A formal review launched after the death of a four-year-old in New South Wales; Hamas dissolves its de facto government in Gaza; FIFA defends its decision to overturn a red card on a key US player in the World Cup.
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- A formal review launched after the death of a four-year-old in New South Wales
- Hamas dissolves its de facto government in Gaza
- FIFA defends its decision to overturn a red card on a key US player in the World Cup
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A formal review has been launched into the New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice, after the death of a four-year-old boy whose mother has been charged with his murder.
The independent review will examine whether the alleged murder could have been prevented.
Welfare concerns were first raised after the woman took herself to Wyong police station on Saturday, officers then going to a home where they found the boy dead with significant arm injuries.
Families Minister Kate Washington says the review will be led by former President of the Children's Court, Peter Johnstone.
"The review will examine the department's previous contact with the family, why the child was living with the mother whether departmental decision, whether departmental decisions and actions were appropriate and whether the department could have done more to protect this child. I intend to publicly release the review subject to any legal constraints arising from the ongoing criminal proceedings and the coroner's processes."
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The Coalition and government have both condemned China's missile test in the Pacific.
China says the testing of the missile, launched by a nuclear-powered submarine, is part of an annual military exercise, and that it alerted relevant countries in advance, in accordance with international law and rules.
But Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesman, Ted O'Brien, has called it irresponsible, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia regards it as destabilising to the region.
Mr O'Brien says stability in the region is crucial for peace and prosperity.
"The news of a missile being tested in the Pacific island area without due warning, without precision of advice about when or where speaks to the need for us as a region to continue working together. Let us not forget that as Australians we are part of the Pacific family. This region is our region, just as it the region of the Papua New Guineans and the Fijians and the Solomons and so forth."
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The Australian Federal Police has issued a formal warning to a young person over an alleged threat to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The agency has told SBS Gujarati it had identified the source of an online threat towards a foreign head of state and spoke with an individual last Friday.
The AFP says there is no current or impending risk to the community, and any suspected criminal behaviour – including threats and harassment – will be investigated.
Mr Modi will be in Australia this week, after embarking on a three-nation tour that will see him first spend time in Indonesia, before going to Australia and New Zealand.
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Hamas says it has dissolved its de facto government in Gaza and is prepared to pass control over to a group of Palestinian technocrats.
Hamas' pledge to end its political wing, which has governed Gaza for over a decade, was a crucial part of a post-war plan set out by US President Donald Trump.
Israel has called the move a 'stunt', arguing it is designed to prevent the group from needing to disarm.
United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says the UN has taken note of the announcement.
"We welcome any step that contributes to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and advances the objectives reflected in relevant Security Council resolutions, including the full implementation of the ceasefire, the protection of civilians and the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid, as I was saying. We continue to support efforts towards unified Palestinian governance under the Palestinian Authority."
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The presidents of the US and Ukraine are expected to meet on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Türkiye today to discuss the war with Russia.
Fighting has escalated in the past month, with both sides exchanging strikes.
A Russian attack on Kyiv has reportedly killed seven people in the past day, with residents pulled from destroyed residential buildings in the capital.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned his people that more of the same is coming.
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To sport and in World Cup news,
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended world football's disciplinary process, following the decision to suspend US striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban.
The affair has become the tournament’s biggest controversy, drawing condemnation from UEFA, which has said FIFA crossed a red line, and critics who argue FIFA has undermined confidence in its own disciplinary system.
Mr Infantino says FIFA's disciplinary committee is independent and he had no involvement in the decision.
US President Donald Trump has taken credit for getting FIFA to review the red card but says he did not demand an outcome.
"If they wouldn't allow a top player - maybe the best, maybe among the best players on the team to play, I think it would have had a big stain... And I related - I didn't tell him what to do. I can't tell him what to do. And I don't believe he made the decision. It was a committee that made the decision. And they made the right decision because number one, it wasn't a foul. And you want to see a game with your best players."
