A major health operation is underway as authorities test over 1,200 children for infectious diseases after one childcare worker was found guilty of multiple sex offences against his pupils.

Melbourne

A childcare centre in Melbourne's southwest is under investigation following allegations of child sexual abuse by a former carer, Joshua Brown. Brown, 26, is accused of offenses against eight children aged between five months and two years, including sexual penetration, performing sexual acts in front of a child, producing child abuse material, and recklessly contaminating goods.

The allegations have triggered a state health response, with over 1,200 children being tested for infectious diseases and 2,600 families notified of potential risk. Brown, who had a valid working with children check and worked at 20 centres since 2017, was arrested after police discovered child abuse material. Authorities are reviewing child safety screening processes, and legal action may follow if negligence is found.

Melbourne childcare worker charged with over 70 child sex offences

A childcare centre in Melbourne's southwest, supposedly a sanctuary for young children, now at the centre of an investigation into horrific claims of child sexual abuse, allegedly at the hands of one of its carers, leaving parents worried and uncertain. It will haunt me forever. Did something happen to my child? Any case of child abuse is abhorrent. The accused, 26-year-old Joshua Brown from Point Cook, was 24 at the time of his alleged offending against eight children. Aged between just five months and two years old, between April 2022 and January 2023. The charges include the sexual penetration of a child, performing a sexual act in front of a child, producing child abuse material and recklessly contaminating goods. The seriousness and manner of that offence triggering a state health response in which 1,200 children will need to be tested for infectious diseases. The infections that the children were potentially exposed to can be treated with antibiotics. 2,600 families have been notified of a potential risk. Testing could take weeks but will be prioritised. We really do want to offer families that reassurance. Sexual crime squad detectives arrested the accused child rapist on May 12 after they became aware of child abuse material allegedly in his possession. Families of the eight victims were made aware of the alleged crimes against their children just last week. It wasn't through someone's complaint. We didn't have a victim for quite some time. The accused had a valid working with children check. He'd worked at 20 centres between 2017 and this year. Just distressing. It really makes me think about what to do with my son's care now. Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allen choked back tears, saying she felt sick to her stomach over the allegations. She reiterated this is not a reflection of the broader early childhood sector or of staff working within the industry. But the Premier acknowledged a rapid review is underway into working with children checks, which could lead to a raft of changes. My heart just breaks for the families who are living every parent's worst nightmare. If families aren't satisfied enough has been done to ensure the safety of their child, legal action could follow. If the child care centres in this particular case are found to be negligent, the families will have a strong case for seeking accountability and recourse through civil litigation. Jessica Maggio, 10 News.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Washington

Global Tariffs

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Indonesian rescuers on Thursday (July 3) temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives, the national search and rescue agency said.

Gilimanuk

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Madrid

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The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

Iran Strikes

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Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Lhasa

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New York

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Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

Boise

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Madison

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Paris

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Everglades

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Former criminology graduate student Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to killing four Idaho college students in 2022, a move that would spare him the death penalty under a deal with prosecutors, ABC News reported on Monday (June 30).

Moscow

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Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending a case seeking her dismissal, adding to mounting pressure on a government fighting for survival on multiple fronts.

Bangkok

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