The US has despatched a C-17 military aircraft carrying an unspecified number of illegal Indian migrants to India. Anonymous US officials were quoted as saying dozens had been deported, and unconfirmed reports put the number of deportees north of 200. Hot off the Press Sachin Parashar for The Times of India reported that the American embassy here, without sharing details about the flight, said the US was vigorously enforcing its border, tightening immigration laws and removing illegal migrants. “These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk,” the spokesperson said. Those returning, all verified Indians, are among thousands of Indians identified for deportation under the Biden administration. The last time US authorities deported a significant number of illegals to India was in Oct last year but that was carried out through a large-frame charter flight. While India has been accepting illegal migrants from the US for years, including under the fir

After a year on the breakfast shift at Hit 104.7 in Canberra, Neil ‘Wilko’ Wilcock and Courtenay ‘Courts’ Kneen (aka Wilko & Courts) have announced they are leaving the station to focus on a better work-life balance, Radio Today reported.  The duo cited the demanding 3 am starts, particularly with Courts having young children and Wilko managing a middle-aged dog, as key factors in their decision. Their departure will make way for Rod Cuddihy and Gabi Elgood from Mix 106.3’s drive show, who will be moving to the Hit 104.7 breakfast slot. Craig Wagstaff, General Manager of amplifyCBR, praised Wilko & Courts for giving ample notice and described Rod & Gabi's chemistry and strong local connection as assets for the new role. Wilko & Courts’ final show will air on Friday, February 7, with Rod & Gabi taking over on Monday, February 24.  

Nine’s news department has undergone a major shake-up with Fiona Dear, the network’s news and current affairs director, announcing several new leadership appointments. According to a media release from the organisation, these changes include the appointment of Michael Best as Sydney news director. Margie McLew, who had been acting as the Sydney news director, will now take on the role of deputy news director, ensuring continuity in the department. Best, who is returning to Nine after a brief period working in corporate Australia, brings extensive experience to the role. He previously served as a senior reporter, European correspondent, and news director at Nine, and his return is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the Sydney newsroom. Kendall Bora, the executive producer of the Today Show, will transition to head Nine’s US Bureau in March. Bora’s track record in transforming the Today Show team has earned her recognition, and she is expected to lead Nine's US coverage

Former Smart Company Editor-In-Chief Simon Crerar has launched his latest venture, Impact&ble, a strategic advisory firm that assists startups in maximising their positive impact on the world.  “Impact&ble is a strategic advisory firm for start-ups, best described as a sustainable impact partnership. The aim of what I'm doing is to work with start-up founders who are focused on having a positive impact and attempting to help them maximise their positive impact on the planet. “I'm offering various services, including advisory work, fundraising support, investor relations, publicity and media outreach, and thought leadership within the mix of content strategy, social strategy, events, planning and execution.” In practice it means Crerar will be assisting in building out the profile of startups.  “With Impact&ble, I’ll assist by building their personal or business brands and then help them develop the materials and narrative they need, depending on their sta

Image Source: DALL-E In a major boost to strengthen the community radio sector, the government has allocated a generous Rs 17.40 crore in the Union Budget 2025-26, more than tripling last year’s allocation of Rs 5 crore. This significant increase underscores the government’s commitment to empowering local voices and expanding the reach of community-driven broadcasting.  In 2021, the Government of India approved a Central Sector Scheme, “Supporting Community Radio Movement in India”. This scheme aimed to strengthen new and existing CR Stations with resources, capacity, and technology and promote the growth of Community radio stations across remote and rural areas. This scheme was extended for five years, from 2021-22 to 2025-26, with an outlay of Rs 50 crores.  In September 2024, a mid-term appraisal was carried out without increasing the overall cost of the scheme.  According to an official release by the MIB's CRS cell, stakeholders suggested increasing financial ass

View from the Press Rooms/Hot off the Press India’s currency crisis deepened as the rupee plunged to a historic low of Rs 87.29 against the US dollar, rattling financial markets. The Economic Times’ Rozebud Gonsalves and Hindustan Times’ Gopika Gopakumar reported that the sharp decline follows heightened trade war fears triggered by former US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. The Indian stock market took a hit, with the Sensex slipping over 800 points as investor sentiment soured. The latest tariffs imposed by Trump’s administration on Canadian and Mexican goods have escalated trade tensions, sending shockwaves through global markets. Meanwhile, Indian Express’ George Mathew explained that India’s widening trade deficit, coupled with global uncertainty, has further weakened the rupee. Rising crude oil prices have also contributed to the pressure, increasing India’s import bill and worsening the currency's outlook. Through the Digital Lens According to Gopika

David Dalkin has announced his retirement after an impressive 50-year career in radio, Radio Info reported. Currently serving as content director at ARN’s 3BA and Power FM in Ballarat, Dalkin’s career spans several decades, having begun in 1975 at 2AD Armidale. He took over the night shift after Doug Mulray, another well-known radio personality, moved to daytime. Over the years, Dalkin worked at various stations across Australia, including in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania. In the late 1980s, Dalkin was the original program director at 3TT Melbourne, later known as KIIS 101.1, and he also contributed to the station’s conversion to FM in 1990. During the 90s, Dalkin worked internationally, including as program director at 91ZM Christchurch, where he won the prestigious New Zealand Programmer of the Year award in 1996. He later moved to Malaysia, becoming group program director at AMP Radio Networks (now ASTRO Radio), where he helped grow the brand across So