Archive for 'society'
‘Torture’ injuries self-inflicted
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 [...]
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 [...]
‘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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
New plea to tackle bias in workplace
A call to combat discrimination in the workplace went out yesterday from Bahrain’s top union leader.
Many workers are being denied opportunities or recognition, despite Bahrain’s laws against discrimination, said General Federation for Bahrain Trade Unions secretary-general Salman Al Mahfoodh.
“Bahrain is a country that is against discrimination, yet nothing is being done to support those who [...]
30,000 to protest fuel price rise
More than 30,000 people are expected to demonstrate on the streets of Manama tomorrow amid fears of a potential increase in petrol prices.
Twelve political societies, under the chairmanship of Al Wefaq block MP Jawad Fairooz, have joined forces with trade unions to organise the protest.
MPs were outraged last month when ministers confirmed that the existing [...]
Worksite deaths spark safety call
Thirty-Eight workers were killed in worksite accidents in Bahrain last year, up two on 2008.
There were 62 serious injuries, compared to 66 in 2008, Labour Ministry occupational health and safety engineer and inspector Hussain Al Shami told the GDN.
Most deaths and injuries resulted from workers falling from buildings under construction, being hit by falling materials, [...]
Knives and bricks threat to police
Police allegedly attacked when they forced their way into a house to arrest a man, admitted in court yesterday that they did not have a warrant.
The Bahraini is standing trial at the High Criminal Court, where he denies assaulting police, threatening them and resisting arrest.
Police went to his Hamad Town house in April to arrest [...]
Sectarianism ‘threat to Bahrain’s stability’ says report
Sectarianism is one of the leading challenges imperiling social stability and hindering the development of Bahrain, a report by the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research, one of the country’s leading think tanks, said last week.
The 157-page Bahrain Strategy Report, made public last Thursday, dedicated a 14-page chapter to the issue, documenting a sharp increase in sectarianism over the past few years and warning of its implications.
Full StoryGroups spar over merit of Ashura processions
Clashes started when a group of mourners staged a rally in the village streets, using swords and sharp objects to hit their heads
Village elders and police intervened to stop clashes between two Shiite groups sparring over the merit of “tatbeer”, the act of striking swords on the head slitting it open to stream blood, in [...]
إصابة عدة أشخاص باشتباكات في الدراز بسبب «التطبير»
أصيب ما لا يقل عن ثلاثة أشخاص ظهر أمس (الأحد) إصابات متفرقة نقلوا على إثرها إلى المستشفى لتلقي العلاج، وتضررت سيارتان بأضرار متفاوتة وذلك بعد حدوث اشتباكات في قرية الدراز بين مجموعتين إحداهما تؤيد التطبير (استخدام السيف لإحداث شق في الرأس وإسالة الدم) والأخرى ترفضه.
وجاء في التفاصيل أن مجموعة خرجت من أحد أزقة القرية بموكب [...]
Key Rotary meeting set
More than a thousand Rotarians from the Middle East and Africa region will be attending a major conference in Bahrain next year.
Bahrain is to host the 74th District Conference of the Rotary International District 2450, which will take place from April 29 to May 2.
The event will be held at the Gulf Hotel’s Gulf Convention [...]
