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2 May 2026

🌧️ Bars under siege

Firebombings continue, veteran wellbeing support, and Alfred saves US marine ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Morning Post

Melbourne

Sunday, 3 May 2026 Β β€’Β  Issue #671

🌧️23°/18°
Showers throughout the day
β˜€οΈ UV 3.4 Β β€’Β  πŸŒ… Sunset 5:31 PM
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Good morning! More hospitality venues targeted overnight as publicans voice safety fears, while The Alfred's groundbreaking work saved a US marine's life after a devastating NT crash. Plus: which island getaway calls to you?

β€” Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

πŸ“° Safety fears grow as arson attacks on bars persist

πŸ“ parkrun Melbourne + 5 more events

✈️ Travel & Deals: Cook Islands Hosted Small-Group Escape: 7 days from $4,899pp, $2,000 deposit

πŸ•°οΈ On this day in 1901: The first Australian federal parliament opened in Melbourne's Royal...

Today's Melbourne

Safety fears grow as arson attacks on bars persist

Three arrests followed another overnight firebombing, with a Molotov cocktail thrown at a second venue. Publicans warn the escalating attacks could soon cost lives as the crime wave shows no sign of stopping.

via 9News Melbourne

World-first treatment rescues injured serviceman

The Alfred's medical team achieved multiple global firsts treating US marine Travis Reyes, who suffered critical injuries including a face-eating fungus after a fiery aircraft crash in remote Northern Territory.

via The AgeπŸ”’ paywall

Fitness focus helps former soldiers thrive after discharge

A new wellbeing initiative supports veterans transitioning to civilian life, addressing the mental and physical health decline many experience when military training routines end.

via ABC Melbourne

Around Australia

Opposition claims crucial seat ahead of state election

Liberals declared victory in the Nepean byelection, with Anthony Marsh in a commanding position, delivering a significant boost to opposition leader Jess Wilson.

via The Guardian Australia

Lions coach blasts parent over leaked game plan

Chris Fagan expressed disappointment after confidential Brisbane Lions notes on Essendon players were leaked before their weekend clash.

via ABC News

Around the World

Berlin anticipates American military pullback as NATO seeks answers β€” Germany says US troop withdrawal was foreseeable as Trump confirms plans to remove 5,000 personnel from Europe.

via BBC World

Zambia blocks major rights conference days before opening β€” The world's largest human rights and technology summit was cancelled, with government citing misalignment with national values.

via The Guardian World

What’s On: Sport & Active ⚽

This week: Mother's Day β€” Second Sunday of May in Australia. Celebrate mums.

46 locations including Albert Park Lake, Princes Park, Maribyrnong

parkrun Melbourne

Every Saturday 8am

Free weekly 5km timed run or walk every Saturday at 8am across Melbourne β€” all fitness levels welcome.

Free
Australian Sports Museum, MCG

WARNE: Treasures of a Legend

1 Jan 2025 – 31 Aug

Explore Shane Warne's trophies, memorabilia and iconic moments that made him the King of Spin.

AFL Round 8: Essendon v Brisbane Lions

2 May

Essendon hosts Brisbane Lions in Round 8 β€” catch the Bombers at their home ground this weekend.

AFL Round 8: Carlton v St Kilda

2 May

Carlton takes on St Kilda in this Round 8 clash β€” traditional rivals meet this Sunday afternoon.

Lorne to Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road Running Festival

16 May – 17 May

Nine distances from 1.5km to 60km along stunning coastal routes β€” walking events and shuttle buses available.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

AFL King's Birthday: Collingwood vs Melbourne

8 Jun

The annual King's Birthday blockbuster at the MCG β€” Collingwood versus Melbourne on public holiday Monday.

Got an event to share? Let us know β†’

Travel & Deals

Every Sunday we share a holiday or travel deal worth knowing about.

Cook Islands Hosted Small-Group Escape: 7 days from $4,899pp, $2,000 deposit

A 7-day hosted small-group tour of Rarotonga and Aitutaki with a maximum of 20 travellers, departing Sydney 24 September 2026. Includes return flights via Auckland, five nights beachfront with breakfast, the Te Vara Nui cultural dinner show, an island orientation tour, the Muri night markets, and all airport transfers. Currently bookable with a reduced $2,000pp deposit to lock it in.

Offer ends: Subject to availability β€” minimum 10 travellers required to guarantee the September departure

πŸ’‘ Hosted small-group tours sell out fastest in the 10-12 weeks before departure. If you want one of the twin-share rooms with a lagoon view, the time to call is now β€” not August.

πŸ“Š Today's Poll

Which Pacific escape sounds more like your kind of trip?

Cook Islands β€” small-group, beachfront, culturalFiji or Vanuatu β€” independent, all-inclusive resort

πŸ“Š Yesterday's Poll

Chopsticks or fork for Asian food at home?

Chopsticks led with 51% (87 votes)

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

What gets sharper the more you use it?

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

🧠 Today's Featured Game

Trivia

Arts & Literature Β· 7 questions Β· ~2 min

Which American author wrote 'The Great Gatsby' character Nick Carraway's observation that boats are 'borne back ceaselessly into the past'?

A) Ernest Hemingway
B) F. Scott Fitzgerald
C) John Steinbeck
D) William Faulkner
Play the Quiz β†’

Yesterday: 🧠 85 played Β Β·Β  πŸ’‘ 84 played Β Β·Β  ✏️ 79 played

πŸ’‘ Word Ladder Β· 2 stepsβ†’
COLD β†’ ??? β†’ WORD
✏️ Crossword Β· 5Γ—5 Miniβ†’
1 Across: Dance venue of the 1970s

On This Day

Anniversary of

β€’ The first Australian federal parliament opened in Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building. (1901)

β€’ Jack Brabham retired from Formula One racing after his final Australian Grand Prix. (1971)

β€’ Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first female Prime Minister. (1979)

β€’ The world's first scheduled jet passenger service began. (1952)

πŸŽ‚ Born on this day: Australian musician and comedian Greg Champion (1956), Australian AFL legend Doug Hawkins (1960), and American soul music icon James Brown (1933).

Brainteaser Answer
Your brain.

One Last Smile

One Last Smile illustration

The older you get, the more your childhood friends start looking like your parents.

Send this to a friend who’d laugh

Local news shouldn’t disappear

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