Iran said on Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but US President Donald Trump said the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports "will remain in full force" until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear program.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the crucial waterway, through which about 20 per cent of the world's oil is shipped, was now fully open to commercial vessels, as a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon appeared to hold.

Trump initially celebrated the Iranian announcement, posting on social media that the strait was "fully open and ready for full passage." But minutes later, he issued another post saying the US Navy's blockade would continue "UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE."

READ MORE: War crime accused Ben Roberts-Smith gives thumbs up while leaving prison

The president also said Iran, with help from the US, is working to remove all mines from the strait.

Trump imposed the blockade earlier this week after Iran restricted traffic through the strait due to fighting in Lebanon, which Iran claimed was a breach of the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire reached between the US, Israel and Iran.

At the time, Trump said the blockade would enforce an "all or none" policy in hopes of pressuring Iran to reopen the strait.

The president's decision to continue the blockade despite Iran's announcement appeared aimed at sustaining pressure on Tehran as the fate of the two-week ceasefire reached last week remained uncertain. The ceasefire has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the US and Iran.

READ MORE: Petrol prices fall despite refinery fire, but Aussies could face economic pain

Direct talks between the US and Iran last weekend were inconclusive, as the two nations could not come to agreement about Iran's nuclear program and other points.

Iranian media challenge announcement about Strait of Hormuz

Two semi-official news agencies in Iran seemed to challenge Araghchi's announcement about the strait.

Considered close with Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, the Fars news agency issued a series of posts on X criticising what it said was a lack of clarity over the decision to reopen the waterway and a "strange silence from the Supreme National Security Council and the negotiating team."

Iran's Supreme National Security Council has recently acted as the country's de facto top decision-making body, amid doubts over the status of the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly wounded early in the war.

The Mehr news agency also said the decision to reopen the strait needed "clarification" and required the supreme leader's approval.

Oil tumbles 10 per cent and the Dow soars more than 1,000 points

Oil prices fell by 10 per cent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 1020 points after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, which would allow oil tankers to exit the Persian Gulf again and carry crude to customers worldwide.

The S&P 500 jumped 1.3 per cent in morning trading on Friday as US stocks race toward the finish of a third straight week of big gains. The Nasdaq composite climbed 1.5 per cent.

Stocks have rallied 12 per cent since late March on hopes that the United States and Iran can avoid a worst-case scenario for the global economy.

Macron and Starmer welcome Strait of Hormuz opening but say it must be permanent

The leaders of France and the UK have welcomed the announced reopening of the Strait of Hormuz but say it must become permanent.

President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer say they will keep planning an international mission to restore maritime security, with a meeting of military planners in London next week.

Speaking after a gathering of some 50 countries, Macron said, "We all demand the full, immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties."

Starmer said the announcement by Iran and the US that the waterway is open must become "both lasting and a workable proposal."

He said France and the UK will lead a multinational mission to safeguard shipping "as soon as conditions allow."

The Paris meeting is part of attempts by sidelined nations to ease the impact of a conflict they didn't start and haven't joined, but that has sent the global economy reeling.

Petroleum prices soared after the war started on February 28, when Iran effectively shut the narrow strait through which a fifth of the world's oil usually passes.

The US is not part of the planning for what has been branded the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative, which Macron said would be "a neutral mission, entirely separate from the belligerents to escort and secure the merchant ships transiting the Gulf."

Celebrations in Beirut

In Beirut, celebratory gunshots rang out at the start of the truce. Displaced families began moving toward southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs despite warnings by officials not to return to their homes until it became clear whether the ceasefire would hold.

The Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon had reported sporadic artillery shelling in some parts of southern Lebanon in the hours after the ceasefire took effect.

An Israeli strike in the area of Kounine hit a car and a motorcycle, killing one person and wounding three, including a Syrian citizen, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Friday. It was the first airstrike and first fatality reported since the truce took effect.

There was no immediate response from the Israeli army or Hezbollah.

According to the agreement shared by the State Department, Israel can act in self-defence against imminent attacks but cannot carry out offensive operations against southern Lebanon.

Trump heralded the deal as a "historic day for Lebanon" and expressed confidence the war with Iran would soon end.

"I will say the war in Iran is going along swimmingly," Trump said in Las Vegas. "It should be ending pretty soon."

An end to Israel's war with Hezbollah was a key demand of Iranian negotiators, who previously accused Israel of breaking the current ceasefire with strikes on Lebanon. Israel said that deal did not cover Lebanon.

The fighting has killed at least 3000 people in Iran, more than 2290 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.

Israel says it will keep troops in Lebanon

Israel's hard-line Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday that Israel plans to respect the ceasefire even though attempts to completely disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon are "not yet complete". Katz said that Israel would continue to hold all the places it is currently stationed, including a buffer zone extending 10 kilometres from the border with Israel into southern Lebanon. He said that many homes in the area would be destroyed and Lebanese residents will not return to the area.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire "to advance" peace efforts with Lebanon, but also said Israeli troops would not withdraw.

Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area as they pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a "security zone".

"That is where we are, and we are not leaving," he said.

Hezbollah has said that Lebanese people have "the right to resist" Israeli occupation of their land and that their actions "will be determined based on how developments unfold".

The US State Department said that according to the agreement, Israel reserves the right to defend itself "at any time, against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks". But otherwise, Israel "will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets".

Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but a Hezbollah official said the ceasefire was a result of negotiations between the US and Iran. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly.

Israel and Hezbollah have fought several wars and have been fighting on and off since the day after the start of the Gaza war. Israel and Lebanon reached a deal to end that war in November 2024, but Israel has kept up near-daily strikes in what it says is an effort to prevent the Iran-backed militant group from regrouping. That escalated into another invasion after Hezbollah again began firing missiles at Israel in response to its war on Iran.

Flurry of diplomacy led up to Lebanon ceasefire

The agreement came after a meeting between Israel's and Lebanon's ambassadors in Washington and a flurry of subsequent phone calls from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a White House official.

They were the first direct diplomatic talks between the two countries in decades. Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Trump spoke Wednesday evening with Netanyahu, who agreed to a ceasefire with certain terms, according to the official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Rubio then called Lebanon's president, Joseph Aoun, who got on board. Trump then spoke with Aoun, and again with Netanyahu.

The State Department worked with both governments to formulate a memorandum of understanding for the truce.

Pakistan army chief meets with Iranian parliament speaker

Pakistan's army chief met Thursday with Iran's parliament speaker as part of efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the US and Iran.

Even as the US blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling AP the United States and Iran had an "in-principle agreement" to extend it to allow for more diplomacy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Iran's nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Trump suggested the ceasefire could be extended.

"If we're close to a deal, would I extend?" Trump said in an exchange with reporters. "Yeah, I would do that."

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WA Police are investigating an incident on a Perth train during which an off-duty officer restrained a 13-year-old girl.

CCTV from the train is being reviewed, which WA Police says is part of a standard process.

The Public Transport Authority's CCTV is being kept under wraps for now, however, there is vision circulating on social media that was recorded by the girl's friend.

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The phone footage shows the off-duty officer restraining the 13-year-old on the ground, before pushing her onto a seat on Sunday about 4pm on the Yanchep Line.

In the footage the girl's friends can be heard screaming "her head, her head" after the officer appears to pin the girl down at one point.

Police today said the 13-year-old had allegedly assaulted the officer by punching him in the face after he intervened in a verbal altercation between two groups.

While no formal complaint has been made by those involved, police are investigating the officer's conduct.

However, he is still on operational duties during the investigation.

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Petrol prices have continued to fall despite yesterday's fire at a Geelong oil refinery, but Australians could still face "severe" economic consequences, the treasurer warns.

There were concerns fuel supply could have been gutted by the fire at the Viva Energy oil refinery, but the average price for petrol is actually expected to drop below $2/litre across the country over the weekend as global prices fall.

Visiting the stricken plant today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the impact to fuel production at the refinery had been limited.

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"Eighty per cent of diesel production is continuing, 80 per cent of aviation fuel [production] is continuing," he said.

Imports are helping replace any lost supply, and experts say the trends are positive.

"We're getting up close toward 40 days of petrol, so these are good trends," ANU supply chains expert David Leaney said.

The good news may stop there, if the warning from Treasurer Jim Chalmers is anything to go by.

UPDATE: War crime accused Ben Roberts-Smith gives thumbs up while leaving prison

"The consequences of this conflict on the other side of the world are already very serious for Australians and they risk becoming severe," he said in Washington DC today.

He believes Australia won't head towards a recession, but that economic growth could slowed considerably.

It remains to be seen how this will impact the budget, set to be handed down next month.

While the fuel supply situation is improving, some want more to be done to ensure Australia is never in this position again.

READ MORE: Five in hospital after serious truck crash closes Hume Freeway in Victoria

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli called on the government to open a third oil refinery in Gladstone.

Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor agreed, saying Australia needed to get its hands dirty and produce more oil.

"We've got to get more oil out of the ground," he said.

"We've got to drill, drill, drill."

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Georgie Gardner has bid an emotional farewell after almost 25 years at Nine.

The respected journalist and presenter signed off her final bulletin tonight with a croak in her throat.

"Since announcing my resignation I have been humbled and overwhelmed by your messages," she said in a personal message to viewers.

READ MORE: War crime accused Ben Roberts-Smith gives thumbs up while leaving prison

"Such kindness, encouragement and goodwill feel particularly precious during these turbulent times.

"So thank you, I'll miss you, but I'm also so grateful to have experienced something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

"That is Nine News for this Friday … I'm Georgie Gardner, thank you for being with us, enjoying your evening, goodnight."

The final package of Sydney's 6pm bulletin tonight was a three-minute reel of Gardner's years at Nine.

"I'm blown away and watching that reel is a reminder of what hideous hair I've had over the years," she joked.

"But also how much fun I've had and of course covering the news, the pace and the complexity of the news cycle and how delivering it to you has been just such an enormous privilege for close to 25 years.

READ MORE: Five in hospital after serious truck crash closes Hume Freeway in Victoria

"From that minute Brian Henderson welcomed me into the 6pm studio it has never been lost on me that this role comes with duty.

"A duty to be accurate, impartial, and informative, but also to be human and sincere and respectful."

"To be a guest in your home or wherever your viewing space might be is never taken for granted and I think you for investing your trust."

Gardner began her career with a radio cadetship at Radio 2NX in Newcastle in 1992.

She moved to Sydney to read the news at 2Day FM in 1994.

She also worked as a television news reporter and fill-in presenter at multiple networks before she joined Nine in July 2002.

After starting at 9News presenting 6pm weekday weather with Brian Henderson and reading the Morning news, Gardner joined the Today Show in 2007 as newsreader and fill-in host – a role she held until 2014.

In 2018 she rejoined the Today Show as host for two years.

For the better part of 17 years, Gardner has anchored 9News Sydney's 6pm weekend bulletin.

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The two children who were killed when a riverbank collapsed in the Bay of Plenty have been identified as local boys Luti Maui Mafi and Pauly Lloyd.

The pair, aged 10 and 11, died after becoming trapped when the bank gave way at the Tarawera River in Kawerau yesterday, during what had been a day of fishing and playing with friends.

In a Facebook post, the whānau (family) of Luti Mafi, 11, said he was a treasured and much-loved son, moko (young child), nephew, cousin and friend "to many he touched in his short life".

READ MORE: Roberts-Smith bailed over alleged war crimes

"He brought light, laughter and kindness into the lives of all who knew him.

"His bright spirit and gentle soul will be forever remembered and deeply missed."

The whānau said a service would be held for immediate family on Saturday.

"Forever and always in our hearts."

Tarawera High School in Kawerau said the death of one its students, who Stuff understands to be Luti, was "a heartbreaking loss" and that the school would close on Monday and Tuesday.

Kawerau Putauaki School also confirmed one of their students, who Stuff understands to be Pauly, 10, had died.

The school said it too would be closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Last night, a local junior rugby club shared a message identifying the boys and mourning the loss of two of its young members, describing them as "active and valued members" of their community.

"Kia ora whanau, for those of you who are unaware, today we lost two of our JAB tamaiti in a tragic accident," the post read.

"Both boys lived in Kawerau and attended our local schools. They, along with their whanau were active and valued members of our JAB community.

"We extend our deepest aroha and awhi to their whanau at this incredible difficult time. Hold your tamaiti close and keep them near.

"Our hearts are breaking for these boys, their whanau, and for everyone who had the privilege of knowing them.

"Moe mai ra korua e nga tama. Kia okioki i te rangimarie."

Tragedy at the river

Emergency services were called to the Tarawera River near Boyce Park about 11.30am (9.30am AEST) yesterday.

Police said a group of children had been fishing and playing on the northern side of the river when the bank gave way.

A rescue operation was launched, with police and Fire and Emergency NZ working to locate two of the boys who had become trapped.

"Sadly, two people were located deceased a short time later," Acting Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Phil Gillbanks said.

Gillbanks said two police officers had swam across the river and attempted to dig for the children with their bare hands, but they could not be saved.

Local resident Kurūtia Tanoa said he rushed to the river after hearing a rescue helicopter.

"Our kids were in distress telling me their mate is stuck under the bank," he said.

Tanoa said three children were involved in the collapse, but one managed to free himself.

"Parents of the deceased turned up and there was a lot of tears going around. We as a community are always saddened when our tamariki are involved in an accident," he said.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand lifeguards in an IRB assisted emergency services to bring the boys and rescue personnel back across the river, where they were met by grieving whānau.

"I am extremely proud of the two police staff and the local volunteer fire brigade staff who did everything they could to locate the victims in perilous circumstances," Gillbanks said.

Local kaumātua (Maori elders) have performed karakia (prayers) and placed a rāhui (restriction) on the Tarawera River.

"Tūwharetoa has placed a cultural rāhui on the Tarawera River following the tragic incident earlier today," a statement from Tūwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te Tai said.

"The rāhui will remain in place until the 23 April 2026, and prohibits activities such as fishing, swimming, and all other recreational use of the river during this time."

People wishing to pay respects could do so from a distance, on the western (town side) of the Tarawera River near the Judo Club, she said.

Access was not permitted on the Eastern (Manukorihi side) side of the river.

'Hardest of days'

Kawerau mayor Faylene Tunui acknowledged the deaths of the children with "the heaviest heart" via a post on the Kawerau District Council Facebook page today.

"Together we stand in love and solidarity with the families who are in mourning for their precious loved ones."

Tunui said the community would unite to support the families "where and when appropriate".

"In these hardest of days we see the best of our community. Rest In Love."

The deaths of the boys were referred to the coroner.

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A mother asked her daughter to "keep lookout" while she crushed up a fatal dose of drugs and put them in her brother's smoothie, a jury has heard.

Maree Mavis Crabtree is accused of killing her 26-year-old son Jonathan with an overdose of painkillers on July 19, 2017 in the family's home north of the Gold Coast before making a $125,000 insurance claim.

The 59-year-old has also been accused of attempting to murder her son in January of the same year.

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Crabtree pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder and fraud charges when her trial began at Brisbane Supreme Court last week.

The jury on Friday began watching nearly five hours of video evidence from the accused's daughter Tara Crabtree that was pre-recorded on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tara said she was one year younger than Jonathan at the time he died and living with him and Crabtree.

The jury heard Tara claimed Crabtree crushed up prescription painkiller and anti-anxiety tablets while Jonathan was passed out in bed.

"She cut up fruit and put it in the blender to blend it … watermelon, pretty sure mango, pineapple are the main ones I remember," said Tara, who has immunity from prosecution.

READ MORE: Roberts-Smith bailed over alleged war crimes

Tara said Crabtree crushed up tablets with a hammer on a chopping board on the kitchen bench and added the powder to the fruit smoothie along with six bottles of liquid oxycodone opiate painkiller.

"She asked me to keep lookout for my brother. He came out and she gave it to him," she said.

Crabtree sat in the dock looking at the TV screen located near her feet while her daughter's evidence was played on Friday.

The jury previously heard Jonathan's behaviour had been severely affected by injuries he sustained in a car crash.

Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco asked Tara why Crabtree had put drugs in Jonathan's smoothie.

"He was violent, a horrible person to live with … we would have more peace and live a better life without him, that's what she said," Tara said.

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The jury previously heard Jonathan co-owned the family home and could not be evicted.

Tara said she had heard Jonathan struggling and making noises after he returned to his room with the smoothie but Crabtree told her not to interfere.

She testified that Crabtree feared she would be arrested and "lose everything" and Tara would be forced to live in a group home if Jonathan survived.

The jury also heard Tara claim Crabtree was concerned about the financial impact of Jonathan being sued by a person he allegedly threatened during a robbery of a pharmacy.

Tara said she was in "shock" after Jonathan died and Crabtree told her not to say anything if the police arrived.

"He committed suicide, that's what she told me to say," Tara said.

The jury is due to see video of Crabtree's defence barrister Angus Edwards cross-examine Tara about her claims.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

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Five people, including two children, have been taken to hospital after a multi-vehicle crash involving an upturned truck on a major Victorian road.

Northbound and southbound traffic on the Hume Freeway was blocked south of Violet Town after a collision between a B-double truck and several other vehicles just before 1.30pm.

The condition of the truck driver was not immediately known.

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Two adults and two children were transported to hospital in Wangaratta for treatment.

They were in a stable condition, according to a statement from Ambulance Victoria.

"A man in his 50s was transported by road ambulance to Goulburn Valley Health in a stable condition," a spokesperson added.

It is believed the truck hit a roadworks vehicle before flipping and bursting into flames.

Six Country Fire Authority units were on scene along with police, SES and ambulances.

Violet Town is a country town south of Shepparton.

"Northbound traffic should detour via the Goulburn Valley Highway through Seymour to Shepparton then return via Benalla on the Midland Hwy," a statement from VicTraffic said.

"Southbound should exit at Violet Town and use the Murchison-Violet Town Road to the Goulburn Valley Highway, and rejoin the Hume in Seymour."

The detour would add about 45 minutes of driving time for those on the road.

The Hume Freeway connects Sydney and Melbourne and is one of the busiest freight routes in the country.

Thousands of trucks use the freeway everyday.

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Alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith has left Sydney's Silverwater Correctional Complex, hours after being granted bail.

The former SAS soldier gave a thumbs up as he was driven away late this afternoon.

His eight-day stint in prison is over, but not without being told he would end up back behind bars if caught witness tampering.

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The 47-year-old was arrested on April 7 and charged with murdering or ordering the murders of five unarmed detainees while deployed in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

The Victoria Cross recipient made his successful application for bail at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court today despite a judge hearing he had made moves to relocate overseas.

Roberts-Smith wore prison-issued green clothing and watched by audiovisual link from Silverwater prison.

In front of a packed public gallery which included the former soldier's parents, Judge Greg Grogin approved the bail bid, saying the strict conditions mitigated any risk.

"I take it by tonight you will probably be home," Grogin said.

"Thank you, your honour," Roberts-Smith replied.

The judge noted the consequences if Roberts-Smith approached any prosecution witnesses.

"His arrest would come very swiftly and he would find himself once again donned in green," he said.

The ex-SAS soldier would have been hampered in his ability to defend the case from prison which did not have facilities for the secure transport, storage and discussion of highly classified defence material.

READ MORE: Daughter tells jury mum asked her to 'keep lookout' before fatal smoothie given

"It's not a matter of sitting in the legal box at a jail and talking about a matter which may be before the courts," Judge Grogin said.

Roberts-Smith would spend years in custody before a trial would occur, the judge noted.

A surety of $250,000 will be forfeited to the court if Roberts-Smith does not comply with his bail conditions.

He will be allowed to travel from his residence solely to consult with his legal team.

Earlier today, defence barrister Slade Howell said his client would comply with stringent bail conditions despite previous Federal Court findings he had threatened or interfered with witnesses.

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While the former SAS soldier had been making plans to relocate overseas, he was not a flight risk, the barrister said.

Howell highlighted the exceptional nature of a highly respected soldier such as his client facing five counts of war crime murder in a civilian court.

He argued that a superior court may have to consider whether the extraordinary publicity surrounding the case has made it impossible for the 47-year-old to have a fair trial.

Crown prosecutor Simon Buchen SC unsuccessfully opposed bail, saying the charges against Roberts-Smith were gravely serious.

The case against Roberts-Smith was strong, and there were eyewitnesses to the alleged murders, Buchen said.

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There was also evidence of the use of throw-downs, he said.

Throw-downs are objects placed onto deceased non-combatants to make it seem like they had taken part in hostilities.

While he acknowledged that bail conditions would prevent the 47-year-old from fleeing the country, the prosecutor said they could not prevent the risk of witness tampering.

Evidence that emerged in the Federal Court defamation trial included threatening witnesses, distorting evidence and using burner phones to evade authorities, he said.

An interim non-publication order has been made over the address Roberts-Smith will reside at on bail plus the police station he will report to.

READ MORE: String of Melbourne hospitality venues targeted by arson attacks in a week

Crown prosecutor Simon Buchen SC opposed bail, saying the charges against Roberts-Smith were gravely serious and the case against him was strong.

While he acknowledged that bail conditions would prevent the 47-year-old from fleeing the country, the prosecutor said they could not prevent the risk of witness tampering.

Evidence that emerged in the Federal Court defamation trial included threatening witnesses, distorting evidence and using burner phones to evade authorities, he said.

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An interim non-publication order has been made over the address Roberts-Smith will reside at on bail plus the police station he will report to.

There was a real chance that people with strong opinions could use the opportunity to harm Roberts-Smith or those with him, Judge Grogin said.

A full hearing on these orders will take place on Thursday.

The 47-year-old has been accused of directly murdering two Afghan individuals and aiding, abetting or procuring the murder of three more.

He has consistently proclaimed his innocence.

War crime allegations against Roberts-Smith were first exposed by the now Nine-owned Fairfax Media in 2018.

The war veteran sued for defamation in the Federal Court but suffered a crushing defeat with a judge finding the accusations of murder were, on the balance of probabilities, true.

He failed to overturn these findings on appeal to the full Federal Court and the High Court.

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Electrify NZ says its e-bike sales have doubled since the energy crisis began.

Police are appealing for information after a series of suspicious fires at multiple Melbourne hospitality venues.

They include two fires, an arson, and two attempted arsons at licensed premises across the city's metropolitan area in the past week.

Detectives are hunting for any connection between the arsons, and for a potential motivation.

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"We have issued repeated warnings about the dangers of fire and the potential for those lighting them to suffer life changing or fatal injuries," Detective Inspector Chris Murray, Arson and Explosives Squad, said in a statement.

"Despite that, we have seen arsonists die or suffer serious and life changing injuries as a consequence of being paid very little money compared to the value of a life.

"Fire is incredibly unpredictable – those who are responsible are risking their lives, the lives of an innocent community around them as well as people's livelihoods."

The first incident was an attempted arson at a Londsdale Street just before 6am on Tuesday.

There was a fire around 3am on Wednesday at a venue on York Street in South Melbourne.

A 25-year-old Coburg man has been arrested in relation to the incident.

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There was a fire at a venue on Commercial Road in South Yarra just after 4am yesterday, the same time as an attempted arson at a venue on Cecil Street in South Melbourne.

Two more incidents occurred this morning: a drive-by shooting at a venue on Lonsdale Street and an arson at a venue on Southbank Boulevard.

Both occurred within 10 minutes, just after 4am.

Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested around 5am in relation to the arson.

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Police are now calling on anyone with any information about the incidents – including who is responsible and what the motivation is – to come forward.

"I would implore anyone who knows anything about these incidents to visit us and tell us what you know before we visit them."

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.

"Please – if you're out in metropolitan Melbourne and particularly entertainment precincts this weekend – call triple zero if you see anything suspicious," Murray said.

"That could be a car that's driving too slowly, people behaving oddly or something that just doesn't look right."

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