Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lost his temper during an interaction with a reporter from Lallantop who questioned him over his alleged use of abusive language. During the exchange, the reporter raised concerns about Sarma’s “unparliamentary” remarks. The Chief Minister reacted sharply, defending his choice of words and saying, “My language is Lallantop,” India Today reported. The reporter responded that Lallantop did not require his certificate, which further escalated the exchange. Sarma then refused to continue the conversation and questioned why such queries were being raised, stating that he did not wish to speak further. The incident has since gained traction on social media. 

A 50-year-old journalist, Shipa Vasant Thakkar, was allegedly robbed of cash and valuables worth over Rs 10 lakh while shifting her residence from Titwala to Durgamata Nagar near Nevali Naka. The accused reportedly took advantage of the move to steal the items. Police launched an investigation following the complaint and traced the suspects. Three individuals have been arrested. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at over Rs 10 lakh, according to Newsband.

In our new weekly round-up of moves within the PR industry, we’ve got three developments from recent days to report on.     Nicole Ford has stepped into the role of Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, after previously serving as Public Relations and Communications Manager at Salter Brothers Hospitality.  Ford said she was looking forward to “shaping the next chapter of the hotel’s story, celebrating its people, and continuing to elevate its presence both locally and on the world stage”. In Melbourne, Nathan McGregor has announced his departure from Thrive PR + Communications after more than six years, describing his time there as varied, purposeful and shaped by strong colleagues and clients.  Having left his role as Client Partner for Melbourne and Auckland, McGregor is yet to reveal his next move. But he's teased an imminent announcement, concluding his

Courier Mail, April 13th, 2026, page one Gout Gout’s “better than Bolt” sprint ignites national sporting moment Teen sprinter Gout Gout’s blistering 200m has been framed as faster than Usain Bolt at the same age and a sign Australia could be entering a new sprinting era. Beyond the hype, the significance is cultural: a rare athletics breakthrough that cuts through politics and cost-of-living, offering a unifying, future-facing story. Covered by: Courier Mail, The Age, Daily Telegraph, The Advertiser, The Australian. Albanese flags major NDIS shake-up — and eyes investor tax breaks The Prime Minister is foreshadowing significant reforms to the NDIS to protect its long-term sustainability and maintain public confidence, while also signalling that property investor tax concessions could be on the table as part of a broader economic agenda. The dual focus sharpens the pre-budget political contest: disability support is a core social contract, while housi

Akhil Kumar Mishra, Additional Director General of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Central Bureau of Communication, visited Fakir Mohan University on March 9 and interacted with students of the Journalism and Mass Communication department. The session was held on the theme “From Policy to Public: The Power of Everyday Communication in Building Viksit Bharat.” Mishra said the media must act as a responsible partner in the country’s development process. He stressed that effective communication, marked by clarity and coherence, is essential to bridge the gap between public policy and citizens. He added that everyday communication plays a key role in advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat. The session was attended by Professor Bharatibala Pattanaik, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, along with Smti Padhi, Ashes Kumar Nayak, Moti Pankgam, and Dhirendra Behera. Students from the departments of social work, sociology, and social science also joined.

Nandagopal Rajan has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, Digital at The Indian Express. Rajan recalled his journey in a LinkedIn post, noting how the company grew from 30 people in a basement in 2013 to over 550 staff across multiple cities today. He said the video team, once a single person, now fills an entire floor. He previously served as COO from March 2024 to April 2026. He said he will carry forward the vision of Anant Goenka and the belief of George Varghese that the organisation must remain content-led. He also thanked Sanjay Sindhwani for building a stable launchpad for new opportunities. Rajan emphasised his responsibility towards readers who expect credible journalism every day. He concluded, “Here is to new milestones and, of course, great stories.”

Last night, Influencing had the pleasure of attending and sponsoring CPRA's Sydney Networking event. It was a warm autumn evening at the Babylon Rooftop in Sydney's CBD. A range of chats, discussions and laughs are had.  Please see a collection of photos from the evening: