Google offers to tweak search results to promote rivals, stave off EU antitrust fine, documents show

Alphabet's Google has proposed more changes to its search results to better showcase rivals in a bid to stave off a possible hefty EU antitrust fine, according to documents seen by Reuters.
Google's latest proposal came three months after the European Commission charged the U.S. tech giant with favouring its own services such as Google Shopping, Google Hotels and Google Flights over rivals in breach of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The landmark DMA sets out a list of dos and don'ts for Big Tech aimed at reining in their power and giving rivals more room to compete and consumers more choices.
Under Google's new proposal a vertical search service (VSS) selected on objective and non-discriminatory criteria would get its own box at the top of the search page with the same format, information and features as Google's, the document said.
The box would contain three direct links picked by the VSS, to hotels, airlines, restaurants and transport.
Other VSS, which are specialised search engines within Google, would be ranked below but without a box unless users click on them.
'We do not agree with the (Commission's) preliminary findings' position but, on a without prejudice basis, we want to find a workable solution to resolve the present proceedings,' the documents sent by both Google and the Commission to the rivals said.
The rivals will provide feedback at a July 8 meeting called by the Commission. A number of rivals, who did not want to be named ahead of the meeting, told Reuters that the changes still do not go far enough to ensure a level playing field.

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The Hindu

an hour ago

• The Hindu

Two Guinness Records set; IYD-2025 a historic event, says Naidu

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound happiness over the success of the Yogandhra initiative and the world records achieved in performing Yoga as part of International Yoga Day–2025 celebrations that concluded in Visakhapatnam on Saturday (June 21). Two Guinness Book of World records and 21 World Records were registered by the State government. Speaking to reporters after conducting a review on the successful conduct of the celebrations in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part, Mr. Naidu said the event on Saturday was incident-free and a historic one. 'This was done with the use of technology and proper planning. It was a massive success and the credit goes to the cabinet sub-committee that was formed to oversee the arrangements and the officials,' he said. Mr. Naidu said a staggering 3,02,087 people have participated in the event on Saturday and the participation was voluntary. 'The enthusiasm of the people was clearly evident and that was why we could achieve this feat. People started arriving as early as 2 a.m.,' he said. Two crore people Lauding the efforts of Mr. Narendra Modi in promoting yoga across 175 countries, the CM said yoga was performed at 1.30 lakh locations with the participation of more than two crore people across the State on Saturday. 'We will come up with a Visakhapatnam Declaration with the Yoga Day as inspiration. Yoga will be a game changer in preventive healthcare,' he asserted and said Yoga, Naturopathy and Ayurveda are treasures passed down by our ancestors and Prime Minister Modi revived them. Further, green energy, Swacch Bharat and natural farming are now being taken up on a massive scale to protect the nature, Mr. Naidu said. On the occasion, Mr. Naidu said the 'Double engine sarkar' had accelerated development of Visakhapatnam. 'The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is being revived, setting up of a railway zone is on track, Metro Rail connectivity is not far away. IT giants like Google, Cognizant and TCS are also coming to Visakhapatnam,' he said. The government will soon unveil a vision document for the development of the erstwhile three north coastal Andhra and East Godavari districts, the Chief Minister said. 'An economic corridor will come up on the lines of Mumbai. Similarly, Rayalaseema will be also have an economic corridor with Tirupati as its focal point and Amaravati will be centre for development of other districts,' he said and added that they have promised to provide 25 lakh jobs and they will deliver it. Asked about the criticism of Opposition YSRC that public money was wasted on the event, Mr. Naidu said it is unwarranted and unnecessary to speak about some individuals on happy occasions. 'Didn't he (former Chief Minister) spent hundreds of crores on Rushikonda (Palace)?' he questioned and said the Centre will bear ₹75 crore of the total amount spent by the State for YogAndhra. Records set Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said more money has to be spent to set Guinness World Records. Announcing that a total of 21 world records and two Guinness World Records were set in the month-long campaign, Naidu said aiming for Guinness Records requires expenditure of money.

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

Google techie reveals how he got the job after 2 internships. It might be the ultimate playbook for breaking into big tech

In an industry where getting a foot in the door can feel more difficult than debugging legacy code, Google software engineer Tawfiq Mohammad's journey is fast becoming a masterclass in how to build a successful Big Tech career—starting as early as your first year in college. In an interview with YouTuber Sajjaad Khader, Mohammad shared his experience of interning at Google for two summers before securing a full-time role. He credits this early exposure and structured preparation as some of the most decisive factors in his career. 'I think one of the most important things I've done in my career, to date, is applying for these first- and second-year programs,' he said, highlighting how early-stage internships come with a relatively lower hiring bar. 'For example, they'll ask like a Leetcode easy instead of a Leetcode medium,' he pointed out, referencing the notorious technical interviews that many developers dread. From Chaos to Clarity: Tracking Applications Like a Pro But getting into Google wasn't just a matter of talent or timing—it was about strategy. Mohammad emphasized the importance of tracking applications rather than submitting resumes en masse and hoping for the best. 'It was very organized,' he said. 'I would update the status of each application, and it would help me a lot to prepare for each interview and for which stage I was at.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now His advice also included mastering patterns in coding problems rather than rote memorization. 'If you try to memorize it problem by problem, you'll eventually be given a problem that you don't know,' he cautioned. 'You just want to master the overarching principles.' Referrals and Realism: Getting a Boost from the Inside While hard work paid off, Mohammad was honest about the advantages he had. A referral from a family friend already working at Google helped him land an interview faster. 'I got an interview really soon after she submitted the referral,' he recalled. 'You want to try to separate yourself from everyone as much as you can.' You Might Also Like: What no one tells you about working at Google: 6 biggest lessons from a techie's experience Still, he made it clear that connections are only one piece of the puzzle. For those without a network, Mohammad recommends building one through independent learning and meaningful projects that demonstrate real-world skills. The Mindset Shift That Matters After landing the internship, Mohammad didn't treat the opportunity as just a resume booster. Instead, he focused on self-learning and becoming as independent as possible while still seeking mentorship when needed. 'You're smart enough to evaluate whether you're blocked,' he said. 'But try to solve your problems on your own. Just by doing that, you'll understand how all the systems fit together.' He also underlined the importance of learning from seasoned developers during internships. 'They're really smart, so you want to absorb as much information as you can from them,' he said in an earlier conversation with Business Insider. In a tech job market bruised by layoffs and flooded with competition, Mohammad's story serves as a timely reminder that a mix of strategy, self-study, and soft networking can still crack open the gates of Big Tech. His methods may not be universal, but they offer a framework—perhaps even a playbook—for students hoping to rise in the ranks of Silicon Valley giants. You Might Also Like: Google techie's viral post sparks debate on work-life balance in big tech. Netizen says, 'you get paid more than 40 LPA'

First Post

an hour ago

• First Post

What Iran withdrawing from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty could mean for India

Whether India engages Iran quietly but assertively will be a decision that needs to be taken, Delhi is also in a position to work behind the scenes with Moscow and Washington to prevent the complete erosion of diplomatic options read more Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. File Image/WANA via Reuters West Asia is at it again. Lighting matchsticks near oil drums. However, this time the fuel isn't being lit by a rocket but by a simple signature and paperwork. A potential withdrawal. Following recent military escalation between Israel and Iran, the Internet is filled with predictions of doom, with social media pages claiming the odds of a nuclear war in 2025 are now one in six, with even the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute claiming that the world is on the cusp of a nuclear arms race and very possibly actual detonation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran, cornered and humiliated, is now indicating that it might be folding the page on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a decades-old 'insurance policy' for the world when it first woke up to the devastating consequences of nuclear technology, intended to stem the spread of the same. No fireworks or explosions, just soft whispers in the Iranian Parliament that are beginning to sound very intentional. However, this isn't just Tehran turning its back on diplomacy but, in all probability, the beginning of a long and deliberate undoing of restraint – the kind of which kept oil shipping lanes safe and power balances somewhat intact. So what might this mean for us, Indians? India has always been the careful dancer in a crowded room – one tied to Iran by centuries of cultural exchange, a mutually symbiotic oil dependence relationship, while also a friendly partner to the United States, whose rules of engagement quite obviously come with fine print and keen watchful eyes. Now if Iran pulls out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, India will be watching a friend turn into an unpredictable wildcard. For India, the cost will be measured in diplomacy, Indian rupees and the rising heat in an already volatile region and tense atmosphere. Chabahar Port Chabahar Port, once India's favourite geopolitical trump card to skirt Pakistan and reach Central Asia, is now trembling in the long shadow cast by China's Belt and Road and, of course, the collective Western discomfort. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If Iran goes rogue, this trump card might well be rendered useless or, worse, be useful to other powers playing a scarier and louder game. The Oil Equation In the good old days when sanctions were bearable, India bought Iranian oil by the barrel. Deals made in Indian rupees, special discounted prices, shipping conveniences, etc. That chapter had to close under US pressure, unfortunately, but what now? If Iran truly embraces full isolation, prices won't just be rising – they will writhe. Fuel bills, freight fares, rates of vegetables and other essential commodities will rise dramatically as the transport costs goes up. It's not going to destroy us in any way, but effects will be felt. Every auto rickshaw driver, every delivery truck, every common man will pay. For India, which still imports over 80 per cent of its oil, the financial tremors will be very uncomfortable. The Strategic Tightrope of Diplomacy While India has been walking this tightrope for a while now, India's delicate relationship with Iran seems to be becoming more and more fragile and simultaneously crucial. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Our Western allies, already queasy about Iran's nuclear ambiguity, will now expect India to align more clearly with the West. However, a complete pivot at this point risks antagonising Tehran at a time when they are being aggressively courted by China with infrastructure, defence and strategic partnerships. Also, one has to keep in mind that India isn't just watching this as a peninsular nation but also through the eyes of 8 million Indians living in the Gulf. Any escalation involving Iran – whether triggered by sanctions, US pressure or Israeli responses – could make the region plain, outright dangerous, leading to an enormous humanitarian crisis. We've seen it before, in Kuwait, Yemen and Lebanon. However, this time the nuclear anxiety cloud hangs heavy over us. India by itself is not a signatory to the NPT – a fact that has been diplomatically manoeuvred since the landmark 2008 US-India civil nuclear deal. Iran's potential withdrawal reopens uncomfortable global conversations about who gets to hold nuclear weapons and why. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India's well-earned status as a 'responsible nuclear power' could come under increased scrutiny, while Tehran's moves might encourage other powers in the region, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, to consider nuclear options of their own. The NPT's erosion might well trigger an arms race not just in West Asia but all over the world, in a domino effect. For India, which has historically advocated for global disarmament even while maintaining a credible deterrence, this would be a major strategic setback. New Delhi must now be prepared for volatility in oil markets – hedge better, diversify oil supply chains and insulate the economy in whichever way possible. Whether India engages Iran quietly but assertively will be a decision that needs to be taken. Possibly reinforcing the strategic importance of Chabahar and signalling that regional restraint is still valued. India is also in a position to work behind the scenes with Moscow and Washington to prevent the complete erosion of diplomatic options. The NPT may not be the fairest and most perfect treaty ever signed, but it is still one of the strongest threads keeping the global nuclear order intact. An order that must be protected at all costs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The treaty may burn in the heart of West Asia, but the smoke will drift in every direction. India, as always, must try to breathe both air and fire without letting either consume its lungs. As a regional power with global ambitions, India cannot afford to simply sit and watch. Sometimes, the loudest warnings come from paper being torn in the quietest of rooms. The author is a freelance journalist and features writer based out of Delhi. Her main areas of focus are politics, social issues, climate change and lifestyle-related topics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.