Trump Takes Oath as U.S. President in Historic Ceremony
The presidential inauguration ceremonies in Washington reflect the authenticity of American democratic traditions and their ability to maintain state institutions' continuity
January 20, 2025, 9:48 pm

Trump Takes Oath as U.S. President in Historic Ceremony

ترامب \ تعبيرية \ متداولة

Donald Trump began his presidency of the United States by taking the constitutional oath in a historic ceremony held inside the Capitol building, becoming the country's 47th president, in an event that confirms the strength of the American democratic system.

The president-elect began his day by visiting St. John's Church before heading to the White House, where outgoing President Joe Biden welcomed him at the traditional "tea meeting," greeting him with "Welcome to your home," and leaving him a personal letter in the Oval Office.

J.D. Vance had the honor of taking the oath as vice president, recording his name as the third youngest person to hold this position in American history, while outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed him at the White House.

The ceremony arrangements underwent substantial changes due to severe weather conditions, with the inauguration ceremony being moved from its traditional location on the Capitol steps to inside the building, the first such instance since Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1985.

The new administration is preparing to launch a "shock and awe" campaign by issuing more than 100 executive orders, covering vital issues such as energy, immigration, and other domestic and foreign files.

An elite group of country music stars performed at the ceremony, including famous singer Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, and "Rascal Flatts," adding a cultural dimension to the historic event.

The ceremony was distinguished by the distribution of more than 220,000 tickets and notable attendance by former presidents and technology sector leaders, reflecting the event's exceptional importance. This year's ceremonies coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third such intersection in American history, adding a symbolic dimension to the occasion.

The day's program included a series of precisely organized events, starting with security screening gates opening at 5:00 AM, through musical performances, to the inaugural parade.

Presidential inauguration traditions, continuing since George Washington's era in 1789, reflect the depth of the American democratic experience, especially with its evolution through the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in 1933, which moved the date to January 20th.

Observers expect the Senate to vote today on Trump's nominees for the Defense and State Departments, in a step paving the way for forming the new administration and beginning its actual work.

It's worth noting that the constitutional oath taken by Trump affirms his commitment to faithfully execute the presidency's duties and preserve and protect the Constitution, concluding with the phrase "So help me God" which has become a tradition since President Herbert Hoover's era.

Levant-Agencies

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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.