Home Man tortured in brutal $120k extortion attempt byCOVID-19 -February 25, 2026 A man was hogtied and bashed in the head with a hammer during a horrifying four hour $120k extortion attempt in a house in Melbourne's inner south. View in browser 26th February 2026 News Update Man tortured in brutal $120k extortion attempt A man was hogtied and bashed in the head with a hammer during a horrifying four hour $120k extortion attempt in a house in Melbourne's inner south. READ MORE SECA: Finals game-changers named Crunch time has arrived in the South East Cricket Association — and we have listed the players set to shake up the finals in the Longmuir, Woolnough, Quiney and Pullen shields. READ MORE Heartbroken father's vow after son's tragic death A devastated family has launched a campaign for pedestrian safety barriers after their 16-year-old son died when a car veered off a dangerous Melbourne southeast road this month. READ MORE Why Premier Cricket faces lowest wicket tally in history Where have all the wickets gone? The 2025-26 Premier Cricket season has been one of the toughest in history for bowlers – and it's not because of the new ball. READ MORE Graffiti-filled Melb mansion's secret history uncovered A Melbourne couple's multimillion-dollar plans to save an abandoned estate have taken an unexpected twist. READ MORE Sneaky drive-in stunt backfires on mischievous moviegoer Sneaking a mate into the drive-in in the boot of the car has long been a tradition — but a woman who tried to pull off the stunt on at Dromana has ignited an online spat that's got... READ MORE Hat-trick, howitzers and controversial calls TALKING POINTS: There were some stunning goals scored and some eye-catching decisions made in an action packed weekend of NPL and VPL football. READ MORE Councillor claims 'bullying' amid clash over executive's pay A council meeting descended into a 40-minute farce during a discussion over the CEO's pay after a councillor claims she was the victim of "bullying" when asked to verify her self-p... READ MORE Vintage car deal offered with $1.4m Melb pad A long-held family home is heading to auction with a "mortgage buster" flat and a rare 1909 motor surprise on offer for the right price. READ MORE Sad end for seal who spent weekend at Maribyrnong River A seal who delighted dozens of residents as he sunned himself next to the Maribyrnong River has been euthanised after rescuers discovered he had catastrophic injuries that could no... READ MORE More local news Ballarat could sue vandals of public monuments for repair costs Vandals who target Ballarat's statues and monuments could have to pay for repairs under a new council policy designed to recover taxpayer money lost to "idiotic" destruction. READ MORE Infamous animal cruelty offender ran kitten-selling racket A broke serial animal cruelty offender who can't pay fines or do community work has walked away with a slap on the wrist for another kitten selling scam. READ MORE Motorcyclist reaches speeds up to 150km/h during police pursuit A Mooroopna man who had just been released from prison has admitted to riding a motorcycle at dangerous speeds through Shepparton after panicking when he was spotted by police. READ MORE A bridge too far? Not for this cash-strapped Victorian council Councillors have rejected abandoning Australia's "most significant" heritage bridge despite restoration costs projected to triple to an eye-watering $10 million. READ MORE Council moves to hike rates by 5 per cent amid cost-cutting fears Ratepayers of an inner metro Melbourne council are looking down the barrel of a rate hike, as Glen Eira lobbies to nearly double the rate cap in a move tipped to rake in more than ... READ MORE Beloved Bendigo hotel owners call last drinks after 21 years A beloved country pub nine kilometres from Bendigo has hit the market with a multi-million dollar price tag, with the long-time owners to ride off into the sunset after pouring the... READ MORE Epping Landlord accused of killing tenant to stand trial A landlord accused of murdering his tenant whose bloodied body was discovered by her son in the hallway of an Epping house will stand trial at the Supreme Court. READ MORE Cancer survivor's 3500km Make-A-Wish mission A Swan Hill cancer survivor is planning a 3500km ride from Perth to Melbourne, to raise $50,000 for Make-A-Wish. READ MORE Alleged high-end store thief misses court appearance A woman who went viral on social media after she allegedly kicked her way into a high-end clothing store in Melbourne's CBD failed to front court because she missed her train. READ MORE Alleged tobacco store arsonist makes fifth bail bid A man allegedly recruited by a person claim is linked to Melbourne's tobacco wars has gone to court for his fifth bail attempt on charges of torching a Cohuna cigarette shop. READ MORE News from the Herald Sun Islamic school girls sent to 'rag room', have periods tracked Female students at Islamic schools have been asked to disclose their periods to staff who track menstrual cycles and send girls to supervised "period rooms" during prayer time. READ MORE 'It gave me chills': Shop owner's chance encounter with accused Easey Street killer As Kate Buck folded clothes inside her Collingwood vintage store, a man wandered through slowly, casting his dark eyes over the racks. It would be almost 50 years before she saw hi... READ MORE State set for 'big trouble' if airport rail link progress doesn't speed-up Former Premier Dan Andrews mothballed Melbourne Airport's planned rail link in 2023 before plans were put back on track with $10bn in state and federal funding pledges — but there'... READ MORE 'A tax on houses': Opposition leader rejects CGT shake-up Angus Taylor refuses to budge on capital gains tax changes even if revenue funds income tax cuts, declaring home ownership "the centrepiece of the Australian dream". READ MORE Bolt: Don't diss Pauline, our nation needs her Pauline Hanson's rise in popularity is not just wiping the sneer off Labor's face but giving the Liberals a sniff of a chance of election victory — so that party would be prudent t... READ MORE Revealed: China's $1bn+ play for Aussie homes Chinese investors have bought $1bn worth of Aussie homes in under a year. We reveal the suburbs offshore buyers are headed to next. READ MORE Virgin's next step to expand pets on flights Virgin Australia has revealed plans to expand its popular pets in cabins service to other Aussie destinations. Here's what you need to know. READ MORE Panahi: Spare us the sudden fake patriotism from Australia's Left It takes a special brand of audacity for the people who've sneered at Australia Day, stood in front of multiple race-based flags and obsessed over "decolonising" everything to sudd... READ MORE Lachie savaged by not so subtle Jules post Jules Neale has made a pointed reference to her marriage breakdown in a new video, saying she's "getting her glow back". READ MORE In which sport is a shuttlecock used? The Chase Australia's official Shark, Brydon Coverdale, has created a new daily quiz challenge. Test yourself. READ MORE From the network 'Bad look': Andrew loses one of his last luxuries amid Epstein saga Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's previously cushy royal life has been significantly downgraded in recent months, as royal aides brutally axed his most beloved privilege of all. READ MORE Huge hint ex-NZ PM Ardern making shock Aus move Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has sparked massive rumours about her future. READ MORE 2 banks lift rates after today's shock report Major banks have delivered a blow to borrowers by raising rates higher than the last RBA hike, warning of more pain to come. READ MORE $100k backyard move earns Aussie couple $200k per year An Aussie couple turned a $100,000 backyard feature into a $200,000-a-year money maker in a move they never expected. READ MORE Harry and Meghan meet Gaza kids in surprise Middle East tour The Duke and Duchess of Sussex embodied Princess Diana's humanitarian spirit when they visited the bedsides of young burn patients to kick off a surprise two day trip to Jordan. READ MORE The new Wuthering Heights has a sex problem no one saw coming Marketed as the sexiest Wuthering Heights ever put to screen, the Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi remake has one big issue. READ MORE The Tillies' golden glow is gone — is it dead or is it dormant? Three years ago, you couldn't buy a ticket to a Matildas game for love nor money — now, they're giving them away and the golden glow has faded. Erin Smith asks if public adoration ... READ MORE Hollywood heavyweights missing from SailGP Sydney action Hollywood duo Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds will be directing their famous Australian sporting team from afar when the SailGP hits Sydney this weekend. READ MORE This is what Taylor Swift looks like without makeup Taylor Swift has celebrated another milestone by sharing rare behind-the-scenes photos showing her natural beauty without makeup. WATCH THE VIDEO. READ MORE Sacked Uni professor wins job back after bullying, gossip claims An under-fire University of Melbourne professor accused of belittling a colleague's tattoos, gossipping about others and screaming at staff has won her job back. SEE WHY. READ MORE I'm a GP and busy dad — I don't get paid for this very early start A Sydney GP and former rugby league player reveals how he balances fatherhood, fitness and a huge chunk of his life devoted to unpaid work. READ MORE Huge changes anger uni students in national AI cheating crackdown Australia's universities are quietly making dramatic changes to combat AI's threat to academic integrity – but student leaders say it will leave some with an impossible choice. READ MORE Inside the mind of a bully: This is the secret to beating them From the office to the schoolyard – if you want to beat a bully then you have to firstly understand them. This is what you need to know so you can rise above their toxic behaviour. READ MORE $237,188,000: The staggering sum 100 top private schools paid their leaders Senior leaders at elite private schools are pocketing massive salaries – and even the principals' underlings are paid on average around $280k a year. Explore top colleges' salary d... READ MORE Make the Herald Sun your preferred news source Make sure Google gives you Victorian news from a brand you can trust. Find out how to set the Herald Sun as a preferred search choice. READ MORE Newsletters Today's Paper +Rewards Want to change how you receive these emails? Manage your newsletter preferences or unsubscribe from this newsletter. This email was sent to you by the Bayside Leader, PO Box 14999, Melbourne VIC 8001, Australia. 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