Google on Friday faced a demand by the US government to break up its hugely profitable ad technology business after a judge found the tech giant was commanding an illegal monopoly.”We have a defendant who has found ways to defy” the law, US government lawyer Julia Tarver Wood told a federal court in Virginia, as she urged the judge to dismiss Google’s assurance that it would change its behavior.”Leaving a recidivist monopolist” intact is not appropriate to solve the issue, she added.The demand is the second such request by the US government, which is also calling for the divestment of the company’s Chrome browser in a separate case over Google’s world-leading search engine business.The US government specifically alleged that Google controls the market for publishing banner ads on websites, including those of many creators and small news providers.The hearing in a Virginia courtroom was set to plan out the second phase of the trial, set for September 22, in which the parties will argue over how to fix the ad market to satisfy the judge’s ruling.The plaintiffs argued in the first phase of the trial last year that the vast majority of websites use Google ad software products which, combined, leave no way for publishers to escape Google’s advertising technology and pricing.District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema agreed with most of that reasoning, ruling last month that Google built an illegal monopoly over ad software and tools used by publishers, but partially dismissed the argument related to tools used by advertisers.- ‘Not sufficient’ -The US government said it would use the trial to recommend that Google should spin off its ad publisher and exchange operations, as Google could not be trusted to change its ways.”Behavioral remedies are not sufficient because you can’t prevent Google from finding a new way to dominate,” Tarver Wood said.Google countered that it would recommend that it agree to a binding commitment that it would share information with advertisers and publishers on its ad tech platforms.Google lawyer Karen Dunn did acknowledge the “trust issues” raised in the case and said the company would accept monitoring to guarantee any pledges made to satisfy the judge.Google is also arguing that calls for divestment are not appropriate in this case, which Brinkema swiftly refused as an argument.The company also said breaking up Google’s control of the ad platforms would pose a data security risk for publishers and advertisers.The judge urged both sides to mediate, stressing that coming to a compromise solution would be cost-effective and more efficient than running a weeks-long trial.The business in question at the trial is just a portion of Google’s colossal online advertising revenue, which is the driving engine of its fortune and pays for its free-to-use online services such as Maps, Gmail, and search.Money pouring into Google’s coffers also allows the Silicon Valley company to spend billions of dollars on its artificial intelligence efforts.

The creative team behind the popular Grand Theft Auto video game series postponed the launch of the latest installment by several months to May 2026, hitting shares of parent Take-Two Interactive.Grand Theft Auto VI was originally due to be released later this year, with a trailer having shown that it would be set in Miami-like Vice City and would feature a playable female protagonist for the first time.”We are very sorry that this is later than you expected,” publisher Rockstar Games said in a statement.”With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception,” it said.”We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”Its predecessor, GTA V, was released in 2013 and sold more than 200 million copies.Beyond just Rockstar Games, the whole industry is laser focused on the GTA launch at a time when the sector has been experiencing stalled growth after riding high on the covid-related confinements to break sales records.Strauss Zelnick, chief executive of Take-Two, supported the move in a statement released by the parent company.”While we take the movement of our titles seriously and appreciate the vast and deep global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence,” Zelnick said.The first trailer for GTA VI appeared in December 2023 and has been seen more than 250 million times on Rockstar’s YouTube channel.Analysts mostly agreed that the delay was not a surprise and welcomed that an actual release date was now on the books.”While some investors may view this as a delay from the previously suggested ‘fall 2025’ window, the announcement aligns closely with our expectations and should not come as a surprise,” said analyst Mike Hickey of Benchmark.”Consistent with Rockstar’s track record, this timing reinforces their commitment to product quality over deadline adherence,” he added.Set to the Tom Petty song “Love Is A Long Road,” it opens with a female character named Lucia being released from prison in what appears to be a fictionalized version of Florida.Near the close of the one-minute-and-30-second clip, she tells her male partner in crime: “The only way we are going to get through this is by sticking together, being a team.”The pair go on to burst into a store with pistols drawn and bandanas covering the lower halves of their faces.Fans saw the scene as confirmation that rumors of a “Bonnie and Clyde” type crime couple are coming true.Along with its wild success, the GTA series has faced criticism over its violent content.Critics have from the beginning accused Grand Theft Auto of glorifying violence and encouraging players to engage in criminal behavior –- allegations rejected by New York-based Take-Two Interactive.GTA players sell drugs, fight, rob, go on car rampages and more. Gameplay options also included assaulting sex workers and going to strip clubs, raising the ire of activists.Near 1630 GMT, Take-Two shares were down 6.0 percent.”The stock shouldn’t be down much on that, but people remain uncertain about whether there will be further delays,” said Michael Pachter, analyst at Wedbush Securities.

Prime Minister Mark Carney promised Friday to oversee the biggest transformation of Canada’s economy since the end of the Second World War to enable it to “stand up” to Donald Trump.Carney led the Liberal Party to a dramatic fourth mandate in elections on Monday after a campaign focused on the US president’s threats to Canada’s economy and sovereignty.Liberals fell just short of the 172 seats needed for majority control of parliament, but with 168 confirmed wins they will be in a strong position to pass legislation.At his first press conference since his victory, Carney struck a determined note.Known for weighing his words carefully, he said that he was “in politics to do great things, not to be something.””And now that Canadians have honored me with a mandate to bring about big changes quickly, I will work relentlessly to fulfill that trust.”Canada’s strained relations with the United States — its historically close ally and biggest trading partner — were his “immediate priorities,” he said, announcing a trip to Washington next Tuesday to meet with Trump on trade and security issues.Canadians, he noted, elected him “to stand up to President Trump,” adding that he will act “with focus and determination.””Our focus will be on both immediate trade pressures and the broader future economic and security relationship between our two sovereign nations,” said Carney.But he warned also not to expect any “white smoke” from their first meeting signaling a sudden breakthrough.Carney reiterated his message from throughout the campaign that he believes the old relationship between the two North American neighbors “based on steadily increasing integration is over.””The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future,” he said.Trump “respects strength,” he added, explaining that this was why he was preparing the country for major changes.The Conservatives, the main opposition party, as well as the Bloc Quebecois (the third-largest party in Parliament), both called for unity after the elections.Carney, who previously headed the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, promised to maintain tariffs on American products as long as Washington’s measures were in place.- ‘Economic destiny’ -“This will be an incredibly exciting time as we take control of our economic destiny to create a new Canadian economy,” Carney said.To this end, he promised to abolish existing trade barriers between provinces in Canada by July 1, and to strengthen trade with “reliable allies.””Canada has what the world needs, and we uphold the values the world respects,” he said.He announced also that he would unveil his new minority Liberal government in the week of May 12 and that parliament would return on May 26.King Charles III — Canada’s head of state, as it is a British Commonwealth country — will deliver the opening speech, Carney said.”This is a historic honor which matches the weigh of our times,” he emphasized.”It clearly demonstrates the sovereignty of our country,” he said in a pointed reference  to Trump’s ambitions to make Canada the 51st American state.The ceremonial speech, which marks the opening of a new session of the Canadian Parliament, is usually delivered by the governor general, who is the King’s representative in the country.

Prince Harry wants “reconciliation” with his estranged family, but “can’t see” himself bringing “his wife and children back to the UK” after losing a security court case, he told the BBC Friday.”Some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book … but I would love for reconciliation,” Harry told the BBC. The interview aired hours after London’s Court of Appeal rejected Harry’s appeal to restore his full UK police protection when visiting Britain, a decision that left him “devastated”.”I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK,” the visibly upset prince told the broadcaster. Harry, who quit the British royal family in 2020, revealed that his father King Charles III “won’t speak to me because of this security stuff.” As a result, he doesn’t know how long his father, who is receiving treatment for cancer, has left to live, said the prince.Charles’ youngest son, also known as the Duke of Sussex, has been embroiled in the years-long legal saga since the UK government downgraded his security when he left to live abroad with his wife, Meghan.Speaking from California, Harry called the court decision a “good old fashioned establishment stitch up” and accused the Royal Household of influencing the ruling.He alleged the security issue had been “used as leverage” to control him and urged his father and the government to help.”There is a lot of control and ability in my father’s hands. Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him, not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts to do what is necessary.”Harry added the original decision to downgrade his protection was “initiated under a previous government, and there is now a new government,” urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer and interior minister Yvette Cooper to intervene.The prince, who will not escalate the case to the Supreme Court, said “I miss the UK” and that “it’s really quite sad that I won’t be able to show… my children my homeland.”