Image source: Poynter Fellowship, Yale University   Sankarshan Thakur, Editor of The Telegraph and one of India’s most respected journalists, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2025, after a serious illness. He was 63. The Editors Guild of India called his death a profound loss, saying his writings and professional craft will remain benchmarks for younger journalists. Press Club of India called him a 'fearless voice in journalism' and noted that his sharp political analysis and unwavering commitment to the truth will be deeply missed.   The son of veteran journalist Janardhan Thakur, Sankarshan Thakur was educated in St. Xavier High School of Patna. He then graduated in political science from Hindu College of Delhi University before joining the world of journalism. He began his career with Sunday magazine and went on to work with The Indian Express, Tehelka, and The Telegraph, where he rose to become Editor. Over four decades, he reported on some of India’s defining events

Metamorph Communications, a PR firm specializing in web3 and emerging technologies, has joined the Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) as a prime member, according to Mediabrief. The move reflects the company’s commitment to fostering a growth-driven, ethical, and inclusive environment for PR professionals across India. Founder and CEO Satyandre Yadav expressed enthusiasm about the membership, noting PRCAI’s pivotal role in shaping the industry and emphasizing the firm’s intent to collaborate with peers and address sector-wide challenges through meaningful dialogue. As part of PRCAI, Metamorph gains access to best practices, training programs, and strategic networking opportunities. The firm will also contribute to policy development and research initiatives aimed at advancing the future of public relations in India. Founded in 2020, Metamorph has built a reputation for crafting innovative PR strategies for global and domestic web3 brands. Through its

Image source: AlJzzeera, IAS Express and TradeImex; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   In the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's tariff-tossing, India and the European Union (EU) are all set to hold their next round of talks on a free trade deal in New Delhi this week as the two sides race to deliver on the target of concluding negotiations by the year-end. Hot off the Press The 13th round of talks on the free trade agreement (FTA), set to begin on September 8, will be followed by visits to New Delhi by EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic and agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen to add political drive to the negotiations. The coming weeks will also see a series of engagements between the two sides in New Delhi and Brussels to finalise the strategic agenda and other deliverables to be unveiled at the India-EU Summit to be hosted by the Indian side in the first quarter of 2026, Rezaul H Laskar and Rajeev Jayaswal reported for Hindustan Times. On September 17, the EU Commiss

Image credits: Dinesh Raj M India’s Goods and Services Tax has just undergone its most sweeping overhaul since 2017. The four-slab structure has been compressed into two primary rates — 5 per cent and 18 per cent — with a hefty 40 per cent bracket for luxury and sin goods. The government insists this reform will ease costs for households, revive consumption, and simplify compliance. But the move also leaves a Rs 48,000 crore hole in revenue projections, raising the question: can growth fill the gap? Hot off the Press Times of India reporters Saksham Mehta and Sidhartha explained that the government has set up mechanisms to ensure industries pass on GST cuts to consumers. Indirect tax officials are tracking prices before and after September 22 to check profiteering, with NDA MPs also tasked to monitor. Officials stressed that while anti-profiteering clauses exist, the government is banking on voluntary compliance, with pressure peaking before Navratri and Diwali. Commerce M

Ask AT is a new free AI-powered offering from Australian Traveller available through its website which is literally your personal travel guide. The system answers any question you have on travelling Australia, can turn it into an itinerary or refine it for you into a customised travel plan. The move is in tandem with the unveiling of a new Australian Traveller website, which is also home to what’s called Watch AT player which provides more than 150 travel videos – filmed by the Australian Traveller team and trusted travel journalists while on the ground.   Australian Traveller co-founder Quentin Long said, “We have been quietly toiling away behind the scenes since the start of 2025 to bring you a new website. But we haven’t just given it a facelift – we’ve completely reimagined the user experience to make planning your next holiday in Australia easier than ever before." Long told Influencing they had 'burnt through" three previous AI models before launching becaus

Pickr’s Leigh :) Stark has gone bigger, launching an “outside ads” campaign—a series of advertisements running on urban media panels across Australia’s major cities. “The concept of Pickr running ads around town largely stems from the idea that perhaps the publication needs that little bit more awareness,” Stark told Influencing. “I'm trying to make a dent and see if people are aware that we exist. The whole goal of this is to see if it brings people back to the publication.” Launched at the end of July, Stark emphasised it’s a test. It’s also about getting attention from the mainstream audience to let them know that Pickr is an online, ad-free publication, which has been the case for over a year now.  The irony isn’t lost on Stark - producing outside ads for an ad-free site.  “I was chatting with [Future Plc’s] Stephen Lambrechts yesterday, and I noted to him that I didn't like the way to make money meant there was one ad every two paragraphs. “

  Sky News Australia is boosting its live weekend news coverage from tomorrow - Saturday 6 September, introducing weekend editions of its flagship programs First Edition and NewsDay. Launching from 6am AEST each Saturday and Sunday, Weekend First Edition will be hosted by veteran international journalist Alex Thomas. With over 30 years of experience across CNN, ITN, and the BBC, Thomas brings global perspective and real-time analysis to the weekend morning slot. “We want to deliver Australians the biggest news stories nationwide, and from across the globe,” Thomas said. “We’ll cover breaking events, live, as they happen, with engaging, expert guests bringing analysis and context.” From 10am Saturdays and 12.00pm Sundays, Weekend NewsDay will be presented by Jaynie Seal, a long-time Sky News anchor. Seal said: “I have been at Sky News for over a decade and am incredibly excited to be a part of the continuous evolution of delivering the best news nationally