Latest Syrian News
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps have confirmed that Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, adviser of the IRGC in Lebanon, “joined his martyred comrades in the terrorist attack” on Friday evening.
The IRGC statement “strongly condemned the crimes of the Zionist regime” in Lebanon, while praising Nilforoushan’s service.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Manama, As part of a series of introductory events by the Ministry of Information, a session on the second edition of the “Media Talents Award 2024” for TV, film, and theatre acting was held at Bahrain Polytechnic.
The event featured actor Amir Dasmal, director Hamad Abdulla, and Fatima Taqi, founder of Stars Casting, with Hamed Al Bulooshi, a past participant, moderating. Al Bulooshi shared his experience, highlighting how the award helped him gain essential media skills, leading to his involvement in several Bahrain TV programmes.
Participants discussed their personal experiences in media and arts, emphasising the award’s role in supporting young talent. Dasmal spoke about his early career in school and local theatre, noting that the award now provides similar opportunities for Bahraini youth on a larger scale.
Taqi explained that the award creates a supportive environment for young people to gain hands-on experience and discover hidden talents under the guidance of industry professionals. She encourage
d participants to seize this opportunity and think creatively.
Abdullah shared his journey in filmmaking, highlighting the importance of learning from mistakes and continuous practice. He urged young talents to embrace challenges and not fear failure, as Bahrain’s growing film industry offers many opportunities for creatives.
Mohannad Sulaiman Al Nuaimi, chairman of the award committee, also gave a presentation on the Media Talents Award 2024 to an audience of students and academics.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
Ljubljana, BRAVE CF 88 is in the books and the historic event in Slovenia played host to the crowning of two new champions as Erko Jun claimed the Light Heavyweight title in the main event, and Pavel Dailidko won the inaugural Heavyweight title in the co-main event. Both men were crowned champions in front of a sold-out crowd that showcased the power of mixed martial arts.
In the main event, Jun controlled the first round by landing multiple kicks to Alexander Wesner’s lead leg, slowing down his opponent. A cut opened on Jun’s head during a second-round scramble, leading to the fight going to the ground, where it stayed until the round ended. In the third round, Jun pushed for a finish, dropping Wesner midway through, but was unable to secure the finish. However, in the fourth round, Jun’s earlier leg kicks proved decisive as he finished Wesner with a low leg kick to become the new Light Heavyweight champion.
Pavel Dailidko realised his dream and became the BRAVE CF Heavyweight champion by defeating Patryk
Dubiela in the co-main event, marking his fifth consecutive finish in BRAVE Combat Federation. Dubiela attempted to use his grappling skills, but Dailidko defended successfully and landed powerful ground-and-pound strikes, leading to a first-round stoppage. Dailidko’s victory earned him a place in the history books as the first-ever BRAVE CF Heavyweight champion.
In a fight of the year contender, Monika Kucinic defeated Fabiola Pidroni by split decision after three intense rounds. Pidroni nearly finished Kucinic with a head kick in the first round, but Kucinic recovered and staged a comeback in the second and third rounds. Despite Pidroni’s attempts at takedowns, Kucinic stood ground with her striking and eventually took home the win. This is Kucinic’s second victory of the year, following her finish at BRAVE CF 81.
Luka Podkrajsek returned to the winning column with a TKO victory over Italian Veteran Michele Mirabella, finishing the fight with ground-and-pound strikes. In his post-fight interview, Podkrajs
ek revealed that he fought with a broken rib and hinted at possible retirement.
Elsewhere, Miha Frlic earned a quick win, stopping Samuele Di Guardo in just 37 seconds with strikes. This marked Frlic’s first victory in BRAVE CF and kept his undefeated record intact.
Kristjan Toniste used his experience to secure a unanimous decision win against Domen Drnovsek in their Super Lightweight fight. Toniste dominated the stand-up exchanges and successfully defended Drnovsek’s submission attempts, handing Drnovsek his first professional loss.
Marina Spasic remained undefeated with a third-round stoppage of Maristela Alves. After a competitive fight in the first two rounds, Spasic broke Alves’ nose in the final round, leading to the stoppage.
IMMAF European champion Kirill Negru delivered a strong performance, defeating Ilia Sinani by unanimous decision in the opening bout of the card. With the win, Negru earned a spot in the IMMAF World Championships in Uzbekistan and vowed to bring home the gold medal for Sloven
ia.
BRAVE CF 88, held in partnership with WFC, was the organization’s second event in Slovenia this year. BRAVE CF will next head to Spain for BRAVE CF 89, scheduled for October 19.
BRAVE CF 88 results:
Light Heavyweight: Erko Jun def. Alexander Wesner via TKO (leg kicks) – 1m27s – Round 4
Heavyweight: Pavel Dailidko def. Patryk Dubiela via TKO (punches) – 4m33s – Round 1
Strawweight: Monika Kucinic def. Fabiola Pidroni via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Luka Podkrajsek def. Michele Mirabella via TKO (punches) – 3m24s – Round 1
Heavyweight: Miha Frlic def. Samuele Di Guardo via TKO (punches) – 37s – Round 1
Super Lightweight: Kristjan Toniste def. Domen Drnovsek via unanimous decision (3x 30-27)
Strawweight: Marina Spasic def. Maristela Alves via TKO (punches) – 2m11s – Round 3
Amateur Welterweight: Kirill Negru def. Ilian Sinani via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Source: Bahrain News Agency
Manama, The first edition of the Mahfoodha Al Zayani Humanitarian Award was launched today, in the presence of Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Shura Council, and Osama bin Ahmed Khalaf Al Asfoor, the Minister of Social Development, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF), members of the Al Zayani family, and other community figures also attended the event.
Al Asfoor commended the launch of the award, named after Mahfoodha Al Zayani, in recognition of her 70 years of dedication to voluntary work. He noted that the award reflects the commitment of Al Zayani family to humanitarian and community values, as its objectives align with the sustainability of voluntary work and fostering purposeful partnerships that benefit society.
The minister highlighted Mahfoodha Al Zayani’s significant contributions to voluntary work in social, charitable, and humanitarian domains. He said her efforts have left a lasting impact on indivi
duals and families.
Al Asfoor encouraged the community and institutions to continue this legacy, closely examining the outcomes of such humanitarian initiatives to create plans that achieve positive change. He expressed hope that the award would inspire future generations to follow in the footsteps of those who dedicated their lives to serving the community.
Zayed Rashid Alzayani, Chairman of Al Zayani Investments, expressed his gratitude to the minister and the Ministry of Social Development for their cooperation in launching the initiative. He said it was a source of pride for Al Zayani Investments to launch this award, bearing the name of someone dear to them. He hoped this award would inspire younger generations.
The Mahfoodha Al Zayani Humanitarian Award aims to promote humanitarian values and encourage youth to engage in volunteer work to achieve sustainable positive impact. The award, which includes a judging panel consisting of Al Zayani family members and experts in charity and humanitarian work,
will provide financial prizes totalling $40,000 to the winners.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
Manama, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Governor of the Southern Governorate, recieved Okai Asako, the Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
During the meeting, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa welcomed the ambassador, and highlighted the strength of bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Japan.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
Manama, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, received Rashid Mohammed Bunajma, Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs at the Ministry of Interior.
The minister congratulated the undersecretary on obtaining the royal trust.
He commended his exceptional professionalism and legal and legislative expertise.
The minister wished him success in his new responsibilities and expressed confidence in his continued dedication to serving the nation.
He also highlighted the undersecretary’s significant contributions during his tenure as Secretary-General of the Council of Representatives, noting his exemplary service and commitment to the country.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
Manama, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), met Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Shura Council member.
The Commander-in-Chief wished Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed continued success in fulfilling his responsibilities as member of the council.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
Manama, Eskan Bank signed a partnership agreement with the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB), and the Kuwaiti Boubyan Bank Group.
This partnership aims to provide joint financing of BHD 250 million to support and expand suitable housing programmes and options for Bahraini citizens. The initiative aligns with the unwavering efforts of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to implement effective housing policies in line with the Government’s wise vision of providing affordable housing in the Kingdom.
The agreement was signed by Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Eskan Bank; Hala Yateem, Chairperson of National Bank of Bahrain (NBB); Zaid Khalid Abdulrahman, Chairman of Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB); and Adel Al Majed, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Boubyan Bank Group.
Al Rumaihi noted that the signing of the joint financing agreement comes within the framework of the active an
d ongoing partnership with the private sector to support efforts to provide flexible housing options and solutions for the largest possible number of citizens.
This includes the housing finance programme, which has witnessed a significant growth in demand among Bahraini citizens, and other programmes and projects that the bank is actively pursuing to address the housing needs of citizens, in line with government directives in this regard, as outlined in the government’s programme.
The minister commended the participating banks for their active cooperation and contributions to the joint financing agreement. She commended their flexibility and efficiency throughout the process, from initial studies to final agreements, which has been instrumental in its successful completion.
Al Rumaihi emphasised that this cooperation embodies the complementary relationship between all parties towards achieving the common goal of supporting the housing sector in the Kingdom.
The minister highlighted that these constructiv
e partnerships contribute to bolstering the Kingdom’s national economy by providing the necessary support to complete development plans and projects. This positively impacts various sectors, particularly the banking, services, and real estate sectors, and meets the needs of citizens.
Usman Ahmed, Group CEO of National Bank of Bahrain, expressed pride in supporting the initiative aimed at improving housing access and contributing to Bahrain’s social and economic development. He emphasised that this partnership reinforces NBB’s commitment to sustainable development and national objectives, while enabling Eskan Bank to address the growing housing demand and enhance financial capacity to support the Kingdom’s housing projects.
Abdullah Talib, General Manager of Eskan Bank, said that this agreement represents a valuable extension to the ongoing efforts aimed to provide citizens with affordable housing solutions. He added that this strategic cooperation with banks allows Eskan Bank to achieve its aspired goals an
d continue supporting the housing needs of Bahraini citizens.
Fatema Al Alawi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB), expressed the bank’s honour in partnering with Eskan Bank to finance housing initiatives. She highlighted that this collaboration aligns with BisB’s commitment to supporting community-focused projects and providing essential housing solutions for Bahraini citizens, contributing to the Kingdom’s sustainable development goals.
Adel Al Majed, Vice-Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Boubyan Bank, expressed pride in the bank’s participation in this strategic collaboration, emphasising its potential to significantly impact Bahrain’s housing sector. He noted Boubyan Bank’s dedication to providing innovative, diverse, and efficient financing solutions, recognising the critical role the banking sector plays in supporting developmental and infrastructure projects. Al Majed highlighted that this reflects Boubyan Bank’s broader commitment to sustainable initiatives bot
h in Kuwait and across the region.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
Manama, BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, today announced joining Fintech Forward 2024 (FF24) as an exhibition partner.
Programmed by Economist Impact as part of 2024’s Transformation Agenda series and hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board, with the support of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), The Labor Fund (Tamkeen) and Bahrain FinTech Bay, the flagship installment of Fintech Forward will take place on October 2-3 at Bahrain Exhibition World.
As a fintech and electronic financial transactions service provider that has pioneered Bahrain’s digital payment landscape by providing secure and efficient payment solutions, BENEFIT continues to play a crucial role in the country’s digital evolution and development of a thriving financial services sector.
During the first half of 2024, BENEFIT’s electronic fund transfer transactions (Fawri, Fawri+ and Fawateer) recorded BHD16.4 billion, a 14.5% increase compared to the first
half of 2023.
Abdulwahed AlJanahi, Chief Executive at BENEFIT, said: “We are excited to be part of Fintech Forward 2024, an excellent platform for us to showcase our contributions to Bahrain’s growing fintech ecosystem and engage with other industry leaders. Our involvement underscores our commitment to enhancing digital payment experiences and dedication to staying at the forefront of the fintech revolution, supporting Bahrain’s vision for a digitally empowered future.”
Fintech Forward has quickly become a pivotal event for innovative leaders to share experiences, collaborate on insights, and network with peers. This year’s edition will showcase Bahrain’s remarkable advancements in digital transformation, its expanding fintech sector, and the cultivation of a highly skilled talent pool that is essential for sustainable economic growth and differentiation in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Ghana have announced a US$30 million partnership focused on nature-based community development and climate solutions.
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment of the UAE, and Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana, signed a letter of intent outlining six key investment areas, including biodiversity corridors, reforestation, and agroecology. These initiatives aim to provide climate, biodiversity, and community development benefits, with a focus on gender equality and youth.
The framework document is part of Ghana’s Resilient Ghana nature-climate strategy and includes metrics for measurement, reporting, and verification, using Ghana’s pioneering REDD+ process. The partnership is aligned with the UAE’s commitment to the UAE Consensus, which aims to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030 and support global biodiversity and climate goals.
The UAE and Ghana are members of the For
est and Climate Leaders Partnership, a mechanism for coordinating public-private investment in climate and nature initiatives. Initial projects under the partnership will be detailed at COP29 in Baku in November and at COP30 next year.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
London, South Korea and Britain have launched a new high-level dialogue channel meant to discuss stronger cooperation on a wide range of economic and financial topics.
The inaugural meeting of the bilateral economic and financial dialogue took place in London on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, adding South Korean Deputy Finance Minister Choi Ji-young and Lindsey Whyte, the director general of Britain’s HM Treasury, were present.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on domestic and global economic circumstances and discussed means to enhance cooperation on supply chains and other economic security matters, multilateral economic cooperation and responses to climate change, Yonhap News Agency reported.
They also discussed Europe’s new carbon tax rules of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
The two sides agreed to launch a new dialogue channel between the two nations’ finance ministries during a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and then British
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November 2023.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
audi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Saturday with the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York City, USA.
During the meeting, they discussed cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations regarding the Syrian file, the efforts of the Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria, and regional developments and their implications for the region.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United States of America Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz.
Source: Saudi Press Agency