Dr. Taimur Sharif

Andy Burnham appears poised to become the next Labour leader and Prime Minister following Keir Starmer’s resignation, with several senior Labour figures rallying behind him and no major challenger yet emerging. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has already ruled himself out of the contest and endorsed Burnham, increasing the likelihood of what commentators are describing as a “coronation” rather than a competitive leadership race.

Burnham’s rise follows years of tension with the Starmer leadership. The former Greater Manchester Mayor built a strong reputation as a champion of regional devolution, public services, and northern England, earning the nickname “King of the North.” His popularity within the party and among voters has consistently outperformed that of Starmer, particularly after Labour’s poor local election results and growing internal dissatisfaction with the government’s direction.

The leadership transition is expected to focus on restoring Labour’s electoral fortunes, addressing the cost-of-living crisis, and reconnecting with voters who have drifted toward Reform UK. While Burnham has promised stability and continuity, his supporters hope his more populist and regionally focused style can revive Labour’s standing ahead of the next general election.

For many observers, Burnham’s expected ascent marks not just a change of leader, but a significant shift in Labour’s political direction after the turbulent final months of the Starmer premiership.

Burnham set for coronation Labour’s ‘King of the North’ expected to become prime minister without a contest, as Starmer bows out on the verge of tears

The TRIONDA, the official match ball of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, represents a significant evolution from previous World Cup balls. Unlike earlier versions that primarily focused on aerodynamics and ball control, the TRIONDA incorporates advanced connected-ball technology with an embedded 500Hz inertial sensor that transmits real-time movement data to match officials and the VAR system.

While the 2026 version incorporates cutting-edge connected-ball technology and real-time tracking sensors, its core design remains rooted in tradition. At its centre is a rubber or latex bladder that holds pressurized air, providing the bounce, shape, and responsiveness expected of a world-class football. Surrounding this air-filled bladder are advanced synthetic layers engineered for precision, durability, and aerodynamic performance. Its innovative four-panel design improves flight stability, accuracy, and consistency, while also reducing environmental impact through the use of more sustainable materials.

Inspired by the three host nations - the US, Canada, and Mexico - the TRIONDA combines cutting-edge technology, enhanced performance, and symbolic design, making it one of the most advanced footballs ever used in a FIFA World Cup.

BREAKING! CANADA COMES TO THE RESCUE OF SOMALIAN REFEREE OMAR ARTAN! 🇨🇦🇸🇴🔥

David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia, has announced that his province would gladly welcome Omar Artan. He stated that Artan should be allowed to referee World Cup matches within his jurisdiction, specifically in the host city of Vancouver.

With BC being one of the major selected hosts for the tournament, Canada is throwing a massive lifeline to Africa's best referee. What a twist!

The post-liberation history of Bangladesh has been characterized not only by internal political struggle but also by challenges to maintaining national sovereignty amid regional power politics. Bangladesh, a small country surrounded by a larger power neighbor in South Asia, has had sovereignty and independence as key themes in the nation’s political and historical development throughout the post-liberation period. In such circumstances, three leaders—Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Muhammad Yunus—have emerged at various times in history, embodying the image of sovereign Bangladesh.

Despite differences in their leadership styles, periods of existence, and domains of activity, all three have sought to advance the idea of an independent nation-state grounded in pluralistic and sovereign principles.

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Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Muhammad Yunus: Architects of Sovereign Bangladesh Against Regional Power Politics The post-liberation history of Bangladesh has been characterized not only by internal political struggle but also by challenges to maintaining national sovereignty amid regional power politics. Bangladesh, a small country surrounded by a larger power neighbor in South Asia, has had sovereignty and i...

May 9, 2026: AUK College of Business Guest Speaker Series Builds Momentum with Global Experts and Strong Student Engagement

Following its launch on February 26, the College of Business (COB) Guest Speaker Series at the American University of Kurdistan has continued seminars on a monthly basis, bringing together academics and industry professionals from the Kurdistan Region, United Kingdom, and beyond.

As part of COB’s co-curricular approach, the series emphasizes experiential and interdisciplinary learning, particularly at the intersection of business, technology, and sustainability. Recent sessions have explored topics including ESG and global competitiveness, international market entry strategies, forensic accounting, and the role of artificial intelligence in business.

Speakers have included: Professor Constantinos Alexiou, Cranfield University, UK; Dr. Layal Isskandarani-FHEA, Teesside University, UK; Dr. Abdul Bashiru Jibril, University of Kurdistan Hewler, Kurdistan Region of Iraq; Erfan Ovee Nomaan, University of West London, UK; Enzo Graziano, EG Associates, Kenya; Sandeep Kaur, Product Strategy and Data Professional, UK; and Samatha Atanda, University of West London, UK.

As the Dean of the College of Business, Dr. Taimur Sharif noted, “The Guest Speaker Series is grounded in a simple belief: meaningful learning happens where academic rigor meets real-world practice. We are building a culture where curiosity is the norm and the boundary between classroom and practice is intentionally seamless.”

Upcoming sessions will continue to explore AI-related topics and their impact on the future of work.

A meaningful milestone achieved: PMP® certified. Grateful for the journey — further strengthening my commitment to delivering strategic, high-impact outcomes through structured project leadership, grounded in People, Process, and Business Environment.

19 April 2026, AUK: Our current Dean of the College of Business, Prof. Taimur Sharif (PhD, PFHEA, CMgr.), was recognized by Wiley for the 2025 Top-Cited Article, published in Psychology & Marketing (an ABS3, ABDC-A, Q1 ranked journal).

This marks two consecutive years of such achievement, following his previous recognition in the International Journal of Finance & Economics (IJFE - an ABS3, ABDC-B, Q1 listed journal).

The American University of Kurdistan (AUK)proudly celebrates this distinguished recognition and his continued contribution to global scholarship. These achievements reflect his commitment to academic excellence and underscores the global relevance of his work and its contribution to advancing knowledge across disciplines.