Daily World Briefing, June 17

Iranian strike shuts down Israel's largest oil refinery

Bazan, Israel's largest oil refinery company, announced on Monday night that all of its facilities at the Haifa Port had been completely shut down due to the damage caused by an Iranian missile strike.

Three company employees were killed in the pre-dawn attack, which ignited fires at the strategic complex. Video footage showed visible flames, and firefighting teams were still struggling to extinguish the blaze, according to the Israeli daily Ha'aretz.

Toppling Iranian leadership "could be outcome" of ongoing conflict: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled on Monday that Israel will not halt its offensive against Iran, not even for negotiations, saying that toppling Iran's leadership "could certainly be the outcome" of the ongoing aerial warfare.

Netanyahu made the remarks during a press conference, as Iran called on U.S. President Donald Trump to push for a ceasefire in the aerial conflict that began with Israel's surprise attack on Friday.

Gaza internet outage ends, killings of food-seeking civilians continue

The internet outage which paralyzed humanitarian aid in Gaza has ended, but the famine threat and the killings of food-seeking Palestinians continue as fuel dips critically low, UN humanitarian said on Monday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said telecommunications cables in Gaza were repaired over the weekend, allowing internet services to resume after days of complete outage.

U.S. issues travel advisory for Israel

U.S. States Department on Monday issued travel advisory on its website, suggesting U.S. citizens not travel to Israel due to armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest.

"The security situation in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, is unpredictable," the advisory said, reminding U.S. citizens of remaining vigilant and taking appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and armed UAV intrusions and missiles, can take place without warning.

Death toll hits 90 in South Africa's Eastern Cape floods

The death toll from devastating floods in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province has risen to 90, as recovery operations continue to make progress in the affected areas, local authorities said Monday.

"The latest report has indicated an increase in the number of fatalities from 88 to 90," said the Eastern Cape Provincial Government in a statement. "Out of the 90 fatalities, 60 are adults and 30 children, while 48 are male and 42 female."

48 dead after boats capsize in northwest DR Congo

At least 48 people have died after boats capsized on Lake Tumba in the northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the DRC government said on Sunday.

Following the incident near Bikoro in Equateur Province on Wednesday, 46 passengers have been rescued, while 107 remain unaccounted for. Authorities have recovered and buried 48 bodies so far, said a statement issued by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Security Jacquemain Shabani.

20 killed in clashes in Chad

At least 20 people have been killed and 16 others injured following some clashes in Chad, authorities said on Monday.

In a statement, the country's communication ministry said the clashes ran from June 10 to 14 in Molou locality of Ouaddai province (east of Chad). The statement did not say what caused the clashes but local media reported that the conflict involved two rival tribes.

4 killed, 6 injured in explosion in firecracker factory in India's Uttar Pradesh

At least four women were killed and six others injured Monday in an explosion in a firecracker factory in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said.

The explosion took place in Atrasi village of Amroha district, about 402 km northwest of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.

Vietnam to establish first free trade zone in central region

The Vietnamese government has approved the establishment of the country's first free trade zone in the central city of Da Nang, local media VnExpress reported Monday.

Covering an area of 1,881 hectares, the zone is expected to become a major economic, logistics and technological hub in the Asia-Pacific region, the report added.

Russia transfers bodies of over 6,000 soldiers to Ukraine

Russia has transferred the bodies of 6,060 fallen soldiers to Ukraine, Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky said Monday.

Russia agreed to return the bodies of 6,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers after Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul on June 2.■