Google could use AI to extend search monopoly, DOJ says as trial begins

Alphabet's Google needs strong measures imposed on it to prevent it from using its artificial intelligence products to extend its dominance in online search, a U.S. Department of Justice attorney said as a trial in the historic antitrust case began on Monday, Reuters reported.

The outcome of the case could fundamentally reshape the internet by unseating Google as the go-to portal for information online.

The Justice Department is seeking an order that would require Google to sell its Chrome browser and take other measures to end what a judge found was its monopoly in online search. Prosecutors have compared the lawsuit to past cases that resulted in the break up of AT&T and Standard Oil, according to Reuters.

Trump meets with US retailers to discuss tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump met with major retailers, including Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Target, on Monday to discuss broad-based tariffs likely to raise the cost of everyday goods that they import, Reuters reported.

Big U.S. chains, like Walmart and Target, rely heavily on imported goods, and tariffs — including 145% levies on China — are expected to add strain on Americans already burdened by prolonged inflation.

"We had a productive meeting with President Trump and his team and appreciated the opportunity to share our insights," a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement, without elaborating. The retailer previously said its CEO, Doug McMillon, would be in attendance.

This marks McMillon's first meeting with Trump since the introduction of the president's "Liberation Day" tariffs. Earlier in April, McMillon said the two had not personally discussed tariffs, although other members of Walmart's leadership had been in regular contact with his administration, according to Reuters.

US stocks and dollar plunge as Trump attacks Fed chair Powell

US stocks and the dollar plunged again as President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on the US central bank boss calling him "a major loser" for not lowering interest rates, BBC reported.

In a social media post, Trump called on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates "pre-emptively" to help boost the economy, saying Powell had been consistently too slow to respond to economic developments. 

"There can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW," he wrote.

Trump's criticism of Powell's handling of the US economy comes as his own plans for tariffs have driven a stock market sell-off and raised fears of economic recession, according to BBC.

Gujarat Titans beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs

Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans beat Ajinkya Rahane’s Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs at the Eden Gardens on Monday. Chasing 198 runs, Kolkata ended up at 159/8 with Ajinkya Rahane scoring a half-century. Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan picked up two wickets each, The Indian Express reported.

Earlier, Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and put Titans to bat. Skipper Shubman Gillblitzed with a 90, and Sai Sudharsan too chipped in with a timely 50. The partnership between the openers on a tricky pitch helped GT to put on 198/3 from their 20.

With the result, Gujarat Titans have gone to the top of the table with 12 points, and KKRat seventh place with six points, according to The Indian Express.

 

Argentina cancels games after death of fan Pope Francis

Argentina's football association postponed all fixtures on Monday to mourn Pope Francis, an ardent fan of the game and supporter of Buenos Aires' San Lorenzo team, Reuters reported.

"Argentine football says goodbye to you wrapped in deep sorrow," the Argentine Football Association said of the decision to delay games in his homeland by a day.

"Francis was not only a spiritual reference, but also a footballing one, and met with players, leaders and football legends, such as the captain of the Argentine national team Lionel Messi and Diego Armando Maradona," the association said.

"He never hid his passion for football and his unconditional love for San Lorenzo de Almagro," it added, according to Reuters.

Messi paid an emotional tribute to Pope Francis later on Monday, with a message on social media.

Instagram tries using AI to determine if teens are pretending to be adults

Instagram is beginning to test the use of artificial intelligence to determine if kids are lying about their ages on the app, parent company Meta Platforms said on Monday, Associated Press reported.

Meta has been using AI to determine people’s ages for some time, the company said, but photo and video-sharing app will now “proactively” look for teen accounts it suspects belong to teenagers even if they entered an inaccurate birthdate when they signed up. 

If it is determined that a user is misrepresenting their age, the account will automatically become a teen account, which has more restrictions than an adult account. Teen accounts are private by default. Private messages are restricted so teens can only receive them from people they follow or are already connected to. “Sensitive content,” such as videos of people fighting or those promoting cosmetic procedures, will be limited, Meta said, according to Associated Press.

Teens will also get notifications if they are on Instagram for more than 60 minutes and a “sleep mode” will be enabled that turns off notifications and sends auto-replies to direct messages from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m.

700 tourists arrive in Sagarmatha region in a single day

The Sagarmatha region has witnessed the footfall of some 700 tourists in a single day.

The  Office of the Sagarmatha National Park at Namche informed that it recorded the number of tourists in Khumbu region at 694 on Monday alone.

Ranger at the Office, Bibek Shrestha, said that most  of the tourists are foreigners- 608, while the domestic tourists figured 86.  

The Sagarmatha climber Temba Chhiri Sherpa informed that with the onset of Spring Season, the region saw the influx of tourists. It is difficult to find good accommodation due to the surge in arrival. 

There are increasing air flights to Lukla with the clear weather, according to Amrit Magar, In-Charge of Tara Air at Lukla.

"We have added flights considering the improved weather so that more tourists would visit the district having worlds' highest peak," he said, adding that hotel reservations are high now.

Senior Vice Chairman of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal, Karma Sherma, said the tourism entrepreneurs were happy to see tourists' inflow. The region is bustling after the Covid-19, which had hit the tourism business hard. 

More number of tourists there are in the Sagarmatha district, the more jobs there are for locals. Hotels at Lukla and Namche are packed, Sherpa added.

Most of these tourists visit the Sagarmatha National Park to increase the revenue. 

The Park's Office informed that a visitor from a SAARC nation is charged Rs 1,500  while Rs 3,000 is taken from each foreigner from other countries as an entry fee in the Park. A Nepali is required to submit Rs 100 entry fee.

 

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah arriving in Nepal tomorrow

The Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates is arriving in Kathmandu on an official visit to Nepal.

Also the Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu tomorrow.

He will arrive in Kathmandu on a chartered plane tomorrow evening.

During his stay in Nepal, he will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Similarly, he will hold separate meetings with Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Sharad Singh Bhandari among other high-ranking officials.

The Foreign Ministry is making necessary preparations for Sheikh Abdullah's visit.

He will return home on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, however, is currently on a visit to Bangkok.