News Dabba for 16 June 2023: Five stories for a balanced news diet

Indie Journal brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from Protests across Greece following migrant boat tragedy, Cyclone Biparjoy, to Japan changing sex crime laws.

Protests across Greece following migrant boat tragedy, Al Jazeera

Protests have taken place across Greece over the sinking of a boat carrying migrants and refugees that left at least 78 people dead. Al Jazeera reported that more than 100 people were rescued from a capsized boat off the coast of Pylos but hopes have faded for hundreds of others who were still missing. Authorities estimate the trawler may have carried as many as 750 passengers, who each paid thousands of dollars for passage on the battered vessel. Thousands of people demonstrated on Thursday in cities across Greece to protest against the authorities’ handling of the shipwreck, the report adds. Read the full report here.

The Hindu's Live Updates on  Cyclone: Weakening Biparjoy heads to Rajasthan

Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall in Gujarat near Jakhau Port in the Kutch district on June 15 battering the State at a wind-speed of around 115 kmph, The Hindu reported. It left a trail of destruction as it continues its landfall process over Pakistan and Rajasthan. The very severe cyclonic storm has now weakened into a cyclonic storm and will continue to weaken into a depression by June 16 evening, the India Meteorological Department said, as per the report. IMD officials said that heavy rains are expected in Rajasthan on June 16. Read the full report here.

Bengaluru food delivery agent gets thrashed over 8-year-old girl’s complaint, India Today reports

Residents and guards of a Bengaluru apartment bashed a food delivery partner and called in the police after an 8-year-old girl said that he forcibly took her to the terrace of the building. However, India Today reports that surveillance camera footage later revealed that the girl was lying. The incident took place at an apartment in Bengaluru’s Electronic City on Monday. A couple, who were looking for their missing 8-year-old daughter, found her on the terrace. On being found, the girl told her parents that a food delivery agent had taken her upstairs and she bit his hand to escape. Later, the girl said that she lied to her parents as she was scared of being scolded. Read the full report here.

Hindustan Times: Heavy rains trigger flash flood in North Sikkim, submerge NH 10

Flash flood hit North Sikkim district and submerged the National Highway 10 at Pegong. Hindustan Times reported that heavy rains lashed North Sikkim on Thursday night which resulted in the overflow of nearby rivers leading to the flash flood that engulfed the highway. Areas such as Lachen and Lachung in North Sikkim have been cut off from the rest of the state due to flash flood, as per the report. All tourist permits have been cancelled for Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, Nathula and North Sikkim till further notice. Read the full report here.

BBC on Japan's landmark law reform that redefines rape and raises age of consent

BBC reported that Japan has passed laws that redefine rape and raise the age of consent. The definition of rape was broadened to "non-consensual sexual intercourse" from "forcible sexual intercourse", aligning Japanese law's definition with other countries, the report adds. The legal age of consent, previously at only 13, has been raised to 16 years. Previous laws did not protect those coerced into having sex and deterred reporting of such attacks, critics say. As per the report, the new laws were passed by the upper house of the Diet - Japan's parliament - on Friday. They explicitly outline eight scenarios where it is difficult for a victim to "form, express, or fulfil an intention not to consent" to sexual intercourse. Read the full report here.