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Bahrain remains determined to attract foreign investors – readers of The Economist or travellers on London’s underground system are faced with advertisements promising a friendly and sophisticated business centre, and the Economic Development Board is on a European tour to promote Manama (senior EDB and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry representatives were in Paris and London in late September).

No sign of an official retreat from the Bahraini crackdown, International offensive, Elections in question, A much bigger crackdown, Ahmadinejad faces new challenges from within, KhameneiAfter seeing off popular protests and reformist opponents, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad now faces challenges from within the regime as hardliners attempt to rein in the president’s growing personal authority. Suggestions of a possible impeachment have even been mooted by some deputies in the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran (Majlis), as the relationship between president and parliament becomes increasingly strained. uneasy but still, apparently, supportive

In the wake of the Manama authorities’ crackdown on opposition, the political societies’ delicate position has left NGO campaigners more exposed as independent voices. The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights – officially banned but in practice still active – says it has been able to confirm 200 arrests, but believes the true number of those taken into detention is many more.

King Hamad shows no sign of relaxing a security campaign that seems intended to squeeze opposition outside parliament and depress voter turnout in support of opponents within the constitutional framework, when legislative elections are held on 23 October

King Hamad shows no sign of relaxing a security campaign that seems intended to squeeze opposition outside parliament and depress voter turnout in support of opponents within the constitutional framework, when legislative elections are held on 23 October

Seychelles scandal, Media comments, Art activities, Saudi visit, Iranian guest, Concern over national divisions, Football controversy

There is no sign of a let-up – or of an alleged plot to disrupt upcoming elections – as the authorities deploy mass arrests and pressure on the media to try to bring protests under control

There is growing concern over whether a new parliament will find a way to reinvigorate peaceful constitutional opposition at a time of pressure on the streets. Bahrain’s political societies have begun to confirm their campaign intentions as the autumn election season approaches. While Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society

BAHRAIN: BMI Bank appoints new chief executive, OMAN: BankMuscat profits up, but below expectations

Growing youth unrest on the streets is a sign of the tensions that are building beyond the conventional political scene. Officials report that the number of tyre-burning incidents

Rising tensions between the two neighbours and complications involving Saudi Arabia, rather than any financial or technical issues, may have led to the estimated $4.5bn Friendship Bridge between Bahrain and Qatar being cancelled, GSN was told – although financial strains were also apparent in the mega-project. A source in Doha said the project was cancelled in early June, although it “has already cost millions of dollars and over 300 companies are involved. Relationships between Bahrain and Qatar are poor and KSA is claiming a strip of sea the bridge was to go through.”

New Bahrain Citibank chief, United Gulf to sell stake in Tunis International, Dollar sukuk issue ‘in third quarter’, NBK Islamic fund fully subscribed in one day, Investment Dar restructuring nears approval, Qatari Diar ‘prepares $3.5bn bond issue’, Doha Bank eyes $1bn bond sale, New evidence in DIB fraud case

Navy base expansion, Calls for security agreements with Iran, Waha Capital raises funds for military, Rifles order,

Bahrain has made another attempt to curb migrant labour by offering an amnesty to workers – particularly street vendors – who have overstayed their visas or are working illegally. The amnesty, launched in late May, is available only to those who are willing to return to their home country and will not apply to those already under investigation for visa breaches.

Expatriates in the Gulf are used to horror stories about exit permits refused, passports withheld and people being held indefinitely under house arrest, but most accept it as one of the risks of working in a developing country