BREAKING NEWS

Bahrain king announces constitutional reforms

By REUTERS

JANUARY 15, 2012 13:05

DUBAI - Bahrain's king announced constitutional amendments on Sunday giving parliament more powers of scrutiny over government, but the opposition said they fell far short of demands for democracy that have driven a year of unrest in the Gulf Arab state.

The speech did not mention clashes between riot police and mainly Shi'ite opposition activists that have taken place on an almost daily basis since martial law was lifted in May after the Sunni-led government crushed a pro-democracy movement.

The Gulf island nation, home to the US Fifth Fleet, is seen by the United States and Saudi Arabia as a key ally against non-Arab Shi'ite power Iran just across Gulf waters.

The amendments, which increase powers to question ministers and withdraw confidence in the cabinet, emerged from a national dialogue King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa organised last year after the Sunni-dominated government crushed a democracy uprising dominated by majority Shi'ites.

Pro-Palestinian students swarm UK MP Jacob Rees-Mogg

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/27/2024 01:51 PM

Loud explosion heard in rural area east of Daraa in Syria - report

By MAARIV

04/27/2024 01:39 PM

Abbas, international leaders to hold Gaza talks in Riyadh this week

By REUTERS

04/27/2024 12:45 PM

Kremlin says Moscow and Beijing ties to continue

By REUTERS

04/27/2024 12:34 PM