Qualcomm to acquire UK's Alphawave for $2.4 billion
US chipmaker
Qualcomm
on Monday agreed to acquire British
semiconductor
company
Alphawave
for about $2.4 billion.
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Iran claims US bases to be targeted if conflict breaks out between countries
Iran threatened Wednesday to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out, while President Donald Trump said he was "less confident" about reaching a nuclear deal. Amid escalating tensions, a US official said staff levels at the embassy in Iraq were being reduced over security concerns, while the UK Maritime Trade Operations, run by the British navy, advised ships to transit the Gulf with caution. Watch: Iran swears to annihilate Israel in revenge: who will strike first & why? Here are 5 deadly triggers Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks since April to thrash out a new nuclear deal to replace the 2015 accord that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran, backing nuclear diplomacy but warning of military action if it fails. Also Read: Trump travel ban shows 'deep hostility' towards Iranians, Muslims, says Iran "All its bases are within our reach, we have access to them, and without hesitation we will target all of them in the host countries," Iran's Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said in response to US threats of military action if the talks fail. "God willing, things won't reach that point, and the talks will succeed," the minister said, adding that the US side "will suffer more losses" if it came to conflict. The United States has multiple bases in the Middle East, with the largest located in Qatar. Also Read: Why has Iran been banning people from walking dogs in public? Iran and the United States have recently been locked in a diplomatic standoff over Iran's uranium enrichment, with Tehran defending it as a "non-negotiable" right and Washington calling it as a "red line". Trump had previously expressed optimism about the talks, saying during a Gulf tour last month Washington was "getting close" to securing a deal. But in an interview published Wednesday, Trump said he was "less confident" the United States and Iran could reach a deal, in response to a question on whether he believed he could stop Tehran from enriching uranium. 'A shame' Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set in the 2015 deal and close though still short of the 90 percent needed for a nuclear warhead. Western countries, including the United States and its ally Israel, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire atomic weapons, while Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. Last week, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said enrichment is "key" to Iran's nuclear programme and that Washington "cannot have a say" on the issue. During the interview with the New York Post's podcast "Pod Force One", which was recorded on Monday, Trump said he was losing hope a deal could be reached. "I don't know. I did think so, and I'm getting more and more -- less confident about it. They seem to be delaying and I think that's a shame. I am less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago," he said. "Something happened to them but I am much less confident of a deal being made... Maybe they don't wanna make a deal, what can I say? And maybe they do. There is nothing final." Trump maintained that Washington would not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons, saying "it would be nicer to do it without warfare, without people dying". On May 31, after the fifth round of talks, Iran said it had received "elements" of a US proposal for a nuclear deal, with Araghchi later saying the text contained "ambiguities". Iran has said it will present a counter-proposal to the latest draft from Washington, which it had criticised for failing to offer relief from sanctions -- a key demand for Tehran, which has been reeling under their weight for years. On Monday, the United Nations nuclear watchdog began a Board of Governors meeting in Vienna that will last until Friday to discuss Iran's atomic activities and other issues. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting followed a report issued by it criticising "less than satisfactory" cooperation from Tehran, particularly in explaining past cases of nuclear material found at undeclared sites. Iran has criticised the IAEA report as unbalanced, saying it relied on "forged documents" provided by its arch-foe Israel. In January 2020, Iran fired missiles at bases in Iraq housing American troops in retaliation for the US strike that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani days before at Baghdad airport. Dozens of US soldiers suffered traumatic brain injuries.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Spies and ties: The quiet war for Russias business elite
Patriotic business communities are gaining strength in Russia and attracting unwanted attention from abroad Behind velvet ropes and closed doors, Russia's elite business clubs promise more than just high-level networking. They're where deals are made, partnerships are forged, and - sometimes - secrets are traded. With rigid membership rules, costly entry fees, and an atmosphere of confidentiality, these exclusive circles attract ambitious entrepreneurs, government insiders, and, increasingly, foreign intelligence operatives. What draws so many to these hidden spaces of influence? And why have they become fertile ground not only for commerce - but for covert surveillance? RT investigates the inner workings of Russia's most prestigious business communities, who gets in, what it costs, and why the stakes have never been higher. A tradition of exclusivity The concept of private business clubs isn't new. The earliest iterations appeared in England in the late 17th and early 18th centuries and soon made their way across Europe. By 1770, Russia had founded its own version - the English Assembly in St. Petersburg - modeled after its British predecessors. Fast forward to today, and Russia is home to hundreds of business clubs. While some operate with rigid rules and clearly defined missions, others function more like loose communities with minimal obligations. Their formats vary, but exclusivity remains a common thread. There are women-only clubs, industry-specific alliances, networks for resellers, and even spaces tailored to small business owners. Each has its own identity, philosophy, and code of conduct - but all are built on one defining principle: not just anyone can get in. Not just a club - a fortress Membership isn't just about rubbing shoulders with fellow entrepreneurs. It's about security - both literal and reputational. "Almost all modern business clubs are closed to the public. That's primarily for the safety of our members. We conduct stringent security checks," said Daria Titkova, marketing director at Club 500, in an interview with RT. Club 500 markets itself as a safe, scam-free zone where trust is paramount. But the price of entry is steep. A million-ruble cover charge Joining an elite club isn't as simple as signing up. Candidates face rigorous vetting, including background checks and financial reviews. Typically, a company's annual revenue is the key metric. At Club 500, for example, prospective members must show yearly revenues of at least 100 million rubles (roughly $1.1 million). The entry fee alone starts at 1 million rubles. And even that doesn't guarantee you're in for good - members can be expelled if they're labeled "toxic" by the community, sometimes after just a handful of complaints. Membership size varies widely. Some clubs are intimate, capped at 50 hand-picked members. Others, like the Russian Directors' Club, boast sprawling rosters - in this case, over 310,000 members nationwide. Access to these networks often comes with invitations to curated social events, but the mingling doesn't stop at cocktails and dinners. Even in relaxed settings, business is always on the table - whether it's hammering out deals, solving problems, or launching new ventures. Building a brain trust One of the most popular formats for member interaction is the "forum group" or "mastermind" session. These gatherings give members the chance to workshop their business problems with a panel of peers from various industries - a kind of crowdsourced consultancy powered by experience. The Network of Leaders isn't just for CEOs. It brings together entrepreneurs, public officials, academics, and policy thinkers - a cross-section of what Ugarova calls Russia's "business and intellectual elite." According to her, these groups often serve as launchpads for policy initiatives aimed at supporting the country's private sector. A pivot to the East With Western markets increasingly out of reach due to sanctions, Russian businesspeople are recalibrating. The focus now: Asia and the Global South. "Russian manufacturers are eager to expand into foreign markets like India and China," said Yulia Koroleva, CEO of The Institute of Reputation, a communications agency. She noted a growing number of international clubs and women-led networks emerging across BRICS countries. These new alliances are still in early stages, but many entrepreneurs are betting that deeper ties with Asia could be key to long-term success. More than just business While these clubs are designed to cultivate entrepreneurship and high-level networking, they've also become increasingly attractive to foreign intelligence agencies. In fact, some of the most exclusive networks have quietly turned into prime environments for surveillance and recruitment. One such group is the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), a prominent international business network that was declared an "undesirable organization" by Russia's Prosecutor General's Office. The authorities allege the group has engaged in covert efforts to recruit Russian entrepreneurs and gather strategic economic intelligence under the cover of professional exchange. "Business clubs are ideal hunting grounds for intelligence services," said Igor Ivanishko, a professor at the Russian State University of Justice. "They're closed spaces, full of influential people. And conversations there tend to be unusually candid." He noted that many participants have ties to political or military circles - a fact that only raises their value in the eyes of foreign operatives. "Sometimes members don't even realize they've become sources of sensitive information," he explained. "Other times, the recruitment is deliberate." Mid-tier clubs are of particular interest, especially those that attract IT specialists, technical experts, and AI developers. Intelligence services - and large multinational corporations - often see these informal communities as fertile ground for economic and technological espionage. Still operating in the shadows Despite official scrutiny, individuals once affiliated with YPO continue to play visible roles in Russia's elite business scene. One notable figure is Yaroslav Glazunov, founder of the private Moscow club "Jinto," who was previously a member of the organization. While YPO's formal presence in Russia has been curtailed, its former members - and the ideas and connections cultivated through the group - remain embedded in the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem. For observers and security officials alike, that quiet continuity raises questions about what influence truly lingers behind the scenes. (
Mint
4 hours ago
- Mint
Chanel's CEO Leena Nair awarded UK's Commander of the British Empire honour for leadership in retail & consumer sector
Leena Nair (55), Global Chief Executive Officer of fashion giant Chanel, on Wednesday was awarded Britain's Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) honour for her leadership in retail and consumer sector. The British-Indian woman was honoured with the CBE by Prince William, the Prince of Wales, during an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, United Kingdom. 'Leena has built a global reputation for progressive human-centred leadership, delivering holistic business impact for the long-term. Under Leena's leadership, Chanel has continued to drive its brand excellence, enhance client experience, and accelerate its sustainability commitments,' Chanel said in a statement on Wednesday. The award is part of the 2025 King's New Years Honours list which recognises individuals for their distinguished service or achievements in the UK. 'It is an honour to receive this extraordinary recognition. I am deeply grateful for the unconditional support of my family and for the wisdom and generosity of all the people at Unilever and Chanel. I share this honour with all these wonderful people who have accompanied my career journey and shaped my values. I am especially thankful to my amazing team at Chanel, to whom I dedicate this award. This inspires me to continue to lead Chanel with audacity and integrity and to strive to have a positive impact in the world,' Nair said in the statement. Leena Nair at the investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, United Kingdom. Leena Nair was raised in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. She lived in India during her childhood and early career. She holds an MBA degree from XLRI Jamshedpur. Leena has been Global CEO at Chanel since January 2022. She had spent 30 years at consumer goods multinational Unilever. At the company, she became the first female, first Asian, and youngest ever Chief Human Resources Officer. She had also served as a member of the Board of the Leverhulme Trust, and as a non-executive director at BT Plc. and the UK government's Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy department.
