Latest news with #BosniaAndHerzegovina


The Independent
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Duchess of Edinburgh was ‘emotional' to assume title once used by late Queen
The Duchess of Edinburgh said it was 'emotional' to assume her new title, as it had previously been held by her mother-in-law, the late Queen Elizabeth II. During a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, Sophie discussed both her work and the personal significance of becoming the Duchess of Edinburgh in an interview with the Mirror. She was formerly the Countess of Wessex, but became the Duchess of Edinburgh after the King handed her husband Edward, Charles' youngest brother, their late father's Duke of Edinburgh title on his 59th birthday in 2023. This was in keeping with his parents' wishes and in recognition of Edward's commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award youth scheme. The duchess told the paper that her change in title 'felt like quite a big moment' as the late Queen had previously held the same one. She said: 'First of all, it was quite large shoes to fill because not as many of the population alive today will remember, but the Queen was Duchess of Edinburgh for the first few years when she and my father-in-law first married. 'For me, it was quite an emotional thing to sort of step into her shoes [as being Duchess of Edinburgh], it felt like quite a big moment. 'But of course being practical my role and my husband's role is to support the King as it was to support the Queen and we are fortunate because we are able to not be in front and centre role, so it allows us the flexibility to explore our own interests and then also be available to do things like this where the King asked if I would represent him here, it so happens it also covering an area of interest personally for me too. But yes, we are there to support and that will continue.' On being described as the royal family's secret weapon, Sophie said: 'I like to fly under the radar. 'It's all very well being a secret weapon, but if no one knows, maybe it's too secret.' 'I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment,' she added. 'I don't see myself in a frontline position per se, that said, admittedly, there are fewer working members of the family these days, so I suppose more and more I'm becoming less secretive. 'I just wonder what they are going to describe me as next.' During the visit, Sophie met mothers of victims of the genocide and delivered a message from the King in which he said he was 'greatly saddened' not to be there in person, adding that he is 'most touched and grateful to be able to share these words as we pay our respects'. More than 8,000 men and boys were killed on July 11 1995, by Bosnian Serb forces amid the break-up of the former Yugoslavia – Europe's worst atrocity since the Second World War.


The Independent
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Former Countess of Wessex on the significance of new title
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, described assuming her new title as "emotional" because it was previously held by her mother-in-law, the late Queen Elizabeth II. She became Duchess of Edinburgh after King Charles granted her husband, Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh title in 2023, fulfilling his parents' wishes and recognising Edward's dedication to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. These remarks were made during her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. Sophie commented on her role, stating she prefers to "fly under the radar" but acknowledges her increasing visibility due to fewer working members of the Royal Family. During her visit, she met mothers of genocide victims and delivered a message from the King, who expressed his regret at not being able to attend in person.


The Independent
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
‘Emotional' to assume title once used by late Queen: Duchess of Edinburgh
The Duchess of Edinburgh said it was 'emotional' to assume her title, as it had previously been held by the late Queen. Sophie, whose mother-in-law was Queen Elizabeth II, discussed her work and becoming the Duchess of Edinburgh in an interview with the Mirror during a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide this week. She was formerly the Countess of Wessex, but became the Duchess of Edinburgh after the King handed her husband Edward, Charles' youngest brother, their late father's Duke of Edinburgh title on his 59th birthday in 2023. This was in keeping with his parents' wishes and in recognition of Edward's commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award youth scheme. The duchess told the paper that her change in title 'felt like quite a big moment' as the late Queen had previously held the same one. She said: 'First of all it was quite large shoes to fill because not as many of the population alive today will remember but the Queen was Duchess of Edinburgh for the first few years when she and my father-in-law first married. 'For me, it was quite an emotional thing to sort of step into her shoes [as being Duchess of Edinburgh], it felt like quite a big moment.' 'But of course being practical my role and my husband's role is to support the King as it was to support the Queen and we are fortunate because we are able to not be in front and centre role, so it allows us the flexibility to explore our own interests and then also be available to do things like this where the King asked if I would represent him here, it so happens it also covering an area of interest personally for me too. But yes, we are there to support and that will continue.' On being described as the royal family's secret weapon, Sophie said: 'I like to fly under the radar. 'It's all very well being a secret weapon but if no one knows, maybe it's too secret.' 'I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment,' she added. 'I don't see myself in a frontline position per se, that said admittedly there are fewer working members of the family these days so I suppose more and more I'm becoming less secretive. 'I just wonder what they are going to describe me as next.' During the visit, Sophie met mothers of victims of the genocide and delivered a message from the King in which he said he was 'greatly saddened' not to be there in person, adding that he is 'most touched and grateful to be able to share these words as we pay our respects'. More than 8,000 men and boys were killed on July 11 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces amid the break-up of the former Yugoslavia – Europe's worst atrocity since the Second World War.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Emotional' to assume title once used by late Queen: Duchess of Edinburgh
The Duchess of Edinburgh said it was 'emotional' to assume her title, as it had previously been held by the late Queen. Sophie, whose mother-in-law was Queen Elizabeth II, discussed her work and becoming the Duchess of Edinburgh in an interview with the Mirror during a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide this week. She was formerly the Countess of Wessex, but became the Duchess of Edinburgh after the King handed her husband Edward, Charles' youngest brother, their late father's Duke of Edinburgh title on his 59th birthday in 2023. This was in keeping with his parents' wishes and in recognition of Edward's commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award youth scheme. The duchess told the paper that her change in title 'felt like quite a big moment' as the late Queen had previously held the same one. She said: 'First of all it was quite large shoes to fill because not as many of the population alive today will remember but the Queen was Duchess of Edinburgh for the first few years when she and my father-in-law first married. 'For me, it was quite an emotional thing to sort of step into her shoes [as being Duchess of Edinburgh], it felt like quite a big moment.' 'But of course being practical my role and my husband's role is to support the King as it was to support the Queen and we are fortunate because we are able to not be in front and centre role, so it allows us the flexibility to explore our own interests and then also be available to do things like this where the King asked if I would represent him here, it so happens it also covering an area of interest personally for me too. But yes, we are there to support and that will continue.' On being described as the royal family's secret weapon, Sophie said: 'I like to fly under the radar. 'It's all very well being a secret weapon but if no one knows, maybe it's too secret.' 'I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment,' she added. 'I don't see myself in a frontline position per se, that said admittedly there are fewer working members of the family these days so I suppose more and more I'm becoming less secretive. 'I just wonder what they are going to describe me as next.' During the visit, Sophie met mothers of victims of the genocide and delivered a message from the King in which he said he was 'greatly saddened' not to be there in person, adding that he is 'most touched and grateful to be able to share these words as we pay our respects'. More than 8,000 men and boys were killed on July 11 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces amid the break-up of the former Yugoslavia – Europe's worst atrocity since the Second World War.


Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Islamic Development Bank Institute participates in global conference on ethical finance and sustainable growth
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: The International University of Sarajevo (IUS), in strategic partnership with the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) and in collaboration with esteemed institutions including the University of Dundee (UK), Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (Türkiye), INCEIF University (Malaysia), and the Center for Advanced Studies (Bosnia and Herzegovina), successfully hosted the international conference 'Values for Impact: Ethical Finance, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth.' The event, held at the IUS Campus in Sarajevo from 18-19 June 2025, was supported by platinum sponsor Kuveyt Türk Katılım Bankası and BH Telecom, which sponsored a key panel on artificial intelligence. The conference was inaugurated by IUS Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yıldırım, who highlighted its global significance, stating, 'This conference represents a pivotal moment for global collaboration, uniting diverse perspectives to advance ethical finance and sustainable development, aligning with IUS's commitment to fostering innovation and moral responsibility in economic systems.' Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, delivered a keynote address, articulating a bold vision for Islamic finance. He stated: 'Islamic finance offers the blueprint for aligning finance with markets, technology with values, and innovation with sustainability. As the world desperately seeks a new paradigm, we must rise to the challenge and contribute to a better future that we all aspire to. The path ahead will not be easy. But the mission is worth the journey.' Dr. Ahmet Albayrak, Executive Vice President of Kuveyt Türk Katılım Bankası and Patron of the IUS Center for Islamic Finance, Innovation, and Sustainability, emphasized the importance of uniting global thought leaders to strengthen the moral and digital foundations of economic systems. One of the highlights of the conference was the participation of three distinguished recipients of the Islamic Development Bank Prize in Islamic Economics: Dr. Mehmet Asutay, Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Political Economy & Finance, Durham University Business School, UK Dr. Mohammad Kabir Hassan, Professor of Economics and Finance, University of New Orleans, USA Dr. Habib Ahmed, Sharjah Chair in Islamic Law and Finance, Durham University Business School, UK These luminaries enriched discussions with their expertise, offering profound insights into the intersection of ethics, innovation, and finance. Over 160 participants from more than 20 countries, including academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and representatives of international organizations, engaged in dynamic sessions exploring topics such as Islamic fintech, sustainable investment, and the moral foundations of economic systems. Notable sessions included 'Reviving the Moral Foundations of Economic Life,' 'Islamic FinTech for Inclusive and Ethical Futures,' and 'Green Waqf: Islamic Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change.' A special parallel session, led by Dr. Beebee Salma Sairally, Editor of the International Journal of Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development (a jointly produced journal by IsDBI and INCEIF), provided valuable guidance on publishing in peer-reviewed journals. The conference is expected to pave the way for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become an intellectual hub for the development of Islamic economics and finance in the region and to contribute to the national and regional sustainable development agenda. About the Islamic Development Bank Institute The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives.