IMF warns of more rate hikes as pressure mounts on Chalmers to rein in spending A cluster of front pages leads with warnings that households could face up to three more interest-rate rises — and a higher recession risk — as the IMF urges governments to curb spending and lift productivity. Politically, it sharpens the cost-of-living contest by framing fiscal restraint and tax reform as urgent, not optional, and puts Treasurer Jim Chalmers squarely in the firing line. Covered by: Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, Courier Mail, The Advertiser, The Australian. Labor’s migration crackdown: backpacker ballot, student limits and tougher deportations Labor is pitching a major migration reset that tightens international student pathways, clamps down on “visa hopping”, and introduces a lottery-style ballot for backpackers to help drive net overseas migration down toward target. The significance is twofold: it’s a direct response to housing and infrastructure strain, and it signals Labo

Godadara police have registered an FIR against journalist Kaushik Patel following a complaint by 46-year-old sweet shop owner Manoj Shukla, who alleged that Patel demanded money from him over a property dispute and threatened him with adverse publicity. According to the source, Shukla had purchased plots in the S K Nagar Society area through a registered document. He alleged that Patel, associated with a Hindi news channel, first approached him in 2015 over construction work on the property and later published reports he described as false. Patel allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh, following which Shukla claimed to have paid Rs 5 lakh in cash. Shukla further alleged that Patel again demanded Rs 50 lakh in April this year while he was at the property with his son. When he refused, Patel allegedly abused him and threatened to assault him with an iron rod. Shukla claimed he subsequently paid Rs 1 lakh but continued to face threats and demands for money or the property. Following the compl

The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) observed its 52nd foundation day at the Manipur Press Club, with journalists, government officials and other dignitaries attending the programme. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who attended the event, announced that the monthly journalist pension would be increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000, while the family pension would rise from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000. He also announced a one-time relaxation for journalists who could not make contributions to the DIPR Journalist Pension Scheme during the conflict, allowing them to reactivate their pension accounts. The Chief Minister also paid floral tributes at the AMWJU memorial stone in memory of journalists who have passed away. Speaking at the programme, Editors Guild Manipur president Khogendra Khomdram highlighted the challenges faced by media houses and urged the government to clear pending advertisement bills. AMWJU general secretary and senior journalist Khwairakpam

Adambakkam police on Wednesday arrested journalist and YouTuber Damodharan Prakash for allegedly uploading a defamatory video containing false and objectionable claims about a female host working with a YouTube channel. According to the complaint, Prakash, who works with a Tamil weekly, allegedly posted the video with an objectionable title on the ‘King 24 X 7’ YouTube channel in January. The video reportedly featured photographs of the woman and made claims about her personal life. She approached the Chennai Police Commissioner’s office in Vepery in June, following which the complaint was forwarded to Adambakkam police. Police said a detailed inquiry was conducted before the arrest. The 58-year-old has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Information Technology Act and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. The Chennai Press Club questioned the delay between the complaint and the police action, stating that lega

A media delegation from Kashmir met Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kuniyil Kailashnathan at Lok Niwas on Wednesday during a Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar-organised press tour to Chennai.  Kailashnathan said he envisaged Puducherry as a major medical tourism hub, noting that the Union Territory has seven medical colleges, including JIPMER. He also highlighted infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Puducherry airport’s runway from 1,500 metres to 2,500 metres, along with road and railway works expected to be completed by 2028. Discussions also covered Jammu and Kashmir’s industrial prospects, with Kailashnathan stressing incentives such as tax holidays and cheaper power to attract investment, as well as improved transport connectivity.  The delegation, visiting Chennai from September 13 to 19, also toured the Auroville Foundation and interacted with residents as part of the PIB exposure programme.&n

  The alleged assault of a journalist in Saharsa has triggered a demand for a state-level investigation, with the Web Journalists Association of India (WJAI) meeting Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar and seeking a fair inquiry, protection for journalists and action against those found guilty. A WJAI delegation led by State General Secretary Sagar Kumar met the minister and briefed him about the alleged assault on a journalist who had gone to a hospital to report on children who fell ill after consuming mid-day meals. According to the association, the journalist was allegedly assaulted and verbally abused by a doctor, Dr S.K. Azad, during the coverage. A video of the incident has also circulated, in which the doctor can allegedly be heard saying, “We are your father.” The association alleged that around 20 to 25 people subsequently surrounded and assaulted the journalist. During the meeting, the minister informed the delegation that the matter was already being investigated a

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) and the Press Club of India (PCI) have condemned the Kerala Police action at the Reporter TV newsroom in Kochi, calling it interference in journalists' work and a violation of press freedom. According to the KUWJ, a team of police officers entered the newsroom at around 5 am on September 16 and remained for nearly one-and-a-half hours. The union said the police created an atmosphere of fear, forcibly took journalists' personal mobile phones, and disrupted the newsroom's functioning. It said the News Editor was forcibly removed from his desk while on live duty, disrupting the channel's live broadcast and questioned the need for police action inside a newsroom, seeking an explanation from the Chief Minister and the Home Department. The union described the incident as an act of police high-handedness that should have no place in a democratic setup, and compared it to the police action against NewsClick, where equipment was seized and t