Bahrain opposition leader sentenced to 4 years in jail

Sheikh Ali Salman has been convicted on charges of creating unrest against the ruling system, his party said.

Amnesty calls for release of Bahrain opposition leader

Sheikh Ali Salman, head of the opposition al Wefaq Islamic Society, was arrested in December

Bahrain jails 57 for plotting bomb attacks

The accused were charged with plans to bomb various sites across Bahrain and for receiving training to carry out such acts from a foreign country

US sends six Yemeni prisoners from Guantanamo to Oman for resettlement

The six men sent to Oman were identified as low-risk detainees cleared years ago for transfer.

Kuwaiti opposition figure arrested, sent to serve two-year jail sentence

Musallam al-Barrak, a former member of parliament, has long been at odds with the authorities over changes made in 2012 to the election law.

China denies its missiles being used by Middle East militants

Experts said that lightweight man-portable air defence systems had been looted from Libya or otherwise acquired by the militants, posing a threat to commercial flights.

Gulf states defend Qatar 2022 World Cup

The UAE’s and Qatar’s official news agencies said Gulf information ministers had called Qatar’s winning of the hosting rights “a success for all the states of the GCC”.

Israel concerned about U.S. arms to Gulf states to deter Iran

Israel says that it has to maintain the qualitative edge in the regional arms race as Gulf states build up their defense capabilities.

Bahrain says it has broken up Shi’ite group involved in terrorism

Last year, Bahrain declared Saraya al-Ashtar and two other anti-government groups terrorist organisations.

Saudi Supreme Court upholds blogger’s sentence

Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1,000 lashes, a 10-year jail term and a fine of SAR 1 million last year.

Saudi-led air strikes kill 44 in attack on Yemeni army compound

More than 100 people, including civilians, were also wounded in the attack, according to reports.

Saudi Arabia arrests 45 suspects in mosque bombing case

The arrests come after the government declared a reward for helping nab the suspects in the mosque bombing case and for providing information about future attacks.

Yemen conflict: will the GCC pay an economic toll?

Will Saudi-led military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen have a major impact on oil prices and GCC economies as a whole?

Qatar says air strikes ineffective without Iraqi national dialogue

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Khaled al-Attiyah said the international community was not doing enough to pressure all parties in Iraq to start national reconciliation.

Saudi names suspects in mosque bombing, offers $1m bounty

The ministry also offered a $1.9 million reward for information that would avert any future attacks.

Qatari couple charged in Texas with abusing household staff

Hassan Salem Al Homoud and his wife, Zainab Al Hosani, were charged with engaging in forced labor and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Qatar sues French far-right official for attacks comment

Florian Philippot, the VP of the anti-immigrant party, accused Qatar of “funding an Islamism that kills” after the Charlie Hebdo attack.

France says Yemen hostage video is genuine

The video shows Frenchwoman Isabelle Prime, who was taken hostage in Yemen, appealing to President Francois Hollande to help her.

Qatar to open embassy in Baghdad as Iraq’s ties with Gulf improve

A rapprochement could help strengthen a regional alliance against ISIL militants who have seized vast areas in both Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

ISIL not significant threat in Saudi Arabia – US military

Friday’s blast killed four people and was the second attack claimed by the Sunni militant group in a week in Saudi Arabia.

ISIL’s Saudi branch calls for clearing Arabian Peninsula of Shi’ites

ISIL claimed two suicide bombings carried out on May 22 and May 29 on Shi’ite mosques in eastern Saudi Arabia.

Saudi designates two senior Hezbollah officials as terrorists

Khalil Youssef Harb and Mohammed Qabalan have been banned from any dealings with Saudis.

Air strikes kill at least 80 in deadliest bombings of Yemen war

Arab warplanes and ships also hammered Yemen’s largest military port in the Red Sea city of Hodeida at dawn on Wednesday.

Iran, Oman discuss Yemen war, settle maritime borders

Foreign ministers from both the countries discussed implementing a ceasefire in Yemen.

Tens of thousands turn up for funeral of Saudi suicide attack victims

A suicide bombing in Qatif last week, claimed by ISIL, caused the death of 21 Shi’ite Muslims.

Reem Island murder suspect’s mental illness claims disproved in court

Alaa Bader Al Hashemi was sent for a medical examination after she claimed to be suffering from a mental illness.

GCC says air strikes against ISIL have not failed

Officials say that air strikes need to be complemented with other steps to effectively silence the Islamic militant group.

US Embassy urges citizens to be cautious in Abu Dhabi’s rural areas

The warning comes after an individual was hit and run repeatedly in Al Bahia, a rural area of Abu Dhabi.

Saudi king vows to punish those behind suicide attack

The monarch promised to punish all those who are linked to the attack, intensifying its crackdown on terrorism.

UAE releases two Qataris sentenced for insulting local leaders

The UAE justified the pardon, saying that it wanted to smoothen its relationship with ally Qatar.