Top U.S. & World Headlines — June 20, 2024

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20 Jun 202411:32

Summary

TLDRThe UN Human Rights office has accused Israel of war crimes for using heavy bombs in Gaza, causing extensive civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The report details attacks on residential buildings, schools, and markets, with at least 218 deaths verified. UN's Navi Pillay also accuses Hamas and Islamic Jihad of committing war crimes. As tensions rise, Israel faces international scrutiny while an Israeli military spokesperson admits Hamas cannot be eradicated. The news also covers global events like Putin's visit to Vietnam, Trump's immigration comments, and extreme weather causing fatalities in Saudi Arabia, India, and the US.

Takeaways

🎵 The UN Human Rights office accuses Israel of systematically violating war laws in Gaza, causing significant civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction.
👩‍⚖️ A separate UN inquiry led by Navi Pillay finds Israel responsible for war crimes, including extermination and targeting civilians.
🎯 Hamas and Islamic Jihad are also accused of committing war crimes by the UN.
📈 The death toll in Gaza exceeds 37,400, with recent Israeli airstrikes killing multiple Palestinians at aid crossings.
🇺🇸 The White House cancels a meeting with Israeli officials after Netanyahu accuses the US of withholding military aid, despite recent approval of an $8 billion military package.
✈️ Israeli military spokesperson admits Hamas cannot be destroyed, contradicting Netanyahu's war aims.
🔥 Putin and Kim Jong-un sign a mutual defense pact during Putin's visit to North Korea.
🚷 Trump criticizes Biden's immigration policy allowing undocumented immigrants married to US citizens to apply for work permits and residency.
🕋 Over 900 Muslim pilgrims die in Mecca due to a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 125°F.
🔥 Climate activists from 'Just Stop Oil' arrested after targeting private jets and monuments in the UK, demanding the government phase out fossil fuels by 2030.

Q & A

What did the UN Human Rights Office accuse Israel of in its report?
-The UN Human Rights Office accused Israel of systematically violating the laws of war by using heavy bombs to destroy civilian infrastructure in densely populated areas of Gaza.
How many people died in the six Israeli attacks examined by the UN?
-The UN verified that at least 218 people died in those six attacks.
What crimes did Navi Pillay accuse Israeli authorities of committing?
-Navi Pillay accused Israeli authorities of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including extermination, intentionally directing attacks against civilians, murder, using starvation as a method of war, forcible transfer, gender persecution, and sexual and gender-based violence amounting to torture.
What were Hamas and Islamic Jihad accused of by the UN?
-Hamas and Islamic Jihad were accused of committing war crimes by the UN.
What was the official death toll in Gaza as mentioned in the report?
-The official death toll in Gaza had topped 37,400.
Why did the White House cancel a high-level meeting with Israeli officials?
-The White House canceled the meeting after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the US of withholding military aid to Israel.
What statement did a top Israeli military spokesperson make about Hamas?
-Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that Hamas cannot be destroyed, contradicting Netanyahu's aim of the war on Gaza.
What threat did Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah make?
-Hassan Nasrallah warned that Hezbollah could strike anywhere inside Israel and also threatened to target Cyprus if it allowed Israel to use its air bases to attack Lebanon.
What mutual defense pact was signed by Russia and North Korea?
-Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a mutual defense pact that includes mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties.
What is the Biden administration's new immigration rule regarding undocumented immigrants married to US citizens?
-The new rule allows undocumented immigrants married to US citizens to apply for work permits and permanent residency, giving them a pathway to citizenship.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 UN Accuses Israel of War Crimes

The UN Human Rights office has accused Israel of violating the laws of war by using heavy bombs on civilian infrastructure in Gaza. The report examined six Israeli attacks that resulted in at least 218 deaths. UN inquiry chair Navi Pillay testified that Israeli authorities are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including extermination and attacks on civilians. The findings will be shared with the International Criminal Court. Hamas and Islamic Jihad were also accused of committing war crimes. The official death toll in Gaza has surpassed 37,400, with recent Israeli airstrikes killing more Palestinians.

05:01

🔥 Severe Heat and Climate Crisis Impact

In Saudi Arabia, over 900 Muslim pilgrims have died due to a heatwave with temperatures above 125°F. Climate scientists warn of increased heat stroke risks for future Hajj pilgrims. In India, over 50 unhoused people died from temperatures exceeding 120°F, with over 40,000 suspected heat stroke cases logged this year. Tropical Storm Alberto has caused flooding in Mexico and Texas, with three reported deaths. The U.S. is experiencing a heatwave with record temperatures expected. In New Mexico, wildfires have destroyed over 1,400 structures, leading to evacuations and at least two deaths. Air pollution caused over 8 million deaths in 2021, with children in low-income countries most affected.

10:03

🌐 Global and National Political Developments

Russian President Putin visited Vietnam and signed a mutual defense pact with North Korea. In the U.S., Republican candidate Donald Trump criticized President Biden's immigration plan to protect undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens. In Saudi Arabia, extreme heat has caused the deaths of over 900 pilgrims in Mecca. Climate activists in the UK protested against private jets and fossil fuels. French police arrested leaders of New Caledonia's independence movement. In Sudan, clashes continue, with the UN accusing the UAE of fueling the conflict. In Kenya, protests against tax hikes led to arrests. The U.S. approved a $360 million weapons package for Taiwan.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡UN Human Rights Office

The UN Human Rights Office is an international body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally. In the video, it accuses Israel of violating the laws of war by targeting civilian infrastructure in Gaza. This body plays a key role in documenting and reporting human rights abuses.

💡war crimes

War crimes are serious violations of the laws of war that include targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. The video mentions that both Israeli authorities and militant groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad are accused of committing war crimes. This concept is crucial for understanding the legal accusations made by the UN.

💡Gaza

Gaza is a densely populated region that has been the focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The video reports on the heavy bombing and destruction in Gaza, highlighting the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict. Understanding Gaza's context is essential to grasping the video's discussion of civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

💡International Criminal Court (ICC)

The ICC is a global tribunal that prosecutes individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The video's mention of the UN sharing findings with the ICC underscores the severity of the accusations against Israel and Palestinian militant groups. This court's involvement indicates potential legal proceedings on an international level.

💡Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of Israel, and his actions and statements are central to the video's narrative. His accusation against the US for withholding military aid and his administration's stance on the Gaza conflict are key elements of the discussion. Netanyahu's policies and rhetoric significantly impact Israel's international relations and military strategy.

💡Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian militant organization governing Gaza. The video discusses accusations against Hamas for committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians. Hamas's role in the conflict and its impact on both Israeli and Palestinian civilians are critical to understanding the broader geopolitical and humanitarian issues.

💡heatwave

A heatwave refers to a prolonged period of excessively hot weather. The video highlights extreme heat conditions in Mecca and India, causing numerous deaths and health issues. These events underscore the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations, adding another layer of global crisis discussed in the video.

💡Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump

Donald Trump is a prominent political figure and former President of the United States. In the video, he criticizes President Biden's immigration policies. Trump's stance on immigration and his promise to deport millions of immigrants if re-elected are significant to the political discourse in the US.

💡climate crisis

The climate crisis refers to the significant and urgent environmental issues caused by climate change. The video connects various global events, such as heatwaves and wildfires, to the climate crisis. This highlights the pressing need for climate action to mitigate adverse effects on human health and the environment.

💡air pollution

Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the air, causing health problems and environmental damage. The video cites a study linking air pollution to millions of deaths, particularly among children in low- and middle-income countries. This underscores the disproportionate impact of environmental issues on vulnerable populations.

Highlights

The UN Human Rights office accused Israel of systematically violating the laws of war by using heavy bombs to destroy civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

The UN report verified at least 218 people died in six Israeli attacks targeting residential buildings, a school, refugee camps, and a market.

Navi Pillay, chair of a separate UN inquiry, testified before the UN Human Rights Council, accusing Israeli authorities of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

The UN's Navi Pillay also accused Hamas and Islamic Jihad of committing war crimes.

The official death toll in Gaza has topped 37,400, with recent Israeli airstrikes killing more Palestinians.

The White House canceled a high-level meeting with Israeli officials after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu accused the US of withholding military aid to Israel.

Two key Democratic lawmakers recently signed off on an $8 billion military package for Israel involving the sale of 50 F-15 G fighter jets.

A top Israeli military spokesperson admitted that Hamas cannot be destroyed, contradicting Netanyahu's stated aim of the war.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned his forces could strike anywhere inside Israel, and threatened Cyprus if it allows Israel to use its air bases to attack Lebanon.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Vietnam after making his first visit to North Korea in 24 years and signed a mutual defense pact with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attacked President Biden's move to shield half a million undocumented immigrants married to US citizens from deportation.

The number of Muslim pilgrims who died amidst a searing heatwave in Mecca has topped 900, with thousands treated for heat exhaustion.

Emergency workers in India recovered the bodies of more than 50 unhoused people who died over two days as daytime temperatures soared above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

A new study finds air pollution caused over 8 million deaths in 2021, with children in low and middle-income countries far more likely to be affected.

The Biden administration approved selling 1,000 armed drones to Taiwan as part of a new $360 million weapons package.