Latest news with #SpringConference
Wales Online
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wimbledon announcement after Emma Raducanu left in tears and Katie Boulter Queen's incident
Wimbledon announcement after Emma Raducanu left in tears and Katie Boulter Queen's incident Emma Raducanu was left in tears after being targeted by a stalker during a match in Dubai earlier this year, with Wimbledon chiefs now looking to improve security Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter competing at Queen's this week (Image: 2025 CameraSport ) Wimbledon is set to ramp up its security measures in response to Emma Raducanu's distressing stalking incident in Dubai earlier this year. The tournament organisers have emphasised that player safety is of the utmost importance, acknowledging the heightened concerns following recent events. Raducanu shared that she remains cautious when venturing out after being harassed by an obsessive individual during her February match against Karolina Muchova. The British star was left crying on court, seeking refuge behind the umpire's chair as she dealt with the intrusive behaviour of a man who had previously given her a letter and snapped photos. The unsettling experience follows another incident where Raducanu, at just 18 years old, had to contend with a man turning up at her home on three separate occasions after her triumph at the US Open. Fellow British tennis player Katie Boulter, who partnered with Raducanu to reach the Queen's quarter-finals in doubles, has also disclosed a past encounter where she was followed from the Queen's tennis club in London. She spoke about the discomfort that can come with public visibility, stating: "It's part of life when you're in the public eye a little bit. Obviously you don't feel comfortable." Sally Bolton, the All England Club chief executive, has assured that the security measures implemented will be commensurate with the perceived threat level, with intelligence being continuously collected throughout the year to assess potential risks, reports the Mirror. Article continues below At the Spring Conference, Bolton remarked: "The safety and wellbeing of all of the players is our absolute top priority. I think the recent incidents coming to light certainly recognise the concern generated by that. "But we have in place - and have had for many years - processes for ensuring the safety of our players. "And that is in liaison with law enforcement agencies, specialist security teams and we liaise with both tours. And that is year round not just in preparation for The Championships. And it is a bit like the broader security for the grounds. We are putting in place measures that are reflective of the threat and risk profile at the time. It is absolutely a top priority for us. "We probably wouldn't at this point comment on any details in respect of any individual athlete but that intelligence is being gathered working with those other parties throughout the year to make sure we have got the right measures in place come The Championships." Emma Raducanu was reduced to tears in Dubai (Image: WTA ) In discussion with BBC Sport about her experiences from earlier in the year, Raducanu revealed: "It was difficult," She commented. Article continues below "It was emphasised by the fact I didn't necessarily feel certain or comfortable in my own set-up and team so it just added to the anxious feeling. "I'm obviously wary when I go out. I try not to be careless about it because you only realise how much of a problem it is when you're in that situation and I don't necessarily want to be in that situation again. "Off the court right now, I feel good, I feel pretty settled. I feel like I have good people around me and anything that was negative, I kind of brush it off as much as I can."
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Wimbledon to beef up security after Emma Raducanu stalker hell in Dubai
Wimbledon boss Sally Bolton has spoken about the tournament's security in the wake of Emma Raducanu's stalker ordeal in February and the threat posed to players this summer Wimbledon will beef up its security following Emma Raducanu's stalking ordeal in Dubai earlier this year. Tournament chiefs have described the safety of players as an 'absolute top priority' and stated they recognise the concern generated by recent incidents. Raducanu revealed earlier this week that she is still wary when she goes out after she was targeted by a stalker during a match against Karolina Muchova in February. The incident saw the young Brit left in tears and hiding behind the umpire's chair when she received unwanted attention from a 'fixated' man. The ordeal occurred after the figure had already handed Raducanu a letter and taken photographs. Raducanu haso previously been forced to deal with a man visiting her house three times in the aftermath of her US Open win, aged just 18. Katie Boulter, who reached the quarter-finals of Queens with Raducanu in the doubles, has also revealed she was once followed in London. 'It's part of life when you're in the public eye a little bit," she said. "Obviously you don't feel comfortable." And All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton revealed that the security put in place will be reflective of the threat and that intelligence is gathered throughout the year to establish the risk present. Speaking at the Spring Conference, Bolton said: 'The safety and wellbeing of all of the players is our absolute top priority. I think the recent incidents coming to light certainly recognise the concern generated by that. But we have in place - and have had for many years - processes for ensuring the safety of our players. "And that is in liaison with law enforcement agencies, specialist security teams and we liaise with both tours. And that is year round not just in preparation for The Championships. And it is a bit like the broader security for the grounds. We are putting in place measures that are reflective of the threat and risk profile at the time. It is absolutely a top priority for us. 'We probably wouldn't at this point comment on any details in respect of any individual athlete but that intelligence is being gathered working with those other parties throughout the year to make sure we have got the right measures in place come The Championships.' Raducanu has detailed how she now feels after her ordeal earlier this year. "It was difficult,' she told BBC Sport. "It was emphasised by the fact I didn't necessarily feel certain or comfortable in my own set-up and team so it just added to the anxious feeling. "I'm obviously wary when I go out. I try not to be careless about it because you only realise how much of a problem it is when you're in that situation and I don't necessarily want to be in that situation again. "Off the court right now, I feel good, I feel pretty settled. I feel like I have good people around me and anything that was negative, I kind of brush it off as much as I can."
Iraq Business
12-06-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraqi Private Sector Faces Four Key Challenges, Says Professor
By John Lee. The Iraqi private sector confronts significant obstacles that must be addressed to unlock the country's economic potential, according to Professor Frank Gunter of Lehigh University, speaking at the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Spring Conference in London recently. Professor Gunter identified four critical challenges hampering private enterprise development in Iraq: Finance: Iraqi businesses struggle to access basic financial services including cross-country bill payments and funding. "The first source of funds is family, not a bank, not a loan, not a venture capitalist," Professor Gunter noted, emphasising that this reliance on family financing must change for sustainable growth. Education: The country faces challenges in both quantity and quality of education. Iraq had been making progress in reducing illiteracy until ISIS disrupted educational systems between 2014 and 2017, forcing many out of schools and creating refugee populations. The professor stressed the need to eliminate illiteracy, particularly among older workers, whilst improving educational quality to meet private sector demands for engineers and scientifically-trained personnel rather than bureaucrats. Infrastructure: Basic infrastructure remains deficient, with Iraq lacking reliable 24-hour electricity despite two decades of substantial investment spending. Regulatory Environment: This emerged as perhaps the most damaging constraint. Professor Gunter cited a recent World Bank study examining 50 countries, which found Iraq ranking last among 16 nations with similar economic development levels for regulatory quality. Even when compared to all 50 countries studied-including those with lower development levels and nations experiencing civil wars-Iraq ranked 45th. The findings suggest substantial reform will be required across multiple sectors to create a conducive environment for private enterprise in Iraq.
Iraq Business
11-06-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Video: IBBC Tech Forum on AI
By John Lee. The Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) hosted a very informative Tech Forum on the topic of "How Tech and AI can benefit services and entrepreneurs in Iraq and internationally'", as part of its Spring Conference in London last week. The session was chaired by Ashley Goodall, and speakers included: William Page, Daniel Sawko, ShipShape Raman Salihi, SoftCell Professor Frank Gunter, Lehigh University James Wallman, World Experience Organisation Please click below to view the full webinar: (Source: IBBC)
Iraq Business
10-06-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq to become "a Massive Success Story"
By Padraig O'Hannelly. Iraq is experiencing unprecedented stability and security, creating significant opportunities for international businesses, according to Abir Burhan, Company Director of Al-Burhan Group (ABG), speaking at the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Spring Conference in London. Burhan outlined how the operating environment has transformed dramatically over the past year, with the Iraqi government actively inviting international investment and reducing hostility towards foreign businesses. " We've been through the worst of it, and we finally see that Iraq is becoming really stable and secure, " he told delegates. ABG has positioned itself as a facilitator for international companies entering the Iraqi market, partnering with established firms including Menzies Aviation and Air BP to operate ground fuelling services at Iraqi airports. The company has achieved international operational standards with no reported incidents, demonstrating the viability of high-quality service delivery in the country. " We allow companies to operate in a safe environment, to actually do their job, rather than worrying about the hurdles of dealing with the Iraqi infrastructure, " Burhan explained. The group has made substantial investments in Iraq's infrastructure over the past two years, including: A 300-room hotel development near Baghdad airport Construction of 1,200 affordable housing units in Wasit province Establishment of an operations centre to support international business activities Burhan noted that ABG's security division has experienced reduced demand over the past year, which he views as a positive indicator of improving conditions. " We don't mind our security company not being busy, because we know that there are big advantages for businesses as well, " he said. The Operations Director expressed optimism about Iraq's economic prospects, predicting the country will become " a massive success story " within the next five to ten years. He emphasised the current government's commitment to attracting international investment and the noticeable improvement in security conditions. Burhan acknowledged the pivotal role of the Iraq Britain Business Council in facilitating international business opportunities in Iraq over the past decade, describing their work as instrumental in bringing projects to fruition despite various challenges. The comments reflect growing confidence in Iraq's business environment as the country continues to rebuild and modernise its economy following years of instability.
