Melbourne Express: October 9, 2014

Minor delays on the Frankston line this morning.  The 8.36am Moorabbin to Flinders Street service terminated at McKinnon due to a faulty train.

Today's Odd Spot and the Chinese government has removed more than 160,000 so-called phantom staff who get paid but don’t work. The People’s Daily reports that they were removed from local governments, state-controlled financial companies and universities. As part of President Xi Jinping’s austerity drive 114,418 vehicles were also disposed of.

PM Tony Abbott is being interviewed on 3AW now, talking about the danger of the Islamic State.

Drivers going INBOUND are facing heavy traffic on the Eastern Freeway between Thompsons Road and Blackburn Road, where a crash involving several vehicles is holding up traffic.  Two INBOUND lanes remain closed and VicRoads is advising people to allow extra time.

Our reporter is heading to Keilor East, where police will be talking about this morning's drug raids in Melbourne's north.  We'll keep you updated as we learn more. 

Updating the weather and Melburnians can look forward to a mostly sunny afternoon after a cloudy morning.  We are expecting a maximum temperature of 23C.  Read more here.

In finance today, locals stocks are expected to open higher.  The Australian dollar is at 88.29 US cents, gold is up while iron ore and oil are down.  More here. 

Two INBOUND lanes are closed on the Eastern Freeway near Bulleen Road, at Balwyn North.  A multi-car crash is causing the delays and VicRoads is telling drivers to allow extra time.