Alphabet’s Google has reportedly put forward additional concessions to address concerns raised by European Union regulators, aiming to avoid a significant antitrust fine under the bloc’s new digital competition rules.According to documents reviewed byReuters, the U.S. tech giant is attempting to appease the European Commission by adjusting how rival services are displayed in its search results. The move comes in response to formal charges filed three months ago, accusing Google of favouring its own platforms, such as Google Shopping, Hotels, and Flights at the expense of competitors, in violation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).The DMA, which came into force earlier this year, outlines strict obligations for so-called “gatekeeper” platforms to curb anti-competitive behaviour and offer consumers broader choices.Under Google’s revised proposal, a selected vertical search service (VSS), chosen based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria would be prominently featured in its own dedicated box at the top of the results page. This box would mirror the design and features of Google’s own modules and contain three direct links to offerings in categories like hotels, restaurants, transport, and airlines.Other VSS providers would still be listed further down in the search results, but would not benefit from a similarly prominent display unless users click to access them.Despite the proposal, the company has maintained that it disagrees with the Commission’s preliminary conclusions. “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 noted.The European Commission has scheduled a meeting on 8 July to gather feedback from competing firms. Several of Google’s rivals, who declined to be named ahead of the discussion, expressed scepticism over the effectiveness of the proposed changes. They argue that the measures still fall short of delivering a genuinely level playing field.The outcome of these negotiations could set a crucial precedent for how Big Tech operates under the EU’s ambitious digital regulatory framework.(With inputs from Reuters)

A Connecticut man whose parents were kidnapped after he took part in a $245 million Bitcoin theft has pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges and has agreed to testify against his co-defendants, according to court documents that were unsealed this week. Veer Chetal, 19, from Danbury, Connecticut, was one of three men charged with stealing 4,100 Bitcoins from a victim in Washington, D.C., in an elaborate online scam last August. The trio lived large after the heist, spending millions of dollars on cars, jewelry, rental mansions and nightclub parties, prosecutors say. A week after the theft, Chetal’s parents were assaulted and kidnapped briefly in Danbury in a failed ransom plot aimed at Chetal, who the attackers believed had a large amount of cryptocurrency, authorities said. Chetal’s criminal case was unsealed on Monday in federal court in Washington, revealing his guilty pleas in November and his agreement to cooperate with federal authorities investigating the Bitcoin theft. It also revealed new allegations that he was involved in about 50 similar thefts that raked in another $3 million between November 2023 and September 2024. Another man charged in the Bitcoin theft, Malone Lam, was also among 13 people indicted by a federal grand jury in May in an alleged online racketeering conspiracy involving cryptocurrency thefts across the U.S. and overseas that netted more than $260 million, including the $245 million Bitcoin theft. Chetal is facing 19 to 24 years in prison, a fine between $50,000 and $500,000 and restitution to the victim that has yet to be determined, according federal sentencing guidelines and his plea agreement. His lawyer, David Weinstein, declined to comment, saying Chetal’s case is still pending. In September, federal agents with a search warrant raided Chetal’s apartment in Brunswick, New Jersey, and his parents’ home in Danbury in connection with the $245 million Bitcoin heist. Authorities said they found more than $500,000 in cash, expensive jewelry and watches and high-end clothing. Federal agents also said Chetal had $39 million worth of cryptocurrency that he turned over to investigators. Authorities alleged Chetal, Lam and Jeandiel Serrano were involved in online “social engineering” attacks against cryptocurrency holders. Lam would send victims alerts about unauthorized attempts to access their crypto accounts, while the others would call the victims posing as representatives from well-known companies like Google and Yahoo and gain access to their accounts, authorities said. Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers for Lam and Serrano on Friday. A week after the theft, six Florida men were accused of kidnapping Chetal’s parents in broad daylight in Danbury. One of them crashed a car into the parents’ Lamborghini, while others pulled up in a van, police said. The attackers forced the couple out of their vehicle, beat them, put them in the van and tied them up, police said. The plot was foiled, and the attackers were arrested quickly because there were eyewitnesses who immediately called police, and an off-duty FBI agent happened to be driving by at the time of the kidnapping, authorities said. Federal agents said a seventh man who was later arrested in connection with the kidnapping had previously gotten into a dispute with Chetal that turned physical at a Miami nightclub. The attack on the couple is part of an increasing trend worldwide in robbers using violence to steal cryptocurrency. Chetal, who was attending Rutgers University in New Jersey at the time of the $245 million theft and later withdrew, was born in India and came to the U.S. with his family when he was 4 years old in 2010, according to court documents. His father was granted a foreign worker’s visa, and his wife and children obtained related dependent visas. Federal authorities said Chetal could face deportation as a result of the criminal case. Authorities say Chetal’s father lost his job at Morgan Stanley because of the kidnapping and his son’s connection to it. Chetal was initially released from federal custody on his own recognizance. But a judge ordered him detained until trial earlier this year after federal prosecutors said they discovered Chetal was involved in another crypto theft worth $2 million in October that he didn’t tell them about, after he had begun cooperating with federal authorities.

Ah, the Indian summer! The air can feel thick and heavy, making us sticky and uncomfortable. Selecting between a humidifier and a dehumidifier can feel like navigating a maze. Let’s explore which of these devices might be your best friend during those hot, humid months.Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier for Indian summers: Finding your comfort zoneThat sticky Indian summer air poses a key question. Should we add or remove moisture? High humidity slows sweat evaporation, making us feel sluggish and prone to heatstroke. It’s also a breeding ground for mould and allergens. Too much dryness in the air can make your skin and throat feel uncomfortable. That’s why the right level of humidity matters. In hot and sticky summers, a dehumidifier helps reduce excess moisture. But in dry weather or cooler months, a humidifier can bring back comfort by adding moisture to the air.How does humidity affect air conditioners and refrigerators in Indian summers, and how can a dehumidifier help?High humidity makes air conditioners and refrigerators work harder, using more energy to cool the air and manage moisture. This can lower efficiency and increase electricity bills. A dehumidifier helps by removing excess moisture, easing the load on both appliances. As a result, they cool more effectively, consume less power, and last longer in humid Indian summer conditions.Why does Indian summer humidity make humidifiers or dehumidifiers necessary?India’s summer isn’t the same everywhere, is it? While coastal regions get hot and sticky, places with constant air conditioning often feel dry indoors. That’s where a humidifier or dehumidifier comes in. Depending on where you live, either can help you stay comfortable, breathe easier, and keep your indoor air just right all through the season. It’s all about finding the right balance for your space.What to look for in a humidifier or dehumidifier for Indian summer use?Humidity levels in India differ from place to place, especially in summer. Coastal regions face high moisture, making the heat feel worse, while long AC use can cause dryness indoors. Dehumidifiers help reduce dampness, and humidifiers add moisture when needed. Knowing your area’s weather can help you choose the right appliance for better comfort and well-being at home.