Latest news with #Elections
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Google CEO Sundar Pichai on if he would change search results for Donald Trump: 'The way Google Search works is that I …'
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has categorically refused to adjust search rankings for Donald Trump , despite the president's public complaints about his search results and previous threats of criminal prosecution against the tech giant. In a pointed exchange with The Verge, Pichai made clear that Google's search algorithm remains beyond the reach of political influence, even from the highest office in the country. When directly asked whether he would ever adjust search rankings for Trump, Pichai responded with an unequivocal "No," explaining that the fundamental architecture of Google's search system prevents any individual, including himself, from manipulating results. "The way Google Search works is that I cannot... No person at Google can influence the ranking algorithm," Pichai stated, underscoring the technical and organizational safeguards that separate Google's search operations from external pressures. The CEO's resolute stance comes at a time when the relationship between Silicon Valley and the Trump administration has been described as "extremely transactional," with tech leaders seeking to navigate complex political waters while maintaining their platforms' integrity. Despite Pichai personally congratulating Trump on his election victory and expressing commitment to working with his administration on innovation initiatives, Google appears unwilling to compromise on what it considers core operational principles. Years of escalating tensions between Trump and his Google Search results Trump's antagonistic relationship with Google's search results predates his current presidency, representing a sustained campaign of criticism that has escalated from social media complaints to threats of criminal prosecution. In September 2024, during his heated campaign against Kamala Harris , Trump escalated his rhetoric significantly, calling for Google to face criminal prosecution for what he characterized as "blatant interference of Elections." Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The accusation centered on a study by the conservative Media Research Center, which claimed that Google search results favored Harris-positive news articles over Trump's campaign website when users searched for "Donald Trump presidential race 2024." Trump's response was characteristically forceful, writing on Truth Social that Google had "illegally used a system of only revealing and displaying bad stories about Donald J. Trump, some made up for this purpose while, at the same time, only revealing good stories about Comrade Kamala Harris." This pattern of accusations began in earnest during Trump's first presidency in August 2018, when he launched a Twitter tirade claiming that Google search results were "rigged" against him and conservative voices. Trump alleged that 96 percent of "Trump News" results originated from "National Left-Wing Media," describing the situation as "very dangerous" and promising it would "be addressed." At the time, he warned that Google, Facebook, and Twitter were "treading on very troubled territory" and needed to "be careful." Pichai says Google committed to algorithm independence Google has maintained a consistent defense against these allegations across multiple years and political cycles, with company representatives repeatedly emphasizing that search algorithms operate independently of political considerations. A Google spokesperson responded to Trump's 2024 accusations by stating that "both campaign websites consistently appear at the top of Search for relevant and common search queries," and that the company "absolutely do not manipulate search results to favor any candidate." When The Verge pressed Pichai about whether Google might adjust AI-powered responses under political pressure, particularly relevant given competitors' documented modifications to their system prompts that have dramatically altered AI responses, the CEO remained equally firm in his refusal. "The way we do ranking is sacrosanct to us. We've done it for over 25 years," Pichai explained, describing Google's approach as systematic rather than individualized. Pichai detailed Google's methodology, noting that while the company considers "a lot of ranking signals" and will examine "broad feedback from people that something isn't working," the company maintains strict boundaries: "we don't look at individual cases and change the rankings." This principle appears to extend even to the most powerful individual in American politics, suggesting that Google views the integrity of its search algorithm as fundamental to its identity and long-term credibility, regardless of potential political consequences. 4 new Apple stores confirmed for Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru! AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The National
4 days ago
- Politics
- The National
I went on the SNP campaign trail in Hamilton. This is what I found out
And what I would say from the off is that predicting the result of this by-election is a bit like trying to predict what the weather is going to do in the next hour right now. The political environment is more turbulent than it has ever seemed in my lifetime. I was able to have a bit of a nosey as First Minister John Swinney joined with SNP candidate Katy Loudon for a door-knocking session but, I'll not lie, the rain made the task somewhat challenging. Not many people were answering their doors, but it told me that the SNP are stopping at nothing to try and make sure people back them at the polls on June 5. Why? Well one conversation I heard the FM having with a constituent commendably tending to her plants in dreich conditions detailed the depressing backdrop all politicians are up against, which is largely of their own doing I should add. READ MORE: Reform by-election candidate denies Anas Sarwar ad is racist She said she had struggled to keep up with who was Prime Minister, never mind whether there was a by-election that required yet another trip to the ballot box. Three General Elections in less than a decade alongside a Holyrood one and council elections, you can hardly blame her. Asked who she might lend her vote to, she said she had 'lost track of it all'. It shows that even just getting people to engage with politics is a battle now, never mind encouraging them to give you their vote over another party. The woman later chased them for a selfie, so perhaps they had an impact. The pair seemed to engage in lengthy conversations with people, with one resident telling them that Labour 'were a joke' and offering her support to the SNP. Labour don't seem to be helping themselves, having picked a candidate who doesn't seem to want to appear in debates or answer questions. It likely would've been their seat to lose really eight months ago, but their hopes of adding to their Holyrood tally now would appear to be fading. (Image: Colin Mearns) That said, I found myself on several occasions almost clutching at straws, wanting some sort of answer to what might happen, but arriving back at home not really any the wiser. However, John Swinney told me things were a lot better on the doors than they were last year for the SNP. What the public had to say Speaking to people in Regent Shopping Centre earlier in the day, I picked up a very mixed picture, but what was telling is that people who were lending their vote to the SNP or Labour were fairly core voters who are never really going to go any other way. One woman said she had always voted Labour, as had her family, and that's just the way it will always be. A fair few people told me they're voting SNP because they want independence. Simple as. But another man said he wanted to give Labour more of a chance, despite some slip-ups over the Winter Fuel Payment, for example. Then in between there was a man who was sick of politicians and had voted for Reform in a postal vote, while a smattering of others said they wouldn't be voting because they didn't know who to vote for. Either they felt no one spoke for them or they hadn't really received enough information or spotted enough activism to be able to vote faithfully. If anyone has a Magic 8 ball to make sense of all of that and give us a prediction, do get in touch. What we can say is that this is anyone's game and the SNP know it. John Swinney admitted it was going to be a tight contest to journalists, and Loudon told me after the campaigning session she had been picking up support for the SNP, Labour and Reform over the last few weeks. What I suppose it all suggests is if you've always been devoted to one party, you're throwing your arms up in the air and running back home. If you haven't, you're either staying away, not risking ties with anyone, or you're taking a punt on someone new. Reform will no doubt be grabbing the popcorn, because no matter where they finish this is likely to go well for them. But for the SNP and Labour, a nail-biter is certainly on the cards.
CNN
6 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Venezuela held an election for an oil-rich region. The main problem is it belongs to Guyana
Venezuelans on Sunday for the first time elected a governor and other lawmakers for Essequibo, an oil-rich region that Venezuela has laid claim to even though it is widely recognized as being part of neighboring Guyana. Essequibo's 125,000 inhabitants, who account for more than 15% of the English-speaking country's population, did not take part in Sunday's election. The vote, which was widely criticized by Guyanese officials, instead saw Venezuelans pick a new governor, six deputies to the National Assembly of Venezuela, and seven to a regional legislative assembly. It is unclear how the officials, once elected, plan on running the territory, which Guyana governs. The election is the latest provocation in a long-running territory dispute between Venezuela and Guyana. It comes more than a year after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordered the creation of a new state within the territory, which is roughly the size of Florida, called 'Guayana Esequiba,' following a referendum that saw Venezuelan voters approving the move. Guyana had called Venezuela's actions a step towards annexation and an 'existential' threat as the specter of armed conflict loomed over the region. Maduro first announced in January that a vote would be held for the region as part of a larger election for governors and lawmakers across the country. 'I call for freedom of conscience for the people and for the people to elect the best for the governorships of the 24 states,' Maduro said on Telegram ahead of Sunday's election, referring to Essequibo as the nation's 24th state. The vote has put Guyana on high alert, with its President Irfaan Ali on Saturday calling the poll 'scandalous, false, propagandistic (and) opportunistic.' Guyana is home to vast oil reserves and is on track to become the world's highest per capita oil producer. It, however, has an army estimated to be less than 5,000 soldiers, and lacks the hardware or manpower to face possible Venezuelan aggression. The country in the meantime has sought closer military cooperation with the United States amid the threats from Venezuela. On Sunday, the US State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs called the election a 'sham' on X. 'The United States rejects all attempts by Nicolas Maduro and his illegitimate regime to undermine Guyana's territorial integrity, including this latest sham election in the Essequibo region,' it wrote. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López pushed back against the criticism on Sunday, saying, 'We are supported by historical, legal, and moral grounds regarding that territory.' Venezuela has claimed Essequibo as its own for decades, arguing that it was within its borders during the Spanish colonial period. It has dismissed an 1899 ruling by international arbitrators that set the current boundaries when Guyana was still a British colony. Guyana has controlled the region since gaining independence in 1966. The recent discovery of vast offshore oil fields in the area has heightened the stakes in the dispute. In 2018, Guyana filed an application with the International Court of Justice to try to validate the 1899 decision. The case is still under review. Pending a final decision, the court ordered earlier this month that Venezuela refrain from holding elections in the territory. But Caracas has rejected the court's jurisdiction over the matter. On Saturday, the night before Venezuela's election and two days ahead of Guyana's Independence Day, Guyanese officials held a National Patriotic Concert in Essequibo to affirm their sovereignty over the land. The event drew thousands of people who were seen waving the Guyanese flag and wearing shirts that read: 'Essequibo is Guyana's.' 'Essequibo belongs to Guyana and we are going to do everything to ensure that Essequibo will forever be part of our 83,000 square miles,' President Ali told crowds of cheering supporters.
LBCI
6 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon announces 2025 municipal election results for Sidon
Lebanon's Ministry of Interior has released the 2025 municipal and mukhtar election results for the Sidon district. Click here to view the results.
LBCI
6 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
2025 municipal and mukhtar election results announced for Jezzine district
Lebanon's Ministry of Interior has released the results of the 2025 municipal and mukhtar elections in the Jezzine district. Click here to view the full results.
