Latest news with #US-based
Shafaq News
20 minutes ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq: Air defense deals imminent with US, France, South Korea
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq is in negotiations with five countries, including the United States, France, and South Korea, to acquire advanced air defense and radar systems, a parliamentary official said on Saturday. Ali al-Bandawi, a member of Parliament's Security and Defense Committee, confirmed to Shafaq News that Baghdad has launched formal talks aimed at strengthening the country's airspace protection with the three named countries, in addition to two others not yet publicly identified. Iraq currently lacks an integrated national air defense network and relies on limited systems that do not cover its full territory, leaving its airspace vulnerable to unauthorized incursions. 'Our country needs a modern air defense system to prevent external violations and preserve national sovereignty,' al-Bandawi noted, adding that discussions cover high-precision radar and other strategic technologies. Iraq's armed forces have relied on foreign defense procurement since the early 2000s, with recent efforts focused on rebuilding deterrence amid regional instability and increasing pressure to assert airspace sovereignty—particularly following repeated breaches during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. Fighter jets, drones, and missiles crossed Iraqi skies during the clashes, drawing domestic criticism over Baghdad's inability to intercept threats. In response, Iraqi forces positioned short-range air defense units near a southern oil facility to shield critical infrastructure. Additionally, the country signed a $118M defense contract with US-based defense contractor Vectrus Systems to support its fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Science
- Indian Express
PM speaks to Shubhanshu Shukla, the 1st Indian to reach International Space Station
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian astronaut currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. Shukla made history on Wednesday as he launched into orbit as part of the Axiom-4 mission, a private commercial spaceflight operated by US-based Axiom Space. PM @narendramodi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station. — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 28, 2025 Shukla, accompanied by three other international astronauts, jetted off to the ISS on board SpaceX's Dragon capsule from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre, as part of the Axiom-4 mission, on June 25. This mission marks the first time an Indian astronaut has been to space since Rakesh Sharma's legendary flight aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. During the interaction, PM Modi lauded Shukla's achievement, calling it a proud moment for the entire nation and a stepping stone towards India's Gaganyaan mission.
ITV News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Thousands line streets for state funerals of Iranian officials killed by Israeli airstrikes
State funerals are underway in Iran for the officials killed by Israeli airstrikes during 12 days of conflict, as ITV News' Will Tullis reports Thousands of mourners lined the streets of downtown Tehran on Saturday for the funeral of Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists killed by Israeli airstrikes. Among them were the head of the Revolutionary Guard, Major General Hossein Salami, and General Mohammad Bagheri, the Iranian armed forces chief of staff, who were both killed on the first of 12 days of conflict. Their caskets were driven on trucks along the capital's Azadi Street, in the first public funerals for top commanders since the ceasefire. Iranian state television reported that the ceremonies were for 60 people in total, including four women and four children. On June 13, Israel launched what it described as "pre-emptive" strikes against targets in Iran, specifically targeting military commanders, scientists and nuclear facilities. The strikes and retaliatory fire from Iran escalated over the following days and culminated in the US getting directly involved, launching its own missiles at Iran's nuclear sites. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump brokered what remains a fragile ceasefire but just three days later, he said he would "absolutely" consider dropping American bombs again, if there was evidence Iran was developing nuclear weapons. In the 12 days before the ceasefire was declared, Israel claimed it killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while hitting eight nuclear-related facilities and more than 720 military infrastructure sites. More than 1,000 people were killed, including at least 417 civilians, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists group. Iran fired more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted, but those that got through caused damage in many areas and killed 28 people.
Business Insider
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Anna Wintour is hiring at Vogue. Here's how to thrive when your boss used to have your job.
Whomever replaces Anna Wintour in running day-to-day operations at American Vogue will have some enormous stilettos to fill. That's partly because Wintour, who's 75, has been at the job for nearly four decades and is a legend in the business. It's also because whoever comes next will report to her. Wintour, who became Vogue's editor in chief in 1988, is giving up that role. However, she'll remain global editorial director at the magazine and chief content officer for its parent company, Condé Nast, the company said Thursday. Taking on a senior role, similar to the one Wintour vacated at Vogue, is often challenging, especially when the predecessor remains on hand, leadership experts told Business Insider. Incoming leaders are wise to signal that they want to make changes without abandoning what makes an organization work, said Kevin Groves, a professor of management at Pepperdine's Graziadio Business School. "We're preserving what's most important to us, while recognizing our environment has changed," he said. Here are three pieces of advice on taking over after a leader who looms large — and who might still be down the hall. Don't be impatient Stepping into this position successfully starts with indicating sincere interest in the role and prioritizing what's best for the organization, Nancy Ho, an executive coach based in Singapore, told BI. "You cannot be impatient and rush into it. It should not be seen like you're power-hungry or claiming a role prematurely," Ho said. Instead, she said, new leaders need to focus on understanding a company's culture and how they can position themselves as an asset to the organization. James Reed, CEO of the UK-based recruitment company Reed, said there is no harm in declaring to your boss that you are ambitious and aim to lead an organization, "even if you avoid explicitly saying you're after their job." "Ask what you need to learn and what more you can contribute to support them," Reed said. "Then they will be aware of your ambition but appreciate that you are seeking to help and learn from them rather than undermine them." Don't rock the boat too early Ho said it's important not to make drastic changes too soon upon getting the job. Ho recommended that the first step is acknowledging the good work done before them. Then, they should gain the team's trust by carefully working with them and making small, gradual changes to improve the organization's effectiveness. "When there's a certain buy-in, and people are more comfortable with a different leader, then you introduce changes," she said. Sabina Nawaz, a US-based CEO coach, said new leaders should not make changes for at least the first three months because the first thing to do after receiving the title is "to be curious." "Go on a listening tour, excavate the reasons behind decisions or actions, try to make sense of things from the perspective of others: given that they're smart and well-meaning, what did they have in mind when they acted this way," Nawaz said. Christian Tröster, a professor of leadership and organizational behavior at Germany's Kühne Logistics University, told BI that new leaders can demonstrate they're becoming part of the organization by being careful not to suggest that everything should change. "Because then you're showing that you are not like them, that you cannot be trusted," Tröster said. "Then you don't have the commitment of your employees to actually go with you." Tröster said that when an incoming leader would have to report to the person who held the post in the past, it's important to have a conversation about expectations. He said that while org charts are often clear, layers are often not always evident, including what relationships people have and who they tend to go to for advice. "I would try to make that visible," Tröster said. That way, he said, workers know who they're expected to go to and leaders and employees can agree to the arrangement. Don't be afraid to be different For those taking over a new role while their predecessor is still around — especially someone as "established and admired" as Anna Wintour, it's important to take advantage of your access to them, Amanda Augustine, a career coach at told BI via email. "Start the job as a sponge, learning what you can from your predecessor and other colleagues," she said, adding that it's important not to stay in information-gathering mode forever. Jochen Menges, a professor of leadership at the University of Zurich and the University of Cambridge, told BI that new leaders should "be different" and avoid trying to replicate the exact leadership style or strategy of the person they're replacing. "If they're too close, then they'll seem to be a copy, and then they can never live up," he said. When new bosses are different in some ways, Menges said, they can be "a leader in their own right."
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stephen Bunting conqueror stuns the world in legendary New York arena now he craves the Mecca of Darts
Qualifier wants to go from one iconic stage in New York to another in London American hero Jason Brandon shattered Stephen Bunting and is chasing down a dream date at the Ally Pally. The 50-year-old produced the biggest performance of his career to batter The Bullet in the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Gardens in front of a joyous New York crowd. Brandon won 6-4 over Bunting with the Tennessee slinger earning redemption for his loss to Rob Cross on the stage two years ago. But, as well as success in the States, he also has eyes on another iconic venue in London and a place alongside the likes of defending champion Luke Littler in this year's expanded Paddy Power World Championship. PDC expansions of the event have opened more doors for the likes of Brandon with five places available to US-based stars for Ally Pally. Brandon also has a shot of making the Lakeside World Championship, but has no hesitation in nominating which English Capital venue he'd like to be heading at Christmas as he said: 'It's bad to say, but I 100 per cent have to pick Ally Pally. It's just that's since I started and I found out about all this stuff, that's been a dream of mine to play. Obviously, Lakeside is awesome and I would love to get back there and have another chance. But if I was to qualify for Ally Pally, I would absolutely have to take that spot. 'We have all kinds of opportunities now and with the additional spots since they've expanded the PDC, those other spots now that's available to get, there's other avenues, not just open for one or two positions. We've got like five spots we can get now. That's awesome. I hope it gets more from there. I hope it expands even further, but we'll see how it goes. 'I'm hoping I don't mess myself up out of any of the spots. I tried to do that a few years ago, tried to play both and try to keep my options open to play CDC and WDF. Hopefully I have a shot at PDC and I messed myself up out of both of them. Right now I'm still in a good spot for Lakeside. I still can make the CDC stuff and we'll see how it goes.' Brandon is thrilled to have the New York opportunity and said: 'I've got to admit, I really wasn't expecting to make it back this year. I only had the one chance left in the qualifier and I played the best starts I played all day. I was fortunate enough to get through the qualifier to make it back up here. 'It's unreal that darts is the way is coming up here now in the US. To be able to play at such an iconic stage, it's amazing. It's great. It's awesome.' He displayed his talents with the Bunting success which has earned a last-eight crack at Damon Heta and said: 'That's my biggest win. I'm struggling to find the words. My goal was to come up here and get a little bit of redemption for two years ago. I don't know how I held it together but I was able to focus. I'm feeling way better about my darts now than I was coming into the event. I'm ready for Saturday.'
