World
International affairs, events, and conflicts
The Human Rights Watch has lambasted Australia for jailing children in their latest annual report, saying the government had “increasingly violated the rights of children in the criminal justice system in 2024”. The report pointed to facilities designed for adults in Queensland and Western Australia where authorities had detained and the Northern Territory government lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 12 years to 10. This comes as Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, this week promised he would be making “many more” changes to strengthen the state’s already tough youth justice laws. "It's gone from bad to worse. What we do know as well in Australia is that there's no Human Rights Act,” said Daniela Gavshon, the Australian Director of Human Rights Watch. “So there's no overarching piece of legislation that puts all the human rights regulations and rules and responsibilities into one place. Australia is the only liberal democracy that doesn't have a Human Rights Act."
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed the Gaza ceasefire, pushing back a critical vote from his cabinet. The ceasefire agreement was reached earlier this week after ongoing talks between Israeli officials and Hamas, to end 15 months of war and bloodshed. The multi-stage deal was announced by Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, where the talks took place. However, less than one day later, Netanyahu announced a cabinet vote to officially approve the agreement, originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon, had been delayed. Netanyahu has accused Hamas of walking back its commitment to the deal as his reasoning while Hamas officials have insisted they still support the agreement. In a statement released on Thursday (Friday AEDT), he said that “Hamas reneges on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last minute concessions”. Later the same day his National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said he would resign if the ceasefire was ratified, doubling down on his strong public opposition of the deal. The ceasefire deal is due to come into effect on Sunday, just one day before United States President-elect Donal
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, opening the way to a possible end to a 15-month war in Gaza. The agreement follows on-off negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. United States President Joe Biden confirmed the deal which involves the full ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas. “It is long past time for the fighting to end and the work of building peace and security to begin,” he said. “I am thrilled that those who have been held hostage are being reunited with their families.” The agreement comes just days before president-elect Donald Trump enters the White House on 20 January. In the past, Trump stated there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages weren’t released by the time he became president. Trump took to Truth Social to state that he is “thrilled” that the hostages will be returning home the America and to take credit for the agreement. “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signalled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” he posted.
Winds strengthened in Los Angeles overnight as firefighters attempted to battle three separate blazes. Residents are continuing to face dire new fire warnings and are gathering pets and important items, preparing to flee at any moment in Southern California. A week after the first still-burning fires began, thousands of homes have been destroyed and at least 24 people have been killed. Since Sunday, three people have been arrested on suspicion of arson according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Each of the fires started by the arsonists has been extinguished. As of Tuesday morning, the Los Angeles Police Department has made 14 arrests in relation to the fires. "Three for curfew, one for impersonating a firefighter, one for possession of burglary tools, four for burglary, one for DUI, one for felony vandalism and three for shoplifting,” LAPD assistant chief, Dominic Choi said in a press conference. The fires could be the United States' costliest. While Government agencies haven’t provided preliminary damage estimates yet, AccuWeather, a company that provides data on weather and its impact estimates the damage and economic losses at US$250 billion to US275 billion.
Australia’s government is “making urgent inquiries” with Russian officials after an Australian fighting for Ukraine was reportedly killed in Russian custody. Oscar Jenkins, from Melbourne, was reportedly captured in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region in December. A video released by a Russian journalist appeared to show Jenkins being interrogated and beaten by Russian soldiers. The government is “making urgent inquiries following reports of Oscar Jenkins’ death”, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesperson said. “These reports have not been verified, but we continue to have grave concerns for Mr Jenkins’ welfare.” “My thoughts are with Mr Jenkins’ family. They’ve lived with a fear and uncertainty of a loved one in the middle of a foreign war for many months,” said Foreign Minister Penny Wong. A report by 7News yesterday said Jenkins’ body had been found in Ukraine. DFAT said it had summoned Russia’s ambassador to Australia on Monday to ask for information on Jenkins and reiterate Russia’s obligations to comply with international law. “The Russian Federation is obligated to treat all prisoners of war in accordance with international humanitarian law,” said a DFAT spokesperson. Coalition Senat
