Morning Briefing: June 8, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hoping there will never be an exchange of nuclear strikes, the Israeli army taking complete control of the Philadelphi Corridor, which separates the Gaza Strip from Egypt, fully isolating the enclave and the WHO's report about 1.6 million people become sick daily from eating unsafe food.

TOP STORIES

• Putin hopes there will never be an exchange of nuclear strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that there will never be an exchange of nuclear strikes.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin noted that Russia's military doctrine allows for nuclear use only in exceptional cases, which have not yet occurred.

"Regarding nuclear escalation, we have never initiated this rhetoric,” he said. “We merely responded to threats (from the West). They immediately accused us of rattling nuclear weapons, which we are not.”

• Israeli troops take complete control of Philadelphi Corridor, fully isolating Gaza: Witnesses

The Israeli army took complete control of the Philadelphi Corridor, which separates the Gaza Strip from Egypt, fully isolating the enclave.

Israeli forces advanced further west to the Mediterranean Sea in Rafah, southern Gaza, controlling the entire Corridor, a 14-kilometer (8.69-mile) demilitarized buffer zone running along the Gaza-Egypt border, witnesses told Anadolu.

Witnesses reported that Israeli military vehicles are now stationed on Al-Rashid Street, which runs along Rafah's western edge.

• WHO says 1.6 million people become sick daily from eating unsafe food

The World Health Organization said every day an estimated 1.6 million people become sick from eating unsafe food.

Children under the age of 5 carry 40% of the foodborne disease burden, Francesco Branca, head of nutrition and food safety at the WHO, told a UN news conference in Geneva on World Food Safety Day.

Stressing that food safety hazards do not recognize borders, Branca said in an "increasingly interconnected global food supply," risks posed by unsafe food can rapidly evolve from a local problem into an international emergency.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• In a fresh boost to their bilateral relations, China and Pakistan vowed support to each other’s issues of “core interests.”
• At least 40 people were reported dead following artillery bombardment by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Omdurman area of Sudan's national capital of Khartoum.
• The US condemned the "horrific attacks" by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on unarmed civilians in Wad al-Noura in Sudan’s Gezira state, which killed more than 100 people.
• At least 21 civilians, including two children, were killed and five others injured in a strike on a store in the Kherson region by Ukrainian forces using US missiles, Russia claimed.
• The French president said France will continue to support Ukraine on all platforms, hoping that talks about Ukraine’s accession to the European Union will start by the end of June.
• NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg sent a “clear message” to Russia, stating that the alliance's support for Ukraine will persist as long as necessary to make Moscow realize it cannot continue its war on Ukraine.
• A local court in Zambia sentenced 21 Chinese and a Cameroonian to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for internet fraud.
• Eleven people working for the UN have been detained by the Yemeni Houthi group, the global body's spokesman confirmed.
• A total of 52 humanitarian aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip through the Israeli Kerem Shalom crossing, Egyptian media reported.
• China slammed fresh US arms sales to Taiwan and Washington's "support to Taiwan independence forces."
• US President Joe Biden hailed the sacrifices of dozens of American Army Rangers who died as they scaled a heavily-fortified cliff to break Nazi lines to establish a foothold in mainland Europe during World War II, saying those troops would want America to "stay true" to its ideals.
• China asked the US "to do something concrete" for Africa instead of criticizing the Belt and Road Initiative.
• US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it reestablished the temporary pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip which broke apart in rough seas late last month.
• Afghanistan’s interim Taliban administration urged Germany to protect the rights of Afghan immigrants after Berlin announced it would deport those found guilty of serious crimes.
• The Chinese leadership hosted Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the two sides vowed to protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project from "detractors and adversaries."
• Russia and Türkiye are exploring ways to protect their bilateral cooperation from Western pressure, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
• Iranians expect their new president to address economic issues weighing down the country and bring hope to younger generations as they head to the polls June 28.
• The bodies of 54 Palestinians and many injured individuals arrived at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the Gaza Strip.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Video game retailer GameStop posts 28% fall in Q1 net sales

American video game, consumer electronics retailer GameStop saw around a 28% decline in net sales during the first quarter, according to its financial results statement.

The company reported net sales of nearly $882 million for the 13 weeks that ended May 4 -- a decrease of 28.7% from approximately $1.24 billion recorded in the 13 weeks that ended April 29, 2023.

The retailer, in addition, posted a $32.3 million net loss in the first quarter, after a net loss of $50.5 million in the same period last year.

• TikTok owners plan $2.1 billion in investment to turn Malaysia into AI hub

TikTok promoters are planning to expand their operations and turn Malaysia into an artificial intelligence (AI) hub with a new investment to the tune of $2.1 billion.

Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia’s investment, trade and industry minister, made the statement after meeting Helena Lersch, the vice president of TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance in Singapore.

He said ByteDance plans to make Malaysia an AI hub for the region with an investment of 10 billion ringgit ($2.1 billion).

SPORTS​​​​​​​

• Cristiano Ronaldo eyes history at EURO 2024 in Germany

Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to go down in history as the first footballer to participate in six European championships as he prepares to light up the UEFA EURO 2024 stage in Germany.

The 39-year-old Al-Nassr forward previously donned the colors of Portugal in EURO 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020, while clinching the 2016 title in France.

Playing for his nation since 2003, Ronaldo will be Portugal’s most experienced player as he was named to the star-studded squad for EURO 2024 which will kick off June 14.

• Boston Celtics beat Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of 2024 NBA Finals

The Boston Celtics thrashed the Dallas Mavericks 107 - 89 in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Thursday.

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics at the TD Garden, scoring 22 points. Celtics star Jayson Tatum recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis came off the bench to score 20 points for the Celtics.

Porzingis, who returned from a calf injury, was among the key players in the win.