ABC Local Radio is set to welcome familiar voices this summer. From Monday 22 December to Sunday 11 January, the summer schedule unites some of the nation’s most recognisable broadcasters with trusted local presenters for a line-up that celebrates connection and community. Over the summer period, journalist and presenter Waleed Aly will host ABC Radio Mornings in all states and territories except Western Australia, bringing his insights and conversation to listeners from 22 December to 9 January. Waleed is a broadcaster, journalist, lawyer, and academic, best known as co-host of Network 10’s The Project. He lectures in politics at Monash University’s Global Terrorism Research Centre and has authored award-winning commentary and books on social and political issues. In 2016, he won the Gold Logie Award for Best Personality on Australian Television, cementing his reputation as one of Australia’s most respected voices. Waleed also presents The Minefield on ABC R

Triple j and Double J have unveiled their 2026 schedules, including new shows and the departure of a Mornings host. Tom Forrest, (pictured left) best known as ‘Outback Tom’, is officially joining the triple j team with Country Club, a new country music show. No stranger to triple j listeners, Forrest has been a longtime friend of the station, guest-hosting on Blak Out, Drive, and over Summer, and has previously held roles in the triple j Unearthed team. A proud First Nations creator, storyteller, and music lover, he is set to bring listeners the very best in country music, as he broadcasts weekly from outback Australia in the Kimberley region of WA. Each week, Sundays at 6pm, he’ll showcase the best sounds and stories from local and international country artists. The second new show is Doof, aiming to be the home of Australia’s best electronic music, DJs and producers. Hosted by triple j presenter Latifa Tee, Doof shines a light on the homegrown electronic

    In a move which seems similar to that of independent publication Australian Traveller some months ago, News Corp has today also announced an AI-powered holiday assistant which goes fully live in February.  News Corp’s Escape publication’s AI is called Ask Skye, and the publisher says it’s “a new AI-powered personal travel assistant that simplifies holiday planning for consumers”.  The product has been developed in partnership with Ask Layla, an established AI travel tech company. It launches in beta phase, an early-access release to enable users to trial the experience, and help Escape shape ongoing improvements ahead of the full launch in February. Integrated across escape.com.au, Ask Skye can provide personalised itineraries – complete with real-time recommendations, live flight fares, accommodation options, activities and must-see sites.  “Ask Skye helps users move confidently from dreaming to doing by co

Welcome to Wednesday and given there is no unified theme across today's dailies let's begin with a heart-warming story about NAPLAN. Yes, it's not a world-shattering subject, execpt for the schools that have to do the annual student assessments, the students themselves, and their parents and carers - so yes, it's vey newsworthy and Melbourne's The Age leads with that thanks to a great picture on the front page - taken by Joe Armao - of students and the Principal from "one of Melbourne's most disadvantaged schools" which has emeged as a top performer. Good job. That story told inside the paper by Bridie Smith and Jackson Graham, and they've written a really good and extensive bit of reporting. Top marks to them too.  At the nation's daily this morning, no less than four exclusives on the front page, which is pretty much standard for The Australian, and good on them. Sometimes those exclusives can seem a bit forced tho

Saidul Islam, a senior journalist from Diphu, Assam, passed away suddenly in Sikkim on Sunday, November 30, following a cardiac arrest. Islam was the founder of the news portal Hills View Today and served as a correspondent for Gana Adhikar. He had also been associated with ETV Bharat and Assam Times Post throughout his journalism career, Northeastlivetv reported. Islam had traveled to Sikkim for a short leisure trip accompanied by several senior journalists. The group visited a waterfall and after returning to his hotel, Islam suffered a sudden cardiac arrest around 12:40 pm and was rushed to the nearest hospital by colleagues where he reportedly passed away.

  On the second death anniversary of late journalist Bablu Paswan, a statue in his memory was unveiled at his native village, Vishanpur in Bihar. The ceremony was attended by his family, friends, and well-wishers, alongside dignitaries including Obra MLA Dr Prakash Chandra and Arwal MLA Manoj Sharma. Speaking at the event, the leaders noted that Bablu had a reputation for unbiased reporting and his commitment to social causes. Beyond his professional work, Bablu was widely respected for his humanitarian spirit, having saved numerous lives as a regular voluntary blood donor, Hindustan Line reported.

  A 13-member media delegation from Hyderabad has embarked on a seven-day visit to Assam under the Media Outreach Programme organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Hyderabad. The tour, which began on Sunday, November 30, is designed to give journalists firsthand exposure to Central Government schemes, Assam’s cultural heritage, and major development projects.   The delegation was welcomed in Guwahati by Pavni Gupta, Joint Director, PIB Guwahati, with the traditional Bodo Aronai. Later, Kripa Shankar Yadav, Additional Director General, PIB North East Zone, briefed the team on the objectives of the programme.   The itinerary spans diverse sectors including textiles, waterways, industry, wildlife conservation, rural livelihoods, and culture. On Day 1, the team visited Sualkuchi, the renowned silk village, where they interacted with the North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC). Managing Director Mara Kocho explained the corporation’s