Interpreter who helped rescue Joe Biden in 2008 safely departs Afghanistan
October 12, 2021, 1:06 am

Interpreter who helped rescue Joe Biden in 2008 safely departs Afghanistan

Afghanistan-Men-Meeting/Pixabay

The BBC reported, an Afghan interpreter who helped rescue then-senator Joe Biden from the harsh Afghanistan countryside has managed to evacuate the region with his family.

The BBC said that in 2008, a blizzard forced the military helicopter carrying Mr Biden and other US lawmakers to land in a snowy valley where they were vulnerable to ambush.

It mentioned, Aman Khalili was among the Afghan employees of the US government that drove the group to safety.

Since August, Khalili had been appealing for help overcoming visa issues to leave.

According to the BBC, Aman Khalili now joins thousands of Afghans who have fled the country rather than live under Taliban rule.

On Monday, a representative for the US State Department told BBC News that Mr Khalili and his family had "safely departed Afghanistan and subsequently initiated onward travel from Pakistan".

Afghanistan-Tajikistan-Wakhan valley/Pixabay

"They did so with extensive and high-level engagement and support from the US Government, and we are grateful for the many others who also supported him along the way."

Thirteen years after his chance encounter with the future president - as well as senators Chuck Hagel and John Kerry - Mr Khalili was struggling to secure his US Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) to flee Afghanistan.

Following the chaotic US withdrawal this summer, Mr Khalili called upon Mr Biden to save him, his wife and five children. "I trust him," he told CNN. "I trust that he can do everything."

When asked about Mr Khalili's situation in September, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki thanked him for "helping a number of my favourite people out of a snowstorm and for all the work you did" and said the US was "committed" to evacuating allies.

Read more: Boris’s economic bluster

The Human First Coalition, an organisation helping to rescue over 200 Afghans now in Pakistan, told the BBC they were "deeply grateful" to US and Pakistani officials for helping "in our efforts to bring President Biden's interpreter and his family to safety".

The SIV was designed specifically for Afghans and Iraqis who worked alongside American troops in both of those conflicts. It is unclear if Mr Khalili has obtained this visa, or if he is travelling to the US.

Since 2008, approximately 70,000 Afghans have been resettled in the US on an SIV.

Source: BBC

UK lawmakers: Delaying coronavirus lockdown a serious error Turkish young people look for ways out amid rising unemployment rate

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.