Bahrain newspaper banned for column

Bahrain has suspended the country’s only independent newspaper indefinitely over a column that insulted “a sisterly Arab country”, the second time the publication has been banned this year.

The editor of Al-wasat described the decision as “harsh and shocking” but said he hoped to try to reverse the measure.

It coincides with a crackdown by the Sunni-led government on the opposition that has included shutting down main political groups and targeting activists.

Al-wasat, while an independent newspaper, is seen as supporting the views of the opposition.