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Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
What is the USS Fitzgerald, which entered Iran's territorial waters? Here's a look at the US destroyer
Iran on Wednesday said it warned the USS Fitzgerald , a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, to change course as it moved through waters close to Iranian territory. Iranian state TV released footage showing a helicopter in visual range of the vessel, with a voice issuing a radio warning to alter course. Iranian state TV described the destroyer's presence as a "provocative move" and said the ship left the area following repeated warnings. The warning referenced the vessel's advanced capabilities, highlighting its multi-mission roles including Anti-Air Warfare , Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Anti-Surface Warfare. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category healthcare MBA Design Thinking Project Management others Data Science Degree Operations Management Others Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Technology MCA Data Analytics Management Data Science Leadership Digital Marketing PGDM CXO Product Management Finance Healthcare Public Policy Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details The USS Fitzgerald is equipped with the MK-41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), allowing it to deploy Standard Missiles for air defence, Tomahawk cruise missiles for strike missions, and ASROC anti-submarine rockets. The destroyer also carries two MH-60R helicopters, enhancing its anti-submarine and surface warfare reach. As part of the Arleigh Burke-class, it features the Aegis Combat System and Ballistic Missile Defence capabilities, making it a highly capable warship in multiple domains. In contrast, a US defence official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said the interaction occurred entirely in international waters and had "no impact to USS Fitzgerald's mission," calling reports to the contrary misinformation from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps , IRGC. The official identified the aircraft involved as an Iranian SH-3 Sea King helicopter. The encounter follows recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Washington claims were part of a weapons programme—an assertion Iran denies, maintaining its nuclear efforts are civilian. Live Events USS Fitzgerald features Guided-missile destroyers like the USS Fitzgerald are multi-mission combatants capable of Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW). Their strike role is enhanced by the MK-41 Vertical Launching System (VLS). Ships equipped with Aegis Baseline 9 also offer Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities. Builder: General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works, Huntington Ingalls Industries Combat system: Lockheed Martin Propulsion: Four GE LM2500-30 gas turbines, 100,000 shp Length: 505 to 509.5 ft Beam: 59 ft Displacement: 8,230 to 9,700 long tons Speed: 30 plus knots Armament: VLS for Standard Missiles, ASROC, Tomahawk, MK-46 torpedoes, MK 45 5-inch gun, ESSM, CIWS Aircraft (Flights IIA and III): Two LAMPS MK III MH-60R helicopters To date, 74 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers have been delivered to the US Navy, with 25 more under contract and 12 in construction.
Medscape
23-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Lichen Sclerosus Tied to Higher Vulvar Cancer Risk
TOPLINE: A study of 2.5 million women aged 65 years or older found a 0.7% prevalence of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS), and those with VLS had an 11-fold higher risk of developing vulvar squamous cell carcinoma or carcinoma in situ (VcSCC or VcSCCis). METHODOLOGY: Analysis included 2,525,340 women aged 65 years or older (mean age, 73 years; 84% White, 6% Black) with continuous Parts A, B, and D fee-for-service Medicare enrollment from October 2015 through December 2021. Outcomes were VLS prevalence and treatment patterns. Vulvar cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or in situ was also reported. TAKEAWAY: The prevalence of VLS was 0.7% (n = 17,987; 93.5% were White); 72.6% of these patients received appropriate treatment with topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors (which reduces the risk for VcSCC). Of the 47,499 VLS encounters, obstetrician-gynecologists managed 56.1%, while dermatologists managed 19.5% of cases. Of all patients with VLS, 1.2% (n = 162) subsequently developed VcSCC or VcSCCis; the risk for these two diagnoses was significantly higher than the risk in patients without VLS (hazard ratio, 11.81; 95% CI, 11.62-12.02). Most patients with VcSCC or VcSCCis (80.9%) received nontissue-sparing treatments, and only one underwent Mohs micrographic surgery. IN PRACTICE: 'The 0.7% VLS prevalence in female Medicare beneficiaries is higher than the 0.05% prevalence in younger women and likely an underestimation, as VLS's sensitive nature and healthcare access issues may prevent diagnosis,' the study authors noted. In an accompanying editorial, Kelly H. Tyler, MD, of the Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, wrote that dermatologists 'are uniquely positioned to participate in the multidisciplinary management of patients with LS and vulvar cSCC and should advocate for this underserved patient population.' SOURCE: The study was led by Surya A. Veerabagu, MD, of The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was published online on July 23 in JAMA Dermatology. LIMITATIONS: The study's generalizability is limited by its focus on Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older, although VLS may be common in this population. Reliance on disease and treatment codes could have introduced errors. DISCLOSURES: This research was supported by grants from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and the National Cancer Institute. Two study authors reported receiving grants from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and serving as treasurer of the Vulvar Dermatoses Research Consortium, the American College of Mohs Surgery Board of Directors, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Board of Directors, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Guideline Panel, and the High-Risk Squamous Cell Carcinoma Multicenter Collaborative. Tyler reported having no disclosures. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
News18
18-07-2025
- Business
- News18
TCS' New Bench Policy And Why It's Sparking Layoff Fears Among Employees — Explained
Last Updated: Thousands of employees at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) are staring at job uncertainty as the tech giant's new bench policy; here's why Thousands of employees at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) are staring at job uncertainty as the tech giant's new bench policy completes its first full cycle this week. Introduced on June 12, the policy enforces a strict 35-day cap on the time employees can remain on the bench—i.e., without being assigned to a billable project. Applicable to all staff across the company, the rule significantly tightens previous norms. Employees who fail to secure a project within this 35-day window may face career stagnation or even risk termination. TCS Bench Policy Leaves Employees Concerned Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) new bench policy has sparked widespread anxiety among employees, many of whom have turned to social media platforms like Reddit to express concerns. Several posts suggest employees are being pressured to accept roles unrelated to their training, while others cite difficulty in finding assignments near their preferred locations. 'This is the first step towards employment rationalisation based on utilisation. Brace for layoffs," one Reddit user wrote. A recent joiner shared, 'I was trained in Java, but within a month of being on the bench, I'm being pressured to join a support project that's far removed from Java or Python." Effective from June 12, 2025, TCS' revised deployment policy mandates that employees must be billable for at least 225 business days in a 12-month period, effectively capping bench time to 35 business days annually. The policy applies to all employees and aims to improve project utilisation and reduce unallocated time. Consequences of Extended Bench Time Internal communications indicate that prolonged unallocation could impact an employee's compensation, career growth, opportunities for overseas deployment, and even continuity of employment. Expectations from Employees on the Bench TCS expects employees on the bench to take initiative in finding projects. A company document states: 'It is the primary responsibility of the associate to proactively engage with the Unit/Regional RMG for seeking allocation and pursue suitable opportunities provided by the organisation." Mandatory Upskilling and Return-to-Office Mandate Employees on the bench are required to dedicate 4–6 hours daily to upskilling through platforms like iEvolve, Fresco Play, VLS, and LinkedIn Learning. Remote work is largely restricted during this period, with physical presence in the office mandated. How Many Employees Could Be Affected? While TCS hasn't disclosed official numbers, industry estimates suggest that typically 15–18% of employees at large IT firms are on the bench at any given time. With TCS employing around 613,000 people globally, the number potentially affected could be significant. On Wednesday, the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) urged Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene, labelling the policy 'inhumane" and harmful to employee mental health. 'These are not non-performing employees, but skilled professionals temporarily without allocation… Instead of support, they are met with suspicion, coercion, and threats," said NITES president Harpreet Singh Saluja. The organisation also accused TCS of pressuring employees with threats of termination and denial of experience letters if they miss deployment deadlines. Yes. Some employees have voiced support for the policy, arguing that it may help weed out long-term benchers who have declined assignments or misused bench time. 'This may help TCS trim seriously underperforming resources—those stuck on TCS like a leech," one Reddit comment read. What Has TCS Management Said? TCS CEO and MD K Krithivasan defended the move in an interview with The Times of India, stating that the policy formalises long-standing expectations. 'It's always been expected that associates take responsibility for their careers. HR supports project placement, but associates are expected to proactively seek assignments. What you see now is just a more structured version of that," he said. He also noted that project allocation is driven by client demand, not employee preferences, though TCS does work to bridge skill gaps where needed. However, Krithivasan did not clarify whether salaries are being withheld for those benched beyond the 35-day limit. Why Now? The policy comes at a time when the IT industry is facing subdued demand due to global macroeconomic pressures and rising adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), which is automating many routine roles. 'We expect IT companies to tighten bench policies given the soft business outlook and increased demand for advanced skill sets," said Pareekh Jain, founder of EIIRTrend. He added that employee costs are weighing heavily on margins. Could Other Companies Follow? Experts believe TCS' move may prompt other IT firms to review their bench strategies. 'Tech firms must constantly align employee skills with evolving client demands. Revisiting bench policies encourages reskilling in high-demand areas like AI, cybersecurity, and digital engineering," said Nitin Bhatt, Technology Sector Leader at EY India. 'In the future, promotions and merit increases may depend more on skill proficiency than tenure or grade," he added. About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, More Stay updated with all the latest news on the Stock Market, including market trends, Sensex and Nifty updates, top gainers and losers, and expert analysis. Get real-time insights, financial reports, and investment strategies—only on News18. tags : tcs view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 18, 2025, 07:55 IST News business » markets TCS' New Bench Policy And Why It's Sparking Layoff Fears Among Employees — Explained Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
17-07-2025
- Business
- News18
TCS Staff Fear Layoffs, Career Hit As First 35-Day Bench Policy Cycle Ends
Last Updated: TCS Bench Policy: TCS employees worry about the new 35-day bench policy, needing 225 billed days yearly. Concerns on Reddit include career impacts and project mismatches. TCS Bench Policy: Employees of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) stare at an uncertain future after the end of the first 35-day cycle of new bench policy. Several employees took social media like Reddit to express their anxiety and concern over a looming threat of career degrowth or even termination. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) had introduced a revised associate deployment policy that restricts bench time to a maximum of 35 business days per year, requiring employees to be deployed for at least 225 billed days annually. Effective June 12, the new rule aimed at enhancing workforce utilisation and aligning individual contributions with organisational goals. The update, communicated by Chandrasekaran Ramkumar, global head of TCS's Resource Management Group (RMG), stresses that prolonged unallocated periods could negatively affect compensation, career growth, international postings, and even continued employment with the company. Some employees say they're struggling to find suitable projects, while others claim they're being assigned to roles that don't align with their skills. According to several posts on Reddit, as per ET report, some are facing rejections in client interviews, and many are finding it difficult to get projects in their preferred locations. In a letter to the minister, the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) claimed that the IT giant is pressuring employees on the bench with repeated threats of termination and refusing to provide experience letters if they fail to meet unrealistic deployment timelines. TCS 35-Days Bench Policy: More Info To facilitate faster deployment, physical office presence is now mandatory. Work-from-home or flexible arrangements are generally discouraged, except under exceptional circumstances with prior RMG approval. Earlier in January, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) revised its work-from-office (WFO) policy, introducing stricter norms for requesting exceptions. According to a company communication cited by The Times of India, employees in India can now cite personal emergencies for a maximum of six WFO exceptions per quarter. However, unused exception days cannot be carried forward to the next quarter. Associates not currently assigned to projects are expected to proactively engage with RMG to find new opportunities. While on the bench, they must dedicate 4 to 6 hours daily to upskilling through platforms such as iEvolve, Fresco Play, VLS, and LinkedIn, complete mandatory training, and use the company's Gen AI interview coach to improve readiness. view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 08:48 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Auto Blog
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mercedes Teases Upscale VLE Van For America
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. New vans ride on Merc's architecture Minivans don't have a great reputation in the United States, but this has everything to do with their lack of cool factor and very little to do with their actual suitability as family vehicles. In regions like China, minivans have a much better image, with many luxurious minivans used by wealthier people to get around comfortably. For the small percentage of Americans who want a more polished minivan, Mercedes has just teased the new VLE electric van undergoing long-distance testing in Europe. It also mentioned a new VLS, and both will be marketed as 'privately positioned MPVs' or 'Grand Limousines'. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 Full screen 2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Chevrolet Traverse: Which is America's best family hauler? Watch More Two Vans, Two Different Segments While only the VLE was teased, Mercedes-Benz made it clear that the two upcoming vans will occupy different segments. The VLE is expected to be a practical people-mover with seating for up to eight people, so is expected to be a more premium alternative to minivans like the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica. Less was said about the VLS, but the 'S' in the name hints at a spacious model that will have much more luxurious accommodations; think of it as the S-Class of vans. 'The VLS will define a unique segment of its own that bestows true greatness to automotive luxury,' said Mercedes. 'For the first time, Mercedes-Benz will offer all-electric midsize luxury vehicles in the U.S., Canada, and China (Grand Limousines).' Both models will ride on the new scalable Van Architecture – also known as previewed last year – coming in 2026, which accommodates both luxury-focused Grand Limousines and more commercial-type vans. Considering the renewed interest in minivans in America, it looks like there is justification for the VLE and VLS to be sold here. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. VLE Aces Long-Distance Testing With Impressive Range Two VLE test vehicles were tested over a distance of 683 miles, from Stuttgart to Rome. They only required two 15-minute charging stops to complete the journey. A mix of long highway stretches, packed rural roads, and cramped city streets tested the comfort and agility of the electric van, which is equipped with rear-axle steering to improve maneuverability. 'Our future MPVs have once again impressively demonstrated their suitability for everyday use on the long-distance route,' said Dr. Andreas Zygan, Head of Development at Mercedes-Benz Vans. 'With just two short charging stops from Stuttgart to the Alps to Rome – the Mercedes-Benz VLE demonstrates the impressive efficiency of the new Van Electric Architecture.' The VLE was almost completely covered in a camo wrap, but the narrow greenhouse and high beltline give it a less utilitarian profile than the V-Class. Cut-outs in the rear body show that this model has practical sliding doors, so getting in and out in tight spots should be easier. Pricing will be key, but it's possible that the new VLE will be cross-shopped with the Volkswagen and even three-row electric SUVs such as the Kia EV9. The VLS, however, is unlikely to have any direct rivals. We expect more information to follow about these vans as we get closer to 2026. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
