Latest news with #GOOGLE
The Journal
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Journal
EU court adviser backs record €4.1 billion fine on Google for anti-competitive practices
GOOGLE SUFFERED A legal blow at the European Court of Justice today when the body's adviser recommended upholding a record fine imposed on the company for anti-competitive practices. The US tech giant has been trying to overturn on appeal a €4.3 billion fine imposed by the European Commission in 2018, which was later reduced to €4.1 billion. But in its opinion, Juliane Kokott, advocate general at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), said 'the legal arguments put forward by Google are ineffective', the court later said in a statement. Although not binding, such advice carries weight and is often followed by EU judges in their rulings. The commission, the EU's antitrust regulator, had accused Google of abusing the popularity of its Android operating system to restrict competition. It alleged Google pressured phone makers using Android to pre-install its search engine and Google Chrome browser – essentially shutting out rivals. The findings were upheld in 2022 by the European Union's second-highest court, which slightly reduced the fine. The levy remains the EU's biggest ever. Arguing that the commission's case was unfounded and that the sanction penalised innovation, Google appealed to the EU's top court. Advertisement The company had also pushed the case that the EU was unfairly blind to Apple, which gives preference to its own services, such as Safari on iPhones. Today's advice will guide the EUCJ in its decision. The court has the final say on the matter. 'Google held a dominant position in several markets of the Android-ecosystem and thus benefited from network effects that enabled it to ensure that users used Google Search,' the court said, detailing Kokott's opinion. 'As a result, Google obtained access to data that enabled it in turn to improve its service. No hypothetical as-efficient competitor could have found itself in such a situation,' the statement read. As part of a major push to target big tech abuses, the EU slapped Google with fines worth a total of €8.2 billion between 2017 and 2019 over antitrust violations. This set off a series of long-running legal battles. Brussels has since armed itself with a more powerful legal weapon known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), to rein in tech giants. Rather than regulators discovering egregious antitrust violations after probes lasting many years, the DMA gives businesses a list of what they can and cannot do online. In March, the commission informed Google parent Alphabet that preliminary reviews concluded its search engine and Google Play app store operated in ways that run afoul of the new rules. - © AFP 2025
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Get it towed' blast locals as motorhome ‘dumped' outside doctor's surgery on NC500 route
LOCALS have blasted 'entitled' tourists who dumped their campervan outside a doctor's surgery - then cycled off for more than a week. It's claimed the visitors parked up in a spot that's reserved for medical staff who are on-call along the NC500 route. 3 Locals say campervans are causing huge problems on the NC500 route Credit: Getty 3 Residents claimed a campervan was left outside the Three Harbours doctor's surgery in Thurso Credit: GOOGLE MAPS 3 The cheeky tourists left a note pinned in the window of their vehicle They then left their motorhome behind in Thurso, Caithness, to zip away on their bikes and catch a ferry. But they pinned a note in their window warning they were off to Orkney and would be back in about eight days. Margaret Meek, who lives on the route of the tourist trail, said: 'I can't stress enough that this sets a completely new level of arrogance. 'I think that someone who parks in a doctor's surgery and leaves for eight days is demonstrating a new low level of entitlement. 'Because it is not on a public road, I am not sure how easy it is to have it towed away.' Residents spotted the vehicle parked up outside the Three Harbours medical practice in Thurso. A photo of the note was posted on social media and was shared hundreds of times. It says: 'We leave by bicycle to the Orcade Isle. We park here the camper no more than eight days.' A number, thought to be registered in France, was writen in the messages. It's understood the visitors may have been bombarded with texts and calls. One local said: 'Get it towed.' Another added: 'Unbelievable. Utterly disgraceful. How useful they've given you a mobile number so everyone affected by them parking in a private car park can keep ringing them up to tell them they need to move the van immediately.' While another message said: 'I struggle to believe that even the lowest of morons think it would be okay to park in a doctor's surgery car park.' It's understood the owners of the campervan have replied to some texts and said they had no idea they wouldn't be allowed to park in that spot. They claimed there was no warning signs so they thought there would be no issues. Margaret, who runs an anti-NC500 Facebook page, revealed she faces huge problems with campervans parking wherever they want. She said: 'They have probably been told via social media that Scotland is welcoming and you can park anywhere. 'The responsibility lies with the government to tackle it and give clear messages. "People need to park in campgrounds and not anywhere they please. 'Campervans are crammed into viewpoints at night where there are no facilities, no controls. What if there is a fire?' Management at the medical practice were approached for comment
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Woman, 21, rushed to hospital after ‘stabbing' in Scots town as 31-year-old suspect charged
It comes as fears rise over Scotland's escalating knife crime wave BLADE 'ATTACK' Woman, 21, rushed to hospital after 'stabbing' in Scots town as 31-year-old suspect charged A WOMAN has been rushed to hospital after being injured in an alleged stabbing in a Scottish town. The alleged incident is said to have unfolded on Little Nursery in Montrose yesterday afternoon. Advertisement 2 Emergency services raced to Little Nursery in Montrose Credit: GOOGLE MAPS A 21-year-old was found injured after the alleged attack in broad daylight as officers swarmed the area. Police scrambled to the scene at around 12.30pm after the alarm was raised over reports of a knife assault. The woman was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance for treatment. The extent of her injuries and her current condition are not known. Advertisement Cops quickly launched an investigation into the alleged stabbing. And officers have now confirmed that a man, aged 31, has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged incident. He is due to appear at Forfar Sheriff Court sometime today. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 12.30pm on Wednesday, 11 June, 2025, we were called to a report of an assault on Little Nursery, Montrose. Advertisement 'Emergency services attended, and a 21-year-old woman was taken to hospital for treatment. 'A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. Inmate who stabbed prison guard revealed as serial knifeman Muslim convert who once said it 'felt good to hurt someone' 'He is due to appear at Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday, 12 June, 2025.' The latest alleged incident comes weeks after we told how John Swinney was warned his 'weak and reckless' justice system is costing lives amid alarm at a deadly knife crime wave. Advertisement And it comes amid a 'sickening' 600 per cent rise in serious assaults committed in five years - most of which by young teens. Scottish Tories leader Russell Findlay accused the First Minister of 'fuelling youth violence'. The Holyrood showdown came after day tripper Kayden Moy, 16, was allegedly stabbed to death at Irvine beach in Ayrshire on May 17. In a separate reported incident, another teen was allegedly stabbed at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh the day before. Advertisement Meanwhile, Scotland's top cop called for a crackdown on violence in schools after we revealed a boy of seven allegedly took a blade into Heathfield Primary in Ayr to attack another pupil. We also told earlier this week how a 10-year-old lad was threatened with a blade by a tearaway classmate in Kilmarnock. A boy of the same age was reported to authorities over the incident. Earlier this month, a 14-year-old thug was locked up for five years for killing Kory McCrimmon, 16, in Glasgow in a fight over £50. Advertisement And a group of teenagers are currently facing charges in connection with the death of 15-year-old Glasgow teen Amen Teklay.
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Scots schoolgirl, 11, rushed to hospital after being hit by car as busy road closed
The road was closed for over five hours ROAD HORROR Scots schoolgirl, 11, rushed to hospital after being hit by car as busy road closed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SCHOOLGIRL was rushed to hospital after being struck by a car on a busy road in Glasgow. Emergency services raced to the scene on Firhill Road at around 8.20pm yesterday evening. 2 An eleven-year-old girl was hit by a car on Firhill Road Credit: GOOGLE MAPS The alarm was raised after police received reports of a crash involving a pedestrian and a car. An eleven-year-old girl was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in an ambulance for treatment. Her current condition is not yet known. The extent of her injuries is also currently unknown. Cops locked down the road for over five hours to allow collision investigators to conduct inquiries. Photos from the scene show half a dozen police cars swarming the area at around 9pm. A van sat parked in the middle of the road, stopping drivers from accessing the road. Two other police cars were seen in the area into the night as officers stood guard. Blue police tape was also erected around the street, blocking access to the public. The road was reopened again at around 1am this morning. Horse gallops down Scots high street and crashes into car Police have launched an investigation into the crash and have said that inquiries are ongoing. Cops are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Any motorists who were in the area and have dashcam footage have also been urged to speak with officers. Police Scotland released a statement which read: "Around 8.20pm on Tuesday, 10 June, 2025, we were called to a report of a crash involving a car and a pedestrian on Firhill Road, Glasgow. "Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, an 11-year-old girl, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment. "Road closures were put in place to allow officers to carry out enquiries. "The road reopened around 1am on Wednesday, 11 June. "Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference 3450 of 10 June, 2025".
Scottish Sun
01-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Man, 43, dies after being struck by car on a busy road in a Scottish town
The road was closed for over seven hours after the fatal collision FATAL SMASH Man, 43, dies after being struck by car on a busy road in a Scottish town A MAN has tragically died after being struck by a car in a late-night crash in a Scottish town. Emergency crews raced to the scene in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, in the early hours of this morning. Advertisement 1 The pedestrian was struck on Meikle Earnock Road in Hamilton Credit: GOOGLE MAPS The alarm was raised at around 00.35am after officers received reports of the collision on Meikle Earnock Road. Officers confirmed that a 43-year-old pedestrian was hit by a silver Skoda Octavia. The man was found injured at the scene and was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. However, he tragically passed away in hospital a short time later. Advertisement Police have said that the man's next of kin has been made aware. The driver of the Skoda Octavia was uninjured in the collision. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died at this very difficult time. Sergeant John Houston Police locked down the road through the night, and drivers were urged to avoid the area or use an alternative route. The road was closed for over seven hours to allow collision investigators to conduct enquiries at the scene. Advertisement It was reopened again at around 8am this morning. Police have launched an investigation into the fatal crash and have said that inquiries are ongoing. Woman rushed to hospital after horror crash near Scots primary school Cops are appealing for anyone with information about the crash to come forward. Any motorists who were in the area and have dashcam footage have also been urged to speak with officers. Advertisement Sergeant John Houston said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died at this very difficult time. 'Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances, and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash to contact us. 'We also ask anyone driving in the area at the time to check if they have dash-cam footage that can help with our investigation.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0155 of Sunday, 1 June, 2025.
