The partnership aims to enhance the Saudi workforce through AI initiatives, targeting millions of students and professionals, and supports the national goal of expanding the information and communication technology (ICT) sector by 50 per cent.

Through this collaboration, customers will leverage Google Cloud’s technology to drive growth across various industries and improve the delivery of AI applications. Businesses and consumers can expect faster, higher-quality AI solutions and data services.The partnership will focus on joint research for Arabic language models and AI applications tailored to Saudi needs. With Google Cloud’s experience in custom silicon, the infrastructure will feature tensor processing units (TPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs), alongside the Vertex AI platform, designed for building generative AI applications.
To enhance Arabic-language models, PIF and Google Cloud will work on improving the Arabic capabilities of Gemini, Google’s generative AI model family, by integrating additional Arabic datasets. Local businesses, researchers, and developers will be able to connect these models to their systems, enabling the creation of advanced Arabic language AI applications.

These new investments build on Google Cloud’s existing presence in Saudi Arabia, which includes the recently launched Dammam cloud region, part of its global network of 40 cloud regions.

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The plan also calls for Google to share its search index, data, and AI models with competitors to increase transparency and fairness. Google would face limits on how it uses private data and would be prevented from making exclusive deals that restrict competitors’ access to web content.

In advertising, the DoJ wants Google to separate its ad services from search results and provide clearer information on how ad auctions work to ensure a level playing field for competitors.
Google has called the proposal “radical,” warning it could hurt innovation and consumers. Analysts are concerned that breaking up Google might weaken its competitive position in AI.

The case is ongoing, with Judge Mehta set to decide. If approved, these measures could significantly alter Google’s operations and reshape the tech industry.

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As part of the settlement, Google will pay over $3 million to resolve the allegations. The tech giant will pay $1,353,052 in back pay and interest to 2,565 female employees in engineering positions subject to pay discrimination, and $1,232,000 in back pay and interest to 1,757 female and 1,219 Asian applicants for software engineering positions not hired, as per the OFCCP. The US Department of labour also noted that Google will allocate a cash reserve of at least $1,250,000 in pay-equity adjustments for the next 5 years for US employees in engineering positions.

“We believe everyone should be paid based upon the work they do, not who they are, and invest heavily to make our hiring and compensation processes fair and unbiased,” a Google spokeswoman said in response to an AFP inquiry. As part of the settlement, Google has agreed to review its policies, procedures, and practices related to hiring and compensation, according to the labor department. The internet giant will let employees use courts instead of private arbitration to resolve disputes over treatment.

“Pay discrimination remains a systemic problem,” Jenny Yang, the head of the office of federal contract compliance programs, said in a release. “Employers must conduct regular pay equity audits to ensure that their compensation systems promote equal opportunity.”

The agency also said that it uncovered “hiring rate differences” that put female and Asian applicants at disadvantages for software engineering positions.

In 2018, over 20,000 Google employees and contractors participated in the mass global walkout to protest the company’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against top executives. The walkout of 2018 was sparked by an investigation from The New York Times that revealed how Android co-founder Andy Rubin was paid $90 million upon his exit from the company after it learned of a sexual assault allegation against him.

The lawsuit argued that Alphabet’s board and senior executives improperly awarded multi-million-dollar severance packages to several male executives accused of sexually harassing female employees, even after internal investigations found the accusations to be credible.

Last year, roughly 230 employees and contractors formed a minority union, The Verge reported. The organization, the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU) reportedly has more than 800 members.

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The doodle, illustrated by Mumbai-based guest artist Onkar Fondekar, focused on the country’s vibrant cultures, regional diversity, and architecture.

On this day 72 years ago, India’s Constitution came into effect and it officially became a sovereign Republic. In his colorful artwork, Fondekar featured musical instruments like the dholak (a two-headed hand drum) and the sitar (a long-necked stringed instrument), the people of India, cricket and dance, among other elements.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison wishes India on the 72nd Republic Day. “What wonderful coincidence it’s of our history that Jan 26 Australia Day, is India’s #RepublicDay, a national day shared b/w friends. Australia-India share more than national day. We pursue same ideals-democracy, freedom, liberty, diversity, enterprise, opportunity,” he said.

“Our history is long and our connections are many. With each year, we become even closer. The global pandemic has not divided us but has made us appreciate these shared ideals even more,” Morrison added.

In his video message to celebrate the birth of an “extraordinary Constitution” that established India “as the biggest sovereign democracy in the world”, the UK PM reiterated his plan to visit India in the coming months. “I was hugely looking forward to joining you for this important occasion at the kind invitation of my friend Prime Minister Modi, alas our common struggle against COVID has kept me in London,” said Johnson.

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“If you’re having trouble watching videos on YouTube right now, you’re not alone our team is aware of the issue and working on a fix. We’ll follow up here with any updates,” the YouTube team posted on Twitter.

Several users from across the globe thronged the social media sites to complain about the issues they were facing with YouTube. Users reported that whenever they tried to play a video, it displayed a message “An error occurred. Please try again later.” Soon after the complaints, #YouTubedown started trending on Twitter.

You Tube was quick to fix the glitch and restore the services.

Soon after YouTube restored the services, the team tweeted saying,” …And we’re back we’re so sorry for the interruption. This is fixed across all devices & YouTube services, thanks for being patient with us.” The company is yet to share the cause of the outage.

However, this is not the first time YouTube has faced a global outage. Earlier in October, Gmail and other services by Google were not functional for hours leaving people stranded in the middle of their work.

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Commenting on the removal from Play Store, Paytm in a statement on Twitter said, “Paytm Android app is temporarily unavailable on Google’s Play Store for new downloads or updates. It will be back very soon. All your money is completely safe, and you can continue to enjoy your Paytm app as normal.”

Dear Paytm'ers,

Paytm Android app is temporarily unavailable on Google's Play Store for new downloads or updates. It will be back very soon.

All your money is completely safe, and you can continue to enjoy your Paytm app as normal.

— Paytm (@Paytm) September 18, 2020

Google has apparently removed the Paytm app because it allegedly violates the company’s new rules around online gambling.

Paytm vanished from Google Play Store a few hours after Google’s Suzanne Frey, who is Vice President, Product, Android Security and Privacy, detailed the guidelines in a blog post. “We have these policies to protect users from potential harm. When an app violates these policies, we notify the developer of the violation and remove the app from Google Play until the developer brings the app into compliance. And in the case where there are repeated policy violations, we may take more serious action which may include terminating Google Play Developer accounts. Our policies are applied and enforced on all developers consistently,” she wrote.

Hence it is apparent that Google has removed Paytm from the Play Store because of the new guidelines.

Google have reportedly claimed that they notified the developers of Paytm about the removal and it continues to be in touch with Paytm to get the app back on Play Store.

Paytm might be removed from Google Play for the time being, but the platform still remains functional for active users who have the Paytm app already installed on their phones, which lead to the question is it still safe?

The makers of the app said that users don’t have to remove the app since its security is intact and it wont’t affect the security transactions made through the platforms.

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The tech giant on September 14 pledged that by 2030, it will run its entire business on carbon-free energy. The promise commits the tech giant to an even more aggressive program of sourcing clean energy and enabling the infrastructure to make it available even when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.

It was only last year, they bought 1.6 gigawatts of renewable energy which is the biggest purchase of the same.

Google happens to be the first major company to drop its lifetime net carbon footprint to zero by buying high-quality carbon offsets.

This commitment comes amid record- setting wildfire across the United States driven by increased heat and dry conditions linked to global warming. “The science is clear: The world must act now if we’re going to avert the worst consequences of climate change,” Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Parent Company Alphabet, wrote in the blog post.

Google’s new commitment is different from the more typical corporate commitments of its rivals such as Amazon, Facebook and Microsoft, and other growing number of companies.

Sundar Pichai said that shifting to round-the-clock carbon free energy will be their biggest sustainability commitment with enormous practical and technical complexity.

Google is also planning to fund tree planting, cutting deals with 500 governments all over the world in an attempt to reduce 1 gigation carbon emissions per year by 2030.

Just how Google will achieve this, and how much it will cost, remain open questions.

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The unprecedented warning came after the Australian government said digital giants should compensate media houses for using their stories.

“Assuming this draft code becomes law, we will reluctantly stop allowing publishers and people in Australia from sharing local and international news on Facebook and Instagram,” said Facebook’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Will Easton, in a blog post.

He also added that the proposed law required the company to choose between “either removing news entirely or accepting a system that lets publishers charge us for as much content as they want at a price with no clear limits.”

“No business can operate that way,” he said.

Australia is planning to enforce some of the strictest limitations on the powers of digital giants like Facebook and Google, which would require the companies to pay for the content they use from local news outlets. The aim is to bring in more transparency into how the platforms use their algorithms to rank content.

In a separate open letter, Google said that the proposed law was a threat to individual privacy and could impact the way Australians use the company’s platforms in terms of free services.

However, local media organizations and nonprofits have expressed their support for the government’s move as they believe that regulators need to reign in the tech giants’ total domination of the online market place before it’s too late.

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It is during times of crisis that companies explore new opportunities. Companies that approach crises and setbacks as opportunities seize them and can reap benefits in the long run. Various companies with sufficient surplus funds are moving in this direction.

Acquisitions, mergers, share sales and share purchases during crisis periods are all equally viable for companies to survive and grow. When debt-ridden companies are forced to sell out, it benefits other companies. It is also a vision in such a context to lead the business in new directions by establishing new relationships through the sale and purchase of shares.

Reliance Industries, the company with India’s highest market value, is one that practices all these methods at the same time. Through its partnership with Reliance Jio, they have teamed up with Facebook, Google and other companies to open new avenues in business and become a debt-free company. At the same time, Reliance is looking to expand its business in the retail sector by acquiring shares in other companies. Reliance is looking to acquire Future Retail, a leading company in the retail sector. Reliance has recently acquired a company in the field of e-pharmacy.

It is in this context that Eicher Motors’ acquisition of Volvo Bus’ business in India should be seen. The high savings and efficient financial management of the company helped in this deal. It is almost always possible for companies with surplus funds to take risks in times of crisis.

VE Commercial Vehicles, a manufacturer of trucks and buses operating under Eicher Motors, acquires Volvo Bus’ business in India. The acquisition is worth Rs.100 crore. In this regard, an agreement has been signed between the two companies. The agreement will pave the way for the formation of a new bus division between Eicher and Volvo. Royal Enfield, which operates under Eicher Motors, is doing well. Sales of Royal Enfield bikes continue to thrive during this period.

COVID-era news is that Hero Motors is preparing to build electric three-wheelers. The goal is to use the surplus money effectively. The company is currently focusing on budget bikes such as the Splendor and Passion. The production of electric three-wheelers will help the company to reduce its dependence on the budget bike business.

The electric three-wheeler market in India is highly unorganised. Vehicles imported from China dominate the sector. The GST on electric vehicles is only 5%. That is one of the main reasons for the increase in sales of such vehicles. Mahindra & Mahindra currently dominates the organized electric three-wheeler segment. Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors are also planning to launch electric three-wheelers in the coming months.

Earlier, Chinese bikes could not hold their own in the Indian market due to poor quality. Following in the footsteps of Mahindra, Hero Motors, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors will enter the electric three-wheeler market.

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Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the two companies will have to negotiate with traditional media on remuneration in good faith. If no agreement is reached, then arbitrators will be appointed to make a binding decision and will be penalised up to A$10 million ($7 million)
for breaching the code.

The draft code is under consultation until Aug 28 and will apply only to Google and Facebook at present, but could be extended to other digital companies in the future.

From a long time, the traditional media companies have been complaining that their content is being exploited by digital platforms without due compensation. This sudden move by the Australian government has garnered huge support from the Journalism world. They are being closely watched by other countries too and could move things along.

“There is a fundamental bargaining power imbalance between news media businesses and the major digital platforms,” Rod Sims, the chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission which drafted the code, said in a statement.

“We wanted a model that would address this bargaining power imbalance and result in fair payment for content, which avoided unproductive and drawn-out negotiations, and wouldn’t reduce the availability of Australian news on Google and Facebook.”

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The app however was briefly removed from Google Play Store apparently for “technical policy violations.” After the issue was fixed, the app re-emerged on Google Play. The Bengaluru based- app on Tuesday claimed that about 40million videos are viewed on the platform per hour while nearly one million new videos are created perday.

Founded by two computer science engineers, Shivank Agarwal who is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and Anish Khandelwal, an alumnus of Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in Nagpur, Maharashtra, the app was launched in April this year.

“It is incredibly exciting to see nearly one million new videos created per day on the Mitron platform,” Agarwal said in a statement.

The app provides an easy interface for users to create, edit and share their videos and at the same time browse through a library of top videos on the platform.

Mitron announced a seed funding round on July 1, led by 3one4 Capital and a LetsVenture syndicate led by Arun Tadanki.

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