Latest news with #FrancisMascarenhas
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Champions China drawn to face North Korea at Women's Asian Cup
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's Asian Cup 2022 - Final - China v South Korea - D Y Patil Sports Stadium, Navi Mumbai, India - February 6, 2022 China team members hold the flag of China and and the trophy whilst celebrating after the match REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo Defending champions China have been drawn to face North Korea, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan in the group phase of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup with hosts Australia opening the three-week-long tournament against the Philippines on March 1 in Perth. The Joe Montemurro-coached Matildas will also take on South Korea and Iran in the 12-nation continental championship while Japan, currently Asia's highest ranked team, will face Taiwan, Vietnam and India in the group phase. "For us to have three games all based in Sydney is great, that will give us consistency that our girls will appreciate," said China coach Ante Milicic. "North Korea is a bit of an unknown one because we've never played them, but we know that they're very strong, particularly in their youth tournaments and highly ranked in the senior team as well." The Chinese will be attempting to win a record-extending 10th Asian title after lifting the trophy at the most recent event in India in 2022. The Steel Roses kick off their Group B campaign against debutants Bangladesh at Western Sydney Stadium on March 3 before taking on the Uzbeks three days later and then concluding their group commitments against the North Koreans. Australia follow up their opener against the Philippines in Group A with a meeting against Iran on the Gold Coast and close out the group phase in Sydney versus South Korea, who knocked the Matildas out in the quarter-finals in 2022. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong Singapore 7, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Sport IOC president Kirsty Coventry a 'huge supporter' of Singapore Singapore ICA inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from 6 foreign men in exchange for his help Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail Singapore 12 motorists nabbed for providing illegal private-hire services: LTA The Japanese, who are aiming to win the title for the first time since 2018, launch their challenge in Group C against Taiwan on March 4 in Perth. They will take on India three days later and meet Vietnam on March 10. The top two in each of the three groups advance to the quarter-finals, where they will be joined by the two third-placed nations with the best records. The tournament also serves as Asia's qualifiers for the 2027 Women's World Cup. The four semi-finalists will progress to the finals in Brazil with two more berths awarded to the winners of playoffs between the losing quarter-finalists. The Asian Cup final will be held at Stadium Australia on March 21. REUTERS
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Poona Parsee Panchayat seeks minority status for Parsi students in admission forms
Pune: The Poona Parsee Panchayat on July 22 made a formal appeal to educational authorities, requesting the explicit inclusion of the Zoroastrian-Parsi community under the minority category in admission forms and policies across institutions. In an official letter to director of medical education and chairperson of National Commission for Minorities, advocate Marazban Irani raised concerns that despite being recognised as a minority community by the Government of India, the Zoroastrian community is often not listed in minority options during the admission process. A man touches the wall of a Parsi fire temple featuring huge carvings of ancient priests on the occasion of the Persian New Year in Mumbai, India, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY (REUTERS) The letter highlights that Zoroastrians, though one of the smallest religious communities in the country, continue to face exclusion in institutional minority listings. This oversight, the Panchayat argues, affects the community's representation and access to educational benefits and reserved quotas, especially in competitive institutions. Chairman of Poona Parsee Panchayat, advocate Marazban Irani, said 'It has been observed that in several educational institutions and admission processes, the Zoroastrian community is not specifically included under the minority category for consideration in reserved seats or other minority-related benefits. This omission affects the educational opportunities and representation of the community.' A Parsi doctor from Pune, requesting anonymity, said that though the Supreme Court recognises Parsis as a minority community alongside Buddhists, Jains, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs, they are often not included in the minority category in admission forms and portals. 'Our appeal is simply to ensure that Zoroastrians are explicitly listed, so that students from our small community can access the rightful benefits extended to minorities,' he said. The Panchayat urged authorities to correct this exclusion by ensuring Zoroastrians are explicitly included in all relevant admission-related documentation and systems. This, they said, would enable members of the community to avail the rightful benefits entitled to minorities under constitutional provisions.
The Star
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Indian fintech firm Paytm swings to profit, expects further boost
FILE PHOTO: A man stands at the Paytm stall during the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, India, August 29, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File photo (Reuters) -Indian fintech firm Paytm swung to a profit for the first time since September 2024, driven by robust growth in its lending business and tight cost controls, and said it expects a further improvement in earnings. The company posted a net profit of 1.23 billion rupees ($14.24 million) for the quarter ended June 30. It had last posted a profit in the September 2024 quarter due to a one-time gain from the sale of its ticketing business. The firm had posted a loss of 8.39 billion rupees in April-June a year earlier after the central bank ordered a shut down of its banking unit in January 2024. Since then, Paytm has increased its focus on core businesses and cut expenses and had projected a profit for the June quarter, when its revenue rose 28% to 19.18 billion rupees. Revenue from financial services, which includes the loan business, doubled year-on-year and that from payment services climbed 18%. Analysts said that Paytm logged strong growth in the merchant lending segments even as growth in personal loans stayed weak amid tightening of credit in the segment. "For personal loans, based on the current trends, there are early signs of recovery," Paytm said. Its expenses fell 19% year-on-year to 20.16 billion rupees during the quarter. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization before the cost of employee stock options, a key metric, stood at 1.02 billion rupees. Paytm's shares rose 3.3% to a seven-month high before the results. ($1 = 86.3470 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Nishit Navin; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)
The Star
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Netflix shares drop as revenue forecast leaves investors unimpressed
FILE PHOTO: A man stands next to a logo of Netflix during an event in Mumbai, India, February 29, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo (Reuters) -Netflix shares declined more than 5% in early trading on Friday, as investors were disappointed by the streaming giant's revenue forecast raise being driven by a weaker dollar instead of strong customer demand. The stock has nearly doubled in value in the last 12 months, pushing Netflix's market value above $540 billion, more than the combined worth of Disney, Comcast, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The streaming platform on Thursday raised its 2025 revenue outlook and expects to be in the range of $44.8 billion to $45.2 billion, broadly helped by a weaker dollar, compared to its previous forecast range of $43.5 billion to $44.5 billion. "Better-than-expected quarterly results and upgraded full-year revenue and cash flow guidance weren't enough to keep investors happy," said Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell. Investors were disappointed because the improved revenue outlook was driven by foreign exchange factors rather than stronger customer demand, Coatsworth said. Disappointment over the forecast overshadowed a quarterly profit beat that was fueled by the success of the final season of 'Squid Game'. Netflix shares, which have gained about 43% so far this year, currently trade at 43.8 times the estimates of its earnings for the next 12 months, compared with Disney's 19.57 and Comcast's 7.71."The muted response to Netflix's share price... may be down to its lofty valuation," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB. With subscriber growth slowing after the pandemic-era surge, Netflix has shifted its focus to ramping up advertising revenue to reshape its business model. The company is expanding its ad-supported tiers, implementing targeted ad placements, and working on live sports events to attract advertisers. "As Netflix ramps up its advertising revenues combined with underlying strength in the core business, we see a strong runway to drive higher monetization of its engagement," analysts at MoffettNathanson said. At least 16 analysts raised their price targets on the stock following results, bringing the median target to $1,365, as per data complied by LSEG. (Reporting by Joel Jose and Siddarth S in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)
The Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Amazon.com defeats lawsuit by Prime Video subscribers over commercials
FILE PHOTO: Media are seen in front of an Amazon Prime Video logo during an Amazon Prime Video India launch event in Mumbai, India, April 28, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/ File Photo (Reuters) -A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a proposed class action over decision to begin showing commercials on its Prime Video service unless subscribers paid a $2.99 monthly opt-out fee. Subscribers who paid $139 a year for Prime Video said Amazon had led them to believe the service would remain ad-free. They said the ads amounted to a price increase that breached their subscriber agreements and violated Washington state consumer protection laws. U.S. District Judge Barbara Jacobs Rothstein in Seattle concluded, however, that the ads were a "benefit modification" specifically contemplated and authorized by Amazon and the subscribers. The change went into effect in January 2024. Lawyers for the subscribers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Chris Reese)
