For many, the COVID pandemic was a time of panic and uncertainty and for freelance science journalist Bianca Nogrady it was a very busy time indeed but she says reporting on the pandemic was a career highlight.  “I'm still being reminded of how much I learned despite being a science journalist for over 15 years at that point. It was just extraordinary and definitely a career highlight.”  “It really tested all of us to the very limits, and I think it was science journalism's moment, and I think by and large we rose to the occasion.” During this time, Nogrady juggled writing a daily column for doctors and her family life and writing a 25-thousand-word book on climate change that would come to be Climate Change: How We Get to Carbon Zero. Her favourite story on COVID was how the pandemic didn’t strike equally.  “I got inspiration from an article in what I think was the British Medical Journal, and I was delving “deeply into the impact of those social determinants of

Kochi is set to host Techspectations 2025, Kerala’s largest digital conference, on February 7. Organised by Manorama Online, this sixth edition of the event will bring together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and tech professionals under the theme "Transforming Future: AI for Everyday Life."   Prime discussions will revolve around artificial intelligence, digital transformation, data analytics, and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in India and Kerala.   The conference will feature prominent speakers, including ONDC CEO Thambi Koshy, InfoEdge CEO Hitesh Oberoi, Aditya Birla Group Chief Data Analytics Pankaj Raj, CIAL MD S. Suhas, and several other leading experts from various industries. Attendees will include CEOs, CTOs, digital marketers, researchers, government officials, and students, making it a key networking opportunity for tech enthusiasts.  With a legacy dating back to 2016, Techspectations has grown into a major platform for thought leadership and innova

India is officially entering the AI race with plans to develop its own foundational AI model within the next 6-10 months, as confirmed by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. View from the Press Rooms/Hot off the Press The Indian Express’ Soumyarendra Barik and Aditi Agarwal for Hindustan Times, reported that the AI model will be world-class, with minimal bias, high accuracy, and affordability. Vaishnaw assured that the government’s mission is to create an indigenous AI powerhouse capable of competing with global players like ChatGPT and DeepSeek R1. India will also host DeepSeek’s AI models on its servers to conduct rigorous security checks, according to The Times of India’s Pankaj Dovai. This move aims to ensure that foreign AI tools align with India’s national security protocols. Additionally, The Hindu’s Aroon Deep highlights that the Centre will provide GPUs to startups and academia at heavily subsidized rates, giving local AI initiatives the computing power needed to

As India prepares for the Union Budget 2025, the country’s news channels have announced a slew of special coverage programmes dedicated to explaining the same.   Newspapers across India have also geared up for their coverage of the Union Budget, running live blogs about the Budget speech, including industry reactions, a deeper analysis, and views from experts.  Leading English business news channel ET NOW and Hindi business news channel ET NOW Swadesh have announced special budget coverage under the theme ‘Budget for Viksit Bharat’.    Both channels will deliver a comprehensive 360-degree analysis centred around the theme ‘Accelerating India, Boosting Indians,’ providing expert insights and market intelligence to assist viewers in understanding India’s financial landscape.   These channels will closely track the economic and political implications of the Union Budget, commencing with the live coverage of the Finance Minister’s Budget speech on February 1, 20

Rampaging Roy Slaven and H.G. Nelson are back with an extended season of their sports show Bludging on the Blindside starting  February 1, according to a press release from ABC. The duo will take on the NRL season, airing every Saturday from 10am across 702 ABC Radio Sydney, 612 ABC Radio Brisbane, ABC SPORT DIGITAL, and ABC Listen. “We’re very pleased to continue holding the National Rugby League to account for another season,” Roy Slaven said. H.G. Nelson added, “Bludging on the Blindside – just two blokes in an old Holden Ute, running out of gas, with a glove box full of sporting issues and looking forward to lunch. Bludge on, Australia!” Roy and H.G. have been entertaining audiences since 1986 with programs like This Sporting Life, The Sporting Probe, and Olympic broadcasts such as The Dream and Roy and H.G’s Russian Revolution. They most recently covered the 2024 Paris Olympics on their Roy and HG: People, Medals and Cheese podcast.  

Double J is revamping its weekend lineup with Yumi Stynes officially taking over the weekend breakfast slots.  The move sees current host Caz Tran shifting to afternoons, according to Radio Info. Stynes, known for hosting ABC’s Ladies, We Need to Talk and ARN’s The 5-Minute Food Fix and I Heart Trivia, has been a familiar voice on Double J throughout 2024. She has also contributed to podcasts like SBS’s Seen. Adding to the shake-up, Frenzal Rhomb’s Jay and the Doctor—Jason Whalley and Lindsay McDougall—are making a comeback as February’s Artists in Residence.  The duo, who last hosted on Triple J over a decade ago, will bring their signature humour and banter to the 3 pm Sunday slot for the month. With these fresh voices on board, Double J’s weekends are set for a dynamic new vibe.