Image credit: The Sentinel Senior journalist Utpal Chakraborty, associated with Niyomiya Barta, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, in Guwahati. He was 57. He is survived by his wife and son. Before joining Niyomiya Barta as a senior journalist, he had worked with several other dailies.

A journalist was allegedly assaulted by a policeman in Indiranagar, Uttar Pradesh’s capital, following a dispute over moving a car. CCTV footage of the incident has gone viral on social media. The journalist, identified as Shamim Akhtar, claimed the policeman stopped him during an argument and then beat him. Reports said Akhtar sustained fractures in both hands. CCTV visuals show the officer opening the car door, engaging in a verbal altercation, dragging him out, and continuing the assault. Later, Akhtar was seen with both hands in plaster. Akhtar submitted a written complaint at the Indiranagar police station, stating the CCTV footage clearly captured the assault. However, no FIR had been registered at the time of reporting, raising concern among residents over the delay in action despite video evidence. Police responded that no constable by the name mentioned in the complaint is posted at the station, adding that the matter is under investigation and legal action will follow

  A view of the bridge that collapsed at Roop Nagar in New Delhi- picture by Praveen Khanna - The New Indian Express    War, festivals spark labour shortage fears Ratna Bhushan, Shally Mohile and Writankar Mukherjee for The Economic Times reported that a war raging about 3,500 km away is among the reasons that large factories, small-scale manufacturing units and quick commerce companies are bracing for a shortage of workers. Some aren't reporting for work while others have started leaving the big cities amid a shortage of LPG that's making it difficult to keep staff canteens running and the home fires burning. Workers haven't returned from the Holi break, companies said. Some executives also cited Ramadan, which runs for another week or so. And, apart from that, West Bengal is set for one of the most hotly contested elections in its history. "A significant majority of delivery workforce, specially across the North India belt, are from West Bengal and they have said they plan

Ranju Dodum from Arunachal Pradesh represented India at a two-week professional exchange programme in the United States focused on the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on journalism. Titled ‘AI and technology in journalism for the Indo-Pacific’, the programme was held from February 28 to March 14 under the Edward R Murrow Program for Journalists, part of the International Visitor Leadership Program. Dodum was the only participant from India, joining journalists from 11 countries. Supported by the US Department of State and administered by American Councils for International Education, the programme brought together media professionals, academics and policy experts. Participants travelled across multiple US cities, engaging in discussions on newsroom innovation, digital transformation and the ethical challenges of AI in journalism, while sharing perspectives on evolving media landscapes and underrepresented voices, Arunachal Times reported.&nb

Image source: Chennai Press Club; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   The Tamil Nadu government’s latest welfare measures for journalists mark a significant and necessary intervention in an increasingly fragile profession. Following representations from the Chennai Press Club, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin approved a set of long-pending demands--raising pensions from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000, increasing family pensions, issuing health insurance cards, and allocating house sites for journalists in Chengalpattu district. These decisions are not merely administrative announcements; they are acknowledgements of a deeper structural reality. Journalism, as an institution, continues to play a critical public role, yet the individuals who sustain it often do so without adequate financial or social security. In that context, welfare measures such as pensions, healthcare, and housing are not privileges, but overdue safeguards. Tamil Nadu’s move also reflects a broader national pattern. S

Wednesday 18 March 2026 National   The Australian Rate rise we had to have Matthew Cranston reports that the Reserve Bank’s board narrowly voted to raise interest rates, with a 5–4 split suggesting Governor Michele Bullock cast the deciding vote and hoping the hike won’t push the economy into recession. Crisis ‘needs recall of national cabinet’ Sarah Ison reports that Anthony Albanese is being urged to reconvene national cabinet and appoint a fuel security tsar to coordinate supply amid a fuel crisis. Minister leaps to fix food chain Matthew Benns; Pat Willingham reports that Woolworths has lifted its fuel surcharge arrangements by allowing independent truck drivers hauling groceries to its distribution centres to claim higher fuel levies as petrol costs rise. Israel kills security boss Larijani The Australian reports that Israel says it has killed Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani, while Iran disputes the claim by posting what it says is proof

AI-generated image  The Shimla police have initiated disciplinary action against a policeman accused of manhandling a senior journalist in Kufri, about 20 km from the city, on Sunday. The incident occurred when the policeman allegedly obstructed the journalist from covering a news event and asked him to leave. The journalist resisted and questioned his actions, after which the policeman retreated. The episode was captured on camera and went viral on social media. Following the incident, a delegation of media persons met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and demanded stern action. The Chief Minister assured strict measures and said such incidents would not be repeated. Subsequently, the police initiated disciplinary proceedings against the accused, The Print reported.