Mining revenue slump puts Labor’s tax and spending plans under pressure A sharp fall in mining royalties and resources tax payments—about $25 billion over two years—has reignited debate over whether governments can rely on commodity windfalls to fund budgets and promises. With Labor considering higher imposts on the sector, the story sharpens the political and economic stakes ahead of internal policy fights on resources taxation. Covered by: The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald. Clean-energy “zombie projects” threaten Australia’s 2030 targets Concerns are growing that Labor’s Capacity Investment Scheme is backing renewable projects that are delayed or may never be built, risking a gap between announced capacity and real-world generation. Investors and experts are calling for policy tweaks to reduce bottlenecks and improve delivery certainty—crucial as the grid transitions and coal exits accelerate. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, The Australian. Foreign in

The Bombay High Court has dismissed an interim application filed by journalist Gurbir Singh challenging his six-year expulsion from the Mumbai Press Club for facilitating a meeting involving accused persons in the Bhima-Koregaon case at the club premises.  Justice Prafulla S. Khubalkar rejected Singh’s plea for interim relief, observing that the managing committee’s decision did not appear arbitrary or perverse. The court held that the trial court’s refusal to grant an injunction was a plausible view based on the available material and did not require interference at this stage.  The case relates to a meeting held on January 19, 2026, at the Mumbai Press Club, where Singh and two other members organised an event involving four accused persons in the 2018 Bhima-Koregaon case. The meeting allegedly allowed the accused persons to gather, potentially violating their bail conditions.  Following the incident, the Press Club issued a show-cause notice to

Journalist Rahul Kanwal has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Cardiff University, marking what he described as a "full circle" moment in his journalism career. Kanwal first attended Cardiff University in 2002 as a participant in the Chevening Fellowship for International Broadcast Journalists. Returning for the Class of 2026 graduation ceremony with his family, he reflected on how his time at the university had shaped his professional journey. "Deeply grateful to Cardiff University for awarding me an Honorary Fellowship," Kanwal said. He thanked the university for welcoming him into its community of Honorary Fellows and expressed gratitude to the Chevening Programme for giving him, as a 21-year-old journalist, "an opportunity that broadened my horizons, sharpened my craft and shaped the way I look at the world." Kanwal also said he looked forward to staying connected with the Cardiff University community and continuing to champion the values of &

Veteran journalist and Press Enclave founding member Janak Raj Singh passed away on Thursday.   A senior political journalist, he spent over three decades with The Times of India, covering major events including the 1971 India–Pakistan War and reporting extensively from the Prime Minister's Office and Parliament.  Singh was also an accomplished author and is remembered for his significant contribution to Indian political journalism.

A Special Investigation Team probing an alleged conspiracy to bribe Tamil Nadu MLAs into voting against a no-confidence motion has summoned and questioned Vijayan, a senior news editor at Puthiya Thalaimurai, and sent his phone for cyber forensic analysis. Police allege the conspiracy, which they have named the "Mekaalaya Project," involved attempts to recruit around 15 ruling-party MLAs with payments of up to Rs 35 crore, with death threats issued to those who declined. Eight people have been arrested so far, including the alleged lead accused, Thirunavukkarasu, identified by police as a YouTuber and operator of an outfit called IPDS. According to the police press note, digital evidence recovered during the probe showed Vijayan had exchanged what officers called "objectionable messages" with Thirunavukkarasu and remained in contact with him through the period of the alleged conspiracy. On that basis, Vijayan was summoned, questioned on July 15 and 16, and his phone was taken for f

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has reconstituted the Inter‑Ministerial Committee (IMC) to examine complaints against private FM radio stations and Community Radio Stations (CRSs). The committee will be empowered to recommend penalties, content modifications, or temporary suspension of programmes and channels found violating programme and advertising codes. The reconstituted panel, chaired by the Additional Secretary of MIB, includes representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Department of Consumer Affairs, FICCI, Press Council of India, Bar Council of India, and All India Radio. While the IMC will review complaints and recommend action, the final decision will rest with the Central Government, which will provide broadcasters an opportunity to present their case. The move strengthens regulatory oversight of radio broadcasting under the Private FM Radio Phase III Policy and the Community Radio Policy Guidelines, 2

The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has strongly criticised remarks by a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official defending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision not to hold unrestricted press conferences, saying such explanations undermine the democratic role of the media. In a statement issued on July 16, the Guild said attempts by MEA officials to justify the Prime Minister’s preference for direct communication with the electorate instead of engaging with journalists were “deeply flawed.” The Guild noted that the Prime Minister has not routinely answered questions in public forums or engaged in open interactions with the press, particularly at a time when the world faces an unprecedented energy crisis following the war in West Asia. Emphasising the media’s role in democracy, the Guild said elected leaders should regularly interact with journalists and respond to public questions. It added that one‑way communication via social media cannot substitute for account