Budget blowout fears collide with RBA rate pressure Economic anxiety dominates the front pages, with claims of a $170bn federal budget “black hole” and fresh warnings that further rate rises could tip the country towards recession. The significance is political as much as financial: the debate sharpens scrutiny of Labor’s fiscal credibility just as households brace for more mortgage pain and the Reserve Bank faces a high-stakes decision. Covered by: The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, Herald Sun, The West Australian, Sydney Morning Herald. NDIS savings plan under fire inside Treasury Treasury’s chief actuary is questioning whether the NDIA can deliver $38.2 billion in promised NDIS savings over four years, citing gaps in the information provided. With the scheme’s costs a major driver of long-term budget pressure, doubts from within government elevate the issue from policy reform to a looming fiscal and political test. Covered by: Australian Financi

Prof. Ghanta Chandra Shekhar, a faculty member in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Telangana University, has authored two books examining the growing role of artificial intelligence in journalism and public relations. Titled Beyond the Bylines – How the Journalist and AI Shape the News and Artificial Intelligence and Public Relations, the books explore AI applications, ethical challenges, and the technology’s impact on media and communication practices. The books were unveiled by Prof. T. Yadagiri Rao, Vice-Chancellor of Telangana University, and Prof. M. Yadagiri, the university’s Registrar, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle. The publications seek to contribute to ongoing discussions on the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence for journalists, media organisations, and public relations professionals.      

The Press Club of India (PCI) has condemned the Arunachal Pradesh Police for including the name of senior journalist and deputy editor of The Arunachal Times, Tongam Rina, in applications seeking search warrants in connection with the October 23 violence in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh. In a statement issued on October 30, PCI expressed concern over attempts by state authorities to intimidate and harass journalists reporting on protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). “Probing the violence and destruction of property cannot become an excuse for the intimidation of journalists who are covering a movement,” the statement said. The press body urged the Arunachal Pradesh Police to ensure that journalists, including Rina, were not harassed for performing their professional duties. The PCI noted that Rina had an extensive record of reporting on environmental, political and governance issues in the state. It said her inclusion in the search warra

The Krantikari Journalist Council (Krantikari Patrakar Parishad) met the Circle Officer (CO) of Shahganj in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, on October 29 to discuss regional concerns, law and order, and the role of unbiased journalism.  The delegation was led by district president Chandrajit Yadav. It highlighted the importance of cooperation between the media and administration in addressing public issues, particularly in rural and suburban areas. The CO appreciated the journalists and stressed the value of positive and objective reporting while seeking mutual cooperation to maintain community harmony.  Both sides agreed to work together to maintain law and order and ensure the timely resolution of public grievances in the Shahganj and Khuthan regions.  The delegation included divisional president Rajiv Ratan Srivastava, tehsil president Arun Yadav, Dharmendra Kumar Bind, Amit Kumar, Manoj Singh, Ajay Bahadur, Mohammad Asif and other regional journalists.

Dentsu India and IWMBuzz Media have released the third edition of the India Gaming Report, titled From Players to Playmakers, examining the growth and challenges of India's gaming industry. The report estimates India's pure-play gaming market at 14,344 crore in 2026 and says 535 million people played games in the past year, including 109 million paying gamers. While gamers rated India-made titles positively, the report notes that developing original intellectual property and achieving sustained global success remain key challenges. It identifies deeper player engagement, stronger studios, and greater international competitiveness as priorities for the industry. “India has proven it can play. Now it is proving it can make,” said Harsha Razdan, CEO, South Asia, Dentsu, highlighting the industry’s potential to develop studios, creators and communities. Narayan Devanathan, President and Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, Dentsu, said the next challenge was

  Senior journalist Nidhi Razdan and Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, were married in a private ceremony on October 30, with the couple announcing the news through social media posts a day later. Sharing a photograph from the wedding, Omar Abdullah wrote, “A new journey began yesterday,” while Nidhi Razdan responded with a post saying, “It’s done bro.” According to media reports, the ceremony was attended by close family members and relatives, with the couple opting for a private celebration. Nidhi Razdan, a former executive editor at NDTV, is among India’s best-known television journalists and has covered politics, public affairs, and national issues during a career spanning more than two decades. The marriage comes three months after the Supreme Court dissolved Omar Abdullah's marriage to Payal Abdullah by mutual consent.