James Denselow

Whilst Kyle Rittenhouse may have been acquitted of all charges laid against him the case has exposed and pilled pressure on America’s divides over firearms. There was no better evidence of this than President Biden’s own response to the verdict; to say initially that people had to ‘abide by’ the jury’s verdict, he then went on to say that he was “angry and concerned” about the Rittenhouse’s acquittal for killing two men and wounding a third man.

The case has brought an intersection of major US issues together. Racism, gun control and the rise of extremist groups on both sides of the political spectrum. President Biden promised to heal the nation following four years of incendiary politics coming out of the Trump White House, but this case shows how far he’s got to go as well as his own shortcomings in addressing them.

Looking beyond issues of guilt or innocence, Rittenhouse is a challenge to a wider view of what is a righteous American identity. To some he was a patriot taking up his right to bear arms to support his fellow Americans lives and property at a time of civil unrest and potential criminal violence. To others he was a vigilante with a background potentially linked to white supremist groups, taking advantages of the country’s inability to control guns to take a weapon designed for the battlefield onto the streets of the country with predictable results.

Legal observers’ reflections on the Rittenhouse verdict claim that the case could be there is now legal ground for you to use your weapon at protests if you “just claim fear”. Fear is a central emotive theme running alongside much of this narrative. It is surely fear of being attacked that leads many Americans to arm themselves so comprehensively. The jury that acquitted Rittenhouse saw comprehensive video footage of the incidents that led to the deaths of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber. One cannot watch that footage and describe Rittenhouse himself, despite being heavily armed, as someone acting out of nothing short than absolute terror. Yet the decisions to take himself and that weapon to that place was much more rational and should arguably come with consequence.

Whilst only a handful, it seems, of those involved in the January storming of the Capitol were armed with firearms, the notion that the country will see a trend towards more protest and counter protest is worth considering in detail. Essentially is the combination of more and more lax gun control which allows for people to open carry automatic weapons with more and more protests in terms of numbers and locals a recipe for violence? Especially when you layer on top of that the Rittenhouse verdict and a sense that could be felt by all sides that them taking a weapon to an area of unrest and being afraid will sanction their use of said weapon in self-defence.

Unlike the other mass shooter events that have blighted America’s recent history, most of which result in the shooter being killed and a consensus, however brief, that something should be done about gun control, the Rittenhouse verdict would seem to polarise sides further. Indeed, questions of double standards pose the ultimate hypothetical with many asking would a black protestor who shot a white protestor have resulted in the same acquittal.

Even before the verdict those advocating for further gun control were worried that the Supreme Court is likely to strike down, or seriously weaken, a New York state law that imposes strict limits on carrying weapons outside the home.

More permissive gun laws in a more deeply divided country with legal precedent as to what people can get away with if they are afraid, is the current incendiary cocktail that America’s politics has been left with following the Rittenhouse verdict. With the notion of gun controls a political impossibility America faces the test of better organising its policing of protests. Arguably the investment in policing manpower, training and associated infrastructure to help keep America’s angry political tribes apart is worth the cost in the perspective of the societal harm that’s at risk otherwise.

A more curious ‘x-factor’ in this narrative are the subsequent actions of Kyle Rittenhouse himself. He has already surprised some by proclaiming his support to the ‘Black Lives Movement’ in the first media interview following his acquittal. How he attempts to build bridges and consensus as opposed to pandering to one faction or the other will be the most immediate litmus test as to levels of division in the country.

James Denselow

by: James Denselow

U.S. advises against travel to Germany and Denmark due to COVID-19 surge Turkey launches massive operations against 112 soldiers over failed coup attempt

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.