Australia's Seven West Media strikes deal with Google for news

A smartphone with a Google app icon is seen in front of the displayed Australian flag in this illustration, January 22, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

(This story refiles to correct day to Monday in paragraph two)

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's Seven West Media Ltd became the country's first major news outlet to strike a licensing deal with Google, as the government pushes ahead with a law that would force the internet giant to pay media companies for content.