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UPI
17-06-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Israel says it killed Iran's new wartime commander in airstrike
Major General Ali Shadmani, chief of staff of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, was appointed as the new head of the IRG's Emergency Command to replace one of the five of Iran's most senior military commanders killed in the initial phase of Israel's surprise attack early Friday. Photo courtesy Supreme Leader of Iran's office via EPA-EFE June 17 (UPI) -- Israel claimed Tuesday it had killed Iran's highest-ranking military chief after just days in the job in an airstrike by Israeli warplanes. "Ali Shadmani, Iran's senior-most military official and Khamenei's closest military adviser, was killed in an Israeli Air Force strike in central Tehran, following precise intelligence," the Israel Defense Forces said. Shadmani was appointed as the new head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Emergency Command to replace Gholam Ali Rashid in the hours after Rashid was among five of Iran's most senior military commanders killed in the initial phase of Israel's surprise attack early Friday. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces. The development came as both sides continued to trade deadly attacks into a fifth day -- Israel leveraging its stranglehold on Iranian airspace to ramp up its airborne assault on key military and nuclear targets while Iran launched 30 ballistic missiles with blasts reported in northern Israel. Israel's health ministry said another 154 people had been injured overnight, with 149 admitted to hospital in a moderate condition or with only minor injuries. However, Israel said there had been noticeably fewer missiles incoming than on previous days. Two dozen people in Israel have been killed since Friday, mainly in missile strikes on residential districts in the center and north of the country, while Iran's Health Ministry says Israel's attacks have killed 224 people and injured more than 1,200, mostly in Tehran. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after cutting short his meeting with world leaders at a G7 summit in Canada to head back to Washington, President Donald Trump, in a somewhat cryptic comment, denied an Israel-Iran truce was afoot, saying "we're looking at better than a cease-fire." Before departing Calgary, Trump had told Iranians they needed to evacuate Tehran immediately. Analysts were trying to figure out whether Trump intends to try to go the diplomatic route and get Tehran to return to the negotiating table to deal on its nuclear development program or double down on his support for Israel. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued renewed but vague threats Tuesday, warning Iran "will have to show more painful responses," unless the United States reined in Israeli aggression and repeated the claim that none of what was occurring could take place without Washington's involvement. "If the U.S. government does not prevent the spread of insecurity to the region by bridling that savage [Israeli] regime, Iran will be obliged to give heavier and more painful responses beyond what has occurred so far," Pezeshkian warned in a call with Omani sultan Haitham bin Tariq. Oman has been hosting talks on Iran's nuclear program between top U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff and Iranian officials that began in April. Pezeshkian insisted all regime officials, political factions of all persuasions and the people of Iran were willing the armed forces to succeed in their fight against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, similarly, gave away no indication of wanting to end the conflict any time soon, saying Israeli air power was operating freely while the city of Tehran burned. "The Israeli Air Force controls the skies over Tehran. We strike regime targets -- not civilians. That's the difference between us and Iran's terrorist regime that aims to murder women and children," he said in a post on X. "I am proud of our security forces and our wonderful people. Together we will win." At least two European countries have already begun implementing plans to evacuate their citizens from the region. A Czech government evacuation flight touched down Tuesday with 66 people on board, according to Defense Minister Jana Cernochova, with another 11 due to be brought out on a Slovakian government flight in the coming hours. Another flight that landed in Bratislava from Jordan on Monday evening had 14 other Czech citizens aboard. Poland is sending planes to collect up to 300 of its nationals who have asked to be repatriated from Israel, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Monday. Deputy Foreign Minister Henryka Moscicka-Dendys said initial evacuations would be via Egypt and Jordan, with a government-chartered aircraft due to depart Sharm el-Sheikh early Wednesday, followed by a military flight out of Amman on Thursday.
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Business Standard
14-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Iran launches hundreds of ballistic missiles on Israel as conflict widens
Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles against Israel following an unprecedented direct attack on its nuclear facilities, ramping up a conflict between sworn enemies that threatens to engulf the Middle East and disrupt global oil supplies. Multiple waves of missiles targeting Israeli cities amount to the most forceful step yet by Tehran since Israel's overnight raids killed top Iranian generals and badly damaged key military infrastructure. Israel said it identified missiles launched from the Islamic Republic and reported explosions from interceptions and falling debris from incoming projectiles. There was dramatic video footage of at least one large explosion in Tel Aviv, and reports of explosions over Jerusalem. The extent to which Israel's air defenses were pierced remains to be seen, with US forces helping to intercept and shoot down Iranian attacks. Markets took another hit from the surge in tensions: The S&P 500 lost over 1 per cent, wiping out this week's advance. West Texas Intermediate crude futures surged more than 7 per cent, the most since March 2022. Gold and the dollar rose. When the pair targeted each other last year, there was a greater time lag and a sense that after an exchange of fire, there would be a détente. This time, Israel has indicated this is an operation that could last weeks. This poses an existential problem for Iran, and a question of whether it can match its fiery rhetoric with actions. Israel has dramatically exposed its weaknesses, decimated its proxies and taken out key leaders. Additional escalations — particularly any targeting of American military or diplomatic facilities in the region — could rally domestic political support, but could dramatically intensify the conflict. It was unclear if Tehran was entertaining last-resort options such as blocking the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most vital oil arteries, in a scenario that investors fear the most. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to 'act forcefully' in a pre-recorded video message carried by state TV. His statement was released after Iran started its retaliation. Unlike previous responses, this one came much faster. Given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has followed through on his long-promised threat to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, Iran was feeling the pressure to find a commensurate answer. So far, Israel has chosen to keep the US out of the conflict — a decision that an analysis by Bloomberg Economics suggested was the most likely since Tehran can't afford to go to war with the world's biggest economy and mightiest military. The backdrop are indirect nuclear talks between the Islamic Republic and the US, with a sixth round of negotiations scheduled to take place on Sunday. But the damage to its standing in the region is real. The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, and the military's chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, were both killed in Israeli strikes. At least two other senior IRGC members also died and several nuclear facilities were targeted. Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that Israel struck the nuclear sites at Fordow and Isfahan as part of its wave of attacks in the last 24 hours, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told the UN Security Council on Friday. Grossi said the IAEA doesn't have information beyond indications that military activity took place around those facilities. But the move is important — if the facility at Isfahan is disabled, it would seriously crimp Iran's ability to enrich uranium in large volumes. Israel 'should not think that it is over. We won't allow them to escape unscathed from this great crime they have committed,' Khamenei said. But the Iranian supreme leader's terse statement shows Iran is probably not prepared to make any concessions. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday's attacks have derailed diplomacy. Meanwhile, with the Group of Seven leaders gathering in the Canadian Rockies, the attention will focus on how US President Donald Trump will react — or not. Going into the summit, there was a common desire to keep fraught geopolitical issues off the table but that will be difficult to do given the knock-on effects of a spike in oil prices on inflation and energy exports. Given the region is such a big crossroads for shipping of not just oil but consumer goods, any all-out war will further strain a global trading system disrupted by the trade wars. For his part, Trump gave brief telephone interviews to a smattering of journalists, particularly those from cable news networks, but otherwise didn't take to the cameras to make public remarks. The White House said Trump was not expected to emerge Friday night, though he could always turn to social media or additional interviews with the media. On Saturday, Trump's 79th birthday, he's scheduled to host a military parade ostensibly to celebrate the US Army's 250th year. He took to social media to warn Iran to make a deal 'before it is too late.' Come Saturday, the extent of the damage on both sides will come into focus. Israel said more than 200 aircraft participated in the operation that targeted around 100 locations across Iran. At least 95 people were wounded and several residential buildings in Tehran's suburbs were hit, according to Iranian media. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations said 78 people were killed in the attacks. One woman was killed in the Tel Aviv area, a police spokesman in Israel said. Netanyahu and Trump spoke by phone Friday to discuss the conflict, according to a White House official. The US has said it did not play a role in Israel's initial volley, and warned Iran against retaliation against American service members. The US role assisting Israel's aerial defense is customary, but what it does next will be critical.
United News of India
11-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
SOGF to hold Grandmasters Series - South Zone 2, announces Koneru Humpy as Brand Ambassador
Chennai, June 11 (UNI) Announcing legendary Grandmaster Koneru Humpy as its Brand Ambassador to inspire and empower the next generation of Mind Sports enthusiasts, Skillhub Online Gaming Federation (SOGF) will be holding the SOG Grandmasters Series South Zone 2. The event will take place in Chennai on July one and two and would bring together the finest minds in Indian rummy and chess for an unforgettable celebration of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. The event will consist of two tournaments, the Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) for the Rummy enthusiasts and the Indian Chess Masters (ICM) and Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB) for the chess enthusiasts, according to a press release. This event will be focused on people across Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Mr. Shankar Agarwal, President, SOGF, said, "We are thrilled to bring the SOG Grandmasters Series to Chennai, a city with a rich legacy in mind sports. Our goal is to provide a platform where talent meets opportunity, and legends inspire the next generation. What makes this event so special is the fact that we are also inviting young minds of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands & Pondicherry to participate and provide local youth and aspiring players with exposure to national-level competition, helping them develop critical thinking, strategic skills, and confidence.' Koneru Humpy said"It is an honor to be associated with the SOG Grandmasters Series. Events like these are crucial in promoting intellectual games and nurturing young talent across the country. I look forward to witnessing some exceptional performances and inspiring stories in Chennai." SOGF recently hosted the SOG Grandmasters Series Championship North & East Zone in Gurugram, which recorded registrations from over 1,50,000 participants nationwide. Following the overwhelming success of previous editions, the Chennai chapter promises to bring together the nation's brightest talents in rummy and chess for two days of electrifying competition and camaraderie. The SOG Grandmasters Series continues its mission of spotlighting skill-based games and nurturing a new generation of strategic thinkers. UNI GV
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Highlights from the SOG Grandmasters Series: Rakesh Kumar's Zonal Victory
New Delhi, June 09, 2025 – Rakesh Kumar from Rishikesh has emerged as a rising star in India's skill-based gaming arena, gaining the prestigious title of Indian Rummy Grandmaster for the North & East Zone at the recently concluded SOG Grandmasters Series Championship. Held at the Hyatt Regency, Gurugram, the two-day tournament brought together some of India's finest minds, with over 1.5 lakh participants competing across rummy, chess, and chess for the blind. The Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) event alone witnessed a turnout of 78,000 participants. After intense rounds and competitive gameplay, 150 finalists battled it out in the finals, culminating in Kumar's strategic victory. The tournament celebrated not only individual brilliance but also the growing recognition of mind sports in India's digital and youth-driven ecosystem. Organised by the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), the championship featured three major competitions: IRG, Indian Chess Masters (ICM), and Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB). The ICM saw 3,500 participants, while the ICMB — conducted in partnership with the All India Chess Federation for the Blind — demonstrated the resilience and talent of visually impaired players, with 16 finalists selected from across India. The inclusive and vibrant event concluded with entertainment performances and award ceremonies, with dignitaries such as Gaurav Dhyanchand, Tournament Director and President of the Dhyanchand Foundation, and D.P. Raturi, former Air Force officer and hockey player, in attendance. The grand finale also featured participation from notable personalities including Sports Minister of Haryana Mr. Gaurav Gautam, Secretary of Sports Ms. Sujata Chaturvedi, legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya, boxer-politician Vijender Singh, and several leaders from the SOG Federation. 'At SOGF, we are committed to building a future where mind sports are given the same recognition as traditional sports,' said Adv. Nandan Jha, Founder of SOGF. 'Rakesh Kumar's win is not just an individual achievement but a testament to the growing talent pool in India's skill-based gaming community. We are proud to create a platform that celebrates intellect, strategy, and digital excellence.' Founded by Adv. Nandan Jha, SOGF is a first-of-its-kind body aligning with international sports guidelines and India's digital growth vision. With support from tech platform partner Rummy Culture, the federation's unique 'phygital' format—combining physical tournaments with digital access—continues to democratize access to competitive gaming across regions. As India's sports industry gears up for a projected $130 billion valuation by 2030, milestones like these underline the potential of mind sports in shaping the future of competitive skill-based gaming in the country. Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Business Standard
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Rakesh Kumar Crowned Indian Rummy Grandmaster for North & East Zone at SOG Grandmasters Series
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 9: Rakesh Kumar from Rishikesh has emerged as a rising star in India's skill-based gaming arena, gaining the prestigious title of Indian Rummy Grandmaster for the North & East Zone at the recently concluded SOG Grandmasters Series Championship. Held at the Hyatt Regency, Gurugram, the two-day tournament brought together some of India's finest minds, with over 1.5 lakh participants competing across rummy, chess, and chess for the blind. The Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) event alone witnessed a turnout of 78,000 participants. After intense rounds and competitive gameplay, 150 finalists battled it out in the finals, culminating in Kumar's strategic victory. The tournament celebrated not only individual brilliance but also the growing recognition of mind sports in India's digital and youth-driven ecosystem. Organised by the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), the championship featured three major competitions: IRG, Indian Chess Masters (ICM), and Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB). The ICM saw 3,500 participants, while the ICMB -- conducted in partnership with the All India Chess Federation for the Blind -- demonstrated the resilience and talent of visually impaired players, with 16 finalists selected from across India. The inclusive and vibrant event concluded with entertainment performances and award ceremonies, with dignitaries such as Gaurav Dhyanchand, Tournament Director and President of the Dhyanchand Foundation, and D.P. Raturi, former Air Force officer and hockey player, in attendance. The grand finale also featured participation from notable personalities including Sports Minister of Haryana Mr. Gaurav Gautam, Secretary of Sports Ms. Sujata Chaturvedi, legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya, boxer-politician Vijender Singh, and several leaders from the SOG Federation. "At SOGF, we are committed to building a future where mind sports are given the same recognition as traditional sports," said Adv. Nandan Jha, Founder of SOGF. "Rakesh Kumar's win is not just an individual achievement but a testament to the growing talent pool in India's skill-based gaming community. We are proud to create a platform that celebrates intellect, strategy, and digital excellence." Founded by Adv. Nandan Jha, SOGF is a first-of-its-kind body aligning with international sports guidelines and India's digital growth vision. With support from tech platform partner Rummy Culture, the federation's unique "phygital" format--combining physical tournaments with digital access--continues to democratize access to competitive gaming across regions.
