We got robbed: Irish demand replay with France Nov 20, 2009
In 2005, FIFA invalidated the result of a World Cup qualifier between Uzbekistan and Bahrain following a referee s critical error. Trapattoni appeared to immediately undercut that appeal by offering his own assessment of FIFA politics. (Hudson Register Star, NY)
Sudan: One-Sudan Policy Strained By Looming Election, Referendum Nov 9, 2009
These countries include; Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, United Kingdom, Western Europe and the United States. The General Election is scheduled for April next year, and could be the first democratic poll since 1986. (allAfrica.com)
China's Han shoots 65 for Asian Amateur lead Oct 30, 2009
The field of 116 players comes from 30 countries of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, including players from Mongolia, Nepal, Bahrain, Cook Islands, Cambodia and Myanmar. Organizers of the Asian Amateur also announced that the West Course at Kasumigaseki Country Club, Japan, will host the 2010 Asian Amateur. (ESPN -- Golf)
Winner of Asian Amateur event gets Masters bid Oct 28, 2009
Players range in age from 14-year-old Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand to 52-year-old Abdulla Sultan of Bahrain. The event will be played on the par-72 World Cup Course at the Mission Hills Golf Club. (ESPN -- Golf)
Thumping win for Isa Oct 12, 2009
The Teluk Kemang parliamentary seat is also held by PKR state chief Datuk Kamarul Bahrain Abbas. Related Stories. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Analysis: New Iran charge boosts sanctions move Sep 26, 2009
"They have turned down negotiations or resisted them for the past three years. "Now that they are going to start talks with the U.S., I think we should expect Iran is going to be extraordinarily difficult in these negotiations and that there is a very good prospect that they will not succeed," he said. In Burns' view, making the attempt at bargaining strengthens Obama's hand in the event the talks fail and he resorts to seeking tougher sanctions. Even the sanctions path would be an uncertain... (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Israeli Official: Palestinians Entitled to East Jerusalem Sep 19, 2009
Answering the Crown Prince of Bahrain who had urged greater communication with Israel and "joint steps from Arab states to revive the peace process," Turki's message is that normalization will follow, not precede, Israel's withdrawal from the lands it conquered in 1967. Israeli leaders now hint they will return only a portion of these lands in return for military and economic concessions. (Newsmax)
ATL mayoral race: Jesse Spikes Aug 31, 2009
He practiced law in Atlanta and in 1981 moved to the Middle East for nearly five years as an adviser to a Bahrain bank. The job recommendation came from Andrew Young, the former ambassador and future Atlanta mayor, who later introduced Spikes to heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
The glitzy faceof Eurabia Aug 28, 2009
Vinci, for instance, is building no less than the number one bridge in the world between Doha and Bahrain, 43 kilometers long. GDF Suez is installing a desalinization plant in the middle of the desert. Business is also booming in European territory. (Asia Times Online)
Usain Bolt Sets Another World Record Aug 21, 2009
Earlier, Yusuf Saad Kamel of Bahrain and Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia started their chase for their own doubles ... "I did not sleep last night because I was very excited," said the Kenyan-born Bahraini, the son of two-time 800 world champion Billy Konchellah. (CBS News)
Young Muslims use tech to fight stereotypes Aug 8, 2009
(CNN) -- Esra'a al Shafei, a recent university graduate in Bahrain, is young, Muslim and frustrated ... Al Shafei, who spoke to CNN by phone from Bahrain, said her identity was partly shaped by a childhood that included Christian classmates and American and British teachers. (CNN -- Tech)
As a CIA spy, I saw in Iran what the West cannot ignore Aug 6, 2009
Today they can strike Tel Aviv, Riyadh, US bases in Iraq, and the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Their goal is to be able to target all of Europe. (Christian Science Monitor)
Iran and Russia, scorpions in a bottle Jul 24, 2009
Iran is strategically encircled by the US in Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and by US naval power in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Russia has seen the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) gobbling up the Baltic countries and threatening to "annex" Georgia and Ukraine; NATO is at war in Afghanistan; and the US is still present, one way or another, across Central Asia. (Asia Times Online)
Obama: Africa Inseparable from the World Jul 12, 2009
"Other countries possess weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. With Saddam, there is one big difference: He has used them. Not once, but repeatedly. Unleashing chemical weapons against Iranian troops during a decade-long war. Not only against soldiers, but against civilians, firing Scud missiles at the citizens of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iran. And not only against a foreign enemy, but even against his own people, gassing Kurdish civilians in Northern Iraq. ?The... (CBS News -- Politics)
Letters Jul 5, 2009
"More than the nuclear issue, what the conservative oil sheikdoms in the Persian Gulf fear is Iran's brand of Islamist democracy that has mobilized masses of Iranians. The long-demobilized and politically docile populations in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) could use Iran as a reference society and question the legitimacy of their archaic and tribal political systems that are perpetuated by the US for the... (Asia Times Online)
South Asia Jul 5, 2009
Al-Qaeda planned and financed the mission because its key sanctuaries in the border areas with Afghanistan have been "violated'. - Syed Saleem Shahzad (May 28,'09) INTERVIEW General David Petraeus, the commander of United States Central Command, addresses head-on a wide range of sensitive issues, from "enhanced interrogation techniques" to Afghan civilian casualties. Some of his comments, though, contradict earlier reports, such as his thoughts on US troop withdrawal from Iraq. (May 27,'09) The... (Asia Times Online)
Janet (?!) Jackson tops the Zeitgeist Jul 5, 2009
At least four of the names on the list have some sort of tie to Santa Barbara County: the Jacksons because Michael lives here -- at least he did until the warmer climate of Bahrain called; Pitt because he and ex-wife Jennifer Aniston had a pad on the South Coast; and Spears, because the Four Seasons Biltmore Resort is a favorite getaway. Naomi Watts, who will receive an award at the 21st Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February, made last week's "top gainers" list -- thanks to her... (Santa Barbara News-Press)
James Howard Kunstler on Michael Jackson as America Jul 2, 2009
While in Bahrain, he made promises to a Sheikh to write his memoirs, do a movie and perform. These promises were broken when he returned to the United States, conveniently forgetting about the millions of dollars the Sheikh loaned him during his stay. (Harper's Magazine)
Middle East and North Africa Businesswomen's Network Elects Officers, Prepares for Growth Jun 30, 2009
Afnan Al Zayani, member of the Bahrain Businesswomen Society (BBS) and president of Al Zayani Commercial Services, was elected President; Amel Bouchamaoui, vice president of Chambre Nationale des Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises (CNFCE) and head of Maille Fil, a textile company based in Tunisia, will serve as Vice President; and Lana Dajani, member of Business and Professional Women - Amman and HR manager at Arabtech Jardaneh Engineers and Architects, will be Treasurer ... The eleven Founding Members... (PR Newswire)
Newsweek: Why Arab rulers see threats in Iran protests Jun 26, 2009
"I hate to say it," says a political activist in Jordan who asked not to be named specifically saying this, "but the Persians are always out in front of the Arabs, whether they are making Islamic revolution or this passive resistance." Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Bahrain, and even the Palestinian struggle with Israel by what U.S. President Barack Obama called "" on civil and human rights. . (MSNBC -- International)
F1 teams want independent successor to Mosley Jun 26, 2009
"It is better for the spirit of the sport. We want stands full of fans. There is no point spending all that money on an empty cathedral.'' Empty stands were an unwanted backdrop at the Istanbul Park Circuit this month, with some drivers proposing letting in fans for free to improve the atmosphere. Large sections of empty seats have become normal at F1 tracks in China, Bahrain and Malaysia, while the popular Canadian and French GP were dropped this season after failing to meet F1 boss Bernie... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Bahrain closes paper in Iran row Jun 23, 2009
Akhbar al-Khaleej is a leading independent daily in Bahrain. Bahrain has ordered the closure of a prominent newspaper after it printed an article critical of political leaders in its powerful Gulf neighbour Iran ... Correspondents say Sunni-ruled Bahrain is wary of unrest being stirred up among the majority Shia population. (BBC News -- Africa)
Elections still a display of democracy other countries dream of Jun 20, 2009
Countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain rarely feel the opprobrium of the West, it would seem, because they offer secure supplies of vital resources, are willing to open their doors to foreign corporations or offer strategic advantage. Not that the region is without hope of change. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
The good, the bad and the ugly in the City of Nogales Jun 16, 2009
Lt. Senior Grade U.S. Navy Nicholas R. Quihuis, of Nogales High School Class of 2000 and 2005 Naval Academy grad, has completed his first deployment from Bahrain Naval Base in the Persian Gulf. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Navy Seal John Rodriquez II has completed two tours in Iraq and is now serving in Afghanistan. (Nogales International, AZ)
Bahrain drain Jun 16, 2009
By Jeremy Howell BBC Middle East Business Report, Bahrain ... For three decades, Bahrain has been the banking capital of the Middle East ... Depriving a fellow Bahraini citizen of his or her livelihood is widely seen as a form of social betrayal. (BBC News -- Business)
Obama vs. bin Laden: A battle for Muslim hearts Jun 4, 2009
Bahraini boys pass a cemetery wall Saturday, in Muharraq, Bahrain, that reads: "Oh God, bring victory to Sheik Osama bin Laden." Muslims are thought to have high expectations for US President Barack Obama, as he delivers a speech in Cairo Thursday. Hasan Jamali/AP. (Christian Science Monitor)
What's in a name? Ask José and Muhammad May 30, 2009
1 children per mother needed to prevent a decline in population, according to international statistics studied by Martin Walker at the Wilson Center in Washington D.C. Muslim countries such as Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Lebanon have fertility rates that now down to nearly European levels. At the same time, European birth rates in countries like Britain, France, and Sweden are up strongly. (Christian Science Monitor)
Mittal, Nhleko chase $61 billion dream May 29, 2009
In the past year, arrivals include Japan's top cell-phone service provider NTT DoCoMo, Norway's Telenor ASA, Dubai-based Emirates Telecommunications Corp and Bahrain Telecommunications Company. England's Vodafone is also present through its 10% stake in Bharti Airtel, besides being a competitor alongside Tata Indicom. (Asia Times Online)
Kuwait protest for women's rights May 22, 2009
MID-EAST WOMEN'S RIGHTS Women can vote and be elected: Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Palestinian territories, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Yemen, Morocco, Tunis, Algeria, Iran Women cannot vote or be elected: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia There are no elections: Syria (holds presidential referenda in which women can vote), UAE, Libya ... In other Gulf states, such as Bahrain and Qatar, women can already vote and stand for election. (Yahoo News -- Kuwait)
Mideast leaders defend free market at economic forum May 18, 2009
"I hope governments do not take what has been happening in the last eight months as an excuse to interfere more in business," said Khalid Abdulla-Janahi, chairman of the Ithmaar bank in Bahrain, in a panel discussion at the Forum. "If we [allow governments to come] in again, that is going to be the biggest damage that we're going to have [from the crisis].". (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
* Kuwaitis head to polls, hope for end to power tussles May 17, 2009
Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have all transformed themselves from desert backwaters into commercial, financial and tourist centers that attract foreign investors. By contrast, parliament has blocked many of Kuwaits major projects and the state was forced to rescue a major bank last year. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Bad moon rising May 8, 2009
A new beginning could be expected if Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa edges the AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam as the governing bodys representative in FIFA. Sheikh Salman, the 43-year-old President of the Bahrain Football Association, is aware of the ruptures that have formed amongst the AFCs 46 member associations under their six-year reign of the current head. Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al_khalifa, who is contesting as one of the four Asian Football Confederation's (AFC)... (The Star Online, Malaysia)
D-day for contest Bitter AFC battle to be decided on Friday May 6, 2009
But his term is up and he is being challenged by Bahrain Football Association president Sheikh Salman Ebrahim Al Khalifa, a former friend who is running to unseat him under the motto Asia for Change ... Regardless of what happens, the sheikh, a member of the Bahraini royal family who was previously little known outside the Gulf region, has made it clear he does not want Hammams AFC job. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
AFC members question fairness in AFC poll May 4, 2009
He is being challenged by Bahrain Football Association president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who suggested yesterday he had the numbers to oust his rival, who has said he will step down as AFC head if he loses ... The sheikh confirmed Bahrain had signed the letter but would not name the other 23 signatories, although officials here said privately that they support the Bahraini. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Rigging fears over key Asian football vote May 3, 2009
Bahrain's Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, who is challenging incumbent Mohammed bin Hammam for a position on FIFA's executive committee, said 24 countries sent a joint letter to the FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday, expressing "fear and concern" over the May 8 election. The letter is the latest development in a bitter contest between Salman, a member of Bahrain's royalty, and Asian Football Confederation president Hammam of Qatar ... It was signed by Bahrain, Kuwait and 22 other... (OregonLive, OR -- Sports)
Bitter FIFA fight to go to Asian vote May 1, 2009
Both the executive committee seat and presidency of the AFC will be at stake when 46 member nations choose between 13-year incumbent and AFC chief Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar and his challenger Sheik Salman Bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa of Bahrain - former friends who have become bitter rivals ... Hammam believes Hyundai scion Chung is orchestrating Salman's election campaign, with the Bahraini considered as a proxy for the east Asian lobby in the longstanding divide between the two sides of the giant... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Pakistan and its Taliban problem May 1, 2009
In early April, they occupied the northern Swati town of Bahrain, and on April 28th shot and injured one policeman there and kidnapped another. Speaking by phone, a local resident says: Ours is a life of fear and death. (The Economist)
Pakistan army presses militants Apr 28, 2009
On Monday they took the town of Bahrain and occupied government buildings and residences of local leaders opposed to the Taleban. On Tuesday, eight paramilitary Chitral Scouts soldiers killed in the fighting were buried in Chitral. (BBC News)
FIFA urges fair play in Asian electioneering Apr 16, 2009
The two candidates are Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam, who has sat at FIFA's top table for 13 years, and Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Khalifa, the challenger who runs soccer in Bahrain. "Football is a universal sport based on the fundamental principles of discipline and respect for opponents and the laws of the game as well as on the spirit of competitiveness and rivalry, underpinned by the values of fair play and ethics," Blatter said in a statement late Wednesday. (Anchorage Daily News)
S.Korea reports Asia chief to FIFA's ethics board Apr 16, 2009
The two candidates are Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam, who has sat at FIFA's top table for 13 years, and Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Khalifa, the challenger who runs football in Bahrain. The South Korean football association said Wednesday it has formally referred Bin Hammam to FIFA's ethics committee over perceived threatening remarks against a top South Korean official. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Soccer)
How Muslim countries must deal with radicals Apr 15, 2009
Islamists are making similar gains in Morocco, Bahrain, and Kuwait. With additional gains, the Brotherhood could seize majority power and that could mean the end of free elections in these countries. (Christian Science Monitor)
US gets tough on pirates Apr 14, 2009
"You need two things to have a successful piracy attack: you need pirates that are seeking monetary gain and you also need a ship that's able to get pirated," Vice Admiral William Gortney told CNN from Bahrain, a day after US Navy snipers ended a five-day hostage standoff by killing three pirates. Somali pirates have vowed to retaliate for Sunday's shooting, and Gortney said that shipping companies needed to provide a last line of defence against being boarded by pirates. (iAfrica.com)
Military crackdown hasn't deterred pirates Apr 13, 2009
Pirates have merely headed elsewhere to avoid the growing armada arrayed against them, Gortney said from Bahrain during a press conference detailing the operation that freed Capt. Richard Phillips and left three pirates slain and one in American custody. Despite heightened ocean crackdowns that led to criminal charges against 130 suspected pirates over the last three months, "it wasn't having an effect of drawing the number of attempts down," Gortney told reporters. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Princess Haya vows to solve horse doping woes Apr 13, 2009
5-mile) endurance races at Bahrain in January and Dubai in February when it failed doping tests performed by his own staff ... After the Bahrain race, a metabolite of the anabolic steroid stanozolol was found. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
US captain rescued from pirates Apr 13, 2009
"The on-scene [US navy] commander determined that the captain was in imminent danger," Vice Admiral William Gortney, head of the US Naval Central Command, said in a Pentagon briefing from Bahrain. This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it. (BBC News -- Africa)
How do you tackle piracy? Apr 9, 2009
By Frank Gardner BBC security correspondent, Bahrain. On the island state of Bahrain, home to the headquarters of the US Navy's powerful 5th Fleet, defence ministers, admirals and officials from 25 countries have gathered to discuss, amongst other regional problems, the thorny issue of Somali pirates. (BBC News -- Africa)
Poll: Obama Approval Hits New High - 66% Apr 8, 2009
George W. Bush has danced the sword dance with Bedouins in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and danced in front of an African flag for Malaria Day, he wore a Jewish head-covering (a yamulka) in Jerusalem. and the list goes on. (CBS News)
Sectarian tension on Bahrain's streets Mar 29, 2009
Sectarian tension on Bahrain's streets - International Herald Tribune. A fire set by antigovernment protesters in Malkiya, Bahrain ... Sectarian tension on Bahrain's streets. (International Herald Tribune)
* Moves to get rid of AFC dictator gain momentum Mar 17, 2009
Bahrains Shaikh Salman Ebrahim al-Khalifa will pit himself against Bin Hammam for his FIFA executive committee seat on May 8 after several recent moves by the Qatari upset powerful factions of the regional soccer body ... While the challenge is coming from Bahrain, it is crucially supported by other heavyweight members including Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Why Syria and Saudi Arabia are talking again Mar 12, 2009
In December and January, Shiites rioted in Bahrain following the arrest of several Shiites on terrorism charges ... The unrest does not appear to have been stirred by Iran, but does serve to warn Bahrain and Saudi Arabia that marginalized Shiites could provide an opening for Iranian penetration. (Christian Science Monitor)
At Gaza donor conference, Clinton vows to pursue Middle East peace Mar 3, 2009
The Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-member trade bloc made up of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, pledged the largest single amount, with a five-year commitment to provide $1. 65 billion in aid to the beleaguered Palestinian coastal enclave. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
GCC warns Iran against making hostile remarks Feb 23, 2009
The recent provocative statement from a prominent Iranian conservative and high-level adviser, Ali Akber Nateq Nouri, who called Bahrain Irans 14th province, and the situation in war-ravaged Gaza Strip, especially in the light of the election victory of right-wing Benjamin Netanyahu, were the focus of discussions among GCC foreign and finance ministers who met here yesterday. Statements made from time to time by Iranian officials infringe on the sovereignty and independence of the Gulf states,... (Arab News)
Step by step for Middle East women Feb 17, 2009
Of the countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates), Kuwait and the UAE made the most progress. In Kuwait, for instance, women voted and ran for the first time in local and national elections in 2006. (Christian Science Monitor)
Taking on pirates Feb 11, 2009
The US Navy also has its own dedicated anti-piracy taskforce, CTF151, based in Bahrain. So I asked Cdr Northwood if any of these coalition warships were ever able to get to a merchant vessel under attack in time to actually stop it being hijacked. (BBC News)
Iraq shakes off the U.S. Feb 11, 2009
On this trip, he planned to fly on from Baghdad to Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. At the time of the 2003 invasion, anti-French feelings were so fierce in Congress that the word "French" was stricken from the menus of the House of Representatives' cafeterias. (International Herald Tribune)
British diplomat arrested over 'anti-Semitic' rant Feb 10, 2009
Cally Ellis, Manama, Bahrain. There are 2 separate issues to be addressed: (1) the deplorable anti-Israel outbursts should be managed through Foreign office discipline & (2) the unacceptable anti-Jewish comment is unadulterated anti-semitism for which there is no justification and should be dealt with accordingly. (Times Online)
Guantánamo detainee resurfaces in terrorist group Feb 7, 2009
Two weeks after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he traveled to Afghanistan via Bahrain and Pakistan, and later he told American investigators that his intention was to do relief work, the documents say. He was wounded in an airstrike and spent a month and a half recovering in a hospital in Pakistan. (International Herald Tribune)
