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Bahraini Court Fines Central Bank of Iran in Money Laundering Case

Bahrain Public Prosecution via AAAWSAT AR.
Bahrain Public Prosecution via AAAWSAT AR.
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Bahraini Court Fines Central Bank of Iran in Money Laundering Case

Bahrain Public Prosecution via AAAWSAT AR.
Bahrain Public Prosecution via AAAWSAT AR.

The Bahraini High Criminal Court has sentenced three Iran-owned Future Bank officials charged with financial crimes and money laundering to five years in jail and to fines of BD 1 million each.

The court also fined the Iranian Central Bank and other Iran-owned banks, including Future Bank, implicated in the schemes BD 1 million each and ordered the confiscation of the funds that the banks wanted to transfer illegally, state news agency BNA reported.

Advocate General Nayef Yousef Mahmoud, Head of the Financial Crimes and Money Laundering Prosecution, said that the total of the fines in the seven cases reviewed by the court reached BD 49 million while the confiscated funds amounted to $173 million.

Earlier, the Public Prosecution announced that its investigations revealed that the Central Bank of Iran planned to launder billions of dollars through the Future Bank, established in Bahrain and managed by two Iranian banks, Bank Melli Iran and Bank Saderat Iran, to pass suspicious financial transactions in favor of Iranian entities, mainly the Central Bank of Iran, in violation of laws and regulations.

The Future Bank also received requests for suspicious financial transfers in favor of the Central Bank and other Iranian banks through the “SWIFT” system without reporting them or setting aside the amounts, in an effort to conceal the identity of the Iranian bank. The scheme allowed the bank to make the transfers in violation of laws and regulations.

The general advocate said investigations are still underway regarding the remaining incidents in which the Central Bank and other Iranian banks used the Future Bank to carry out international transactions in violation of the Law on Prohibiting and Combating Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing and banking laws and regulations.

To date, the court has imposed a total of BD 330 million in fines against those found guilty in cases related to the Future Bank, confiscated financial transfer amounts worth $323 million, and issued custodial penalties against them, he added.

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Gulf

Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition: From Foundational Phase to Active Deployment

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition gathered on Thursday representatives from 41 allied and partner nations. SPA
The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition gathered on Thursday representatives from 41 allied and partner nations. SPA
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Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition: From Foundational Phase to Active Deployment

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition gathered on Thursday representatives from 41 allied and partner nations. SPA
The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition gathered on Thursday representatives from 41 allied and partner nations. SPA

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition held its fourth planning meeting on Thursday at the Western Fleet Command in Jeddah, gathering 154 naval commanders, operational planners, ambassadors, and European Union representatives from 41 allied and partner nations.

The conference marked the coalition's transition from its foundational phase to active deployment after achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

Delegations focused on integrating defense assets, defining operational requirements, and preparing forces for joint missions within the designated area of responsibility.

Discussions covered operational milestones, charter accessions, and capability pledges from member states, with 28 liaison officers currently assigned to coordinate multinational efforts under a unified command structure.

The coalition reaffirmed that safeguarding international navigation, maritime corridors, and strategic straits represents a shared global priority, emphasizing integrated capabilities, real-time intelligence sharing, and adherence to international maritime law to counter emerging threats.

Gulf

Arteta Buries Hatchet with Hurzeler ahead of Brighton Clash

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Arsenal - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - September 12, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Arsenal - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - September 12, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell
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Arteta Buries Hatchet with Hurzeler ahead of Brighton Clash

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Arsenal - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - September 12, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Arsenal - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - September 12, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Mikel Arteta has made peace with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler following their row last season as the pair go head to head again on Saturday.

Hurzeler criticized Arteta's style of play during a 1-0 defeat against the Gunners at the Amex Stadium in March.

The German said "only one team tried to play football" and accused the Arsenal of "making their own rules".

With the champions heading back to Brighton in the top flight this weekend, the spotlight will be fixed on the touchline to see if the spat lingers.

Hurzeler refused to back down this week when quizzed on his comments from last season.
"I think it's very important that in football there are opinions," he said.

"I will definitely always share my opinion if I am asked. But, in the end, I congratulate Arsenal for being deserved champions. They deserved it."

Speaking on Friday, Arteta insisted there was no bad blood over Hurzeler's blast.

"That's all done. That's all in the past," the Arsenal manager told reporters.

"I have huge respect for Fabian, and what he's done and what Brighton has done as a club.

"It's just remarkable, and tomorrow is going to be a beautiful game to watch, I'm sure."

Arsenal have made a flying start to their Premier League title defense, with four successive victories taking them to the top of the table.

The north Londoners also won their opening Champions League match against Napoli and booked their place in the League Cup fourth round on Tuesday with a win at Ipswich.

Teenage playmaker Max Dowman starred against Ipswich in his first appearance this season, scoring twice to underline why is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League.

The 16-year-old has made his case for a bigger role in Arteta's plans after being an unused substitute in the opening weeks.

But asked if the teenager has been knocking on his door to play, Arteta said: "The best way to knock on the door is to do it on the pitch, not in the office.

"Then you just leave out the arguments. When a player delivers constantly on the pitch, every single day in training, that's the best way, that's the best signal for the manager."

Including the Community Shield against Manchester City, Arsenal have won seven consecutive matches.

Another victory on the south coast would equal the club's 123-year record for their best start to a campaign.

"We know how complicated it is to win a football match at this level. So, to win seven, it tells a story," AFP quoted Arteta as saying.

"After the World Cup, there were a lot of unknowns about how the players and the team were going to react. We didn't have any time with them to work together.

"But I said from day one, the attitude and what I was seeing, I was really impressed with. Then you have to put it down to performances."

Arteta is yet to sign an contract extension, with talks ongoing for several months, but the Spaniard is relaxed over the situation.

"I think we are all very much aligned, whenever the time is right we'll get that done. There is nothing to be concerned about," he said.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Pakistan Mosque

People stand near an ambulance and a damaged section of a police facility following a suicide attack in Kohat, Pakistan, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
People stand near an ambulance and a damaged section of a police facility following a suicide attack in Kohat, Pakistan, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Pakistan Mosque

People stand near an ambulance and a damaged section of a police facility following a suicide attack in Kohat, Pakistan, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
People stand near an ambulance and a damaged section of a police facility following a suicide attack in Kohat, Pakistan, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the deadly terrorist attack that targeted a mosque in northwestern Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom's steadfast stance rejecting the targeting of places of worship, the terrorization of civilians, and the shedding of innocent blood.

It underscored full solidarity with Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, regardless of motives or justifications.

The Kingdom extended its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.