‘New Rules Protect Rights Of Users, Were Framed Because Of Social Media Giants' Refusal To Do So'

IT and law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has been in the thick of things as the new guidelines for social media became a flashpoint for a showdown between the government and Twitter and WhatsApp over issues of privacy and free speech. He speaks to Pankaj Doval and Sidhartha on why the rules are not a bid to gag dissenting opinion but rather an attempt to protect the rights of social media users and ensure accountability from Big Tech. Excerpts from the interview:

UK PM Marries Fiancee ‘Secretly'

London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson married his fiancee Carrie Symonds at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, capping a week of political drama with a wedding kept so under wraps that his office did not confirm it until the following day.

7-Day Covid Fatalities Fall For First Time In 12 Weeks

Daily Toll Too Below 3,000 After 34 Days

‘Kids' Stress Can Be Improvised Positively By Reducing Parents' Stress … Parental Stabilisation Is The Key'

Children have been victims of the sudden and traumatic changes brought out by the outbreak of Covid-19. Basant K Pradhan, associate professor of psychiatry and paediatrics at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, US, spoke to Pratigyan Das about the coping mechanisms for both parents and children:

Our Privacy In Your Hands, Milords

Courts must step in as neither government’s nor WhatsApp’s approach is best for users

Attention: The Key To Success

The ability to manage attention holds the key to change one’s growth trajectory. Numerous learning applications thus now focus on improving attention power

Put Brakes On Farm Protests; They Pose Risk To Public Health

The disastrous spike in Covid cases has changed many mindsets. The Election Commission was slammed for a lengthy voting schedule in the recent state elections, helping spread the disease.

Rid Yourself Of That Sense Of Stagnation

This year, many people are stuck with a feeling of aimlessness or emptiness. But there are ways to tackle this and emerge stronger

US To Open Up Supply Chains To Boost Vax Prodn In India

Call on shipping out AstraZeneca dose weeks away, says US

‘Will get 5.5L vax for 18+ only after June 10'

Sisodia Accuses Centre Of Mismanagement, Asks How Private Hospitals Are Getting Vaccines

India records 50% fall in daily Covid cases in just three weeks from peak

Slower Decline In Deaths, Down 18%

Mary Kom seeks her 6th gold in Asian C'ship

Dubai: Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom (51kg) will seek her sixth gold when she squares off against Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay in the women’s 51kg final of the Asian Boxing Championships here on Sunday.

Kante's fitness crucial to Chelsea's success: James

Former Man City Keeper Feels CL Final Will Be The Biggest Game Of Pep’s Coaching Career

Cycle of change: NGO's lessons on menstrual health to street kids

IN THESE GLOOMY TIMES, STORIES THAT GIVE US A SHOT OF HOPE

‘Scientists should know Covid-19's exact origin to mitigate the pandemic'

Harvard University epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch is among scientists calling for a closer investigation into Covid 19’s origin. Lipsitch spoke to Srijana Mitra Das at Times Evoke about why this is vital:

From Close To A Lakh, Active Cases Down To Under 15,000 In A Month

1,141 New Cases; At 1.59%, Positivity Rate Slightly Higher Than Previous Day

45k Cases/Day: IIT Warns Delhi To Be Ready For Worst-Case Scenario

With 9,000 Patients Projected To Need Hospitalisation, City May Require 944MT Of O2 Daily

From 10k In 1999 To 6 In 2021: How India Cut Cyclone Deaths

Disaster Risk Reduction Steps Pay Off

How Hospitals Are Shoring Up Defences Just In Case Third Wave Catches Children

From Upgrading Infra To Educating Staff, Paediatrics Depts Leaving Nothing To Chance

Dangerous Overreach, Police Intimidation: Co

Twitter on Thursday accused the government of “dangerous overreach that is inconsistent with open, democratic principles”, and alleged that it has been forced to “withhold” (block tweets in India) portions of “legitimate free speech” on its platform over fears around the safety of its employees and threats of financial penalties.

42% Of 45+ People Vaccinated, AAP Calls For Quicker Imports

Another Drive-Through Centre Opens For 18-44 Group, Vax Shortage A Problem

Twitter alleges threat to free speech; it's defying Indian laws, counters govt

Only One Scuttling Free Speech Is Twitter: Min

Vax Effective In Fighting Mutated Variants: Study

In a significant study conducted by Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, vaccines were found to be effective in combating mutated variants of Covid-19 and protecting the vaccinated from severe illness, hospitalisation or death.

WhatsApp Moves HC Against New IT Rules, Terms Them Unconstitutional

‘Violate Right To Privacy, Freedom Of Expression’

Cyclone Yaas Batters Odisha And Bengal, Leaves Trail Of Destruction

Kills Four, Damages Farmlands & Lakhs Of Houses

20cr Doses Given, 34% Above 45 Have Got 1st Jab

4.2 Crore Have Received Both Shots: Centre

CM: If Pak Declares War, Will States Buy Own Tanks?

‘Vax Should’ve Been Procured When Second Wave Started, But States Asked To Fend For Selves’

Odisha, Bengal Brace For Yaas, Evacuate 20 Lakh

With cyclone Yaas, which has now intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, on course to hit land in Balasore in Odisha on Wednesday noon, a massive evacuation drive was conducted in Odisha and West Bengal on Tuesday, moving over 20 lakh people from low-lying area to safer zones.

How To Know That You Have Had Too Much Of A Good Thing

Experts share a few signs that indicate you could be overdoing healthy habits

WHO Pre Qualification Nod For Covaxin Likely By August

Talks On With US For Small Phase-3 Trials