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Google offers 'voluntary exit' scheme for US-based employees amid mega AI push

Google offers 'voluntary exit' scheme for US-based employees amid mega AI push

First Post12-06-2025
The 'voluntary exit' has been offered to employees from the search organisation and core engineering teams, among others read more
Google has offered buyouts to thousands of its US-based employees as part of its cost-cutting efforts amid the rise of artificial intelligence and massive investments in the technology.
The 'voluntary exit' has been offered to employees from the search organisation and core engineering teams, among others. The Verge obtained a memo sent out to employees by Nick Fox, the head of Google's Knowledge and Information group, saying that the buyout program offers 'a supportive exit path for those of you who don't feel aligned with our strategy, don't feel energized by your work, or are having difficulty meeting the expectations of your role.'
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Even before Trump's ‘penalty' threat, Indian refiners began cutting down on Russian oil imports
Even before Trump's ‘penalty' threat, Indian refiners began cutting down on Russian oil imports

Indian Express

time26 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Even before Trump's ‘penalty' threat, Indian refiners began cutting down on Russian oil imports

Amid increasing pressure on India from the US and other Western powers over the past couple of months, Indian refiners — led by public sector players — began cutting down on Russian oil imports, much before US President Donald Trump's announcement earlier this week of an unspecified tariff 'penalty' on New Delhi for its defence and energy imports from Moscow. Latest vessel tracking data shows that July deliveries of Russian crude — which would have been contracted May or early June — to Indian refiners fell significantly. Industry and trade sources also indicated that Indian public sector refiners have, for the time being, halted future contracting of Russian oil, the mainstay of India's oil imports for the better part of the past three years. Trump has now said that he 'heard' that India will no longer be buying oil from Russia, calling it a 'good step', but also added that he is not sure if the information is 'right or not'. 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A lot of the crude from West Asia comes through term contracts, unlike spot purchases of Russian crude, which may force Indian refiners to commit to higher annual offtake of West Asian oil, which is more rigidly priced compared to discounted Russian crude. Also, a number of Indian refineries that had gotten attuned to processing Russian crude in large volumes may see an impact on their product yield and refinery configurations due to crude quality mismatch. India is also expected to sustain its ongoing efforts to diversify its sources of crude oil. Geopolitical shifts, freight economics, and refinery economics are expected to continue shaping India's crude sourcing decisions and diversification strategy. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. 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