Canon eyes business from chip companies setting up India operationsNetflix. WWE's media rights in India are reportedly shifting from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) to Netflix India as part of a landmark 10-year. According to a report in Economic Times, "Sports entertainment powerhouse WWE is preparing to transfer its media rights in India from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) to Netflix India as part of a global 10-year, $5 billion agreement that its owner, TKO Group Holdings, signed with the streaming platform earlier this year." Netflix 'gameplay' starts in 2025 The partnership marks Netflix India’s entry into sports entertainment. While Netflix has invested in live sports globally (including with the NFL), its Indian operations have previously avoided sports, even cricket, India's most popular sport. A Netflix India spokesperson confirmed to Economic Times the 2025 launch of WWE content on the platform; SPNI declined to comment. This transition, set for after March 2025 following the expiration of WWE's current SPNI contract (a five-year deal worth an estimated $180-210 million signed in 2020), marks Netflix India's entry into sports entertainment. Despite SPNI's reported desire to retain TV rights due to WWE's digital performance during the current cycle, Netflix insists on exclusivity in the Indian market. Netflix faces stiff competition from established Indian sports streaming giants like Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema, which boast popular properties like the Indian Premier League and ICC tournaments. WWE magic goes back to over 20 years WWE has been a fixture on Indian television via Ten Sports (later Sony Ten after SPNI's 2016 acquisition of Ten Sports from Zee Entertainment for $385 million) for over two decades. Starting January 2025, Netflix will exclusively stream WWE's flagship shows (Raw, SmackDown, and NXT) in major markets like the US, Canada, UK, and South America, expanding to India by April 2025. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has highlighted the platform's focus on unique, global, and youth-oriented sports, aligning with sports leagues' own goals of reaching younger, global audiences. However, migrating WWE's loyal fanbase from traditional television (with 900 million viewers in India) to a subscription streaming service (with 547 million users) presents a significant challenge, especially given Netflix India's current 12 million subscriber base. This partnership is expected to significantly boost subscriptions by attracting WWE fans. The loss of WWE is a major blow for SPNI, a key component of its sports programming. Analysts suggest SPNI will need to find alternative sports entertainment content to retain viewers, despite recently securing Asian Cricket Council rights for $170 million.ICPC chairman to judges: Prosecution critical in fight against corruption
Euro Staggers as Bitcoin Surges Past $100,000 Amid French Political Turmoil
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These...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22778/opinions/a-new-chapter-in-rwandas-public-transport" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/22/66901.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/22/66901.jpg" }, "articleBody": "Rwanda's public transport has long been fragmented and inefficient, leading to unreliable service, long wait times, and overcrowded buses. These shortcomings push people toward private vehicles, exacerbating congestion, and hindering productivity. Additionally, the recent push into electric buses, while laudable, has also faced challenges, including the use of second-hand buses that could potentially harm the environment. These used electric buses are a hazard and should be stopped. In public policy, solutions are often trade-offs, especially in urban transportation, where balancing individual needs, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability is a delicate act. In Rwanda, where public transport is a lifeline for the majority, the government's decision to establish a new public bus management firm marks a pivotal moment. This shift recognizes the inherent nature of public transport as a network industry best run as a natural monopoly, promising significant economic and social advantages if well executed. I strongly believe that creating a unified public bus management firm offers a solution. Consolidating operations allows us to leverage economies of scale, invest in modern fleets, and optimize routes, resulting in more reliable and comfortable services that incentivize public transport use. The benefits are far-reaching. Reduced congestion not only saves time and fuel but also improves air quality, leading to better public health and lower healthcare costs. Efficient public transport enhances labor mobility, allowing workers to access more job opportunities, boosting productivity, and stimulating economic growth. Drawing from Singapore's successful model, Rwanda can adopt a holistic approach. The new firm can create an integrated transport plan that seamlessly connects buses, taxis, and motorcycle taxis. This should be supported by investments in modern infrastructure, such as bus interchanges, dedicated bus lanes, and intelligent transport systems. Furthermore, keeping public transport affordable is crucial. Rwanda can utilize its price-setting mechanism through RURA (Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority) while implementing targeted subsidies and fare concessions for students, senior citizens, and low-income individuals. This ensures accessibility for all while maintaining financial sustainability. We can further enhance our public transport by leveraging technology. Implementing intelligent transport systems (ITS) can optimize traffic flow and improve bus operations' overall efficiency. This can include real-time passenger information systems, automated fare collection, and smart traffic management. Additionally, exploring innovative financing models like public-private partnerships (PPPs) will attract private sector investment and expertise. By sharing the financial burden and leveraging private sector innovation, we can accelerate modernizing our public transport network. As an entrepreneur, I look forward to participating in this exciting future. Establishing the public bus management firm is not just about solving current transport problems; it's about creating a world-class public transport system that supports Rwanda's long-term development goals. This will improve the quality of life for its citizens and lay the foundation for a more prosperous and sustainable future. Improved transport connectivity will boost productivity, attract investment, and create new jobs. A cleaner and more efficient public transport system will enhance Rwanda's image as a progressive and environmentally conscious nation. Creating a public bus management firm is a significant step towards addressing Rwanda's public transport challenges. By learning from successful models like Singapore, leveraging technology, and embracing innovative financing mechanisms, Rwanda can build an enviable public transport system that improves citizens' quality of life and lays the foundation for a more prosperous and sustainable future.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Liban Mugabo" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }
The US government asked a federal judge last month to force Google to sell Chrome, the world's most popular web browser. It was the most extreme proposal by the Justice Department to address Google's monopoly in internet search after the judge's landmark decision in August, which found the Silicon Valley company had violated antitrust laws. To fix the issue, Google will offer its own remedies this month. The judge, Amit P. Mehta of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, is expected to decide how to address Google's search monopoly by August. His ruling could cause enormous ripple effects, potentially reshaping the internet. Here's what to expect. Why does Google face a breakup? 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Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Google for years had paid companies including Apple, Samsung and Mozilla billions of dollars to be the automatic search engine on smartphones and web browsers. The government said these contracts were designed to entrench Google's dominance and make it harder for rivals to compete. Google's ironclad hold over online search allowed it to gather more data from users, which then made its product better and harder for rivals to dislodge, Justice Department lawyers argued during a 10-week trial last year. Google countered, among other defenses, that it had simply created the best search product. Mehta ultimately ruled in favor of the government. Now he must decide how to solve the problem with "remedies" to restore competition to the market. What did the Justice Department propose as fixes? Beyond forcing Google to sell Chrome, the Justice Department said in a filing last month that the company should be barred from entering into the exclusive search engine agreements. The judge should also force Google to share its search results and data with rivals for a decade, the government said. Google should be forced to choose between selling Android, its smartphone operating system, or being barred from taking steps that force companies to bundle its services with Android phones, the government said. And the company should shed any stakes in artificial intelligence companies that it has invested in, since AI can bolster search, the government added. What is Google's next step? The Silicon Valley company has until Dec. 20 to submit its solutions to fix its search monopoly. Kent Walker, Google's president of global affairs, recently said the government was pushing a "radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and America's global technology leadership" and "break a range of Google products." Paul Gallant, a tech policy analyst at TD Cowen, said he expected Google to not go beyond what the company wanted to do. That could include an offer to stop paying to be the automatic search engine on phones and browsers, he said. "It wants to propose something that shows the judge it's taking this all seriously, but not so much that the judge says, 'Sounds good -- you got it,' and then the company regrets the offer," Gallant said. And then? Mehta has scheduled a hearing starting in April to ask both sides to present arguments for their proposals. Witnesses are also expected to testify. Throughout the case, Mehta has been careful not to tip his hand. He could take remedies from one side wholesale, or find his own middle ground. In court in November, he said it was clear that the remedies debate would include discussion of the impact of artificial intelligence. Which companies were broken up previously? In 1911, a Supreme Court decision broke up Standard Oil, the source of the Rockefeller family fortune. Standard Oil was split into 34 companies, including Standard Oil of New Jersey, which became Exxon, and Standard Oil of California, one of the roots of modern-day Chevron. Facing pressure from the federal government, AT&T agreed in 1982 to split itself up into regional phone providers. In 2000, the Justice Department persuaded a judge to order a breakup of Microsoft, which was accused of abusing the dominance of its Windows operating system. But an appeals court overturned that decision the next year. What would a breakup mean for Google? A breakup would damage Google, which has built an integrated web of online systems and services to aid its lucrative search business. Last year, the company generated $175 billion from its search engine and related businesses, or 57% of its total revenue. Any split could also dent the company's considerable profit, which totaled $74 billion in 2023. If Google is forced to divest Chrome, its search engine's popularity could erode. Google has 89% of the global search market, according to Statcounter, which compiles tech market data. Any drop in traffic would mean fewer clicks on ads and less revenue. "Google will lose one of the most powerful moats around its ads business," said Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf, an analyst at eMarketer, a firm that conducts business research. A spinoff of Android would also be painful, eliminating Google's influence over a majority of the world's smartphones. The mobile operating system brings users into the company's ecosystem of services and helps it compete against Apple in smartphones and other devices. If another search engine became the one to be automatically selected on Android devices, that could further diminish traffic to Google's search engine, hurting revenue and profit. The final remedies could influence other antitrust lawsuits against Google. A federal judge in Virginia heard closing arguments last month from the Justice Department and the company over accusations that Google has a monopoly in ad technology.
NEW DELHI: India and Kuwait have reached an agreement to cooperate in the fields of defence, cultural exchange, sports, and energy. The decision was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. After completing his two-day visit, Modi returned to Delhi yesterday. The relevant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in the presence of both leaders. Discussions focused on strategic partnerships in areas such as economic cooperation, politics, trade, investment, health, education, technology, and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the Kuwait Investment Authority to evaluate investment opportunities in sectors like energy, defence, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and food parks. Collaboration in traditional medicine and agricultural research was also discussed. Joint working groups were formed in sectors including trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture. Modi invites Emir to India The first meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was held at Bayan Palace. Modi extended an invitation to the Emir to visit India and expressed gratitude for ensuring the welfare of the over one million-strong Indian community in Kuwait.None
Stock exchanges warn Religare Enterprises on disclosure lapsesLudhiana: A Tuesday-night wedding party near the city turned violent when a 70-year-old man angered at being stopped from firing his gun in celebration shot a guest in the arms and forehead. The suspect, Jagdish Singh, was arrested at the scene and police, later, confiscated his licensed .32-calibre pistol. The incident occurred during a traditional pre-wedding event of ‘Jago’ at Kot Gangu Rai village. Mandeep Singh, 38, a cousin of the groom, suffered injuries when Jagdish first flung a glass at him and then fired three shots from his rooftop. A bullet grazed Mandeep’s forehead, while two struck his left arm. The bystanders moved Mandeep to a private hospital in Doraha, where he remains in stable condition. Sub-inspector Jaspal Singh, investigating officer of this case, confirmed that the accused had been drinking before firing some celebratory gunshots at the event, which is illegal. The SI claimed that: “When Mandeep asked him to stop firing, Jagdish left the function, went to his rooftop, and began hurling abuses. He then attacked Mandeep, escalating the incident to a life-threatening level.” Police noted that a longstanding land dispute between Jagdish and the groom’s family might have contributed to the tension. Despite this bitterness, the family had invited Jagdish to the wedding. He has been charged with attempt to murder and violating the Arms Act, and his firearm has been seized. The case highlights the dangers of celebratory gunfire , a practice that remains common in parts of the country despite repeated warnings from authorities. The consequences of being casual with firearms are fatal at times. We also published the following articles recently Man arrested for celebratory firing In Chhapra, a man was arrested for celebratory firing after a video circulated on social media. Police seized his licensed gun and cartridges. Separately, in Manjhi, villagers attacked police and freed three arrested criminals. Two villagers were subsequently arrested for obstructing justice. Police are searching for the remaining suspects. Man arrested for celebratory firing In Chhapra, a man was arrested for celebratory firing after a video circulated on social media. He confessed and his licensed gun and cartridges were seized. Separately, in Manjhi, villagers attacked police and freed three arrested criminals. Two villagers were subsequently arrested for obstructing justice. Police are searching for the remaining suspects. Video of cops celebratory firing in Satna baraat goes viral, probe ordered A Madhya Pradesh head constable is under investigation after a video surfaced showing him firing a gun at a wedding celebration. The incident allegedly occurred in Rewa district on November 26th during his brother-in-law's marriage procession. Satna district police officials have ordered a probe into the viral video, with disciplinary action pending the investigation's outcome. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .