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

Friday, 17 July 2026 #1  ·  Times Global  ·  In-depth feature US tightens visa regulations for foreign students, journos By Lubna Kably   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi – July 17, 2026  ·  Page 2 The US Department of Homeland Security has finalised a sweeping overhaul of F-1 student visa rules, replacing open-ended 'duration of status' stays with fixed periods of up to four years and halving the grace period to 30 days. Graduate students will be barred from changing their field of study entirely, and international students who fail to renew on time risk accruing unlawful presence and multi-year re-entry bans. With 3.6 lakh Indian students — nearly 31% of all international students in the US — the rule carries outsized consequences for India. Kably grounds abstract regulatory change in concrete human stakes by sourcing two named immigration attorneys — Rajiv S. Khanna and Cyrus

Thirty years ago, a young reporter in Amritsar received information that would expose one of Punjab's darkest chapters. The story he broke on the disappearance and alleged murder of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra remains alive three decades later as the raging controversy over the movie based on the human rights activist vindicates. Veteran journalist Satinderjit Singh Bains still remembers every detail. "I couldn't sleep the night before the story appeared," he recalled from his residence in Canada during a candid conversation with Influencing. "I knew it was a sensational story. But more than that, it was disturbing." Bains, then with The Indian Express, was approached by Kuldeep Singh, a Special Police Officer (temporary post created during the militancy period in Punjab) who claimed to have witnessed Khalra's killing. The whistleblower gave minute-by-minute details of the alleged murder, from Khalra's detention to his execution and the disposal of his body after

Mental health system under fire after alleged Sydney murder A Sydney man accused of a brutal murder had reportedly been released from a mental health hospital months earlier, triggering an urgent review into how his care was handled and whether warning signs were missed. The case is reigniting debate about gaps between clinical treatment, community support and public safety responsibilities. Covered by: Daily Telegraph. AI regulation accelerates as security fears drive Labor’s pivot National security concerns are shaping the Albanese government’s approach to frontier AI, with the new AI Safety Institute set to work alongside agencies including ASD and CSIRO to test and monitor fast-moving systems. Unions are also pushing to ensure the AI build-out delivers jobs and training—signalling a looming policy contest over safety, sovereignty and workforce protections. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, The Australian. Albanese’s “net-generator” data-centre plan sparks ren

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed Kolkata-based broadcaster Sristi Television Pvt Ltd to pay Rs 21.75 lakh to Hathway Digital Ltd towards outstanding channel placement charges, along with 9% annual interest, within two months.  The dispute arose after the written agreement between the two companies expired in January 2020. Hathway argued that it continued carrying and promoting Sristi TV at the broadcaster's request during the Covid-19 pandemic but did not receive full payment. Sristi Television contended that it was not liable for charges beyond the contract period. After examining the evidence, the tribunal ruled that the commercial relationship continued through the conduct of both parties, making Sristi Television liable for the outstanding dues despite the expiry of the written agreement.