Albanese takes the reins on AI as warnings mount The Prime Minister has moved to centralise Australia’s artificial intelligence policy by creating a new Office of AI inside his own department, signalling a major shift in how Canberra intends to steer the technology’s economic and security impacts. The move comes amid expert warnings about job displacement, disinformation risks and data-centre pressures, setting up a high-stakes debate over whether Australia can both back innovation and tighten safeguards. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian. Budget surplus under fire as bracket creep becomes the quiet plan Fresh analysis is challenging the government’s pathway back to surplus, arguing it leans heavily on bracket creep and optimistic assumptions about spending restraint—especially on the NDIS and the size of the public service. The scrutiny sharpens Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ political dilemma: bank a surplus narrative or spe

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has invited proposals from industry associations, organisations, and institutions across the media and entertainment (M&E) sector for Create in India Challenge (CIC) Season 2, a flagship initiative under the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2027. To streamline submissions, the ministry has launched a unified online portal. The initiative aims to roll out 50+ industry‑led challenges to identify creative talent, promote innovation, upskill youth, and foster collaboration across emerging media and technology sectors. The challenges will span domains including AI, digital and social media, animation, VFX, AVGC‑XR, online gaming, esports, broadcasting, films, music, dance, comics, AR, VR, and XR technologies. Selected challenges may be eligible for a one‑time grant of up to 1 crore, subject to evaluation. Eligible organisations can submit proposals by July 31, 2026. Winning projects will be showcased at Cre

The Andhra Pradesh Journalists' Forum (APJF) has sought a Rs 10,000 monthly pension for senior journalists with more than 25 years of service, the creation of a journalists' welfare fund, and financial assistance for the families of deceased journalists. The demands were raised during the APJF Maha Sabha held in Srikakulam on Sunday in the presence of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu and several MLAs. Addressing the gathering, Appala Naidu urged journalists to attend orientation programmes regularly, saying they provide opportunities to update their technical and language skills, enhance their knowledge, and interact with veteran journalists and professors from various universities.

Two books documenting the life and work of veteran photojournalist Rajiv Kant are bringing Bihar's visual journalism history back into focus. The Photojournalist: A Memoir of the Late Rajiv Kant and Photographers of Bihar: The Shadow Memory of the Late Rajiv Kant, edited by his son Rohit Kant, chronicle the photographer's decades-long contribution to documenting the state's political, social and cultural landscape. Compiled from thousands of archived photographs and negatives, the books showcase Rajiv Kant's work beyond headline events, capturing everyday life, democratic movements and cultural traditions across Bihar. Together, they serve as a visual record of an era before digital photography, highlighting the enduring value of photojournalism in preserving history.   Image credit: Sikkim Express 

As questions intensified over the deaths of 19 pregnant women in Rajasthan over the past six weeks, the state's health minister, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, ended a press briefing with a smile and the remark, "Break ke baad milte hain" ("See you after the break"), before walking away from reporters, News18 Hindi reported. Earlier in the day, Khimsar chaired a high-level meeting at the Health Building in Jaipur to review the maternal deaths and discuss the state's response. The meeting was attended by doctors from Kota, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bhilwara and Banswara, along with principals of medical colleges and senior health department officials. Speaking to the media afterwards, the minister faced repeated questions about the causes of the deaths, the findings of investigations so far and the measures being taken to prevent further fatalities. As reporters continued to press for answers, Khimsar stood up, smiled, said, "See you after the break," and left the briefing without addressing the r

Alarmed by what it described as a growing number of individuals posing as journalists to intimidate the public and officials, the Karnataka Working Journalists Association (KUWJ) has urged Director General of Police Dr. M.A. Saleem to initiate strict legal action against those allegedly misusing media credentials and the Right to Information (RTI) Act for blackmail and extortion. A delegation led by KUWJ State President Shivananda Tagadur met the DGP and raised concerns about people unaffiliated with recognised media organisations carrying visiting cards and presenting themselves as journalists to gain influence. The association alleged that some individuals were filing RTI applications as a means of intimidation and extortion, warning that such practices erode public trust in journalism. Tagadur said, “Such individuals, who have no connection with journalism or recognised media organisations, are damaging the credibility of the profession. We have sought action against those all

India Clarke joins Kerfuffle as account director India Clarke has joined Kerfuffle as account director after four years at Howatson+Company. Clarke will take on the new role following her time at Howatson+Company, where she progressed through business manager, senior business manager and business director roles. She previously worked across account management and content roles at The Social CliQ, building experience in client services, social media and content strategy. Tash Silkin joins MSD Australia & New Zealand as communications and public affairs manager Tash Silkin has joined MSD Australia & New Zealand as communications and public affairs manager, returning to the organisation in a newly created role. Silkin will support communications and public affairs initiatives focused on improving patient outcomes across Australia and New Zealand. She joins from Cube Healthcare Communications Agency, where she was associate director, and previously held policy and commu