News Dabba for 17 July 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 Opposition meet in Bengaluru, new Crimea bridge attack, to flooding in Assam.

New Crimea bridge attack kills two: BBC live report

BBC reports two people have died in an attack on the bridge linking the occupied Crimean peninsula to Russia. The Russian-installed head of Crimea's parliament has blamed Ukraine's "terrorist regime" for the attacks. BBC adds as per a source in Ukraine's security service that it was behind the attack and that surface drones were used. The road section of the bridge is closed but trains are running on the railway section. The bridge between Russia and Crimea was partially closed in October last year following a major explosion, before fully reopening in February. Read the full report here.

The Hindu's live news on Opposition meet in Bengaluru

The Hindu reports that Bengaluru is set to hog the political limelight yet again with the upcoming meeting of Opposition parties. The meeting seeks to draw up plans for a joint fight against the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. This is the second time in the past two months that Bengaluru will host a number of political leaders. The report adds that the meeting in Bengaluru follows the first such gathering in Patna last month. More meetings are expected before the parties arrive at a consensus on seat sharing, probable common programme and strategy to highlight the failure of BJP government at the Centre. Read the full report here.

South Korea flood death toll rises to 39: The Straits Times

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Monday blamed the authorities’ failure to follow disaster response rules. The Straits Times reports that the death toll from days of torrential rain in the country grew to 39, including a dozen people found dead in a submerged underpass. A total of 12 deaths occurred in a tunnel in the central city of Cheongju, where 16 vehicles, including a bus, were swamped by a flash flood on Saturday, the report adds. The incident fuelled questions over South Korea’s efforts to prevent and respond to flood damage. Read the full report here.

Iran’s morality police resume headscarf patrols, CNN reports

Iran’s morality police will resume patrols to make women comply with strict Islamic dress codes, state media reported Sunday. CNN report says this comes 10 months after the death of a young woman in their custody triggered nationwide protests. Saeid Montazeralmahdi, spokesman for Iran’s enforcement body, Faraja, said, as per the report, police will restart vehicle and foot patrols across the country from Sunday. Officers will first warn women who are not complying, while those who “insist on breaking the norms,” may face legal action, he said. Read the full report here.

NDTV reports 1 Lakh people in 13 Assam districts affected by floods

The flood situation in Assam has not changed for the past two days, NDTV reports. Nearly 1 lakh people are affected by the second spell of monsoon floods. Floodwaters have begun to enter Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its one-horned rhinoceroses, the report adds. As of today, a total of 98,840 people are still reeling from the flood. Read the full report here.