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

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.  

Journalists in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj called off a symbolic protest outside the Superintendent of Police (SP) office on Tuesday after receiving assurances of action from the police.   The protest, organised under the banner of the Journalists Press Club, was held over the alleged indecent behaviour of an LIU Inspector towards journalists.  The protesters submitted a memorandum demanding strict action against the police personnel involved.       Image credit: amarujala.com 

  On July 15, a delegation of senior journalists and professionals walked into the office of Telangana's Chief Electoral Officer, C. Sudharshan Reddy, with a request that had nothing to do with press freedom, media access, or any of the usual grievances that bring journalists to a bureaucrat's door. They were there for voters. The group, gathered under the banner of Press Club Hyderabad, spent over 30 minutes raising concerns about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Their worry was straightforward: the process meant to clean up the voter list was quietly punishing the people it was supposed to protect. The problems they laid out will sound familiar to anyone who has watched an SIR exercise unfold. Names deleted without explanation. Spelling errors that break a match. Records from the 2002 rolls that are nearly impossible to trace. Multilingual entries that do not align across databases. Booth Level Officers who are themselves unclear on the process they

Today's Ten Thursday, 16 July 2026 #1  ·  Times Nation / Business  ·  Breaking news Cabinet Clears ₹1.9L Cr Push for Chips & Mobile Phones By Staff Reporter   ·   The Times of India  ·  Page 19 The Union Cabinet approved two landmark schemes — Semicon 2.0 (₹1,27,500 crore) and the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (₹62,500 crore) — running from 2026–27 to 2029–31, aimed at deepening India's domestic semiconductor fabrication, advanced packaging, materials, chip design, and homegrown mobile phone brands. Semicon 2.0 extends incentives beyond fabs to include specialty chemicals, manufacturing equipment, R&D, and talent development, while MPMS replaces the existing PLI scheme with sales-linked incentives favouring Indian brands doing design and R&D. The government's long-term target is a $500 billion electronics manufacturing industry by 2030–31. The stor