Aus hits back after Google threatens to block search

India and Pakistan squared off at the United Nations over a resolution on safeguarding religious sites around the world, with the Indian side criticising Pakistan for co-sponsoring the move weeks after the demolition of a Hindu temple. The resolution on “promoting a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites” was sponsored by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and several other members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. It was passed unanimously on Thursday. “It is a matter of great irony that the country where the most recent attack and demolition of a Hindu temple took place in a series of such attacks and where the rights of minorities are being emasculated is one of the cosponsors of the resolution...,” the Indian representative at the world body said.

Google’s warning to block its search engine in Australia if the government enforces a new code that would force it to pay media companies for using their content drew a sharp rebuke from Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison who said on Friday, “We don’t respond to threats”. “Australia makes our rules for things you can do in Australia. That’s done in our Parliament. It’s done by our government. And that’s how things work here in Australia,” he told reporters. The threat is Google’s most potent yet as the digital giant tries to stem a flow of regulatory action worldwide, but such a radical step would hand an entire developed market to rivals. At least 94% of online searches in Australia go through the Alphabet Inc unit. Australia is on course to pass laws that would make tech giants, including Facebook, negotiate payments with local publishers and broadcasters for content included in search results or news feeds.