Bahrain will 'forcefully confront' planned Aug. 14 protests

Bahrain's prime minister said on Monday his government would "forcefully confront" protests called for later this week, and warned those behind planned demonstrations that they would be punished, state news agency BNA reported.

Protesters inspired by youth-led protests in Egypt that pushed the army to oust Islamist President Mohamed Morsi last month called for rallies on Wednesday, at a time of escalating clashes between police and pro-opposition demonstrators. (Reuters)