Morning Briefing: June 19, 2024

By Zehra Nur Duz

Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including Türkiye and Armenia affirming their commitment to normalizing ties, the Israeli army's approval of plans for a military offensive in Lebanon and Russian President Vladimir Putin's official visit to North Korea.

TOP STORIES

• Türkiye, Armenia affirm commitment to normalize ties

Türkiye and Armenia are committed to normalizing relations "without preconditions," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a phone call Tuesday.

"Both leaders emphasized their political will for the complete normalization of relations between Türkiye and Armenia without any preconditions," Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said on X.

Erdogan and Pashinyan underlined the importance of continuing talks between the two sides' special representatives and confirmed the points that have so far been agreed to by the two sides, the directorate added.

• Israeli army approves plans for military offensive in Lebanon

Israel's military said Tuesday that it approved plans for an offensive in Lebanon as tensions rise with the Hezbollah group.

A military statement said the head of Israel's Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, and chief of its Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk approved plans for the attack in a development that comes after months of cross-border attacks between the two sides.

According to the statement, the two generals assessed and approved the “operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon.”

• Russian President Putin arrives in North Korea for 1st official visit in 24 years

Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Tuesday for his first visit to the nation in 24 years, the Kremlin said.

The president was invited by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who "personally met Vladimir Putin at the airport in Pyongyang," the Kremlin said in a statement.

After exchanging greetings, the two leaders departed from the airport in the same car, it added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israel launched intensive attacks on the third day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday on cities throughout the Gaza Strip, killing and injuring many Palestinians, including women and children, said local sources.
• The humanitarian pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip will be operational "again this week," the Pentagon said Tuesday.
• The White House rejected the Israeli premier's remarks Tuesday about the US withholding weapons from Israel.
• The US is continuing to review a shipment of bombs to Israel due to concerns over their possible use in a heavily populated area, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday.
• Warring sides have pushed past acceptable limits in the past year, UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk said Tuesday, including in the Gaza Strip, which is presently controlled by Israeli forces who have killed over 37,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7.
• Germany's domestic intelligence agency (BfV) on Tuesday warned of a rise in the number of far-right extremists and growing radicalization among them.

SPORTS

• Conceicao's late goal gives Portugal win over Czech Republic in EURO 2024

A late goal by Francisco Conceicao gave Portugal a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in a EURO 2024 Group F match Tuesday.

Neither national team was initially able to break the deadlock, but Lukas Provod made a long-range finish for the Czech Republic in the 62nd minute.

• Türkiye beat Georgia 3-1 in EURO 2024 Group F opener

Türkiye defeated Georgia 3-1 in the EURO 2024 Group F opener on Tuesday.

A powerful volley by Mert Muldur broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, giving Türkiye the lead at the BVB Stadion Dortmund.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Nvidia's market cap surpasses Microsoft to become world's most valuable company

Nvidia's market cap surpassed Microsoft's on Tuesday as the chipmaker became the world's most valuable company.

The stock price of the California-based chipmaker climbed 3.23% to $135.21 at 1.10 p.m. EDT, giving it a market capitalization of $3.33 trillion.