Image edited by Dinesh Raj M   With AI and LLM models penetrating and altering almost every aspect of our lives ever since OpenAI came out with first its ChatGPT models, can news business afford to remain the same in 2026? Experts believe this will be the year when there is a fundamental shift in the way news is consumed, thanks to AI. Imagine this: The big news across the globe today has been that a US seized a Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic. Traditionally, one would read this report from a newspaper or a digital news outlet you have subscribed to after being alerted by a notification. And perhaps, compare the same with other publications to get a balanced view. But, if the predictions in a Reuters piece titled "How will AI reshape the news in 2026?" is to go by, most consumers of news online in 2026 would actually ask their AI-enabled browsers to give details of the news by going through all available material on the same. To be more specific, those interest

Compass Communications has been named as the strategic communication partner for Tellado Villas, a Goa-based ultra-luxury real estate developer. Tellado Villas is known for its unique design style that combines modern aesthetics with heritage elements, with developments in Siolim, Mandrem, Morjim and expansion planned in Tiracol, southern Maharashtra. The agency will handle media relations, reputation management and thought leadership, promoting Tellado’s “Poetry in Stone” philosophy focused on design quality, transparency and meaningful holiday homes. Tellado Villas Founder Rahul Agarwal said the partnership will help connect the brand with customers seeking legacy homes. Rafi Q Khan of Compass Communications said the agency looks forward to building Tellado’s brand presence nationwide.

The Puducherry government has unveiled new welfare schemes aimed at providing financial and health support to media persons and their families during emergencies, The Print reported. Under the initiative approved by Lt Governor K Kailashnathan: Families of journalists who die while in service will receive up to 5 lakh in financial assistance. Journalists who suffer permanent disability preventing them from earning a livelihood will also be eligible for up to 5 lakh support. Those undergoing treatment for serious illnesses — including cancer, renal failure, heart disease requiring bypass or open‑heart surgery, angioplasty, brain hemorrhage, or paralytic attacks — can access up to 3 lakh in aid. Journalists sustaining serious injuries in accidents requiring hospitalization will be eligible for up to 2 lakh assistance. The scheme underscores the government’s effort to provide security and welfare support for the media fraternity in the union territory

With municipal elections underway across Maharashtra, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Aaj Tak will host ‘Mumbai Manthan’, a day-long political conclave on January 8, 2026.  The conclave will bring together leaders from across parties to discuss civic challenges, political equations, governance priorities, and development agendas shaping urban Maharashtra.   Participants include Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Supriya Sule, Praful Patel, Varsha Gaikwad, Ashish Shelar, and Varun Sardesai, among others.  Business leaders Niranjan Hiranandani and Nilesh Shah, along with election analysts Sanjay Kumar, Pradeep Gupta, and Amitabh Tiwari, will add policy and data-driven perspectives. Through Mumbai Manthan, Aaj Tak aims to foster informed debate and civic engagement around Maharashtra’s urban future. 

The Mantralaya and Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh has announced its annual journalism honours, coinciding with Marathi Patrakar Din on January 6. The K P Samak Lifetime Achievement Award (2025) was conferred on veteran journalist Prakash Akolkar, recognising his decades of contribution to the profession. In the print media category, Ashok Adsul of Loksatta received the State‑level Excellence in Journalism Award, highlighting his impactful reporting in Maharashtra. In television journalism, Omkar Wable, Pune Bureau Chief of the India Today–Aaj Tak Group, was honoured with the State‑level Excellence Award. Balasaheb Patil of Agrowon received the Excellence Award reserved for association members, acknowledging his dedicated service and contributions to agricultural journalism. The awards underscore the importance of accurate, insightful, and ethical reporting, while celebrating the achievements of journalists across media platforms, Devdiscourse reported.

CPR Global has won the communications and public relations mandate for Neo Kavach, India’s first rider wearable airbag technology brand. Under the partnership, CPR Global will handle media relations, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement for Neo Kavach across India, as the company looks to build awareness around wearable airbag safety for motorcyclists. Announcing the partnership, Rajat Bhandari, Managing Director of Neo Kavach, said the company was looking for a communications partner that could help build awareness of a new safety category and strengthen its credibility. Chaitali Pishay Roy, Founder of CPR Global, said the agency was excited to work with a brand that is bringing global-level rider safety innovation to India and to help build a category-defining brand.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, Jan 6, said that journalist Mahesh Langa will remain on interim bail in a money laundering case, even as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed the court that the trial has begun, The Hindu reported. The ED told the bench that the trial is expected to conclude within about three months and requested the next hearing to be scheduled after that period. The court agreed. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Langa, said his client is cooperating with the proceedings and that witnesses have already been examined. The Chief Justice directed Langa to continue cooperating, noting that the case would be over soon. The court recalled that it had earlier granted bail after reviewing the matter and ordered that the interim bail should continue. On December 15, the Supreme Court had granted Langa interim bail and instructed the trial court to conduct daily hearings, while directing both Langa and the ED to cooperate and avoid delays. The case stems from