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The European Union (EU) is fining Google 2.42 billion ($2.73 billion) for abusing its dominant position in the search engine market to promote its own comparison shopping service. The penalty is more than twice the 1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) fine that had been expected. It also dwarfs the largest monopoly fine to date, a 1.06 billion ($1.9 billion) fine against Intel in 2008.

The company has also been ordered to cease its behavior with regard to its comparison shopping service within 90 days or face additional fines of up to five percent of parent company Alphabets worldwide daily revenues. The decision comes as the result of a multiyear investigation into the companys business practices in the European market.

With Market Dominance Comes Special Responsibility

According to the European Commission (EC), the executive arm of the EU, Google systematically gave prominent placement to its own comparison shopping service over the results of competitors. The service, launched in 2008 in European markets, relied on Googles dominance in the Internet search market to make up for its weakness among competing comparison shopping services.

The EC also found Google guilty of demoting its rivals in its search results. According to the commission, the company included a number of criteria in its search algorithms specifically designed to demote its rivals.

"Evidence shows that even the most highly ranked rival service appears on average only on page four of Google's search results, and others appear even further down," the EC stated in a statement. "Google's own comparison shopping service is not subject to Google's generic search algorithms, including such demotions."

As a result, Google's service was given much more visibility on its search results relative to its competitors. The commission found this preferential behavior gave Google a significant advantage relative to its rivals, a breach of EU antitrust rules. While market dominance is not illegal under EU antitrust laws, companies that are found to have a dominant position are subject to a "special responsibility" not to abuse their positions to stifle competition.

A Sign of Things To Come

As a result of the ruling, Google will now be forced to give equal treatment to its rivals as well as its own comparison shopping service within its search results. For its part, Google has said it disagrees with the commission's finding and is considering appealing the case.

The decision may also represent a sign of things to come on future rulings. The EU has two other investigations currently open into Google's business practices in other services: one involving its Android operating system and another concerning its AdSense service. In both cases, the commission has already reached a preliminary finding that Google has abused its dominant position to give itself an illegal advantage over its competitors.

The ruling also opens the possibility of further legal action against Google by competitors claiming to have been injured by the Internet giant's business practices. That could spell tough times ahead for the company, at least when it comes to its EU businesses.

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European Union Fines Google a Whopping $2.73 Billion for Abuse - CIO Today

June 26, 2017 2:51 PM

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BRUSSELS (CBSMiami/AP) Top trade officials with the European Union say the bloc is preparing retaliatory measures if the United States imposes steel tariffs on imports.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said the bloc was making preparations to retaliate in the event the U.S. introduces new tariffs.

Malmstroem said Monday that the EU would study any action by Washington to see whether the move complies with the rules of the World Trade Association, the body that oversees global trade.

She added that the indications are that the EU would be unjustifiably hit.

One reason why Donald Trump became president was his promise to revive American steel. That helped him win states like Pennsylvania.

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European Union Weighs Retaliation If US Imposes Steel Tariffs - CBS Miami

Indias PM Narendra Modi says the rising instability in Afghanistan was a cause for concern for both India and the U.S.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S President Donald Trump on Monday agreed to continue strengthening coordination for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan as they expressed concern over rising instability in the war-torn country.

According to India Today, Trump thanked the Indian people for their "contributions to the effort in Afghanistan, and for joining us (the U.S) in applying new sanctions against the North Korean regime."

Modi and Trump also reportedly held in depth discussions on a number of issues affecting the region, including Afghanistan.

India Today reported Modi as having said the rising instability in Afghanistan due to terrorism is a cause of mutual concern for both India and the U.S.

"India and the U.S have played a crucial role in the redevelopment of Afghanistan and its security. We will have close coordination, consultation and communication to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan," Modi said.

Modi stated that the U.S and India had been struck by the evils of terrorism and extremism.

Both U.S and India have been struck by the evils of terrorism. We discussed the problems arising due to terrorism and radicalization. Fight against terrorism and their safe havens is an important part of our cooperation, Modi said.

The security partnership between the U.S and India is incredibly important. Both our nations have been struck by the evils of terrorism and we are both determined to destroy terrorist organizations and the radical ideology that drives them. We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism, Trump said.

On the defense front, Modi said:Peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region is our focus.

He also stressed that both nations growing security and defense co-operation was very important. He pointed out that increasing instability in Afghanistan was a cause of concern and said India were in close consultations, communication and coordination with the U.S in this regard.

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India, US Agree To Strengthen Ties For Peace In Afghanistan - TOLOnews

In brief

People often ask me what its like to be a woman in the army. The answer is that Ive got no idea because Ive always been in the army ever since leaving university. Im proud to be a woman in the army.

Commanding a regiment is something that I have aspired to throughout my career and I feel incredibly privileged to be in this role. Its a 24-7 job, but I love it.

Ive been deployed to Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and travelled across the world in my career.

In my first job in 2000, aged 22, I was in charge of a troop of 30 all male soldiers in Germany. Women werent allowed into the Royal Engineers as soldiers until 1998, so there werent many women at that time.

I became an Adjutant, which is effectively a staff officer to the Commanding Officer. Then in 2005, I was deployed to Iraq for six months, where I was working all hours of the day, often through until midnight.

I really enjoyed my time in Iraq. There was a threat out there but its what we spent so long training for.

I met my husband in the army and we have two girls together who are aged eight and 10. I took a year maternity leave to have my first child and then went back to work. I felt ready to go back. My husband worked full-time as well but we had good childcare and always shared the pick-ups and drop-offs between us.

We bought a house in a place fairly near to a lot of military bases just before we had our first daughter and lived there for 10 years.

We were lucky you only find out where you are going to get posted at the end of your two years in each job so you cant really make a 10-year plan. But we were able to work close enough to home to be able to share the childcare.

My husband had transferred from the regular army to the reserve to give us a bit more flexibility Lt Col Katie Hislop

In 2013, I was deployed to Afghanistan. Professionally, going to Afghanistan was brilliant. At that stage, I was commanding a squadron of 120 people and we were exceptionally busy providing force protection across the whole of Helmand Province.

Leaving my children for five months was one of the hardest things Ive ever done. My husband had transferred from the regular army to the reserve to give us a bit more flexibility so that he could have more time with the children while I was away.

From a professional perspective, this was probably the most challenging and rewarding thing that somebody commanding a squadron could do. My husband and I decided we were happy for me to deploy. It was something I really wanted to do professionally and I think doing a job I love sets an amazing example to my children.

Men and women can return from deployments to find their children feel they dont know them Lt ColKatie Hislop

Our role in Afghanistan was to provide infrastructure support to all of the bases operating across Helmand. We also had to make sure the bases were well defended from Taliban attacks.

There is a period of adjustment when you arrive home after a deployment. You suddenly walk back into family life and it can take some time to get back to normal.

For some parents of very, very young children, some men and women can return from deployments to find their children feel they dont know them. We have a great welfare centre most regiments do who give advice on reintegrating with partners and children.

My family and I now live on the camp I work at in Catterick, in North Yorkshire.

Moving to the camp wasmore of a change for my children as they had to move to a different school. Thats something military children go through at least every two years in terms of finding a new school and making new friends.

Our girls have adapted very well to life on the camp. But if you continue to move around, the army will subsidise some of your boarding fees for keeping children in the same school.

There are quite a few couples who are parents and both in the military. Some are serving in the same area, some not, and all are juggling work and children between them.

For the last six months, Ive been training to be deployed to South Sudan in July, as part of the United Nations mission out there. Ill be in charge of a task force of 400.

I was expecting to go to South Sudan that is one of the reasons I asked for this job Lt Col Katie Hislop

Our role out there will be to help build more accommodation blocks, better roads and better security in order that the United Nations military can then protect the civilians in South Sudan who are in desperate need of protection and food.

I was expecting to go to South Sudan that is one of the reasons I asked for this job. Its a hugely interesting deployment and somewhere I have never been to before. Working with the UN means we will learn so much from the other nations who have been there for years.

I want women to know that it is genuinely possible to have a career in the army and a family. There are lots of options as to where you can be posted and the timings of where you could work that mean you really can have both.

However, its very important to make sure you have a network of support around you because it would be impossible for one person who is in the military to also have to do every single school run.

I feel really proud to be in the army, especially after recent events across the world. I think that we are valued and everywhere I go, particularly in the UK, people are always really positive when they find out what I do.

As told to Heather Saul

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I'm an army commanding officer, I've been to Afghanistan and Iraq and I've had two children - iNews

So the Narendra Modi-Donald Trump joint statement has been read and the nuances and body language debated in the media. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's much-awaited US visit is now behind us, and different factions are claiming victory or defeat.

Representational image. AP

Afghanistan and terrorism were among the many issues touched upon by both sides, particularly the Indian delegation. The joint statement also, much to the pleasure of both sides, delivered a stinging rebuke to Pakistan. The statement told Pakistan to refrain from hosting terrorists, which appeared to elevate Indias diplomatic position on terrorism vis--vis Kashmir.

However, even as Modi and Trump were breaking bread, another notable event took place closer to home.

On 26 June, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang announced that Beijing would conduct shuttle diplomacy between Afghanistan and Pakistan. This was the result of foreign minister Wang Yi visiting both countries.

The announcement included several interesting points, including a mechanism to manage crises that stressed intelligence and operational cooperation and a mechanism to set up the meetings of Chinese, Afghanistan and Pakistan foreign ministers, presumably to enable this shuttling to take place.

The statement also backed the Quadrilateral Coordination Group made up of China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States with the specific intention of bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table and into the peace process. Further flying the peace flag, the statement called for a revival of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) contact group with Afghanistan, presumably to include Russian interests.

That China is the reigning SCO power is a separate issue. As an added palliative to Afghanistan, the statement also backed The Kabul Process, President's Ashraf Ghani's pet project. On one level, Beijing is simply acknowledging the confusing mix of powers that have influence in Afghanistan and have a role to play.

Russia, which has been in and out of Afghanistan, had been, for years, cooperating with the United States in eliminating Al-Qaeda leaders. However, since 2015 there has been a sea change. Russian presidential envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov reportedly stated that Russia and the Afghan Talibans interests objectively coincide due to the formation of the Islamic State.

Since then, Russian officials have admitted to meeting with Taliban leaders while Afghan intelligence officials have been quoted as saying that such meetings occurred in Moscow and Tajikistan. The Russians also reportedly frequently visit Kunduz province which abuts Tajikistan, a strong Russian ally. Still others allege that some of these meetings have taken place in Iran.

Whatever the truth, the fact remains: Russian president Vladimir Putin has held four multinational meetings on Afghanistan. This showcases that Russia is once again a major player in Afghanistan and has positioned itself directly against US interests.

Why Russia is negotiating with the Taliban is not entirely clear. It could be alarmed by the Islamic State's growing influence in Afghanistan it calls itself the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) which it sees, correctly, as a threat. The Islamic State in Syria, with its several hundred Chechens and Uzbeks, has Moscow squarely in its sights.

Recently, there have been reports of the Islamic State expanding its presence in the north Afghanistan, towards Jowzian. Meanwhile, according to Al Jazeera's Afghan sources, "thousands" of Islamic State cadres have moved to Afghanistan. While some movement cannot be ruled out, there has been no indication that the group has more than 3,000 cadres. And this was before the US bombed their Nangarhar base using the Mother Of All Bombs.

So a Russian finger in the Afghan pie is probably the precursor to a large Russian fist making its presence felt in its old sphere of influence. But given Russias continuing economic woes its GDP is below India's it is unlikely to be able to sustain its Afghanistan venture.

Analysts are already predicting the advent of a New Cold War as Russia and US continue to be at loggerheads, exacerbated after the proxy bombing in Syria. In Afghanistan, the New Cold War has seen the United States eschewing Russian equipment while rearming the Afghan National Army.

Russian interference is also likely to smoothen the way for the US-China cooperation, at least on this issue. Although China's links to the Taliban go back to the 90s, it has no Cold War lineage in this theatre of war. It does, however have an economic interest. Afghanistan lies smack dab in the way of the Dragon's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

While China may not be the lynchpin that some claim, Afghanistans importance is apparent from rising Chinese economic aid, which, despite being small change relative to the size of BRI, has been quickly ramped up from a few million dollars to a pledge of more than $300 million. The now standard housing projects are apparent in Kabul, while about 3,000 Afghans have been sent to Beijing for training.

Most importantly, it announced the first train linking Hairatan in northern Afghanistan to China. While China used the existing rail links of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, it nonetheless counts as an achievement. Beijing has also, for the first time, offered Afghanistan security assistance and there have been talks of patrolling the Pamir area together.

China has also offered to provide $85 million for a mountain brigade for Badakshan. The Dragon could do far more for Afghanistan and it is this promise and "persuasion" that it is expected to exert on Pakistan that attracted the attention of the Kabul presidential palace.

On the other side is long time player Iran, which remains suspicious not just of the United States which retains facilities on the Afghan-Iran border but also of the Saudis, who have long had an active hand in Kabul while simultaneously engaging with Pakistan. Taliban heads such as Motasem Agha Jan traveled to Riyadh at least thrice a year to collect funds for the terrorists' coffers.

While the Saudis denied that they provided such funds, a leaked 2014 telegram from former secretary of state Hilary Clinton stated that this funding was fallout of the fight between the Saudis and Qatar for influence in the Sunni world. Given the ongoing Gulf diplomatic crisis, this is an action replay of the worst kind. Saudi Arabia has long resented the role that Qatar played in hosting the Taliban office and its role in negotiations.

Meanwhile, Iran, which once lined up with Russia and India against the Taliban, did a spectacular somersault by hosting Taliban leaders including its then chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour who was later killed in a US drone strike and has been using its considerable clout with the Taliban to expand its influence. With the Obama administrations policy up in smoke, Tehran is hardly likely to cooperate with the US in reigning in the Taliban.

So at what price our position on Afghanistan and more importantly, Pakistan the central spider in the web?

With Iran and Russia finding common ground with China, it would seem that India has already been edged out from influence in Afghanistan. This particularly when the US is also encouraging Afghanistan and Pakistan to cooperate in areas very similar to what China has set.

However, Indias position has never been wishing away geography. Afghanistan and Pakistan are neighbours. They have to sink or swim together. That we would rather see Islamabad sink into its own terrorist swamp is a separate issue.

At the moment, we are seen by Afghans as a country that has been loyal to Kabul through good times and bad.Most of all, our aid, which must be ramped up, is being channelled for stability. Hopefully, it will push connectivity in the future. That counts for something.Especially since US drone strikes continue to hit Pakistani territory, killing a Haqqani commander or two.

The author is former director of the National Security Council Secretariat

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Mission Afghanistan: As China engages in 'shuttle' diplomacy and US-Russia renew rivalry, India must ramp up aid - Firstpost