BBC considers Russia's refusal to extend visa of BBC correspondent an attack on media freedom
August 14, 2021, 4:58 am

BBC considers Russia's refusal to extend visa of BBC correspondent an attack on media freedom

BBC news

According to the RT, the British state broadcaster, BBC, has claimed Russia’s refusal to extend the visa of BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford is an attack on media freedom.

The RT reported, Moscow had said it would retaliate to the UK imposition of ‘Magnitsky’ sanctions.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said on Friday: “The expulsion of Sarah Rainsford is a direct assault on media freedom which we condemn unreservedly.”

“Sarah is an exceptional and fearless journalist,” who provided “independent and in-depth reporting of Russia and the former Soviet Union.”

Davie urged Russia to “reconsider” the decision and vowed to “report events in the region independently and impartially.”

Rainsford also referred to her situation as “being expelled from Russia,” and said it was “devastating” to have to leave the country in which she’d lived for almost a third of her life.

According to multiple media outlets, the Russian authorities declined Rainsford’s application to renew her visa, which is set to expire on August 31.

Being expelled from Russia, a country I’ve lived in for almost 1/3 of my life - and reported for years - is devastating. Thank you for all your kind messages of support.

I’m speaking to @MishalHusain about it tomorrow morning on @BBCr4today

— Sarah Rainsford (@sarahrainsford) August 13, 2021

While the Russian Foreign Ministry has declined to comment, Bloomberg News claimed that the move was part of Moscow’s tit-for-tat response to restrictions imposed on Russian citizens by the UK earlier this week.

London on Monday blacklisted 25 Russian officials and nationals, citing the case of Sergey Magnitsky, an accountant who died in prison in 2009. His associate Bill Browder – a hedge-fund manager wanted in Russia on charges of tax evasion, murder and other crimes – has since lobbied Western capitals to impose “human rights” sanctions against Russia, alleging that Magnitsky was tortured and denied proper medical care in prison. Russia has rejected the accusations as fabricated and spurious.

Moscow responded by saying it would “impose personal sanctions on a commensurate number of UK representatives who are closely involved in anti-Russian activities,” in retaliation “to the unfriendly actions of the British authorities and on the basis of the principle of reciprocity.”

Source: RT

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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.