1. India Crush Pakistan by 203 Runs, to Meet Australia in U-19 Final
India entered the final of the U-19 cricket World Cup after thrashing archrivals Pakistan by a massive 203 runs in the semifinals at Christchurch on Tuesday, 30 January 2018.
Opting to bat first, India rode on Shubman Gill's 102 not out, the first century by an Indian in the tournament, to pile on 272/9 in their allotted 50 overs and then bowled Pakistan out for a mere 69 in just 29.3 overs.
For three-time champions India, seamer Ishan Porel grabbed four wickets for 17 runs while spinners Shiva Singh and Riyan Parag took two wickets apiece to rock the Pakistan run chase.
(Read the full story here)
2. Why Are Anti-Pak Slogans Being Raised in Muslim Areas: Bareilly DM
Days after violent communal clashes in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj on 26 January left one dead, District Magistrate Raghvendra Vikram Singh of Bareilly took to Facebook to make a startling observation.
In a scathing post, he alleged that it had become something of a “trend” for people to enter Muslim-dominated localities and raise slogans against Pakistan.
In a Facebook post on 28 January, he wrote: “Ajab rivaz ban gaya hai. Muslim mohallo me jabrdasti julus le jao aur Pakistan murdabad ke nare lagao. Kyon bhai, ve Pakistani hain kya? Yehi yahan Bareilly mein Khailam mein hua tha. Fir patharav hua, mukadme likhe gaye. (It has become a trend these days for people to barge into Muslim-dominated areas and then raise anti-Pakistan slogans. Why? Are they Pakistanis? A similar incident happened in Khailam village of Bareilly. There was stone-pelting and then FIRs were lodged.)”
(Read full story here)
3. Bus Falls Into Canal Killing At Least 41 in Bengal, Locals Protest
At least 41 people, including 10 women, were killed when a bus plunged into the Ghogra Canal after breaking the railing of a bridge in Murshidabad district on Monday, 29 January, police said, according to ANI
According to a PTI report, the incident triggered protests with locals alleging delay in the arrival of police and attacking the force. They also torched a police vehicle.
Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee has announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh to each family that lost their loved ones in the accident, Rs 1 lakh to those who suffered serious injuries and Rs 50,000 to other injured people.
(Read full story here)
4. BJP Leader Yashwant Sinha Launches ‘Rashtra Manch’
Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, who has turned a strong critic of the central government, launched 'Rashtra Manch' (national forum) on 30 January at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. He said the body is for political leaders and others "concerned" with the prevailing situation in the country.
Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari and AAP leader Ashutosh marked their presence at the conference. There was also speculation about a disgruntled MP of the ruling alliance joining the forum.
(Read full story here)
5. Can’t Be Bullied Into Abandoning One’s Dream: Sanjay Leela Bhansali to The Quint
In his first interview after the release of his controversial film ‘Padmaavat’, an overwhelmed and relieved Sanjay Leela Bhansali spoke to The Quint and said he feels like he is being able to breathe normally again.
The film that was banned in several states has already crossed the Rs 100 crore mark within a week of its release.
The director opened about the challenges he faced, right from when he began shooting Padmaavat, and shares how he never even once thought of giving up.
(Read the full interview here)
6. Indian Sky-Gazers! Don’t Miss the Super Blue Blood Moon on 31 Jan
It's a good news for sky enthusiasts as the second ‘supermoon’ of the month is due to appear on Wednesday, 31 January. The moon will appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter due to the full moon coinciding with moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit.
The moon is also being called ‘super blue blood moon’ because a lunar eclipse taking place tomorrow morning will temporarily give the moon a reddish or copper-ish colour.
For Indians, the best time to view this supermoon will be between 6:21 pm and 7:37 pm.
(Get all details of the ‘supermoon’ here)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)