BJP leader Kirit Somaiya was involved in a heated exchange with local journalists during his visit to Aarey Colony to inspect alleged illegal construction. According to reports, journalists at the spot questioned Somaiya, asking, “Why raise your voice when a question is asked?” The remark further angered him, leading to demands for journalists’ ID cards and the confiscation of a mobile phone. A video of the incident has been shared by Gallinews India, highlighting the growing trend of political leaders clashing with journalists and, increasingly, confiscating their mobile phones during confrontations.

  The Greater Chennai City Police have arrested YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar in Andhra Pradesh after he allegedly challenged the police on social media to arrest him. Shankar was earlier arrested in December 2025 in connection with extortion cases registered at Saidapet and Adambakkam police stations. He later secured interim bail from the Madras High Court, but police said he violated bail conditions. Following this, the court permitted police to arrest him again if required. Officials said Shankar had been hiding in another state while continuing to post defamatory content online. A special police team tracked him to a lodge in Andhra Pradesh, where he was staying with an associate. He was brought to Chennai and produced before a court, The Hindu reported.

  A 45-year-old journalist, Devendra Sharma, died after being hit by a car in the Malviya Nagar area late Tuesday night. The accident occurred between OTS and RIC near MNIT, when a car rammed into his motorcycle. Sharma, who was returning home from work, was thrown onto the road and sustained serious injuries. Police rushed him to Sawai Mansingh Hospital, where he died during treatment on Wednesday morning. A case has been registered based on a complaint by his brother Dinesh Sharma, and the Road Accident Police Station East is investigating the matter, Tarun Mitra reported.

Among the many revelations that the US-Israel-Iran war has unveiled to us over the past five weeks, a key takeaway for journalists has been how popular Substack has become as a medium for disbursing allegedly unbiased news as well as publishing freewheeling opinion pieces. Almost any journalist/expert who commented on the war as well as the economic fallout referred the audience to a Substack newsletter where they claimed to publish full details independently. The staggering growth of Substack as a news distribution platform is no longer a new phenomenon. According to the latest Press Gazette report on the top 50 English-language news sites in the world in 2026, Substack was ranked third recording 37 per cent year-on-year traffic growth and has been the leader for seven months prior to the breakout of the war when Al Jazeera took over the top spot. For those of you who still haven't explored Substack, it is a platform that allows internet users to subscribe to free or paid new

Image of the Day Lodhi Garden turns 90, picture by Sanjeev Verma      33 per cent women’s quota: Govt clears amendment drafts The government on Wednesday cleared the draft bills for amendments to the women’s reservation law, paving the way for Parliament to take up the legislation for implementation of 33 per cent reservation for them in Lok Sabha and state assemblies from 2029. The draft bills, approved by the cabinet, will be introduced in the special Parliament session starting April 16. TOI has learnt that three bills will be introduced — the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill and a separate legislation to extend reservation for women in UTs which have assemblies. The proposed changes will result in an increase in the number of LS seats from the current 543 to 816, with 273 reserved for women. Reservation will also be done a “vertical basis” with seats allocated for SCs and STs, writes Dipak Dash and &nbs

The Chennai Press Club (CPC), in collaboration with the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, will conduct a free mega breast cancer screening camp for women journalists and their family members. CPC Vice‑President Sundara Bharathi said this is the first time the club is organising a screening camp specifically for women journalists and their female family members, with around 100 participants expected. Female family members of male journalists are also eligible. The screening will include mammogram tests, Pap smear tests, and dental check‑ups. The camp will be held at the Chennai Press Club on April 11, 2026 (Saturday), from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For more details, contact Bharathi at 9940458552.

Even as a ceasefire has been announced between Iran, the United States, and Israel, News18 India’s war‑focused show Command Centre continues to decode the evolving conflict in West Asia. Launched on March 25 and hosted by Major Gaurav Arya (Retd.), the show leverages his military expertise to simplify complex strategies and developments, often punctuated by his signature line: “Seedhi baat samjhiye.” Streaming daily at 2:45 pm on the channel’s official YouTube platform, the show has uploaded 135 videos so far. Touted as one of the biggest television formats centred on global conflict, Command Centre moves away from conventional studio debates, positioning itself as an “Insider War Room.” It breaks down military developments, analyses global crises, and explains their impact on everyday life — from fuel prices to broader economic effects.