With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections in sight, the Congress has begun reaching out to the journalist community, promising better welfare facilities if the party returns to power in the state. Congress MP Amar Singh made the assurance on Thursday after meeting representatives of the Punjab and Chandigarh Journalists Union in Chandigarh, Babushahi reported During the meeting, journalists raised several issues related to their welfare, including healthcare facilities, pensions for retired media personnel, travel benefits and free bus passes on Punjab government buses. Singh said Congress leaders would make efforts to fulfil as many of the demands raised by journalists and media workers as possible. “If we form the government, we will provide these facilities to journalists and media staff,” he said.

  The Hyderabad edition of The Hindu has celebrated its Golden Jubilee, highlighting the contribution of district correspondents who helped build the paper’s strong presence across united Andhra Pradesh. From a modest network of reporters and stringers, The Hindu expanded into an extensive team that brought stories from towns and villages to a wider readership. Journalists such as Mahesh Vijapurkar, Dasu Keshava Rao, and R.J. Rajendra Prasad played key roles in shaping coverage. By the 1990s, district reporting flourished, giving space to stories on agriculture, education, governance, development, culture, and grassroots politics. Advances in technology made reporting faster, while the Hyderabad newsroom strengthened coordination with correspondents statewide. Their dedication and connection with local communities helped make The Hindu a trusted voice across Andhra Pradesh.

Journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan have alleged that they were forcibly taken to Saket police station and assaulted inside the premises after recording a video near an event attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in South Delhi on Thursday. Speaking to Influencing, Shaheen, a reporter with 4PM News Network, alleged that she was recording a self-video on a public road outside the inauguration of Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital in Saket. "In the video, I questioned the government's focus on private healthcare while government hospitals and women's safety continued to face concerns," she said. Shaheen alleged that private security personnel initially objected to the recording. After she and Nafisa, an independent journalist and former 4PM News Network employee, finished filming and were preparing to leave, police personnel approached them and attempted to take their phones, she said. "They said, 'We will dro

Friday, 4 September 2026 #1  ·  Times Business  ·  Investigative Can Ratan Tata's inherited shares go to his charities? Naval Tata's 1989 Pact May Muddle Ratan's Charity Bequest Of His Tata Sons Shares By Reeba Zachariah   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page Page 26 (Business section) The Maharashtra Charity Commissioner has validated the 1989 transfer of 833 Tata Sons shares from Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust to Naval Tata, but simultaneously surfaced a little-known condition requiring the shares to remain within Naval's family and not be transferred to third parties. This creates a direct legal conflict with Ratan Tata's will, which bequeathed his inherited Tata Sons shares to two charitable foundations — RTEF and RTET — which are legal entities and thus technically 'third parties'. The order gives NRTT trustees latitude to take 'appropriate steps', leaving the

Newly elected Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Patrakar Parishad (ABMPP) president Shivraj Katkar has outlined an agenda focused on housing, welfare benefits, accreditation, support for small publications and recognition of digital journalists across Maharashtra. Speaking with Influencing India, the senior journalist from Sangli said strengthening support for journalists at the grassroots would be among his immediate priorities. With the Parishad having a presence across most talukas in Maharashtra, Katkar said it would push for a Patrakar Bhavan in every taluka and explore cooperative housing societies where such facilities cannot be established quickly. “If setting up Patrakar Bhavans takes time, we will pursue cooperative housing societies for journalists,” he said, adding that the initiative should cover eligible print and electronic journalists without discrimination. Another priority is addressing difficulties faced by senior journalists seeking assistance under the Balshastri J

Chalmers blinks on trust tax as backlash bites Treasurer Jim Chalmers has softened Labor’s proposed trust-tax changes, offering a one-time election that would let existing trusts avoid the planned minimum tax and preserve common structures like bucket companies and income splitting. The shift signals the government is trying to contain political and business blowback while still pursuing integrity and revenue goals—though critics warn the redesign may still create costly state stamp-duty complications. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, The Australian. Private health changes spark hospital ‘bed-block’ warning States and major tabloids are warning that proposed tweaks to private health insurance settings—particularly affecting older Australians—could push more patients into the public system and worsen already severe hospital bed-blocking linked to aged-care bottlenecks. The debate is shaping into a federal–state blame game over who ca

Srishti Ghosh Shinde has been promoted to Head of PR and Communications at Tide.  Previously, she served as PR and Communications Lead at the same organisation. Shinde started her career at Saffron Media Pvt. Ltd. as a business reporter. She later joined Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd. (Times Group), where she worked as a Correspondent-cum-Copy Editor. Speaking to Influencing, she said, “I’m very excited to start a new role as Head of PR and Communications at Tide. In this role, I will be leading PR and Communications for Tide India, shaping corporate reputation, executive positioning, public affairs, crisis and issues management, thought leadership and strategic communications.” She further thanked her seniors and colleagues for trusting her, challenging and backing her, and giving her the space to grow along the way.