at more than 15,000. The Victorian government has announced further emergency assistance grants for people affected by the fires, with donations also being accepted through the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
/news3dAustralia social media ban: Meta blocks 550,000 accounts under new lawAustralia has implemented a landmark social media ban for children, requiring platforms like Instagram and Facebook to block accounts of users under 16. In the first week of compliance with the new law, Meta blocked over 550,000 accounts. The ban, aimed at protecting children from harmful content and algorithms, is being closely watched globally and is considered the world's strictest as it denies exemptions for parental approval.
/news3dFive decapitated heads displayed on Ecuador beachFive decapitated heads were discovered on a beach in Puerto López, Ecuador, in what appears to be a warning to gang members who have been threatening local fishermen. The discovery, accompanied by a threatening sign, highlights the escalating gang violence in the area, which has been exacerbated by drug smuggling and extortion. The victims, aged between 20 and 34, had been reported missing prior to the discovery, and their bodies have not yet been found. The incident underscores the severe violence in Ecuador, which saw a record 9,176 homicides in 2023, with local gangs linked to powerful drug cartels.
/offbeat3d'Monster' jailed for train murder bid with Buckfast bottle caught on videoThomas Craig, who had been drinking and taking cocaine for six hours, has been jailed for 12 years for a violent attack on two men with a glass Buckfast bottle on a train. The attack, which was caught on CCTV, left one victim in intensive care with severe injuries. Craig, who described himself as a 'monster', will be supervised for three years after his release.
/offbeat6dMan Charged with Nearly 500 Counts After Over 100 Human Skeletal Remains Found In His Home: 'Detectives Walked Into a Horror Movie,' D.A. SaysJonathan Gerlach, 34, was arrested and charged with 496 counts related to the burglary of graves and mausoleums in Pennsylvania. Authorities discovered over 100 human skeletal remains in his home, including those of infants and remains over 200 years old. Gerlach faces charges such as abuse of corpse, theft, and criminal mischief. The investigation is ongoing, and Gerlach is being held on $1 million bail.
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