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PAGE 552

The fragility of the mobile phone ecosystem

This is not the first time that data of high-profile individuals has been surveilled by governments. But the use of proprietary tools comes with a price tag of millions of dollars to governments, and when employed without due process, extracts an even heavier price from democracy

This studio photographic illustration shows a smartphone with the website of Israel's NSO Group which features Pegasus spyware. (AFP)

opinion

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 08:09 AM IST

ByHemant Adarkar, Meenaz Munshi and Anushka Bhansali

BJP reinforces embrace of ‘outside’ political talent

BJP acknowledges that it’s a new trend to keep up with the demand for leaders at a time when expansion has been at a frenetic pace.

Basavaraj Bommai, the new Karnataka chief minister. (PTI)

india news

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 08:07 AM IST

BySunetra Choudhury, New Delhi

Mamata Banerjee throws her hat in the ring

While she did not officially declare her ambitions (few politicians do) Ms Banerjee believes that she has the ability to pull together diverse strands of the Opposition together, and therefore views herself as a possible prime ministerial candidate

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee meets Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi July 28. (File photo)

editorials

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 08:08 AM IST

ByHT Editorial

Numbers Matter: Kerala’s Covid numbers concerning, but it managed crisis better

In fact, a look at the country’s best population-wise administration of vaccine doses shows how far ahead the state is in terms of administering doses. Among India’s 25 most populous regions, Kerala is on the third spot with 55 doses administered per 100 residents

opinion

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 08:07 AM IST

ByJamie Mullick

A civilised conversation on values

American leaders and officials are known to lecture the world on everything from democratic values to human rights to religious freedom, no matter how much of their own baggage they bring to the table

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III calls on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi in March this year. (File photo)

opinion

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 08:20 AM IST

ByYashwant Raj

Chandni Chowk’s often overlooked place of worship silently turns 300

Though the boulevard has been revamped but the prospects of the historical mosque have remained unchanged.

A mention of the same can be found in Waqiaat-e-Darul-Hukumat Delhi authored by Bashiruddin Ahmad Dehlvi.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 08:18 AM IST

BySadia Akhtar, New Delhi

From heatwaves to rainfall records:An extreme July for Delhi’s weather

Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that till July 29, Delhi recorded 463.5mm rainfall. In an average year, this number is 210.6mm. The last time there was more rain than this in July was in 2003 when the city recorded 632.2mm.

The city has been breaking a weather record every month since August 2020.

cities

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 08:18 AM IST

BySoumya Pillai, New Delhi

Tokyo 2020: Respect the fight, not just the medal

Medals are only one way to measure the march of a sporting nation such as India, which still doesn’t have a system or culture that promotes excellence on the field of play. A better, more crucial yardstick is whether more of our athletes are being able to get in contention.

PV Sindhu, Pooja Rani and Deepika Kumari are India's strong medal contenders. (Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 08:18 AM IST

ByKunal Pradhan

Tiger conservation: India’s strides and challenges

While increased protection has encouraged tigers to breed, it has also led to migration from the safety of reserves

editorials

Updated on Jul 29, 2021 05:39 PM IST

ByHT Editorial

Mr Blinken pays a visit

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underlined that on all crucial issues — Covid-19, climate, emerging technologies, Indo-Pacific, maritime security — India was a vital partner

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (REUTERS)

editorials

Updated on Jul 29, 2021 09:05 PM IST

ByHT Editorial

Covid-19 pandemic has fed on existing inequality to generate more inequality

Thanks to the coronavirus disease, countries outside the advanced world will now grow at a lower-than-expected pace. Whichever way one looks at it, the poor have suffered disproportionately in the pandemic

A migrant worker carries his son as they walk along a road with others to return to their village, during the first nationwide lockdown to limit the spreading of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in March last year, New Delhi. (REUTERS File)

analysis

Updated on Jul 29, 2021 05:15 PM IST

ByRoshan Kishore

Cognitive bias explains the inconsistent citizen response to Covid-19

As images of those gasping for air fade from people’s memories, how has citizen behaviour flip-flopped to disregarding Covid-19-appropriate behaviour such as ensuring physical distancing and wearing masks? Why is the fear of the virus ebbing?

opinion

Updated on Jul 29, 2021 04:09 PM IST

ByPayal S Kapoor

The politics and ethics of surveillance

There can be no rationalisation for hacking. But the government seems to believe it can ride out the storm

This studio photographic illustration shows a smartphone with the website of Israel's NSO Group which features Pegasus spyware, on display in Paris on July 21, 2021. (AFP)

opinion

Updated on Jul 29, 2021 06:48 PM IST

ByRajdeep Sardesai

Xi Jinping’s Tibet visit should worry India

The importance of the visit was highlighted by the inclusion of three politburo members and General Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission in Xi’s entourage

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves while visiting a public square below the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region on July 22. (AP)

opinion

Updated on Jul 29, 2021 03:25 PM IST

ByJayadeva Ranade

The battle for UP: Assertive Yogi vs a fragmented Opposition

Though politics is all about imponderables, it’s getting clearer by the day that the Opposition space is becoming overcrowded with political parties making the electoral battle easier for the ruling BJP and allies, which swept the state by winning 325 of the 403 seats in 2017

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. (PTI)

analysis

Updated on Jul 29, 2021 01:57 PM IST

BySunita Aron

As Basavaraj Bommai rises, how his father changed the course of Indian politics

Often referred to as the (SR) Bommai case, a Supreme Court judgement now makes floor tests mandatory in disputes over numbers commanded by an existing regime; the process is as much applicable when elections throw up a hung House

Basavaraj Bommai greets his supporters during his oath-taking ceremony as chief minister of Karnataka, in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (ANI)

analysis

Updated on Jul 29, 2021 10:25 AM IST

ByVinod Sharma

Tokyo Olympics: My confidence has gone up, says Sindhu ahead of knockout ties

PV Sindhu, the reigning world champion, showed she was in no mood to linger as she won 21-9, 21-16 and moved to the round of 16.

PV Sindhu competes against Cheung Ngan Yi. (Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Jul 28, 2021 10:17 PM IST

ByAvishek Roy, Tokyo

Why I went to the SC on Pegasus: MP John Brittas

The first time MP, who served as Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s media advisor, spoke to HT about the Pegasus row and why he turned to the apex court for a probe into the controversy

MP John Brittas. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

india news

Updated on Jul 28, 2021 05:39 PM IST

BySunetra Choudhury

Inflation: The contrasting tale of India and the US

In today’s world, inflation numbers influence more than an ordinary household’s budget. Thanks to the entrenched inequalities in what is a globalised economy, inflation can have very different consequences for different economies

analysis

Updated on Jul 28, 2021 04:01 PM IST

ByRoshan Kishore and Vineet Sachdev

Scientifically Speaking | There’s more to losing weight than counting calories

The standard view of obesity is that if you eat more than you metabolise, then you put on weight. And this is by and large correct. But it is also simplistic because metabolism isn’t just defined by calories

Representational image. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

opinion

Updated on Jul 28, 2021 11:16 AM IST

ByAnirban Mahapatra

Tokyo 2020: To be a legend, defeat a legend

On Monday, the American champion, 24, and the Australian challenger, 20, crossed paths in a race for the ages.

Australia’s Ariarne Titmus (L) and Katie Ledecky (R) of the US(Tokyo 2020 / Twitter)

sports

Published on Jul 28, 2021 07:03 AM IST

ByKunal Pradhan

Tokyo 2020: The G.O.A.T. in dragon’s clothing

Ma Long had said before the Games that if he lost a single game, it would be letting his country down.

Ma Long of China in action against Sharath Kamal Achanta of India at Tokyo Olympics 2020(REUTERS)

sports

Updated on Jul 27, 2021 11:26 PM IST

ByKunal Pradhan

NRAI notice to Swiss gun-maker after criticism by owner

After Bhaker’s gun malfunctioned during the 10m air pistol qualification stage, Repich posted that he spoke to a judge of the event at the Asaka Shooting Range and that he was surprised that the weapon was not taken to the company’s repair area instead of Pandit fixing it himself.

India's Manu Bhaker during the 10m Range Air Pistol Mixed Team event at Tokyo Olympics(PTI)

sports

Published on Jul 27, 2021 10:36 PM IST

ByAvishek Roy, Tokyo

Tokyo 2020: Rift in shooting contingent after poor show

Things came to a head when Rana arrived at the range for a practice session during the March World Cup wearing a shirt in which he had inscribed an angry text that Bhaker had sent him.

India's Elavenil Valarivan and Divyansh Singh Panwar at Tokyo Olympics 2020(PTI)

sports

Published on Jul 27, 2021 09:34 PM IST

ByAvishek Roy, Tokyo

China is focusing on 'discourse power'. Shore up defences

In China’s strategic lexicon, might is right but might is essential to earn the “right to speak”. President Xi Jinping’s messaging both to Chinese citizens and the world, as the CCP celebrated its march to the next century, seemed to stress on this theme repeatedly

China President Xi Jinping. (File photo)

opinion

Updated on Jul 27, 2021 04:17 PM IST

ByShruti Pandalai

The vaccination drive is entering a challenging phase. Change strategies

First, there is a sharp rural-urban disparity (which, to be sure, is narrowing) in per capita vaccination numbers, and second, there are intermittent “dry” days in some parts of the country when lack of supplies brings the vaccination process to a halt

A transgender person receives a dose of Covid-19 vaccine in Kochi, Kerala. (File photo)

opinion

Updated on Jul 27, 2021 03:07 PM IST

BySoham D Bhaduri

Digitising Indian retail: Looking at challenges and exploring growth models

The study has been authored by Preeti Kapuria and Harish Nalawade.

Economic Policy

Published on Jul 27, 2021 01:49 PM IST

ByObserver Research Foundation

Mapping costs for early coal decommissioning in India

The study has been authored by Vaibhav Pratap Singh and Nikhil Sharma.

Electricity generation is one of the most significant drivers of coal demand in India and directly employs close to 5 lakh people (IEA 2020).(Bloomberg)

Climate Change

Published on Jul 27, 2021 01:43 PM IST

ByCouncil on Energy, Environment and Water

India’s cyber security: India needs defensive cyber capabilities

The study has been authored by Sankalp Gurjar.

India has been taking steps, such as creating agencies, developing doctrines and pursuing diplomatic collaborations with like-minded strategic partners, to ensure that deficiencies in the cyber security domain could be addressed.(HT_PRINT)

International Affairs

Published on Jul 27, 2021 01:26 PM IST

ByIndian Council for World Affairs

Lessons for urban governance futures from the pandemic

The study has been authored by S Dasgupta and others.

The pandemic has highlighted one of the most crucial vulnerabilities of the Indian economy; its large informal sector, the state of the labours engaged and their living conditions.(AP)

Public Health

Published on Jul 27, 2021 01:25 PM IST

ByCentre for Policy Research

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HT Premium

This is not the first time that data of high-profile individuals has been surveilled by governments. But the use of proprietary tools comes with a price tag of millions of dollars to governments, and when employed without due process, extracts an even heavier price from democracy

BJP acknowledges that it’s a new trend to keep up with the demand for leaders at a time when expansion has been at a frenetic pace.

While she did not officially declare her ambitions (few politicians do) Ms Banerjee believes that she has the ability to pull together diverse strands of the Opposition together, and therefore views herself as a possible prime ministerial candidate

In fact, a look at the country’s best population-wise administration of vaccine doses shows how far ahead the state is in terms of administering doses. Among India’s 25 most populous regions, Kerala is on the third spot with 55 doses administered per 100 residents

American leaders and officials are known to lecture the world on everything from democratic values to human rights to religious freedom, no matter how much of their own baggage they bring to the table

Though the boulevard has been revamped but the prospects of the historical mosque have remained unchanged.

Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that till July 29, Delhi recorded 463.5mm rainfall. In an average year, this number is 210.6mm. The last time there was more rain than this in July was in 2003 when the city recorded 632.2mm.

Medals are only one way to measure the march of a sporting nation such as India, which still doesn’t have a system or culture that promotes excellence on the field of play. A better, more crucial yardstick is whether more of our athletes are being able to get in contention.

While increased protection has encouraged tigers to breed, it has also led to migration from the safety of reserves

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underlined that on all crucial issues — Covid-19, climate, emerging technologies, Indo-Pacific, maritime security — India was a vital partner

Thanks to the coronavirus disease, countries outside the advanced world will now grow at a lower-than-expected pace. Whichever way one looks at it, the poor have suffered disproportionately in the pandemic

As images of those gasping for air fade from people’s memories, how has citizen behaviour flip-flopped to disregarding Covid-19-appropriate behaviour such as ensuring physical distancing and wearing masks? Why is the fear of the virus ebbing?

There can be no rationalisation for hacking. But the government seems to believe it can ride out the storm

The importance of the visit was highlighted by the inclusion of three politburo members and General Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission in Xi’s entourage

Though politics is all about imponderables, it’s getting clearer by the day that the Opposition space is becoming overcrowded with political parties making the electoral battle easier for the ruling BJP and allies, which swept the state by winning 325 of the 403 seats in 2017

Often referred to as the (SR) Bommai case, a Supreme Court judgement now makes floor tests mandatory in disputes over numbers commanded by an existing regime; the process is as much applicable when elections throw up a hung House

PV Sindhu, the reigning world champion, showed she was in no mood to linger as she won 21-9, 21-16 and moved to the round of 16.

The first time MP, who served as Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s media advisor, spoke to HT about the Pegasus row and why he turned to the apex court for a probe into the controversy

In today’s world, inflation numbers influence more than an ordinary household’s budget. Thanks to the entrenched inequalities in what is a globalised economy, inflation can have very different consequences for different economies

The standard view of obesity is that if you eat more than you metabolise, then you put on weight. And this is by and large correct. But it is also simplistic because metabolism isn’t just defined by calories

On Monday, the American champion, 24, and the Australian challenger, 20, crossed paths in a race for the ages.

Ma Long had said before the Games that if he lost a single game, it would be letting his country down.

After Bhaker’s gun malfunctioned during the 10m air pistol qualification stage, Repich posted that he spoke to a judge of the event at the Asaka Shooting Range and that he was surprised that the weapon was not taken to the company’s repair area instead of Pandit fixing it himself.

Things came to a head when Rana arrived at the range for a practice session during the March World Cup wearing a shirt in which he had inscribed an angry text that Bhaker had sent him.

In China’s strategic lexicon, might is right but might is essential to earn the “right to speak”. President Xi Jinping’s messaging both to Chinese citizens and the world, as the CCP celebrated its march to the next century, seemed to stress on this theme repeatedly

First, there is a sharp rural-urban disparity (which, to be sure, is narrowing) in per capita vaccination numbers, and second, there are intermittent “dry” days in some parts of the country when lack of supplies brings the vaccination process to a halt

The study has been authored by Preeti Kapuria and Harish Nalawade.

The study has been authored by Vaibhav Pratap Singh and Nikhil Sharma.

The study has been authored by Sankalp Gurjar.

The study has been authored by S Dasgupta and others.

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