Days after the tragic death of journalist Sheela Pattanayak and her pillion rider Sipika Nayak in a road accident on NH‑316, the Odisha government has directed authorities to take immediate corrective steps to prevent such incidents, Odisha Bytes reported.   On January 11, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena took cognisance of the accident and ordered urgent measures to ensure roads remain safe and hazard‑free.   Following his directive, the Transport Commissioner issued instructions to all road‑owning and maintaining agencies — including the NHAI, Works Department, municipal corporations, municipalities, and NACs — reminding them of their statutory duty to keep roads clean and traffic‑worthy.   The letter highlighted that loose sand and construction debris reduce tyre grip, leading to skidding and fatal accidents, particularly for two‑wheeler riders. While enforcement action is taken against unsafe transport of materials, the Com

Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Friday assured that the government remains committed to supporting journalists and has no plans to reduce the number of accreditation cards, The Hindu reported. Addressing representatives of journalists’ associations on GO 252 related to accreditation, Reddy dismissed concerns about cuts, stating that all eligible journalists will be issued cards. He noted that the new guidelines were framed after studying systems followed across the country. The Minister clarified that there is no distinction between media cards and accreditation cards, and that all benefits extended to accreditation card‑holders would also apply to media card‑holders. He added that circulation figures and Chartered Accountant certificates would be strictly verified to streamline the system and ensure justice to genuine newspapers and journalists. On the issue of journalists’ housing, Reddy announced that a new policy free of leg

The late journalist E. Somanath, celebrated for his sharp political writing and deep love for nature, has received a unique tribute: scientists from the University of Delhi have named a newly discovered frog species after him. The species, called Soman’s Slender Arm Frog (Leptobrachium somani), was identified during extensive fieldwork in the remote mountain habitats of Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery has been published in the US‑based peer‑reviewed journal PeerJ, The Hindu reported. For years, Somanath accompanied noted herpetologist S.D. Biju on expeditions in search of rare amphibians. His role went beyond observation — he was a storyteller deeply invested in documenting nature and the scientists who study it. This close association and his commitment to environmental journalism inspired the research team to honour him through the species name. Somanath retired from Malayala Manorama in 2021 after a career spanning more than three decades. He was widely known in

Morning, welcome to Tuesday and one story is common across almost all the dailies today - the recall of federal parliament to "rush through tough new laws and crack down on hate speech", as put by Ronald Mizen and Paul Karp writing in The Australian Financial Review ('Parliament recalled for hate laws'). The Australian, in a story written by Sarah Ison and Elizabeth Pike, and with a clever headline - 'Preach hate, go to prison: PM's sermon' - says PM Albanese is "urging MPs across politics to criminalise racial hatred and back his gun buyback scheme". The Oz also has a story from Greg Sheridan saying the government will almost certainly fail to defeat anti-Semitism because it is "in the mainstream of Australian life". Worth a try though, Greg, surely?  Of course, nothing is certain in life or politics and as a team of four scribes reports at The Sydney Morning Herald, (Paul Sakkal, Matthew Knott, Nick Newling and Brittany Busch) t

WPP Media has retained the integrated media mandate for Reckitt India and expanded its partnership to include the e-commerce media mandate. As part of the renewed engagement, WPP Media’s Wavemaker will continue to handle Reckitt’s media strategy, planning and buying, while also leading e-commerce and quick commerce across the company’s portfolio. The remit covers brands including Dettol, Harpic, Durex, Finish, Lysol and Veet. The expanded mandate brings together mainline media, digital and commerce under a single integrated operating model aimed at delivering greater consistency and measurable business impact across the consumer journey. In addition to India, the partnership will be extended to 21 European markets from January 2026.  

Apexx Media, a brand strategy and communications firm, has relaunched itself with a refreshed identity as AMBC (Apexx Media Brand Creators) in New Delhi, highlighting a sharper focus on building strong and lasting brand reputations. The new identity includes a redesigned logo with an upward arrow, symbolising the firm’s aim to elevate client brands beyond competition.  Founded on January 1, 2017, the firm completes nine years of operations, having worked with more than 500 clients across various sectors. AMBC has earned recognition for its strategic communication work aimed at strengthening brand positioning and supporting long-term growth.  As per Media News 4U, the agency has steadily expanded its international presence, working with partners and clients in Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, the US and Brazil.  AMBC is widely known for its expertise in brand strategy and crisis communication, focusing on trust-based public relations.

When a city pauses to listen to stories, arguments, memories and ideas, it often begins with a book. This January, Chennai will once again become that listening city as The Hindu Lit For Life returns for its 13th edition, reaffirming its place as one of India’s most thoughtful and intellectually rich literature festivals. Scheduled for January 17 and 18, 2026, at the Lady Andal School premises, the festival comes back with an expanded canvas that moves beyond literature alone and into the wider worlds of ideas, culture and public life. Backed by a strong roster of partners, Lit For Life 2026 promises a richer and more immersive experience than ever before. Over two days, more than 100 acclaimed voices from India and across the world will gather across 50-plus sessions, conversations and workshops. Writers, thinkers, journalists, economists, historians and cultural commentators will share the stage, offering audiences multiple ways to engage with both the written word and the