Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain, May 26 (UPI) -- Bahrain's Shiite opposition party al-Wefaq accused the country's security forces of destroying more than 30 places of worship since May, party officials said.  

The Bahraini regime forces backed by troops from Saudi Arabia once again have attacked protesters in the tiny Persian Gulf littoral state, Press TV reports. Security forces on Friday fired teargas and sound grenades at the demonstrating crowds in several ...  

MANAMA, Bahrain — Bahraini opposition groups say the daughter of a jailed hunger striker has been sentenced to one month in prison for a confrontation with the police during a protest rally. Zainab al-Khawaja was accused of abusing a policewoman during a ...  

During the Universal Periodic Review of the human rights situation in Bahrain by the UN Human Rights Council two days ago in Geneva, the Islamic Republic of Iran's delegation called on the Bahraini authorities to "free all political prisoners, put a stop to arbitrary arrests of government opponents and end the impunity reigning in the country."  

The Bahrain All-Share Index gained 0.70% to hit 1,145.39 Thursday, halting a week-long declined. Islamic financial institutions Al Baraka Banking Group and Ithmaar Bank advanced 9.20% and 6.90%, respectively. Nass Corporation lost the most (off 0.69%). According to National Bank of Abu Dhabi's Chief Economist and Head of Research Dr. Giyas Gokkent, "assets of the consolidated Bahraini banking system were up +0.8% m-o-m in March to $200.4bn...  

Youths threw petrol bombs at police cars during skirmishes before dawn, prompting authorities to flood Shi'ite villages around Manama with police reinforcements backed by helicopters. Police fired tear gas at two dozen protesters near the former ...  

MANAMA, Bahrain—A jailed Bahraini activist who has been on a hunger strike since February has made his first public appearance in months, attending a court hearing in a wheelchair. Abdulhadi al-Khawaja appeared frail, but spoke in a clear ...  

Tens of thousands of mainly Shi'a have joined a march in Bahrain to denounce proposals for closer unity between the Sunni-ruled kingdom and neighboring Saudi Arabia. Protesters chanted "Bahrain is not for sale," as they marched outside the capital, Manama.  

Bahrain faced calls at the United Nations on Monday to release its political prisoners, including prominent rights activist Nabeel Rajab who is charged with tweeting insults against the government.The Gulf kingdom came under scrutiny by members of the UN Human Rights Council, which is examining Bahrain's rights record as part of its four-yearly review process.  

The Bahrain All-Share Index declined 0.78% to 1,138.32, as financials weighed on the Manama-based gauge. On a year-to-date basis, the measure fell back in the red zone (off half a percentage point). Islamic financial institution Ithmaar Bank plummeted 9.38% to $0.145. Bahrain Telecommunications, known as Batelco, added 0.42% to reach BD0.48. On May 20, Batelco and Omantel signed a partnership agreement. Building on existing agreements, this...  

A defense lawyer says bail has been granted for a jailed Bahraini rights activist but he still must face another court hearing this week.Mohammed Ahmed says bail was set on Sunday at 300 dinars ($798) for Nabel Rajab, who was arrested earlier this month as part of the Gulf kingdom's crackdowns on dissent.Rajab faces charges of using social media to insult Bahraini authorities and encouraging protests. Bahrain's majority Shiites began an...  

MANAMA (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of mainly Shi'ite protesters rallied in Bahrain on Friday against proposals for closer ties with other Gulf Arab countries, a plan pushed by Saudi Arabia to contain dissent in Bahrain and counter Iran's regional influence. In Iran, thousands of protesters also rallied against the plan, state television showed, and an influential cleric denounced the idea as an "ill-fated plot". Protesters in Bahrain chanted...  

New York, May 17, 2012--A journalist who criticized Bahrain's proposed union with Saudi Arabia was seized from his home near Manama on Wednesday and his whereabouts are unknown. The Committee to Protect Journalists called today for his immediate release....  

Iranian MPs on Monday condemned a planned union between Saudi Arabia and fellow Sunni-ruled Bahrain, news agencies reported."Bahraini and Saudi rulers must understand that this unwise decision will only strengthen the Bahraini people's resolve against the forces of occupation," they said in a letter, referring to Saudi military support for Manama.The letter, read out in the 290-member parliament and signed by 190 MPs, warned that "the crisis...  

A prominent human rights activist, arrested by Bahraini authorities at the weekend, is due to appear in court on Sunday, according to the Bahrain Center for Human Rights. Nabeel Rajab, who was arrested at Manama airport after attending a human ...