#1 · Breaking news Govt may allow fees on UPI payment above ₹2k By Surojit Gupta   ·   Times of India, Delhi  ·  Page 1 The government is considering allowing merchants to levy a convenience or interchange fee on UPI transactions exceeding  Rs.2,000, a move that would mark a significant policy shift from the current zero-MDR regime. The story details the revenue model under discussion, the likely opposition from consumer groups, and NPCI's position on sustainability of free payments infrastructure. The story surfaces a consequential policy reversal — fees on UPI transactions — with apparent access to government deliberations and a clear mapping of stakeholder interests, making it a valuable public-interest scoop on digital payments policy.   #2 ·  Investigative Amid calls for education reforms, questions raised on NTA chief's role By Maitri

Journalists are often judged only for the stories they narrate. In flood-ravaged Assam, local scribes have exchanged their notepads and mikes for relief kits, offering humanitarian support to families struggling to rebuild their lives. President of the Freelance Journalists Association of Nazira S.K. Hasan, along with fellow journalists, has been working in flood-hit villages since July 19, distributing relief material, medicines and essential supplies. The devastating floods have affected nearly 1.35 lakh people across five districts, while this year's deluge has claimed 85 lives so far. "Before we write the stories of those affected, it is our duty to help them," noted Hasan. "The flood has been devastating. In several places, nothing remains except knee-deep mud slush. It is painful to witness the suffering of people." With support from individuals and well-wishers, journalists in the flood-ravaged state have so far reached out to around 200 people and continue to assist fami

ElectrifyingEverything’s Neerav Bhatt believes that it's his EV technical knowledge that distinguishes his reporting.  "A lot of the people covering it are from a legacy combustion vehicle background, so that's what they know best. They've been doing it for five, ten, twenty years, whereas I'm not interested in that. I focus purely on electrified vehicles," he said. Speaking on Influencing Insider last week, Bhatt said his other point of difference was a willingness to say when something is "a bit rubbish". "I think a lot of people out there are too scared to put off advertisers or contacts, so what you get is a lot of reviews or analysis that I call ‘nice/neutral’. You will not get nice/neutral from me. You will get whether it's good, if it's meh, and if it's terrible, but from an accurate, data-driven point, not from a vibes space." Bhatt has worked in journalism for more than 20 years, starting as a blogger covering media events. As well as owning and running Electrify

Nine Entertainment CEO Matt Stanton (pictured above) has claimed Australia’s democracy is at stake because the government tilted its News Bargaining Incentive scheme toward smaller publishers. Changes introduced to the News Incentive program reduced the maximum liability that a tech platform could receive from any one deal to 16.67 per cent of the total. It was originally set to 25 per cent, which meant the tech platforms only needed to do four deals with major media companies to meet their obligations. Now they must do at least six deals. The government also made it more attractive to fund smaller publishers by increasing the multiplier on small deals from 170 per cent to 200 per cent. Stanton argues in a statement that this will “distort the market” and the “equation doesn’t stack up”. “The proposed bill now directly penalises those Australian media outlets that have invested more than any others in quality, investigative journalis

Housing downturn sharpens political risk for Labor Warnings of a significant slide in Sydney and Melbourne home values have reignited debate over Labor’s housing and tax settings, with analysts flagging voter unease as household wealth falls even while affordability remains a long-term problem. The coverage highlights a tricky political bind for the Albanese government: falling prices can hurt existing owners, but not necessarily deliver relief for first-home buyers. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, The Australian, Daily Telegraph. Labor’s “widow tax” backdown: Senate pressure forces fix Labor has moved to protect widows and divorcees from losing grandfathered negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions when property shifts into single ownership after a death or relationship breakdown, after a backlash over unintended consequences in budget legislation. The episode underscores the Senate’s leverage—particularly crossbench pressure—and the political sensi

  Telangana Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin has assured support for resolving journalists' issues and strengthening Urdu journalism while addressing the Telangana Urdu Working Journalists' Federation (TUWJF) 10th year celebrations and annual awards ceremony in Hyderabad. Addressing journalists and media professionals, Azharuddin said the state government remains committed to addressing concerns of journalists and promoting the Urdu language. He said the government would hold discussions with the Chief Minister and the concerned departments to introduce measures for the promotion of Urdu, including the installation of Urdu signboards at government offices where they are absent. Describing journalism as a noble profession, the minister said constructive criticism by the media plays an important role in improving governance and public services. The ceremony recognised the contributions of journalists working in Urdu media. Award recipients were presented

The Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) honoured veteran journalist and Jana Madhyama founding editor Jayaram Hegde with an honorary title. KUWJ State President Shivananda Tagadur presented the honour, praising Hegde's lifelong commitment to value-based journalism. He also enquired about the senior journalist's health and acknowledged his contribution to Kannada journalism. Speaking on the occasion, Hegde reflected on his early years in journalism and urged the younger generation to uphold the profession's values, describing journalism as a social responsibility. KUWJ State Vice President H.B. Madana Gowda, State Secretary Ningappa Chavadi, Uttara Kannada District Working Journalists' Association President Narasimha Adi, and Hegde's daughter, Sindhu, were present at the event.