A senior Kerala journalist has been removed from his role as director of the Institute of Communication and Journalism (ICJ) after being arrested in connection with a sexual harassment case. The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) said it acted immediately following the registration of the case. V E Balakrishnan, 68, was taken into custody based on a complaint filed by a young woman journalist. According to the police, the incident occurred on April 18 during a train journey, where he allegedly misbehaved with her.  Another journalist from Thiruvananthapuram, who said they were in direct contact with the complainant, told Influencing, “According to the victim, the accused allegedly appeared to be under the influence of drugs. When the alleged sexual harassment occurred, she raised an alarm and called for the TTR on the train.” Railway police registered a case under Section 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to sexual harassment, and he has

Image of the Day   The Economic Times #1  ·  Page 2 / Geopolitics  ·  In-depth feature / Breaking news Iran Renews Oman Ties for Peace Talks With Washington By Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury   ·   The Economic Times  ·  Page 2 Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi flew to Muscat after inconclusive talks in Islamabad to renew Oman's role as a neutral mediator in US-Iran peace negotiations, following the collapse of a planned second round of Islamabad talks after the US delegation's visit was cancelled by Trump. Pakistan's field marshal Asim Munir also visited Oman over the weekend in a bid to restart dialogue, while Araghchi's movements between Islamabad, Muscat, and Russia reveal the complex diplomatic maneuvering underway. The report contextualises China's displeasure at Pakistan's diplomatic overreach and the strategic stakes for all parties involved. Chaudhury provides layered diploma

Representatives of several journalist bodies submitted a memorandum to Information and Public Relations Commissioner C.H. Priyanka on April 23, demanding a review of the newly formed Hyderabad District Media Accreditation Committee. The delegation raised objections to the committee’s constitution, alleging lack of fair representation for major newspapers and leading media organisations. They said recommendations from various journalist unions were ignored and expressed concern over the exclusion of senior journalists. Criticism was directed at the appointment of new members while overlooking experienced professionals. Associations representing photo, Urdu, video, small and medium, and electronic media claimed their suggested names were disregarded, with only favourable individuals included, IND Today reported. Calling for transparency, the delegation argued that the selection process lacked clarity and undermined confidence in the system. They urged immediate reorganisation

Police have arrested two brothers in connection with a journalist’s murder in Hathras from New Delhi. The accused, Kamal Sharma (38) and Gaurav Sharma (36), who were carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 each, were caught near Prembari drain in Wazirpur Industrial Area after a tip-off. Police said they were involved in the killing of Ved Prakash Sharma alias Sonu (35), who disappeared on April 6 and was found dead the next day,  The Hans India reported. The case is linked to a property dispute. Firearms were recovered, and the accused confessed to the crime.

Alarmed by the rising number of youths falling prey to drug addiction, several journalists came together for an anti‑drug rally in the city, organised by the Print and Electronic Media, Jammu. Photojournalist and group president Afzal Shah said the initiative was aimed at raising awareness about the growing crisis. “There is an increase in drug cases in Jammu and sadly more youth are getting addicted to something harmful. To raise awareness, we carried out the rally,” he noted. Shah added that while this was the group’s first rally of its kind, the strong participation of journalists was encouraging, and similar efforts will continue to highlight the issue in Jammu.

Gunfire chaos at Trump gala puts political violence back in the spotlight Multiple front pages report shots fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, forcing an evacuation as Donald Trump was rushed to safety and a suspect was arrested. Beyond the immediate security failure, the incident is being framed as another escalation in US political violence with global ramifications and heightened scrutiny on protective arrangements for major public events. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, The West Australian, Herald Sun, The Australian, The Mercury, The Age, The Australian. Snowy 2.0 blows out to $42bn, fuelling calls for a royal commission The Snowy Hydro 2.0 project is reported to have surged to a $42bn price tag, intensifying concerns about governance, engineering risk and the credibility of Australia’s biggest energy infrastructure build. The blowout lands amid broader cost-of-living and energy debates, sharpening political pressure o

Absconding journalist Rohan Kadam has surrendered before police in connection with a case involving the alleged filming of a woman while she was changing clothes at a lodge in Budhwar Peth. According to Free Press Journal, Kadam had been on the run for several days after an FIR was registered at the Vishrambag police station under provisions related to voyeurism and common intention in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators said he had travelled to Goa during this period, and his movements are being verified. Police confirmed he has admitted to recording the video. The incident dates back to April 8, when Kadam and three others allegedly booked a room at Ajay Lodge under the pretext of a sting operation. A woman later filed a complaint stating she was secretly filmed while changing clothes. She confronted Kadam, who allegedly gave evasive responses and refused to show his phone. Locals reportedly assaulted him when he attempted to flee. The FIR was registered under Section 77