Number of coronavirus cases is on the rise in 36 Russian regions
September 25, 2021, 5:03 am

Number of coronavirus cases is on the rise in 36 Russian regions

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The TASS reported, the chief of the Russian sanitary watchdog, Anna Popova, said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel on Friday, the number of coronavirus cases is on the rise in 36 Russian regions.

Anna Popova said: "First of all, we see a growth in big urban centers. Thirty-six regions (of the Russian Federation) are showing a growth. This growth continues."

She noted, however, "there are no grounds today to speak about a lockdown."

She added, as expected, people returning from summer holidays, students, give a growth in seasonal respiratory viral infections, as well as the coronavirus infection."

"A new risk group (in regard to acute respiratory viral infections) are the people who were earlier infected with coronavirus. This damage stays with the people, different organs and systems are damaged. This people must be inoculated against flu on the first priority basis," said Popova, the head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing.

She said, only 47 million Russians have been vaccinated against coronavirus, which is not enough to stop infections in the country.

Popova stressed: "We have, let us say, 110-115 million adults. Of them, some 47 million who have received one dose , this is less than a half, this is not 60%, this is certainly not 80%! So we have no grounds to say today that things (infections) will stop."

Popova said, "We have a large number of people who will get infected when they contact the virus."

In her words, practically no deaths are reported among the people vaccinated against coronavirus in Russia.

The vaccines "protect against severe cases, against intensive care and fatalities," said the head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing.

"An absolutely reasonable conclusion based on data about 47 million people who have received at least the first jab, that the Russian vaccines are very efficient," she stressed.

Earlier, Russian Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko said that almost 47.5 million people in Russia had received at least one coronavirus jab, while 41 of them were fully vaccinated.

Roughly 2% of those vaccinated against coronavirus are among the patients infected with its Delta variant, the chief of the Russian sanitary watchdog said.

"About two percent, not more. From which we conclude, an absolutely justified conclusion, that the Russian vaccines are very efficient," said Popova.

According to the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center, a total of 7,376,374 people have been infected with coronavirus in Russia since the pandemic began. As many as 6,574,608 people have recovered and 202,273 people have died.

Source: tass

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.