World Today: At Least 18 Dead as Heatwave Scorches Europe

At least 18 people have died in France as a heatwave across Europe broke temperature records in several cities, whilst weather forecasters in the UK predict temperatures could smash the record for June this week. On Monday, schools in France were closed and some had their schedules altered. The temperature in Bordeaux, the wine-producing region of western France, reached 41.9 degrees Celsius, breaking the record set in August last year. In Poitiers, central France, the temperature hit 41.2 degrees Celsius, beating the previous high from 1947. In San Sebastián, in the traditionally cooler northern region of Spain, temperatures were expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius. North Korea must build two warships the size of the 5,000-metric-ton Choe Hyon every year for the next five years, said Kim Jong Un, the country’s leader. Kim attended a ceremony held at the North Korean port of Nampho to celebrate the launch of the new multi-purpose destroyer Choe Hyon, the KCNA news agency reported. According to the report, Kim said his country plans to soon deploy another 5,000-ton destroyer named Kang Kon alongside a 10,000-ton strategic warship. Kang Kon was repaired last year after partially capsizing during its launch ceremony. Kim said the navy was once the weakest part of North Korea’s military power, but its capabilities will now become ‘something extraordinary beyond imagination.’ The UN has accused Israel of deliberately targeting and killing Palestinian children in Gaza, including by shooting directly at ‘their vital organs’ using drones and snipers. The accusation is contained in a report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, detailing examples of alleged crimes against Palestinian children since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. The report accuses Israeli forces of committing genocide, war crimes against children including murder and the intentional targeting of civilians, and crimes against humanity including persecution based on age. ‘The Israeli government and security forces have deliberately carried out actions that have caused the death and severe physical and mental harm to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children,’ the inquiry found, ‘permanently destroying childhood, including family bonds, identity, innocence, safety, and the future.’ Australian opposition leader Angus Taylor refused to say whether the Coalition still supports multiculturalism. Taylor was challenged several times on whether the Coalition still backs multiculturalism or would follow the One Nation party in ending it in Australia. The opposition leader did not provide a position, instead saying the culture he wants to see is one where people support ‘Australian values.’ ‘Explain to me what you mean by that. There are a lot of vague words floating around. The one thing we all want to share are those core Australian values,’ Taylor said.