Finding Pakistan teaming up with China to push its line on terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers’ meet at Qingdao, India refused to sign the proposed joint statement. Defence minister Rajnath Singh, who attended the meeting at Qingdao in China, refused to sign the joint communique as it was silent on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed but mentioned Balochistan and the hijacking of the Jaffer Express by Baloch militants in March this year. SCO is a 10-nation Eurasian security and political grouping whose members include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran. Their defence ministers’ meeting was held as a precursor to the annual summit of its leaders set for the autumn.   Hot off the Press Given the SCO norm stipulating consensus, the statement couldn’t be adopted despite overnight talks, as defence minister Rajnath Singh made it clear that perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terror acts,

<   For Jordan Bissell, journalism wasn't just a career choice - it was a calling that manifested when she was just five years old. "According to my parents, I wanted to be a reporter since I was five because I was quite a talker," she recalls with a laugh. Bissell's journey through Australian media has been nothing if not diverse. Starting as a casual producer at the ABC in her early twenties, she quickly moved through various roles across different networks.  Her stint at 4BC as a field reporter and newsreader was followed by a position at Channel 9, where she gained some unexpected physical training. "I worked as a field producer for A Current Affair," she says. "I got really strong calves that time from chasing people in heels." After persistent efforts to join Channel 7, her determination paid off when "the lovely Neil Warren" gave her a position as crime reporter, first on the Gold Coast and then in Brisbane.  However, like many journalists, Bissell briefly ventured

Antoinette Lattouf - credit: AAP - Bianca Di Marchi.   It’s not simply the fact Antoinette Lattouf won her legal case against the ABC for unfair dismissal, the result is very much a multi-faceted story, as evidenced by the media’s in-depth look at the case and its ramifications.  The ABC itself - as it should of course - reported on the case and its fallout in an analysis piece by MediaLand presenter Vivienne Kelly under the headline ‘The ABC's own goal on Antoinette Lattouf should be a moment of reflection’.  In the hard-hitting story, Kelly said, “They [ABC] failed to give Lattouf the opportunity to respond to misconduct allegations. The executives involved were motivated in response to her political opinions about the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, and bowed to pressure from pro-Israel lobbyists. In executing this action, the ABC breached the Enterprise Agreement and the Fair Work Act. The actions were unlawful. “These statements may be up for discussion,

TV9 Network hosted the News9 Global Summit UAE on June 19 at Taj Dubai, marking a milestone in India-UAE relations. Held under the theme “Partnership for Prosperity & Progress,” the event brought together leaders from politics, business and culture. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and UAE’s Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi highlighted the strength of bilateral ties, while India’s Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir and BAPS’s Brahmavihari Swami added diplomatic and spiritual perspectives. Star speakers included Suniel Shetty, Ektaa R. Kapoor, and Nargis Fakhri, with panels exploring trade, tech, and OTT trends. Actor Vivek Oberoi delivered a powerful address on purpose-driven leadership. The summit, backed by partners like Buimerc, De Beers, and Khaleej Times, reinforced India’s role as a global thought leader and innovation hub.

CNN-News18’s flagship event, the Town Hall, returns on 28 June 2025 with a special edition titled ‘Borders to Business—The Strength of Bharat’, focusing on India’s defence sector and national security. This edition will feature high-ranking defence personnel, government officials and defence experts discussing themes such as modern warfare, indigenous defence production, and lessons from Operation Sindoor. The event will include sessions with Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, BSF Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari, Lt Gen Vinod G. Khandare (Retd.), and DRDO’s Dr Sudhir Mishra, among others. “CNN-News18 has been India’s No. 1 English news channel for over three years now,” said Smriti Mehra, CEO - English & Business News, Network18. “The Defence Edition of CNN-News18 Town Hall brings together sharp minds to discuss the strength and resilience of our armed forces and the success of Operation Sindoor.” Managing Editor Zakka Ja

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor is in Russia to promote a documentary series based on his book Inglorious Empire. The series is produced by Russia’s state-run TV network RT and will air later this year. Tharoor reportedly landed in St Petersburg on June 21 to attend the Economic Forum and then travelled to Moscow, where he met top Russian leaders, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and also met members of the Indian community. Apart from promoting the series, he discussed topics like terrorism, the Gaza conflict and India-Russia relations.

Radio City stole the show at the inaugural Maharashtra Radio Festival held on World Music Day 2025 at Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium, Mumbai. Organised by the Government of Maharashtra, the event was graced by Padma Vibhushan Asha Bhosale, CM Devendra Fadnavis, and IT Minister Ashish Shelar. Radio City won the “Maharashtra Asha Best Radio Station” award, presented by CM Fadnavis, who also sang “Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar” with Asha Tai, creating a heartfelt moment. RJ Shonali bagged the Best Marathi Radio Presenter award. The festival featured cultural performances, live orchestras, and nostalgic displays of vintage radios. RJs Archana and Janavi Iyer joined panel discussions, while popular voices like Salil, Abhishek, Karan, and Harshit also marked their presence. Radio City CEO Ashit Kukian said the award reflects their deep listener connection and commitment to creative storytelling. National Programming Head Anurita Patel added, “This honour celebrates the emotional bond w