WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration on Wednesday denounced in unusually harsh terms a ban on public demonstrations imposed by Bahrain, a key American ally in the Gulf that is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. The State Department said Washington is "deeply concerned" by the ban, which it said violates freedom of assembly, association and expression. Spokesman Mark Toner said the move, which was announced on Tuesday, Read more [...]

Presenter, Male #1 Thi-Qar artists organized an art exhibition hosted by the French consulate in response to the terrorist attack it was recently subjected to. The 21 paintings displayed in the exhibition represent a message of love and peace between the Iraqi and French peoples. Reporter, Male #2 The 21 paintings drawn by Thi-Qar artists were embraced by the French consulate in al-Nasiriya. It is the artists' attempt to confront the latest terrorist act that targeted the consulate, and to send messages Read more [...]

The United States expressed concern Wednesday over a move by Bahrain to ban opposition meetings and protests and called on the government to allow freedom of assembly, dpa reported. "Freedoms of assembly, association and expression are universal human rights. We urge the government of Bahrain to uphold its international commitments and ensure that its citizens are able to assemble peacefully and to express their views without fear of arrest or detention," State Department spokesman Read more [...]