Bahrain hopeful of rights council seat
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 8th May 2008

BAHRAIN stands a good chance of being elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council, a top official said yesterday. "We have had a very good Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recently and in light of that, we have a bright chance," said Permanent Representative of Bahrain to UN Industrial Development Organisation, Geneva, Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla.

He said Bahrain's UN team was campaigning for a seat on the council in both Geneva and New York

Jailed teachers 'may go on hunger strike'
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 7th May 2008

FAMILIES of Bahraini teachers held in a Saudi jail for more than two months have claimed the men could resort to a hunger strike if they are not released soon.

Four of the eight teachers reportedly told their families they would take the drastic action when they visited them in the Riyadh prison last week.

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FREE TO SPEAK OUT
Published: 5th May 2008

MANAMA: Freedom of expression in Bahrain yesterday received a major boost as the amended law on Press and publications was approved.Chaired by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Cabinet gave the green light to this important step as Bahrain joined hands with the international community to celebrate World Press Freedom Day.

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US hails Bahrain's anti-terror battle
By REBECCA TORR
Published: 5th May 2008

BAHRAIN is actively monitoring terrorist suspects, but its ability to detain and prosecute them is sometimes hampered by the country's legal constraints, according to a US Department of State report.

Pregnant wife's terrifying ordeal
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 3rd May 2008

THE pregnant wife of one of eight Bahraini teachers arrested in Saudi Arabia two months ago is worried that her husband could miss the birth of their first child. Kawthar Yousif, the 20-year-old wife of Majeed Al Ghasra, is now five months pregnant.

She says she is terrified that her husband could still be behind bars when she goes into labour.

"I don't think I can do this without him," she told the GDN.

"If things keep going the way they are then I'm afraid he will miss the birth of our child."

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Riots policemen return to work
By ANIQA HAIDER
Published: 29th April 2008

TWO policemen injured in an attack in which a colleague was murdered, are back at work, sources said yesterday.

Yemenis Ammar Mohsin, 26 and Saleh Ali Saleh, 27, based at Safra Police Station, were injured when a mob hurling Molotov cocktails attacked a police patrol vehicle in Karzakhan on April 9.

Pakistani colleague Majid Asghar Ali Kareem Baksh, aged 24, was killed in the attack.

Crackdown on trafficking 'top priority'
BAHRAIN and its neighbours may get international help in combating drug and human trafficking, it was declared yesterday.

Mr Scheffer said it was one of the main issues on the agenda at the Nato-Bahrain Relations and the ICI conference.

Other prominent participants were the Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and Foreign Ministry assistant under-secretary for co-ordination and follow-up Dr Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.

New arrests ruled out
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 23rd April 2008

AN investigation into the killing of a policeman in a Bahraini village has been completed and no further arrests are expected, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. Pakistani policeman Majid Asghar Ali Kareem Baksh, 24, was lynched by a mob who attacked his patrol vehicle with Molotov cocktails.

It is understood he was on plainclothes duty in Karzakan, off the Budaiya Highway, when the attack took place on April 9.

Families protest outside embassy
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 22nd April 2008

FEMALE relatives of Bahrainis arrested for allegedly taking part in riots at the end of last year gathered outside the US Embassy, Zinj, yesterday demanding to meet the US Secretary of State.

The seven women were refused entry to the embassy, where they hoped to complain about the treatment of their sons, husbands and brothers.

Arson attack three on trial
By MOHAMMED ASLAM

THREE teenagers are standing trial for allegedly torching a car belonging to a 60-year-old Bahraini. The incident happened in Sharakan in August last year and the youngsters are accused of hurling a Molotov cocktail inside the vehicle, deliberately endangering people's lives and property.

Bahrain's High Criminal Court heard that the car owner and a 19-year-old neighbour put out the blaze with water and sand.

Three teenagers, two aged 18 and one 19, appeared in the High Criminal Court yesterday charged with the arson attack.