‘Torture’ injuries self-inflicted
by mahmood on 14/01/10 at 8:03 am
Nine men standing trial for murder inflicted injuries on themselves and tried to pass it off as police torture, a medical examiner told Bahrain’s High Criminal Court yesterday.
The Bahrainis claimed they were beaten into confessing by police, but Dr Hatim Mahmood Nabeel told judges that was unlikely during a gruelling two-and-a-half hour session.
They are standing [...]
Al Wefaq faces legal action
Al Wefaq National Islamic Society is to face legal action for tarnishing individuals and families and defaming Bahrain’s political rule.
“Al Wefaq has exceeded the bounds of largely approved consensual national principles,” Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said yesterday in statement.
Legal charges will be pressed against other associations [...]
Bahrain’s labour market :: Bridging the gulf
One country in the Gulf tries to wean itself off foreign workers
THE newly opened Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, is a monument to Dubai’s audacity. It is also a stark illustration of its dependence on foreign labour. Designed by an American, overseen by a New Zealander and built by mostly South Asian labourers, the [...]
Murder suspects’ relatives protest
The streets surrounding the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry, in the Diplomatic Area, were barricaded by riot police yesterday as relatives and supporters of the murder suspects protested for four hours against their detention.
Police also blocked the entrance to the courts amid tight security and demanded identification from everyone entering the complex.
Relatives, who were allowed [...]
Bahrain wins top Mideast ranking
Bahrain came first in the Middle East and 19th globally in the telecommunications infrastructure index, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced yesterday.
It moved from 46th position in 2008 globally, according to the United Nations’ e-Government Readiness report of 2010.
“Through the regulatory measures, we are aiming to achieve higher Internet reach to the public at affordable [...]
Freak accident man dies
A HOTEL technician died early yesterday morning from injuries he suffered in a freak accident involving projector equipment.
Rafique Adam Qazi, from India, had been in a coma at the Salmaniya Medical Complex’s (SMC) intensive care unit ever since the incident at the Mercure Grand Hotel, Seef, on Tuesday.
The GDN exclusively reported yesterday that he [...]
WEF chance for Bahraini student
A 21-year-old Bahraini could soon become the first student from the country to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
But Tariq Al Olaimyy, who studied at St Christopher’s School until 2006, must garner enough votes by tomorrow to be able to make the trip.
The prize will be the opportunity to speak at a [...]
Whitaker steps down as BIC supremo
Martin Whitaker has stepped down as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), chairman of the BIC board Zayed Al Zayani announced last night.
In a planned move, BIC chief operating officer Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa will take over as the new CEO while Mr Whitaker will continue as Formula One [...]
‘Unrealistic’ rights report slammed
A top government official and a leading opposition member have criticised as unfair and unrealistic an annual global report which ranks the country alongside Afghanistan, China and North Korea in terms of political freedom and civil liberties.
Bahrain is one of five countries downgraded into the “not free” category of Freedom House’s Freedom In The World [...]
Societies launch new petition
A national petition against naturalisation was launched by six opposition political societies last night. The petition is the second after another sent by mail last year was rejected by the Royal Court, which ordered the societies to present it through proper parliamentary channels.
However, the societies – Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, Islamic Action Society, National [...]
Nobel laureate honoured
Nobel laureate Prof Mohammed Yunus, who is visiting Bahrain, attended a reception in his honour at the residence of Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammed Ali Akbar in Saar last night.
The event was attended by senior Bangladeshi community leaders, prominent Bahrainis and diplomats.
Prof Yunus, a banker and economist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2006 for his work [...]
Wrench attackers deny charges
Two sons of a Bahraini MP, who allegedly attacked three members of the ruling family with a wrench, yesterday denied the charges. The brothers, in their 20s, appeared before the Lower Criminal Court for the first time where they pleaded not guilty to assault.
A third brother, who was earlier released from police custody, failed to [...]
Global monitors to probe concerns
Global monitors will meet government officials in Bahrain today over human rights issues.
Representatives from the Dublin-based Front Line, who visit countries to analyse the treatment of activists in their native countries, are in Manama to speak with activists and authorities on the situation here.
They are due to meet with officials from the Ministries of Foreign [...]
TV documentary focus on heritage
A TV documentary on Muharraq’s Al Qaysariya Market has been filmed to underline its importance to Bahrain’s national heritage.
It has been produced by the BC Space Channel in collaboration with Bahrain Television.
Plans for the demolition of a 200-year-old market have been pending for the past two years as councillors investigate whether 10 to 15 [...]
Bahraini entrepreneurs’ participation at Gulf Industry attracts much attention
Twelve Bahraini entrepreneurs – representing small- and medium-size enterprises supported by Tamkeen’s Enterprise Development Support program (EDS) – showcased their businesses at the Gulf Industry exhibition, which opened at Bahrain International Convention Center this morning.
Exhibiting their businesses – including state of the art machinery they have bought through the programs – from Tamkeen’s pavilion, [...]
Popular Articles
‘Root out gays in our schools’
School students could soon be spied on under a campaign to stamp out homosexuality, under demands made by MPs yesterday. Parliament also demanded that the Interior Ministry stop granting any residence permits to foreign homosexuals.
Any already here should be deported as soon as they are detected, MPs said at parliament’s weekly session.
MPs also called for [...]
MPs demand total ban on alcohol in Bahrain
MPs yesterday unanimously demanded a total ban on alcohol in Bahrain. They voted in favour of a parliament-proposed law banning the import, possession, sale or production of alcohol. But to become law, the proposal would have to be accepted by the government and the Shura Council.
MPs said the current law, initiated in 1956, allowing the [...]
Impressive move
Draft law scraps jail terms for journalists
In a major move to give a further boost to the Fourth Estate in the Kingdom, the Cabinet yesterday endorsed a draft law to amend the 2002 Press legislation and scrap jail terms for journalists.
The weekly Cabinet meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, [...]
Action call after minister cleared
Opposition MPs yesterday threatened action after a parliamentary committee cleared a minister of masterminding a cover-up.
Cabinet Affairs Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatala Al Khalifa had always denied keeping Bahrain’s population explosion a secret.
However, he was let off the hook yesterday by a parliamentary committee, which decided no action should be taken against him.
Three of seven [...]
Man killed over 500 fils
An argument over 500 fils cost Bahraini Mohammed Jassim Dossary his life yesterday, reports SARA SAMI.
The 38-year-old was killed in an attack after an argument with an Asian mechanic at a workshop in Suq W’aqif, Hamad Town.
The worker demanded BD1.500 for welding machine repairs but Mr Dossary insisted on paying BD1, sources told the GDN.
Following [...]
