Good morning, here’s your Wednesday morning briefing to set you up for the day ahead. Look out for these three things happening around the world today.
EU expected to hit Google with record-breaking fine
The European Union will today make a decision on a monopoly case against search engine giant Google regarding its Android smartphone operating system.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The EU is set to decide whether Google has breached antitrust rules by forcing manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Google Chrome apps on devices that run on Android.
Authorities have also taken issue with Google preventing manufacturers from selling devices running on operating systems based on the Android open source code, as well as providing incentives to those that exclusively pre-install Google Search on their devices.
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager will announce the decision today. If found guilty, Google is set to be hit with the biggest fine that the EU has ever handed out for monopoly abuse.
Google was fined £2.1bn last year in a case involving its Google Shopping business. It was found that Google had been promoting its own shopping adverts and devaluing other price comparison services in search results.
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By GlobalDataThe commission can fine Google up to 10% of its parent company Alphabet’s annual turnover. This would equate to around £8.4bn.
While the EC is unlikely to hand Google the maximum punishment, a record-breaking fine is expected.
Wild Boars to return home
The Thai soccer team that spent 13 days trapped inside the Tham Luang cave complex in northern Thailand will return home today after being discharged from Chiang Rai Prachanukroh hospital where they have been recovering since their rescue last week.
The Wild Boars soccer team had entered the caves, where they visited regularly, following a training session. The boys became trapped after flash flooding filled parts of the cave system with water.
The 12 boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach will take part in a news conference following their release. Journalists will submit questions in advance which will be vetted by a psychologist before they are put to those involved. Authorities are concerned that the sudden fame and attention could impact the boys’ mental health.
Two Hollywood production companies are already considering making a movie out of the story.
Authorities have pleaded with the media not to bother the boys or their families for the next 30 days.
Boris Johnson to announce his resignation in parliament
A week after walking out on his role as foreign secretary of the United Kingdom, Conservative MP Boris Johnson will deliver his resignation speech today in parliament.
The former foreign minister resigned last week in protest against Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plans. His resignation followed that of Brexit secretary David Davis. There were fears that May would attempt to deliver a soft Brexit, which they felt went against the wishes of the voting public.
Johnson approached Commons Speaker John Bercow earlier this week to request a formal resignation speech today.
Reports suggest that Johnson could use the speech to fire a few parting shots at May in a fresh bid for leadership of the Tory party.
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