Thursday, 17 September 2026 #1  ·  Nation  ·  Ground report Hit by severe dry spell, Maha farmers cut losses, flatten crops By Sandip Dighe   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page Page 4 Maharashtra soybean farmers across Solapur, Marathwada and Vidarbha are using tractors to plough under standing crops they can no longer save, as a prolonged monsoon break has caused severe soil moisture depletion across 21 districts. Farmers who have spent Rs 25,000–30,000 per acre face total loss on seeds, fertilisers and labour, with cascading risks of rural debt. Farmer organisations and experts are urging the government to begin immediate crop-loss assessments before evidence disappears, warning that delayed action could convert a crop failure into a broader rural debt crisis. Multiple named on-record sources — farmers, a soybean scientist, an agriculture economist, and an activist — across distinct g

The long-pending railway connectivity issue in Beed district may see progress, with preparations underway to start the Beed-Pune railway service from September 17, Marathwada Mukti Sangram Day. The railway work, including electrical installations, from Beed to Vadwani has been completed, and railway teams have conducted high-speed engine tests at Vadwani. The Vadwani Taluka Journalists’ Association and Voice of Media submitted a memorandum to District Collector Vivek Johnson on September 11, seeking that the service be operated as Vadwani-Beed-Pune. The proposed railway will connect around 100 villages and is expected to improve trade, employment and industrial activity in the region. The Collector assured the journalists that he would discuss the demand with railway officials and the state government, Divyamarathi reported.  

Migration overhaul: Burke warns of a “guest worker economy” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is flagging a major tightening of temporary visa settings as numbers top one million, warning Australia risks sliding into a “guest worker economy” built on churn and visa-hopping. The government is moving to curb overstayers and tighten pathways such as student-related visas, with Labor also blaming the Coalition for blocking earlier reforms that would have broadened its options. Covered by: The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, The Australian. AUKUS nuclear edge: talk of nukes on visiting US subs Fresh scrutiny is landing on AUKUS after a senior US Republican suggested American submarines rotating through WA could potentially carry nuclear weapons, pressing the argument that Australia should accept that deterrent posture against China. Australian ministers are reiterating commitments to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, but the comments sharpen domestic de

Working journalists in Tripura’s Unakoti district have urged the police to address threats against journalists, alleged impersonation, the movement of narcotics and illegal Burmese cigarettes, and misuse of “Press” stickers on vehicles. A delegation met the Superintendent of Police, Unakoti, on Tuesday and submitted a deputation seeking action on these concerns. The journalists alleged that Bikash Kapali and Nazmul Hossain received death threats through fake social media accounts following their report on the seizure of a suspected narcotic substance. An FIR was lodged at Fatikroy Police Station on August 29, but the delegation claimed there had been no visible progress in identifying those responsible. They also called for stronger surveillance to curb the movement of narcotics and illegal cigarettes, along with action against individuals allegedly misusing press identities and vehicle stickers. The delegation emphasised the need to protect working journalists

Journalism and mass communication students from Parul University, Vadodara, completed a six-day Delhi media tour, visiting the Press Trust of India, Hindustan Times, India TV, News18, TV9, Republic and the India Today Network. The students were given insights into newsroom operations across print, wire services and television, covering news verification, reporting, production and broadcast workflows. At PTI, they learned about its three-source verification process, while visits to television newsrooms focused on live production and broadcast operations. The students also interacted with journalists including Rajat Sharma, Padmaja Joshi and Rajdeep Sardesai, discussing reporting, newsroom careers and the changing media landscape.   Image credit: Newsx

Mamamia's Valentina Todoroska is returning from parental leave with a new role. The masthead's former editor-in-chief is now chief of staff, content.  The new role will see her oversee both “content operations and the [Mamamia] team”.  “That includes directing content strategy, leading the editorial operation in key news moments and responsibility for the content team’s relationships with Mamamia talent,” she told Influencing.  Todoroska shared that it was great to be back at the company after her parental leave, and said the new position was a “leadership role that combines my newsroom and content background with the business’s people function”.  She said email remained the best way for PRs to pitch her new stories.  She also added, “News and content connect across Mamamia’s 'house of podcast' brands and site. It’s exciting to be back at the heart of the business, working

Byline Bureau, launched this week by Matthew Iozzi, founder of MadCo PR, pairs journalists up with brands seeking to pick their brain, leverage their personal brand and acquire their content. The upside is that journos can generate a potentially substantial revenue stream. The downside is obvious, but more on that shortly. Making the connection In March this year, Matthew Iozzi was out with some journo mates. A couple of bottles of wine in, the conversation turned – as it often does when journos gather – to the meagre salaries on offer in the much-challenged media industry. "I had no transparency over the payment rates for journos,” he says. “In all my years, that had never really come up. And when I heard the average rates, I was absolutely mortified… I created something out of that." Six months later, that something has a name. The Byline Bureau launched this week with a roster of Australian journalists who write about participating brands on their Substacks. The aim