Tuesday, 2 June 2026 #1  ·  Nation  ·  Data story India nears maternal mortality goal, but progress slows By Anuja Bhargavan   ·   The Times of India  ·  Page Unknown India's maternal mortality ratio has declined significantly over two decades, but the latest data reveals a near-stall in progress and widening state-level contrasts. The report includes comparative data showing India trailing China badly on MMR benchmarks while beating most other neighbours. Several states have improved while others have slipped back, raising concerns about equity and the sustainability of gains. The story deploys original data visualisation across state-level comparisons and international benchmarks, moving well beyond a press-release summary to contextualise why the slowdown matters and which states are dragging national averages. The combination of trend charts, state-wise tables and a global gap graphic demonstrates genuin

A 26-year-old journalist working with Silchar-based newspaper and digital platform Barak Bani was allegedly assaulted by a group of men in Assam's Silchar on Thursday, May 28 evening. Reporter and anchor Raju Das alleged the attackers entered his office under the pretext of a discussion before assaulting him, causing serious head injuries, Hindustan Times reported. The assailants also reportedly vandalised the media office. Following an FIR, police registered a case and detained one suspect while reviewing CCTV footage to identify others. The media house claimed Das allegedly received threats for reports on gambling and illegal activities in the region. The Silchar Press Club has condemned the attack and announced plans to hold a protest demanding stronger safeguards to ensure journalists' safety.

Critical infrastructure and the intersection of cybersecurity and national security were among the topics Karissa Breen explored with former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on a recent KBKast episode. “I think it's really important to get more of a national security perspective from someone of his calibre, that filters down into technology and cybersecurity. So it was an interesting, unique point of view, but I thought he was a nice person to interview,” Breen told Influencing.   The episode comes as Breen says the podcast is moving “extremely upmarket” under the tagline “Cyber for the C-Suite”, with a greater focus on senior technology executives from major vendors and expanded event coverage. “I'm excited because I think that it's going to set a very different tone now in the space, and we're really owning that strategic/executive arena.” Breen said the interview stemmed from Turnbull's role as a strategic adviser to security firm Semperis, a positi

One Nation surge jolts Canberra’s election maths Fresh polling putting Pauline Hanson’s One Nation ahead of both Labor and the Coalition on primary vote is forcing both major parties to reassess their path to government and the risk of preference flows reshaping key seats. Coverage highlights competing interpretations: some frame it as a protest vote driven by cost-of-living pressure, while others treat it as a deeper realignment with implications for policy and rhetoric. Covered by: The West Australian, Australian Financial Review, Daily Telegraph. Tax overhaul fight: Chalmers’ discretion and the housing wealth warning Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ proposed tax changes are drawing scrutiny over claims they would grant broad post‑passage discretion to redefine rules affecting capital gains tax and negative gearing, raising investor uncertainty and legal concerns. At the same time, debate is intensifying over whether a cooling property market helps first-home buyers or risks a

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to respond to a habeas corpus petition concerning journalist Satyam Verma. Filed by Verma’s wife, the petition challenges his arrest and detention, alleging procedural irregularities and seeking his release. The court, comprising Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Devendra Singh, has fixed July 13 for the next hearing, reported Devdiscourse. Verma was arrested in Lucknow on April 17 and later booked under the National Security Act on May 13 over allegations of inciting factory workers in Noida to protest for better wages and working conditions

A manipulated AI-generated video of veteran Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit has once again drawn attention to the growing challenge posed by deepfakes and the increasing burden on journalists to verify digital content before it spreads online. The controversy began after an X account identified as Shonee Kapoor shared a video on May 28, purportedly showing Dixit attending an event in a highly revealing outfit. The clip quickly gained traction, with many users expressing shock and questioning its authenticity. Independent journalist Jaideep Pandey publicly challenged the post, writing: “Mr. Kapoor, this is an AI-generated video of Madhuri Dixit. Please verify before tweeting anything like this. In an era where misinformation spreads in seconds, posts by public figures only fuel confusion and unnecessary anger.” Pandey explained to Influecing India that the manipulated video was created using images from Madhuri Dixit’s Instagram post on March 10, 2026, where she wore the same

Tamil news channel Puthiya Thalaimurai faced a temporary disruption on the state‑run Arasu Cable TV network, with viewers reporting poor reception and the channel being shifted from its usual slot. The incident drew sharp criticism from Opposition parties, journalists, and civil society groups, who alleged an attempt to curb press freedom. However, Tamil Development and Information Minister Rajmohan Arumugam denied any deliberate blackout, attributing the disruption to a routine technical glitch that was promptly resolved. Commenting on the controversy, M. Haseef, journalist and General Secretary of the Chennai Press Club, said Puthiya Thalaimurai had initially approached the concerned government department but did not receive a satisfactory response. “The channel informed the Chennai Press Club about the disruption, following which we issued a condemnation statement. The matter then received wider attention, and the issue was subsequently resolved,” he noted. Read t