Every year during the month of Ashadh, thousands of Warkaris participate in the Wari, a pilgrimage tradition in Maharashtra that has continued for over 800 years. It is a significant cultural and spiritual event, marked by devotion and community participation. To highlight this tradition, Zee 24 TAAS is presenting Anandwari, a special series that focuses on the people, practices, and cultural aspects of the Wari. The program offers a closer look at the journey and the experiences of over 1 million Warkaris. Anandwari airs daily at 6:30 PM, with a repeat telecast at 6:30 AM the following morning, reaching viewers across Maharashtra.  

  Smoke Lab, NV Group’s premium vodka brand, has appointed Actimedia PR & Digital to lead its communications across India and global markets. The move aligns with the brand’s expansion into the UK, EU, US, and deeper penetration in Indian cities. Known for its bold design and use of Indian ingredients, Smoke Lab is NV Group’s flagship brand and is entering a new growth phase globally. “Our aim has always been to build a world-class Indian vodka,” said Varun Jain, founder. “With Actimedia’s expertise, we’re ready to amplify our story. Actimedia, with 26+ years of experience in lifestyle branding, will manage PR in India and support international visibility. “We’re excited to support Smoke Lab’s bold journey,” said Amitabh Saksena, Actimedia Founder. “It’s a standout ‘Make in India’ brand with global potential.”  

  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,

  EWC finale 2024 - credit: Luc Bouchon.   The Seven Network today announced it has secured rights to the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC 2025) in Australia, with the most popular games in the tournament to be broadcast exclusively live and free on 7plus Sport from Thursday July 10 and running until Monday August 25. Taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, EWC 2025 pits the world’s top esports clubs and more than 2,000 elite players against one another for a share of US$70 million: the largest prize pool in esports history. EWC 2025 features 24 of the biggest esports titles in the world, including Counter Strike , League of Legends, DOTA, MLBB, PUBG and Honor of Kings, with millions of people expected to tune in around the world during the seven-week event. Teams from across the Asia-Pacific region are competing, including Gen G, Talon and Team Secret. Seven West Media Chief Digital Officer, Gereurd Roberts, said: “By broadcasting the Esports World Cup 2025 on 7plus Spo