logo
Grassroots Peacekeepers Drive Coexistence

Grassroots Peacekeepers Drive Coexistence

Daily Tribune10-07-2025
TDT | Manama
Grassroots champions of peace in Bahrain have been recognised for reinforcing the Kingdom's global image as a beacon of interfaith harmony.
The Bahrain Society for Tolerance and Interfaith Coexistence, or Ta'ayush, earned praise from His Excellency Salman bin Isa bin Hindi Al-Mannai, Governor of Muharraq Governorate, for its work in nurturing dialogue and coexistence across communities.
Promoting dialogue
The recognition came during a visit by Ta'ayush officials led by Chairman Yousef Mohammed Bozboun, who presented the Governor with a copy of the Society's newly released book, In the Hospitality of the King of Peace.
The publication documents the landmark visit to Bahrain by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, underscoring the country's growing role in fostering global interfaith dialogue.
H.E. Al-Mannai described the Society's work as both 'qualitative' and 'distinguished,' noting that its programmes offer a local lens into Bahrain's broader vision for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
He said the book offers clear testimony to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's efforts to position Bahrain as a space of religious understanding and openness.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump Hints at Moscow Visit After Landmark Alaska Talks With Putin
Trump Hints at Moscow Visit After Landmark Alaska Talks With Putin

Daily Tribune

timea day ago

  • Daily Tribune

Trump Hints at Moscow Visit After Landmark Alaska Talks With Putin

TDT | Manama U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-stakes meeting in Alaska on Friday, with both leaders emphasizing progress toward a potential peace settlement in Ukraine. The summit, held in Anchorage, marked the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Trump's return to office. The talks, described by both sides as 'productive,' focused largely on ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rebuilding strained U.S.-Russia relations. Although no formal agreement was announced, the leaders signaled cautious optimism about moving closer to a framework for peace. Following the meeting, both presidents delivered statements at a joint news conference but declined to take questions from the media. Putin: 'A Meeting Long Overdue' President Putin opened his remarks by thanking President Trump for the initiative to host the summit in Alaska, calling the location symbolic of shared history and geographic closeness. 'It only makes sense that we've met here, because our countries, though separated by oceans, are close neighbors,' Putin said, recalling the historical ties between Russia and Alaska, including cultural heritage from Russian America and the World War II-era air bridge that supplied Allied forces. He stressed that the relationship between Moscow and Washington had reached its lowest point since the Cold War, but insisted it was time to 'move on from confrontation to dialogue.' On Ukraine, Putin reiterated Russia's position that peace must address what he called the 'primary causes of the conflict,' including Moscow's security concerns. At the same time, he acknowledged Ukraine's sovereignty, describing the war as a 'tragedy for both nations with shared roots.' 'We are sincerely interested in putting an end to it,' Putin said. 'Lasting peace will require considering Russia's legitimate concerns while ensuring Ukraine's security.' He added that he hoped the tentative understandings reached with Trump would be welcomed 'constructively' in Kyiv and across European capitals. Putin also pointed to growing trade between the two countries and highlighted potential cooperation in technology, energy, Arctic exploration, and even space. 'It is important for our countries to turn the page and return to cooperation,' he said. Trump: 'Extremely Productive' President Trump, speaking after Putin, described the summit as 'extremely productive,' noting that both sides had agreed on 'many, many points,' though some issues remained unresolved. 'There's no deal until there's a deal,' Trump said, adding that he would brief NATO allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the discussions. Trump emphasized his personal relationship with Putin, saying the two had maintained 'fantastic' communication despite past obstacles, including what he referred to as the 'Russia hoax' that clouded U.S. politics during his previous term. The American president said both leaders shared a determination to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine. 'We're going to stop thousands of people a week from being killed. President Putin wants to see that as much as I do,' Trump said. Trump hinted at future meetings, possibly in Moscow, while thanking Putin's delegation and Russian business leaders present in Anchorage. 'We made great progress today. One big issue remains, but I believe we have a very good chance of resolving it,' he said. A Path Forward While no breakthrough was announced, the symbolism of Trump and Putin meeting in Alaska—the narrow bridge between Russia and the United States—was not lost on observers. Both leaders framed the summit as the start of a new chapter, with the potential to move beyond decades of mistrust. Putin concluded by expressing confidence that 'mutually beneficial and equal ties' could be rebuilt, while Trump said he expected another round of talks soon. As the world watches, the fate of the war in Ukraine—and the broader U.S.-Russia relationship—may hinge on whether the goodwill expressed in Anchorage can translate into concrete agreements in the months ahead.

Confirmed: Putin and Trump to Meet at Alaska Military Base
Confirmed: Putin and Trump to Meet at Alaska Military Base

Daily Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Daily Tribune

Confirmed: Putin and Trump to Meet at Alaska Military Base

TDT | Manama Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump are set to meet at the Elmendorf-Richardson US military base in Alaska. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the meeting will begin with a private one-on-one conversation at 11:30 AM local time, followed by discussions with their respective delegations. Key topics expected to be discussed include: Ukraine crisis: Seeking ways to address the ongoing conflict and its effect on US-Russia relations. Global security: Conversations on international and regional peace and stability. Bilateral relations: Exploring new opportunities for cooperation between the US and Russia. The meeting marks a rare face-to-face encounter between the two leaders and comes amid heightened interest in global diplomatic developments.

‘Stop production': Small US firms battered by shifting tariffs
‘Stop production': Small US firms battered by shifting tariffs

Daily Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Daily Tribune

‘Stop production': Small US firms battered by shifting tariffs

TDT | Manama Washington When US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on almost all trading partners in April, Ben Knepler contacted the factory in Cambodia producing his company's outdoor furniture. 'Stop production,' he ordered. The announcement involved a 10-percent levy on imports from most partners, set to rise further for many of them. For Cambodia, the planned duty was a staggering 49 percent. 'That night, we spoke to our factory,' Knepler told AFP. 'We literally cannot afford to bring our own product into the US with that kind of tariff.' The decision was even more painful for Knepler and his Pennsylvania-based company, True Places, given that he had previously shifted production of his outdoor chairs to Cambodia from China, following tariffs on Chinese imports imposed by Trump during his first presidency. 'We were facing 25-percent tariffs in China, and there were zero-percent tariffs in Cambodia,' Knepler recalled. It took him a year to move the massive equipment and molds to Cambodia only to see another steep levy. With Trump's 'reciprocal' tariff hikes taking effect last Thursday, these Cambodia-made chairs face a lower -- though still significant -- 19 percent duty. 'Wheel of misfortune' Knepler's experience echoes that of many US companies producing everything from yo-yos to clothing abroad, after years of offshoring American manufacturing. To cope, businesses use various strategies. Some pass on the new costs as a surcharge to customers. Others halted imports when duties reached prohibitive levels, hoping Trump would strike bilateral trade deals that would make their businesses viable again. Trump frames his tariffs as paid for by other countries, touting tens of billions in revenue this year -- but firms contest this description. 'We make the tariff payments when the product comes into the US,' Knepler stressed. 'Before we sell it, we're the ones who pay that tariff.' Now saddled with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt he took on to relocate the company's production to Cambodia, Knepler worries if his business will survive. He likens the rapid policy changes to spinning a 'wheel of misfortune,' resulting in a new tariff each time. Over four months this year, the planned tariff rate on Cambodian exports has gone from 0 to 49 percent, to 10 percent, to 36 percent, to 19 percent, he said. 'No one knows what it's going to be tomorrow,' he added. 'It's impossible to have any kind of confidence in what the rate will be in three- or four-months' time.' Economists warn that tariffs could fuel inflation and drag on growth. EY chief economist Gregory Daco noted that the duties effective Thursday raise the average tariff rate to 17.6 percent from 2.8 percent at the start of the year -— the highest level since the early 1930s. While Trump lauds the limited effects his duties have had on US prices so far, experts say tariffs take time to filter through to consumers. Many of Trump's sweeping levies also face legal challenges over his use of emergency economic powers. Price hikes The global tariffs are especially hard to avoid. Barton O'Brien said he accelerated production and borrowed money to bring in as much inventory as possible before Trump took office. On the election campaign trail, the Republican leader had floated a 60-percent tariff on imports from China, where O'Brien makes most of his products. The Maryland-based veteran selling dog harnesses and other accessories rented a container to ship as many products as he could before Trump's new tariffs would take effect. 'I had dog life jackets in the bathroom,' he told AFP.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store