Friday, 18 September 2026 #1  ·  Times Nation  ·  Data story Kunbi (OBC) certs in Marathwada soared from 652 to 3.1L in 3 years By Priyanka Kakodkar   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page Page 20 Official data reveals Kunbi caste certificates issued to Marathas in Marathwada surged from 652 to 3.1 lakh between October 2023 and September 2026 — a dramatic jump against only 652 issued in the preceding 40 years. The story provides granular state-wide data showing 58.7 lakh records collated by the Shinde committee, with a rejection rate of just 0.4% across 14.4 lakh applicants. The piece contextualises the data within Manoj Jarange's three-year agitation and historical inequities between Marathwada and other Maharashtra regions. Rare data-driven accountability story that uses official committee figures to show a concrete, measurable outcome of a prolonged political agitation — the contrast betw

IMF warns of more rate hikes as pressure mounts on Chalmers to rein in spending A cluster of front pages leads with warnings that households could face up to three more interest-rate rises — and a higher recession risk — as the IMF urges governments to curb spending and lift productivity. Politically, it sharpens the cost-of-living contest by framing fiscal restraint and tax reform as urgent, not optional, and puts Treasurer Jim Chalmers squarely in the firing line. Covered by: Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, Courier Mail, The Advertiser, The Australian. Labor’s migration crackdown: backpacker ballot, student limits and tougher deportations Labor is pitching a major migration reset that tightens international student pathways, clamps down on “visa hopping”, and introduces a lottery-style ballot for backpackers to help drive net overseas migration down toward target. The significance is twofold: it’s a direct response to housing and infrastructure strain, and it signals Labo

Get your pitches or story plans in as early as possible, says NZ Herald lifestyle managing editor Jasper Fulcher. Fulcher shared this on Influencing Insider yesterday, while outlining what he sees as the most important aspects of a story. “I think there are two parts to it. There's the commissioning part, and then we're looking for a way that it has cut through. I think at that point you need to be having that conversation about publishing and how holistically you can make that story work. “If you can have all those conversations and get all the pieces of the puzzle in place as early as possible, that's when you get the really good product at the end”.  He also later noted that PRs wanting to pitch for the publication’s weekend edition should do it as soon as possible, like a Monday, for example, as then the editorial team can turn it around potentially.  Fulcher listed two ways PRs could help him create stronger content. “Understanding how our platforms work….Hav

Godadara police have registered an FIR against journalist Kaushik Patel following a complaint by 46-year-old sweet shop owner Manoj Shukla, who alleged that Patel demanded money from him over a property dispute and threatened him with adverse publicity. According to the source, Shukla had purchased plots in the S K Nagar Society area through a registered document. He alleged that Patel, associated with a Hindi news channel, first approached him in 2015 over construction work on the property and later published reports he described as false. Patel allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh, following which Shukla claimed to have paid Rs 5 lakh in cash. Shukla further alleged that Patel again demanded Rs 50 lakh in April this year while he was at the property with his son. When he refused, Patel allegedly abused him and threatened to assault him with an iron rod. Shukla claimed he subsequently paid Rs 1 lakh but continued to face threats and demands for money or the property. Following the compl

The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) observed its 52nd foundation day at the Manipur Press Club, with journalists, government officials and other dignitaries attending the programme. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who attended the event, announced that the monthly journalist pension would be increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000, while the family pension would rise from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000. He also announced a one-time relaxation for journalists who could not make contributions to the DIPR Journalist Pension Scheme during the conflict, allowing them to reactivate their pension accounts. The Chief Minister also paid floral tributes at the AMWJU memorial stone in memory of journalists who have passed away. Speaking at the programme, Editors Guild Manipur president Khogendra Khomdram highlighted the challenges faced by media houses and urged the government to clear pending advertisement bills. AMWJU general secretary and senior journalist Khwairakpam

Adambakkam police on Wednesday arrested journalist and YouTuber Damodharan Prakash for allegedly uploading a defamatory video containing false and objectionable claims about a female host working with a YouTube channel. According to the complaint, Prakash, who works with a Tamil weekly, allegedly posted the video with an objectionable title on the ‘King 24 X 7’ YouTube channel in January. The video reportedly featured photographs of the woman and made claims about her personal life. She approached the Chennai Police Commissioner’s office in Vepery in June, following which the complaint was forwarded to Adambakkam police. Police said a detailed inquiry was conducted before the arrest. The 58-year-old has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Information Technology Act and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. The Chennai Press Club questioned the delay between the complaint and the police action, stating that lega

A media delegation from Kashmir met Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kuniyil Kailashnathan at Lok Niwas on Wednesday during a Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar-organised press tour to Chennai.  Kailashnathan said he envisaged Puducherry as a major medical tourism hub, noting that the Union Territory has seven medical colleges, including JIPMER. He also highlighted infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Puducherry airport’s runway from 1,500 metres to 2,500 metres, along with road and railway works expected to be completed by 2028. Discussions also covered Jammu and Kashmir’s industrial prospects, with Kailashnathan stressing incentives such as tax holidays and cheaper power to attract investment, as well as improved transport connectivity.  The delegation, visiting Chennai from September 13 to 19, also toured the Auroville Foundation and interacted with residents as part of the PIB exposure programme.&n