
In today's top world news: India creates history as Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, the country's first privately developed orbital rocket, successfully reaches low Earth orbit. Iran reportedly targets another power facility in Kuwait, while Bahrain claims it intercepted Iranian attacks. Iraq signs 48 agreements with American companies during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani's US visit. Meanwhile, gold prices remain on track for their biggest weekly decline in six weeks.

India's Vikram-1 launch | Iran attacks | Iraq-US deals | Gold prices fall

The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its fifth consecutive day as U.S. forces launched another wave of strikes targeting Iranian military capabilities that Washington says threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities, including Bandar Abbas, Rask, Chabahar, Qeshm, Bandar Imam Khomeini, and areas near Bushehr, where Iran's only civilian nuclear power plant is located. The U.S. Central Command also confirmed that it targeted a vessel accused of attempting to violate the renewed naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran reportedly responded by launching attacks against U.S. military positions in Bahrain and Kuwait.

U.S.-Iran war intensifies | Fresh American strikes hit Iran as Trump issues new warning to Tehran

The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its fifth consecutive day as U.S. forces launched a fresh wave of strikes targeting Iranian military capabilities linked to threats against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. Central Command, the military operation focused on strategic Iranian military infrastructure, while Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities, including Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Rask, and areas near Bushehr.
The U.S. military also confirmed that it disabled a vessel attempting to reach an Iranian port after it allegedly violated the renewed naval blockade, further intensifying tensions in the region. Meanwhile, Iran reportedly launched attacks against U.S. military positions in Bahrain and Kuwait, while Iraqi Kurdish security forces intercepted and destroyed eight explosive-laden drones near coalition facilities.

U.S.-Iran war escalates: U.S. Launches fresh strikes on Iran as Trump warns 'better behave' 

<p>Hundreds of prisoners locked up in Bahrain have initiated a hunger strike citing alleged human rights violations, a UK-based rights group has revealed.</p>

<p>Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) said Friday (August 18), “At least 500 prisoners&nbsp;were taking part in the hunger strike against what they call inhumane prison conditions.”</p>

<p>As per the group, prison inmates are confined to their cells 23 hours a day and are even restricted from practising their religion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the centre of the controversy is the Jau prison, where those dissidents are held who were detained following the pro-democracy protests in 2011.</p>

<p>The hunger strike began on August 9 and has escalated as more inmates join the movement.</p>

<h2><strong>What are the demands of&nbsp;prisoners?</strong></h2>

<p>A statement released by the outlawed Bahraini opposition party Al-Wefaq quoted the prisoners as saying that they needed increased time outside the cells.</p>

<p>Other demands include permission to hold prayers in congregation at the prison mosque, changes to constraints on family visits and improvements in education facilities.</p>

<p>“These are not frivolous demands, but necessary ones required for basic human life,” the prisoners said.</p>

<h2><strong>US expresses concerns</strong></h2>

<p>In response to inquiries about the situation in Bahrain, Vedant Patel, spokesperson for the US State Department, stated that Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed concerns regarding certain reports during a meeting with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdellatif al-Zayani on July 20.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Iranian Press: Bahrain belongs to Iran</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-iranian-press-bahrain-belongs-to-iran-518529/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Patel said, “We are aware of and concerned on the reports of this hunger strike ... We urge Bahrain to continue to make progress on criminal justice reforms and ensure human rights standards are upheld."</p>

<h2><strong>Activists say US enabling atrocities</strong></h2>

<p>Observers argue that the ruling monarchy in Bahrain heavily relies on their Western allies, particularly the US, and successive US administrations have contributed to the Bahraini regime's unchecked human rights violations by not exerting pressure on the government.</p>

<p>During the initial suppression of the 2011 uprising, Bahrain faced criticism from the US, leading former President Barack Obama to enforce a four-year arms embargo.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-actress-handed-jail-sentence-for-not-wearing-hijab-617566"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Iranian actress handed two-year jail for not wearing hijab, ordered treatment for `mental disorder`</strong></a></p>

<p>However, critics point out that despite the initial criticism, the emphasis on Bahrain's human rights issues waned during Obama's tenure and even more so under his successor, Donald Trump.</p>

<p>Donald Trump notably embraced Bahrain, earning praise for its recognition of Israel as part of the Abraham Accords.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Hundreds of prisoners locked up in Bahrain have initiated a hunger strike citing alleged human rights violations, a UK-based rights group has revealed. Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) said Friday (August 18), “At least 500 prisoners were taking part in the hunger strike against what they call inhumane prison conditions.

Hundreds of prisoners locked up in Bahrain have initiated a hunger strike citing alleged human rights violations, a UK-based rights group has revealed. Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) said Friday (August 18), “At least 500 prisoners were taking part in the hunger strike against what they call inhumane prison conditions.” As per the group, prison inmates are confined to their cells 23 hours a day and are even restricted from practising their religion. At the centre of the controversy is the Jau prison, where those dissidents are held who were detained following the pro-democracy protests in 2011. The hunger strike began on August 9 and has escalated as more inmates join the movement. What are the demands of prisoners? A statement released by the outlawed Bahraini opposition party Al-Wefaq quoted the prisoners as saying that they needed increased time outside the cells. Other demands include permission to hold prayers in congregation at the prison mosque, changes to constraints on family visits and improvements in education facilities. “These are not frivolous demands, but necessary ones required for basic human life,” the prisoners said. US expresses concerns In response to inquiries about the situation in Bahrain, Vedant Patel, spokesperson for the US State Department, stated that Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed concerns regarding certain reports during a meeting with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdellatif al-Zayani on July 20. Watch: Gravitas: Iranian Press: Bahrain belongs to Iran × Patel said, “We are aware of and concerned on the reports of this hunger strike ... We urge Bahrain to continue to make progress on criminal justice reforms and ensure human rights standards are upheld." Activists say US enabling atrocities Observers argue that the ruling monarchy in Bahrain heavily relies on their Western allies, particularly the US, and successive US administrations have contributed to the Bahraini regime's unchecked human rights violations by not exerting pressure on the government. During the initial suppression of the 2011 uprising, Bahrain faced criticism from the US, leading former President Barack Obama to enforce a four-year arms embargo. Also read: Iranian actress handed two-year jail for not wearing hijab, ordered treatment for `mental disorder` However, critics point out that despite the initial criticism, the emphasis on Bahrain's human rights issues waned during Obama's tenure and even more so under his successor, Donald Trump. Donald Trump notably embraced Bahrain, earning praise for its recognition of Israel as part of the Abraham Accords. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Bahrain: Hundreds of prisoners on hunger strike over inhumane living conditions

Bahrain said it had approved the emergency use of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and German partner BioNTech.

Bahrain becomes second country to approve Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

bahrain-news

Bahrain News, News on Bahrain News, stories on Bahrain News, articles on Bahrain News, Bahrain News stories at Wion, Bahrain News news, Bahrain News latest news

bahrain news

India's Vikram-1 launch | Iran attacks | Iraq-US deals | Gold prices fall

U.S.-Iran war intensifies | Fresh American strikes hit Iran as Trump issues new warning to Tehran

U.S.-Iran war escalates: U.S. Launches fresh strikes on Iran as Trump warns 'better behave'

Bahrain: Hundreds of prisoners on hunger strike over inhumane living conditions

Bahrain becomes second country to approve Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine