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.
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Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Israeli Envoy To India Speaks On Evacuation Of Indians, Reveals Why Israel Struck Iran's State TV
Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, defended the strike on Iran's State Television, calling it a symbol of Iran's aggression and a mouthpiece for its military campaign against Israel. He said all personnel were asked to evacuate beforehand, and those who stayed did so by choice. Azar condemned the station for broadcasting fear and justifying violence. On the evacuation of Indian nationals amid the Israel-Iran conflict, Azar confirmed full coordination with India's Ministry of External Affairs. He said evacuation plans are being organised through Israel's Ministry of Transport, with both land and sea routes being explored for foreign diplomats and citizens.#israelambassador #reuvenazar #iranstatetv #iranisraelconflict #iranaggression #evacuation #indiannationals #meacoordination #ministryoftransport #diplomacy #citizensafety #middleeast #deescalation #mediaattack #informationwarfare #internationalrelations #crisismanagment #regionalstability #globalconcerns #humanitarian #peaceefforts #jerusalem #tehran #indiadiplomacy #toi #toibharat
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Iran announces limited ban on smartphones and laptops, fearing Israel's digital tracking
Iran has banned government officials and their bodyguards from using all communication devices linked to the networks. The ban, announced Tuesday, includes mobile phones, smart watches and laptops. Iran did not elaborate on the reason for the ban, which was reported by the semiofficial Fars news agency. However, it suggests Iran suspects Israel used digital signatures from electronics to launch its strikes, which have decimated Iran's military leadership. Life is 'dire' in Tehran, laments Afghan shopkeeper stuck in Iranian capital. Sirens blare every few hours in Tehran and people rush for shelter amid ongoing Israeli attacks, says an Afghan shopkeeper in Tehran. Life has never been so "dire" here, he says. The man, originally from Kabul, has lived in the Iranian capital for the past four years. Now he says he has no means of getting out of the city and is stuck in the apartment he rents. He spoke to The Associated Press over the phone, declining to give his name for fear of reprisals from authorities who maintain that it's business as normal. But markets, stores and commercial areas are closed - and food is becoming scare, he says. "For two days now, food has been hard to find, especially bread." "The police don't even allow us to go outside or leave the city. Everyone is forbidden from taking photos or videos," he said. "I am in a war zone." The UN watchdog now says Israeli strikes had direct impacts' on Iran's Natanz enrichment site The International Atomic Energy Agency says it now believes Israeli airstrikes on Iran's Natanz enrichment site had "direct impacts" on the facility's underground centrifuge halls. It did not elaborate. It's the first time the UN nuclear watchdog has assessed damage from the strikes in the underground parts of Natanz, which is the main enrichment facility of Iran's programme. Earlier, it was clear that Natanz's above-ground enrichment hall had been destroyed, as well as electrical equipment that powered the facility. Iran has not discussed the damage done in depth at Natanz as the country is reeling from the ongoing Israeli strikes that are dismantling its air defence and killing its top military commanders. After being stranded in Saudi Arabia, Iranian pilgrims take long land route home Dozens of Iranian pilgrims were in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage when they got stranded by the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict that has left much of the Mideast's airspace closed and reduced traffic at dozens of airports. Since they couldn't take the flight back to Iran, some 100 pilgrims travelled first by bus to neighbouring Iraq, where they are now waiting in the southern city of Karbala to cross the border to Iran. "This war came in and it was not in our hands" said Aziz Mohammed Khan, one of the Iranian pilgrims. "They told us that we will stay and take a rest here for about two hours, then after the two hours we will be sent back to Mehran border crossing in Iran." The pilgrims sat at a waiting hall where the buses were parked. Some sat on the benches, while others sat on the ground in the shade to avoid the sweltering summer heat. Iran's Nobel Peace Prize laureate on leave from prison in Tehran indicates she's left the city Narges Mohammadi, who has been on an extended leave from Evin Prison in the Iranian capital, has signalled she's fled Tehran amid the Israeli strikes. Mohammadi wrote on X: "I left home." She said she hoped to return one day. "I know millions of our fellow citizens are leaving their homes to escape war - fleeing death, fear, and destruction - and because there is no shelter left in their cities, they seek refuge in others," she wrote. "Let's be each other's refuge." She did not say where she was or where she was going. Mohammadi, who has kept up her activism despite numerous arrests and spending years behind bars, had been serving 13 years and nine months on charges of collusion against state security and propaganda against Iran's government. Kremlin says all Russians in Tehran who want to leave will be evacuated Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the Russian embassy in Tehran is working "around the clock" to make sure all Russian nationals could evacuate from Iran though a checkpoint on the border with Azerbaijan. He said Moscow was "very grateful" to Azerbaijan for assistance on the border. "This work continues around the clock." Peskov deplored that the situation in the Middle East was "still on the path of further escalation, galloping escalation." Asked if there's been any response to Moscow's proposal to mediate the conflict, Peskov said: "At the moment, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to turn to any kind of mediation services." As Tehran empties out, a cyberattack targets one of its banks Bank Sepah, the first bank established in Iran, saw its online services disrupted in an apparent cyberattack. The semiofficial Fars news agency said that will likely cause a disruption at some gasoline stations. The hackers identified themselves as "Gonjeshke Darande," or "Predatory Sparrow." The group has claimed hacking a major steel mill in 2022 and disrupting gas stations in 2023. Iran, long sanctioned by the West, has difficulties in getting up-to-date hardware and software, often relying on Chinese-manufactured electronics or older systems no longer being patched by manufacturers. Pirated versions of Windows and other software are common across Iran.>
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Iran TRAPS Israel In Ballistic Missile HELLFIRE; Casualties As 2nd Wave Makes THUNDEROUS Impact
Iran launched a new wave of ballistic missiles on Israel a short while ago. Warning sirens sounded across central Israel. The IDF said that fewer than 10 missiles were fired and that some of them were intercepted. Israel's emergency service claimed that 4 people were injured while rushing to bomb shelters. This comes after Iran's IRGC claimed to have struck Mossad centre and IDF's intelligence headquarters in Tel Aviv. The Iranian attacks come as Israel continued to bombard Tehran on day 5 of the conflict. Watch for more details.
