Sudhir Chaudhary likely to join DD News with ₹14 crore annual package
Mumbai: Prime-time news anchor Sudhir Chaudhary, currently hosting Black & White on Aaj Tak, is reportedly set to join government-run DD News from April this year. Social media discussions suggest that Chaudhary has been offered a substantial annual package of ₹14 crore.
Journalist Shruti Sharma hinted at the move in a post on X, stating, "Sudhir Chaudhary is joining DD News from April this year, my sources say." She also criticized the hefty package, referring to it as taxpayer-funded.
Chaudhary, formerly the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Zee Media, left the network in June 2022 due to creative differences and joined Aaj Tak the following month as a Consulting Editor. He previously hosted the popular show DNA on Zee News.
His career, however, has not been free from controversy. In September 2023, Chaudhary was booked by Karnataka police for allegedly conspiring to disrupt communal harmony during one of his shows. In January 2024, a case was filed against him under the SC/ST Act in Jharkhand for alleged remarks against the tribal community, although the Jharkhand High Court later granted him relief.
Speculation around his move to DD News has fueled debate over whether the government aims to reshape the public broadcaster's style to mirror private news channels. Last year, DD News rebranded itself, highlighting its commitment to "accuracy over speed" and "truth over sensationalism."
An official confirmation regarding Chaudhary’s appointment and package is still awaited.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
