Morning Briefing: June 18, 2024

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including Israel's Netanyahu dissolving the War Cabinet, Israel forces burning down the departure hall at the Rafah crossing, and an increase in Palestinian deaths from Israeli attacks.

TOP STORIES

- Israeli Premier Netanyahu dissolves War Cabinet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the War Cabinet that was formed on Oct. 11, 2023, after Israel launched a war on Gaza, state media reported on Monday.

According to public broadcaster KAN, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had made a forceful request to join the Cabinet.

The move came after opposition leader Benny Gantz quit the emergency government earlier this month following disagreements over a post-war strategy on the Gaza Strip.

- Israeli army burns down Palestinian side of Rafah crossing

The Israeli army on Monday burned down the departure hall on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, eventually disconnecting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

After seizing control of the Rafah crossing 40 days ago, the Israeli army set fire to the departure hall, as well as other facilities and buildings, eventually disconnecting Palestinians in Gaza from the outside world, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

This comes amid ongoing incursions by Israeli military vehicles into Rafah's Philadelphi Corridor area, a demilitarized buffer zone that runs along the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt.

- 10 more killed, 73 injured, taking Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks to 37,347

Israeli forces killed 10 Palestinians and injured 73 others in two major attacks targeting families in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll from Israeli attacks since Oct. 7 to 37,347, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said on Monday.

At least 85,372 people have also been injured in the onslaught, the ministry added in a statement.

NEWS IN BRIEF

- Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a two-day visit to North Korea from Tuesday, the Kremlin said on Monday.

- The US on Monday voiced concern about the "deepening relationship" between Russia and North Korea as the Russian president is due this week in Pyongyang.

- The Israeli army claimed on Monday that it has "operational control" over some 70% of the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and aims to complete its military campaign in the area within a few weeks.

- At least nine Palestinian civilians were killed on Monday when Israeli warplanes targeted a group of merchants and security personnel accompanying cargo trucks in eastern Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, during the second day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday.

- At least one person was killed in an Israeli drone attack on a car in southern Lebanon, Lebanese state media reported on Monday.

- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday called for international action to put an end to Israel's "bloodthirstiness" and systematic oppression of Palestinians.

- Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Monday reported fresh US-British airstrikes against facilities it holds in the western province of Al Hudaydah.

- NATO allies are increasing their defense spending by 18% this year, marking the biggest increase in decades, the alliance’s secretary general said Monday.

- In fresh escalation between Beijing and Manila, China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel on Monday “blocked, boarded, searched” a Philippines vessel which “intruded” into waters near Ren'ai, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea, state media reported.

- The elected mayor of a southwestern Mexican town was shot and killed while on his way back from a trip to Mexico City, authorities said Monday.

SPORTS

- Sergio Ramos leaves Spanish LaLiga club Sevilla

Spanish LaLiga club Sevilla announced on Monday that defender Sergio Ramos has decided to leave the club.

"Ramos has informed Sevilla FC that he will not stay next season after fulfilling his dream of returning to the club where he came through the academy before making his international debut," a statement by the Spanish side read.

"The Club wishes to thank Sergio for the commitment, leadership and dedication that he has demonstrated this season, and wishes him the best for future," the statement added.

- Boston Celtics beat Dallas Mavericks to win NBA finals

The Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 on Monday in Boston to claim a record 18th NBA title.

The victory came 16 years after the Celtics last won the title in 2008, moving them one spot ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers, who are now in second place with 17 championships.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum had a game-high 31 points along with 11 assists and eight rebounds and his teammate Jaylen Brown had 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

- Canada's investment in building construction falls 2% to $20.5B in April

Canada's investment in building construction decreased 2% to $20.5 billion in April, according to the country's statistical agency on Monday.

The residential sector declined 2.7% to $14.2 billion, while the non-residential sector fell 0.5% to $6.3 billion, Statistics Canada said in a statement.

Monthly declines were recorded in nine of the 13 provinces during the month of April, led by Ontario with a decrease of $123.9 million to $5.5 billion, and Alberta with a fall of $118.4 million to $1.7 billion, it added.

- Japanese firm develops material for batteries with 100-times higher energy density

Japanese multinational electronics corporation TDK announced Monday it has developed a material for solid-state batteries that are approximately 100 times greater than the energy density of conventional ones.

The Tokyo-based firm said its technology can be utilized in various wearable devices, such as wireless earphones, hearing aids, smartwatches and environmental sensors.

While the goal is replacing existing coin cell batteries, the new material uses oxide-based solid electrolyte and lithium alloy anodes.