News Dabba for 30 January 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 the deadly explosion in a Pakistan Mosque, the Adani-Hindenburg saga, to the Bharat Jodo Yatra marking its finale in Srinagar.

At least 17 killed after explosion in Pakistan Mosque, BBC

BBC reported that at least 17 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar. The blast happened when the mosque was packed with worshippers and more than 90 people were injured, the report added. A section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. Several others are being taken to local hospitals. The cause of the explosion is unclear. The blast took place during afternoon prayers in the north-western city, near the country's border with Afghanistan. Read the full report here.

NDTV reports minister calls cases against BBC series ban a waste of time

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju today described as a "waste of the Supreme Court's precious time" petitions challenging the ban on a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots, NDTV reports. The court will consider next week requests against a government order blocking the sharing of clips of the BBC series that questioned PM Modi's leadership during the riots on his watch as Chief Minister of Gujarat. The series, titled "India: The Modi Question", has been dismissed as a biased "propaganda piece" by the government. The BBC says the documentary was "rigorously researched" and involved a wide range of voices and opinions, including responses from the BJP. The report adds Rijiju tweeted, "This is how they waste the precious time of Hon'ble Supreme Court where thousands of common citizens are waiting and seeking dates for Justice." Read the full report here.

Al Jazeera report: Cyclone in Madagascar kills dozens

More than two dozen Madagascans have died and tens of thousands have been left homeless since a severe tropical cyclone made landfall last week, Al Jazeera reports. Cyclone Cheneso smashed into northeastern Madagascar 10 days ago, bringing strong winds and triggering downpours that have caused extensive flooding. The report says that over the week it tracked southeastwards, extending damage to houses, and schools and cutting off several national roads. It adds that 25 people are now known to have died and 21 others are still missing. Read the full report here.

The Hindu report on Adani-Hindenburg saga: Fraud cannot be obfuscated by nationalism

In the latest round of ripostes, US-based short-seller Hindenburg and Gujarat-based conglomerate Adani have accused each other of “holding back India’s future” to a “calculated attack on India.”  The Hindu report on the same says in response to a lengthy 413-page rebuttal issued by the Adani Group on late January 29, Hindenberg, in an equally hard-hitting rejoinder, said, “Fraud cannot be obfuscated by nationalism or a bloated response that ignores every key allegation we raised.” It added, “We also believe India’s future is being held back by the Adani Group, which has draped itself in the Indian flag while systematically looting the nation.” Read the full report here.

People in Kashmir gave me love, not hand grenades, says Rahul Gandhi:  Indian Express

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Monday that "people here (in Kashmir) did not give me hand grenades but hearts full of love”. He was speaking  at a rally to mark the finale of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Indian Express reports, where he said that he was warned that he might be attacked in Kashmir. He also spoke about the pain of losing someone while remembering his father Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. The report adds that amid snowfall in Srinagar, Opposition party leaders joined Rahul Gandhi to mark the culmination of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Leaders of DMK, NC, PDP, CPI, RSP and IUML were present for the event. Read the full report here.