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Google accused India’s antitrust regulator in court on Friday of being a “habitual offender” by leaking confidential information of cases it was examining, an accusation the watchdog rejected.

The Times of India and Reuters reported on Saturday that an investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) had found that Alphabet’s Google abused the dominant position of its Android operating system in India, using its “huge financial muscle” illegally to hurt competitors.

In an unusual move on Thursday, Google sued the CCI in the Delhi High Court, saying in a statement it was “protesting against the breach of confidence” and “to prevent any further unlawful disclosures of confidential findings”.

In Friday’s near hour-long court showdown, Google’s lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, accused the CCI of leaking information repeatedly, saying it did so to “give a dog a bad name in advance and then hang him by these selective leakages”.

He asked the court to tell the CCI “leakage cannot continue for one minute more”.

CCI’s lawyer, India’s Additional Solicitor General N. Venkataraman, denied the allegations, countering that the U.S. tech giant was trying to frustrate the investigative process and was challenging a government authority without evidence.

“An accusation is made against a government body. Not a word in this whole affidavit showing how we have done it and where is the proof,” said Venkataraman, asking for Google’s filing to be dismissed. “How are we responsible for whatever has been said in this court?”

Justice Rekha Palli noted the submissions of both sides in an order and scheduled another hearing for Monday.

Google declined to comment after the hearing, while the CCI did not immediate respond to a request for comment.

The antitrust authority ordered the probe in 2019, saying Google appeared to have leveraged its dominance to reduce device makers’ ability to opt for alternate versions of its mobile operating system and force them to pre-install Google apps.

The probe found that the mandatory pre-installation of apps “amounts to imposition of unfair condition on the device manufacturers” in violation of India’s competition law, according to the 750-page report, which is not public.

The report, seen by Reuters, also found the company leveraged the position of its Play Store app store to protect its dominance.

© Thomson Reuters 2021

This week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, we discuss iPhone 13, new iPad and iPad mini, and Apple Watch Series 7 — and what they mean to the Indian market. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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MeerKAT Detects Gravitational Wave Background, Uncovering Cosmic Activity

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December 27, 2024

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MeerKAT Detects Gravitational Wave Background, Uncovering Cosmic Activity

A significant breakthrough in astrophysics has been achieved, with scientists confirming the presence of a gravitational wave background—a constant vibration in the fabric of the universe. This discovery, reported in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, highlights that the phenomenon could be louder than previously anticipated. The findings are attributed to the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array, an innovative galactic-scale detector that has mapped gravitational waves with unprecedented precision, revealing a potential hot spot of activity in the Southern Hemisphere.

Understanding Gravitational Waves

According to the research, gravitational waves are ripples in space and time caused by massive cosmic events, such as black hole collisions. Supermassive black holes, located at the centres of galaxies, emit slow and powerful waves during galactic mergers. The MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array utilises the predictable signals from 83 pulsars—highly dense, rapidly spinning neutron stars—to detect distortions caused by these waves.

MeerKAT’s Role and Key Findings

MeerKAT, a radio telescope situated in South Africa, has been instrumental in observing pulsar signals over five years. Researchers have identified a gravitational wave background pattern, described as stronger than earlier experiments suggested. This unexpected strength indicates that supermassive black hole collisions may be more frequent than current theories predict, leading to further questions about the nature of these massive entities.

Mapping Cosmic Ripples

The detector’s sensitivity has allowed astronomers to generate detailed maps of the gravitational wave background, as stated in the study. The results support the hypothesis that this background stems from supermassive black hole activity, though alternative explanations, such as early universe events following the Big Bang, remain under investigation.

Next Steps in Research

Scientists are collaborating under the International Pulsar Timing Array to consolidate global data and confirm findings. According to the study, the mapping of this background is critical for understanding the universe’s structure and may unveil the origins of gravitational waves.

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New discovery explains how gold forms in Earth’s volcanic zones!

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December 26, 2024

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New discovery explains how gold forms in Earth's volcanic zones!

A breakthrough discovery by an international team of scientists has highlighted the role of a gold-sulfur complex in the formation of gold deposits on Earth. The study, co-authored by Adam Simon, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan, was recently . It details the previously unknown conditions under which gold is transported from deep within the Earth’s mantle to the surface.

Role of the Gold-Trisulfur Complex

According to the research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024), a unique gold-trisulfur complex forms under specific pressure and temperature conditions in the mantle, situated 30 to 50 miles beneath active volcanic zones. This complex, which has been debated in scientific circles, plays a significant role in the enrichment of gold in magma that travels to the surface. The findings shed light on why certain subduction zones, where tectonic plates converge, are particularly rich in gold deposits.

Volcanic Activity and Gold Deposits

The study highlights subduction zones around the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic activity is prevalent, as key areas for gold formation. These regions, including locations such as New Zealand, Japan, Alaska, and Chile, provide the ideal geological environment for magma to carry gold from the mantle to surface deposits. The researchers link the processes behind volcanic eruptions to the mechanisms that concentrate gold in these zones.

Scientific Findings and Practical Applications

The researchers developed a thermodynamic model to simulate mantle conditions and confirm the existence of the gold-trisulfur complex. This model not only validates earlier theories about gold-sulfur interactions but also provides a clearer picture of the conditions required for gold-rich mineral systems to form.

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First Perentie Lizards Hatched at Los Angeles Zoo: A Major Breeding Milestone

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December 26, 2024

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First Perentie Lizards Hatched at Los Angeles Zoo: A Major Breeding Milestone

Two perentie lizards, among the largest species of lizards globally, have hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo, marking the first time this species has been bred there. Native to Australia, these carnivorous reptiles are known for their impressive size, often exceeding 8 feet in length and weighing over 40 pounds. The zoo, which is one of the few facilities outside Australia to successfully breed them, is now home to the newly hatched pair, who are being carefully monitored in a controlled environment.

First Breeding Success Highlighted by Experts

According to reports from usnews.com, the perentie lizards were bred and hatched for the first time in the facility’s history. Byron Wusstig, curator at the Los Angeles Zoo, shared with the Associated Press that achieving this milestone is a significant accomplishment for the team. These lizards, classified as Varanus giganteus, are rarely seen in zoos outside their native Australia, despite not being endangered.

Special Care for Hatchlings in Early Stages

Reports confirm that the hatchlings are thriving under close observation by the zoo’s staff. They are being kept off-exhibit in a specially managed setting to ensure their health during these crucial initial months. The lizards will eventually join the Australia section of the zoo, near the Komodo dragon habitat, where the father is currently on display.

This species is characterised by its distinct brown skin adorned with cream or yellow markings. Their diet, as stated in reports, includes turtle eggs, insects, birds, small mammals, marsupials, and other reptiles, all of which are consumed whole. As per zoo officials, this breeding success highlights the capabilities of the institution in conserving and caring for unique species, contributing to the understanding of their behaviour and needs in captivity.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


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