Latest news with #Bede
Spectator
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Demographics is the new dividing line on the right
It's an ominous time for a state-of-the-nation conference. Each week, the shores we defended against Hitler, Napoleon and the Spanish Armada are breached by hundreds of foreign men, while asylum seekers make up 'a significant proportion' of those currently being investigated for the grooming of British children. Earlier this month, there were days of violent anti-immigration riots in Ballymena. The five Gaza independents elected last year marked the grim rise of electoral sectarianism in the UK, a trend that is only set to accelerate. Academics and government insiders, despairing at the state of Britain, fret about looming civil war along ethnic lines. 'Now and England', a one-day conference hosted by the Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation this week in Westminster, was billed as 'exploring nation, culture, and identity in a time of change and renewal'. In truth, 'a time of decline and crisis' would probably have been more apposite. At the root of each issue lies mass, unasked for immigration and the resultant demographic change. The figures are bleak. On current trends, white British are expected to be a minority in Britain by 2063, according to a recent study by Prof Matt Goodwin; the figure is even sooner for England. The Centre for Migration Control forecasts that if nothing changes, by 2035, one quarter of the population will be foreign-born, with one third of the of the population a first- or second-generation migrant. Fewer than one in four children in Greater London's schools are white British. To the predominantly younger right-wingers in attendance, along with the country, such trends are deeply alarming. Yet do political leaders on the right feel the same way? When Reform's Richard Tice was pressed on Goodwin's demographics projections recently on GB News, for instance, he scarcely seemed bothered. The question of the conference, then, was just how seriously it would take these issues. What is England without the English? Robert Jenrick gave it his best shot with the opening keynote. 'Mass immigration lies at the root of… so many of our problems', he said. Reckless border policies, his own party's included, had eroded our 'sense of home'. He reiterated calls for a legally binding cap on immigration and ECHR reform. It wasn't nothing, but a stump speech was hardly going to break the Overton window. Next came a worthwhile panel on cultural renewal, before the second keynote by Dr James Orr, Cambridge academic and Nat Con grandee. 'England is slipping away', he warned gravely, and the cause was 'hyper-liberalism'. It was a philosopher's way of saying that we had recklessly imported millions of foreigners in the vain pursuit of GDP growth. But it was notable that even this conservative luminary seemed to be dancing around the issue somewhat. It was on the final panel, 'England's Past and England's future' that things came to a head. Danny Kruger MP spoke of Bede, the common law, and the importance of homogeneity, but it all remained rather abstract. Apparently, what we needed was a 'violent rebellion against encroaching ideas' and to 'tame the technium'. A leading light of the class of 2019, Kruger seemed to have forgotten why his party was turfed out with such disgust at the last election. Robert Tombs spoke about historical memory. Rupert Lowe MP ranged widely on statism, Blair's constitutional revolution, the rape gangs and free speech, but demographic change didn't feature. We had all been waiting to hear from Thomas Skinner, the former Apprentice star and small business owner known for cheerily belting out 'Bosh!' on social media and seemingly eyeing a tilt at the London mayoralty (he wouldn't be drawn). But if he had any concerns about immigration and cultural change he never made them explicit, instead preferring populist bromides ('England is about the people'). All of which meant that by the Q&A, the young audience had grown restive. Up stepped one mid-20s professional to speak for England. He noted that while Kruger had spoken of greater localism – 'watching the barley grow' from his Wiltshire idyll – this was hardly much of a solution when demographic change has already rendered some English councils corrupt tribal fiefdoms. Being from Rotherham, he said, he would know. 'So my question is, if we reach a juncture where democracy becomes a zero-sum game between different ethnic and religious blocs, what feasible future is there for it?' It was like a dam breaking: suddenly, thunderous applause and whoops filled the 200-seat lecture theatre, the loudest we had heard all day. (Later, several people went to congratulate him.) Skinner seemed uncomfortable, while Lowe was making notes. Piling on the pressure, there followed the voice of Carl Benjamin of the Lotus Eaters, noting how the central question of demographics had loomed over the whole conference largely unsaid. He then went after Danny Kruger for a remark in his speech that 'anyone can become English', also drawing applause. The panel tried to answer, but it was clear they were on uncomfortable territory. 'I detect a very strong desire for action to restore the basis of our polity lest we lose it altogether', noted Kruger, gingerly. Rupert Lowe offered simply that people who come to Britain ought to speak English and pay their taxes; Skinner had gone out for a phone call. Tombs at least volunteered that we should ban postal voting and cousin marriage. But in his view, the best approach would be to 'clone Katharine Birbalsingh', the headmistress of the ultra-diverse and disciplinarian Michaela School in West London. If you've seen 'little girls with headscarves on reciting Kipling and singing the national anthem' he said, 'you think becoming English is quite possible if you want to do it, and if you're encouraged to do it and indeed required to do it'. Tombs then argued that being English was something that 'we all learn'. This is the nub of the issue: the largely generational divide that is becoming increasingly visible on the British right. There are many who prefer to ignore ethnicity, ancestry and demographics on the grounds that such topics are both immaterial and icky; there are even some who insist, against all the available evidence, that multiculturalism has been a success. On the other hand there are those who are unapologetic about believing that the English are an ethnic group, that England is our home, and that the more diverse our society becomes, the less happy it will be. Such sentiments would have been common sense to most people throughout human history. It is ordinary and natural to identify with one's ethnic group. It is also ordinary and natural for a people to understand itself as a people. Yet for the past 60 years, as woke moral guardrails have expanded throughout our culture, such sentiments have been rendered deeply taboo. If that taboo is now being broken, it is not before time.
Daily Tribune
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bede Bahrain partners with Spare for Open Banking integration
Bede Bahrain, the innovative microfinance solutions app, has signed a strategic agreement with Spare, an open banking platform licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. This partnership leverages the transformative power of open banking to connect Bede securely and efficiently with its customers' financial data with explicit consent from them. Through this partnership, Bede will integrate Spare's open banking services directly into the Bede app, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of income verification. Users will be seamlessly redirected to the Spare platform, where Bede can instantly access and verify real-time financial data in just a few simple steps. This allows for a faster and more reliable determination of eligibility for Islamic financing. Al-Rayes, Bede Bahrain CEO, commented, 'At Bede, we aim to make access to finance as seamless and straightforward as possible for everyone. This partnership reflects our commitment to advancing financial inclusion across the Kingdom, an essential pillar of Bahrain's Vision 2030. We are continuously working to adopt new technologies, improve our app digital experience, and actively listen to customer feedback. This integration is one of the key solutions that help us deliver on that promise, making Islamic financing easier and more accessible than ever.' Dalal Alrayes, Spare Technologies CEO, commented, 'We are proud to partner with Bede to advance the adoption of Open Banking in the Kingdom. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to innovation, financial transparency, and delivering real value to end users. Together, we aim to streamline financial access, improve decision-making, and unlock new opportunities for growth across the lending ecosystem.' The App offers a straightforward registration process with minimal requirements. Users can apply for Islamic financing in just a few minutes from anywhere and at any time throughout the week, making it a comfortable experience.
Daily Tribune
24-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Zain Bahrain Q1 profit rises 9.6%
Zain Bahrain, a leading telecommunications provider in the Kingdom, yesterday announced its financial results for the first quarter (Q1 2025). The company reported a total profit attributable to the shareholders of BD 1.17 million for the three months ended 31 March 2025, representing a 9.6% increase compared to BD 1.07 m for the same period in the previous year. Basic and Diluted earnings per share remained stable at 3 fils, compared to Q1 '24. Revenue increased to BD 21.01 m, representing a growth of 7.7% compared to BD 19.51 m for the same period in 2024. EBITDA reached BD 5.38 m, down by 5.6% from BD 5.70 m in Q1 '24. At the balance sheet level, Zain Bahrain's total equity as of 31 March 2025 accumulated to BD 85.92 m, down by 2.50% from BD 88.12 m at the end of 2024. The Company's asset base stood at BD 138.22 m, a reduction of 2.60% from BD 141.91 m as of 31 December 2024. Commenting on the results, Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa, Zain Bahrain Chairman, said, "I am pleased to share Zain Bahrain's latest milestones and developments for the first quarter of 2025. These highlight our remarkable progress in expanding our capabilities and enriching customer experiences. Over the past few months, Zain Bahrain has significantly enhanced its 4G and 5G network coverage across the Kingdom, boosting network efficiency and delivering faster connectivity to our customers. This expansion also supports our sustainability goals by reducing energy consumption by up to 50%—a major step forward in our commitment to environmental responsibility. It is also notable to mention, that our innovative microfinance app Bede, has achieved remarkable success and continued to gain a widespread acceptance, emerging as a key player in the Kingdom's fintech sector.' Tripled internet speeds 'In line with our mission to deliver the best possible digital experience, we have also tripled our fiber internet speeds for new and existing customers. Base speeds have increased to 300 Mbps, with offerings reaching up to 2 Gbps. This positions Zain Bahrain as a leader in high-speed internet services, setting a new benchmark for fiber connectivity in the Kingdom and ensuring that all Zain customers can enjoy unprecedented speeds." Zain Bahrain Chairman continued: "We have also forged new strategic partnerships, including Takaful International Company. The partnership aimed to expand our portfolio to offer affordable, comprehensive insurance solutions alongside our telecom services through Zain App. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, as we proudly received the "Best Connected Customer Experience Award" by IST Networks and Genesys at LEAP 2025. In addition, we recently achieved the highly regarded "Corporate Ethical Procurement and Supply" certification from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), which underscores Zain's continuous commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical business practices in its procurement and supply chain operations. Another proud achievement this quarter is Zain Bahrain's official certification of ISO 22301:2019 for Business Continuity Management, along with our successful transition to ISO 27001:2022 standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). These internationally recognized certifications underscore Zain's unwavering commitment to business resilience, customer data privacy, and the continuous enhancement of our cybersecurity and continuity practices.' The Chairman concluded: "Looking ahead, 2025 will be a year of achievements and endless possibilities, and we are already off to a good start. Zain Bahrain will continue to push boundaries in innovation to meet its customers' changing needs, expand digital services, revolutionaries' new technologies, and uplift customer experience to remain the leading telecom and technology provider across the Kingdom."
Arab Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Zain launches ‘Bede' Fintech Platform in Sudan
KUWAIT / SUDAN, Apr 17: Zain Fintech, the financial services arm of Zain Group, a leading provider of innovative technologies and digital lifestyle communications operating in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, has launched the 'Bede' Digital Wallet in Sudan. The safe and secure platform will empower Zain customers in Sudan to carry out a wide range of financial transactions directly via their mobile phones, without the need for a traditional bank account or card. Significantly, the service is designed to work across different phone types, including basic feature and smart phones, catering for the needs and requirements of the Sudanese community. The initial launch phase of the service includes core transactions such as money transfers, airtime top-ups, bill payments, merchant purchases, and cash deposits and withdrawals through a broad network of certified agents operating across neighborhoods and market locations. The launch ceremony held in Port Sudan was attended by representatives of the Sovereign Council, federal and state ministries, ambassadors, Zain management as well as industry specialists, banking partners, and media representatives. Malek Hammoud, Zain Group Chief Investment and Digital Officercommented, 'The launch of 'Bede' marks a major leap towards achieving digital transformation, enhancing financial inclusion, and empowering families, women and youth in Sudan. The wallet's role is to simplify everyday financial interactions and support citizens' daily lives. Bede has already been successfully deployed in Bahrain and the dynamic platform has gained a strong reputation for its efficiency, ease of use, and high reliability. We expect to replicate this performance in Sudan and other Zain markets.' Hammoud continued, 'Bede aims to allow everything to be made in the palm of one's hand, cateringto consumers' lifestyles and emerging demands beyond basic telecom services. The introduction of Bede in Sudan represents a major step in Zain's strategic '4WARD-Progress with Purpose' aspirations to expand its regional leadership in the fintech arena supported by our footprint, customer base, and leading technologies." The rollout of Bede in Sudan is set to occur in three phases. The first involves the initial offer of the service, while the second phase incorporates its integration with additional banks in Sudan and the addition of services including electricity purchases and access to various government transactions. The third phase will introduce banking services, international remittance services, savings and financing products, and full interoperability with all banks operating in Sudan. Bede operates under robust strategic partnerships and in full alignment with the policies of the Central Bank of Sudan, which regulates and supervises digital wallet activities through clear legal frameworks and governance policies. Several banksoversee the management of Bede's trust accounts, ensuring accurate settlements and transparent financial reporting. Bede complies with national standards for anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, customer data protection, and financial transparency, with the wallet also offering a secure and integrated digital financial experience that prioritizes data security and user privacy. More on Bede The core value of Bede is based on the belief that everyone deserves equal opportunities to achieve their full potential, and Zain is committed to leveling the playing field for all individuals. The impact of Bede inSudanwill go beyond convenience and efficiency. It is designed with inclusivity at its core, ensuring that it is accessible and beneficial to everyone, whether the individual is looking to transfer money to their loved ones, purchase an item or manage their day-to-day expenses more efficiently. Bede represents another offering in Zain's mission to provide 'meaningful connectivity' and 'financial inclusion' to communities across all the markets in which it operates. For more, please visit The Bede name and logo Bede stems from the Arabic meaning of 'in my hand', hence the customers' freedom to manage their financials, the way they desire, in their own hands. The brand's colors are inspired by a human approach which translates to a friendly and approachable personality. The primary colors are black and white with injected bright and playful colors which focus on the positive energy of banking and the human element of the brand that offers a clean and direct approach. With its brand slogan 'When you get more, you do more', Bede believes in providing the tools and solutions that allow everyone a level playing field to be able to achieve and go as far as possible. The Zain Fintech umbrella As the financial services arm of Zain Group and playing a key part of Zain's '4WARD' strategy by introducing and overseeing fintech services across the company's Middle East and African footprint, Zain Fintech focuses on rolling out innovative products and services related to payments, remittances, credit cards and micro-finance within the Zain ecosystem and beyond. Other entities championed by Zain Fintech include Bede in Bahrain, Zain Cash in Iraq and Jordan, and Tamam in Saudi Arabia. Zain aims to roll-out Bede services in Kuwait soon, subject to regulatory approvals. Innovation and investing in viable digital services such as the fast growing and much needed fintech sector is critical to Zain's sustained evolution and success in providing the communities it serves with appealing and much needed digital lifestyle services.
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Zain launches ‘Bede' fintech platform in Sudan
Sudan is the Group's 2nd key market to introduce 'Bede', reflecting a vital part of Zain's '4WARD' strategy in driving financial inclusion and contributing to the evolution of the region's digital ecosystem Service enables a wide range of financial transactions for all Zain Sudan customers on any type of phone without the need for a bank account Bede stems from Arabic meaning of 'in my hand', along with the slogan 'When you get more, you do more' Port Sudan, Sudan & Kuwait City: Zain Fintech, the financial services arm of Zain Group, a leading provider of innovative technologies and digital lifestyle communications operating in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, has launched the 'Bede' Digital Wallet in Sudan. The safe and secure platform will empower Zain customers in Sudan to carry out a wide range of financial transactions directly via their mobile phones, without the need for a traditional bank account or card. Significantly, the service is designed to work across different phone types, including basic feature and smart phones, catering for the needs and requirements of the Sudanese community. The initial launch phase of the service includes core transactions such as money transfers, airtime top-ups, bill payments, merchant purchases, and cash deposits and withdrawals through a broad network of certified agents operating across neighborhoods and market locations. The launch ceremony held in Port Sudan was attended by representatives of the Sovereign Council, federal and state ministries, ambassadors, Zain management as well as industry specialists, banking partners, and media representatives. Malek Hammoud, Zain Group Chief Investment and Digital Officer commented, 'The launch of 'Bede' marks a major leap towards achieving digital transformation, enhancing financial inclusion, and empowering families, women and youth in Sudan. The wallet's role is to simplify everyday financial interactions and support citizens' daily lives. Bede has already been successfully deployed in Bahrain and the dynamic platform has gained a strong reputation for its efficiency, ease of use, and high reliability. We expect to replicate this performance in Sudan and other Zain markets.' Hammoud continued, 'Bede aims to allow everything to be made in the palm of one's hand, catering to consumers' lifestyles and emerging demands beyond basic telecom services. The introduction of Bede in Sudan represents a major step in Zain's strategic '4WARD-Progress with Purpose' aspirations to expand its regional leadership in the fintech arena supported by our footprint, customer base, and leading technologies." The rollout of Bede in Sudan is set to occur in three phases. The first involves the initial offer of the service, while the second phase incorporates its integration with additional banks in Sudan and the addition of services including electricity purchases and access to various government transactions. The third phase will introduce banking services, international remittance services, savings and financing products, and full interoperability with all banks operating in Sudan. Bede operates under robust strategic partnerships and in full alignment with the policies of the Central Bank of Sudan, which regulates and supervises digital wallet activities through clear legal frameworks and governance policies. Several banks oversee the management of Bede's trust accounts, ensuring accurate settlements and transparent financial reporting. Bede complies with national standards for anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, customer data protection, and financial transparency, with the wallet also offering a secure and integrated digital financial experience that prioritizes data security and user privacy. More on Bede The core value of Bede is based on the belief that everyone deserves equal opportunities to achieve their full potential, and Zain is committed to leveling the playing field for all individuals. The impact of Bede in Sudan will go beyond convenience and efficiency. It is designed with inclusivity at its core, ensuring that it is accessible and beneficial to everyone, whether the individual is looking to transfer money to their loved ones, purchase an item or manage their day-to-day expenses more efficiently. Bede represents another offering in Zain's mission to provide 'meaningful connectivity' and 'financial inclusion' to communities across all the markets in which it operates. For more, please visit The Bede name and logo Bede stems from the Arabic meaning of 'in my hand', hence the customers' freedom to manage their financials, the way they desire, in their own hands. The brand's colors are inspired by a human approach which translates to a friendly and approachable personality. The primary colors are black and white with injected bright and playful colors which focus on the positive energy of banking and the human element of the brand that offers a clean and direct approach. With its brand slogan 'When you get more, you do more', Bede believes in providing the tools and solutions that allow everyone a level playing field to be able to achieve and go as far as possible. The Zain Fintech umbrella As the financial services arm of Zain Group and playing a key part of Zain's '4WARD' strategy by introducing and overseeing fintech services across the company's Middle East and African footprint, Zain Fintech focuses on rolling out innovative products and services related to payments, remittances, credit cards and micro-finance within the Zain ecosystem and beyond. Other entities championed by Zain Fintech include Bede in Bahrain, Zain Cash in Iraq and Jordan, and Tamam in Saudi Arabia. Zain aims to roll-out Bede services in Kuwait soon, subject to regulatory approvals. Innovation and investing in viable digital services such as the fast growing and much needed fintech sector is critical to Zain's sustained evolution and success in providing the communities it serves with appealing and much needed digital lifestyle services.
