The drug smuggling conviction in Russia of US basketball star Brittney Griner has raised the question of a prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington. Is Russia ready for a prisoner swap? Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: What will it take to get Brittney Griner home?

Hong Kong's new Chief Executive has received a salary hike. John Lee is now paid more than U.S. President Joe Biden. Who are the world's highest paid leaders? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: World's highest paid leaders

An out-of-tune Bangladeshi singer was picked up by the police and told not to sing certain classical songs. Hero Alom is a social media star; he claims the police told him that he's too ugly to sing. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Bangladesh's out-of-tune singer told not to sing classical songs

On day two of China's military drills, the PLA fired missiles over Taiwan with some projectiles landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone. How is Taiwan responding to these provocations? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: China fires missiles over Taiwan

Scientists managed to revive the organs of pigs, 6 hours after their death. Could this experiment have clinical implications for humans? How does it change our understanding of death? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Dead pig's organs brought back to life

India's RBI hiked key lending rates by 50 basis points to tame the rising inflation. Will it be enough to control the spiraling cost-of-living crisis? How does India's economic situation compare with the world? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: India's RBI hikes key interest rates

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidYYiH8OQMACxd" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>Anas Mallick, WION's Pakistan Bureau Chief, was abducted by the Taliban in the capital city of Kabul on Thursday and physically assaulted, before being let out when international pressure for his safe release mounted. Sharing his ordeal with Palki Sharma Upadhyay on Gravitas, Mallick stated that he would still like to be back to Afghanistan for reporting but not under the current 'inhumane' Taliban regime.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"When I was leaving Kabul. I was very emotional. There was an Afghan family right next to me and they said we saw you on TV. And we were reading about reports of you going missing."<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/handcuffed-blindfolded-and-physically-assaulted-what-happened-to-wions-anas-mallick-in-kabul-504095" target="_blank">'Blindfolded, physically assaulted': What happened to WION reporter in Kabul?</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>The Afghan family hugged me: Anas Mallick</strong></p>

<p>Mallick further added that he got emotional, "I couldn't hold back my tears at the point and said I really love this country. Unfortunately, the regime over here right now is not what you can regard as 'humans'. What has happened is tragic. I would love to come back but not in these conditions."</p>

<p>"I was given a hug by the Afghan family, Despite being a neighbour, Afghanistan remains close to my heart on a very personal note. I was sent there for the first time by WION in 2018. It has been a yearly affair since then, coming to Afghanistan. I've been here in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, up until the run-up of the fall."<br />
<br />
<strong>WATCH:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Gravitas: WION correspondent Anas Mallick returns home safe</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-wion-correspondent-anas-mallick-returns-home-safe-504110/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>It is pertinent to note that while Anas was allowed to walk free by the terrorist outfit masquerading as the government of Afghanistan, his colleagues are still in Taliban captivity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"What is to be noted is the fact that the local producer and our driver are still being held by the Taliban. They said they will be releasing them soon, how soon, we still have no update on that," said Anas.<br />
<br />
<strong>Read more:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/wion-correspondent-safe-leaves-afghanistan-after-reporting-from-the-ground-on-zawahiri-killing-504065">&nbsp;WION correspondent, who went missing in Afghanistan, is safe. Recalls his ordeal</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<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>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Anas Mallick, WION's Pakistan Bureau Chief, was abducted by the Taliban in the capital city of Kabul on Thursday and physically assaulted, before being let out when international pressure for his safe release mounted.

Anas Mallick, WION's Pakistan Bureau Chief, was abducted by the Taliban in the capital city of Kabul on Thursday and physically assaulted, before being let out when international pressure for his safe release mounted. Sharing his ordeal with Palki Sharma Upadhyay on Gravitas, Mallick stated that he would still like to be back to Afghanistan for reporting but not under the current 'inhumane' Taliban regime. "When I was leaving Kabul. I was very emotional. There was an Afghan family right next to me and they said we saw you on TV. And we were reading about reports of you going missing." Read More: 'Blindfolded, physically assaulted': What happened to WION reporter in Kabul? The Afghan family hugged me: Anas Mallick Mallick further added that he got emotional, "I couldn't hold back my tears at the point and said I really love this country. Unfortunately, the regime over here right now is not what you can regard as 'humans'. What has happened is tragic. I would love to come back but not in these conditions." "I was given a hug by the Afghan family, Despite being a neighbour, Afghanistan remains close to my heart on a very personal note. I was sent there for the first time by WION in 2018. It has been a yearly affair since then, coming to Afghanistan. I've been here in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, up until the run-up of the fall." WATCH: Gravitas: WION correspondent Anas Mallick returns home safe × It is pertinent to note that while Anas was allowed to walk free by the terrorist outfit masquerading as the government of Afghanistan, his colleagues are still in Taliban captivity. "What is to be noted is the fact that the local producer and our driver are still being held by the Taliban. They said they will be releasing them soon, how soon, we still have no update on that," said Anas. Read more: WION correspondent, who went missing in Afghanistan, is safe. Recalls his ordeal WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'I would love to come back but not in these conditions', WION's Anas Mallick on returning to Afghanistan

How will the escalation in the Taiwan Straits impact China's border standoff with India? Palki Sharma brings you an assessment.

Gravitas: China's Taiwan drills: The message for India

In South Korea, Nancy Pelosi vowed support to denuclearize North Korea. But South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol didn't meet Pelosi. Why did Yoon avoid Pelosi? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: After China, Pelosi's message to North Korea

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: Iraq political crisis | Blinken-Jaishankar meeting

There is a new flare-up in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia is accusing Azerbaijan of ceasefire violation. Azerbaijan says Armenia was trying to capture a hill. Can the world afford another war? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Tensions escalate in Nagorno-Karabakh

Bangladesh is seeking loans from the IMF, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank amid a looming foreign exchange crisis. Why is Bangladesh running out of dollars? Is another South Asian country going the Sri Lanka way? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Is Bangladesh going the Sri Lanka way?

US senators have approved Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO. More than half of all NATO member parliaments have ratified the alliance's Nordic expansion. Palki Sharma gets you the latest on the Ukraine war front.

Gravitas: US senate ratifies Finland & Sweden's NATO accession

The PLA conducted precision missile strikes in Taiwan Straits today. A top Chinese diplomat has said that Beijing will conduct a "re-education" of Taiwan after reunification. Palki Sharma tells you about China's plans for Taiwan.

Gravitas: PLA conducts precision missile strikes in Taiwan Straits

Taiwan and China are economic powerhouses integrated deeply into the world economy. A war between the two would cause global supply chains to collapse. Palki Sharma decodes the economic fall-out of a possible Chinese invasion.

Gravitas: Recession inevitable if China invades Taiwan?

China is firing missiles towards Taiwan. It is conducting drills dangerously close to Taiwan. How is the world reacting? Russia is backing China, so is Pakistan. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: World reacts to Chinese military drills near Taiwan

Gravitas Global Headlines: Sri Lanka economic crisis; Yemen truce renewed

Hippos could be added to the list of the world's most endangered animals. 10 countries have proposed that the mammal should be given protection. Palki Sharma tells you - how hippos could be staring at recession.

Gravitas: Will the hippo go extinct?

What is your dream job? There are companies that are ready to pay you for sleeping. There are jobs that are offering binge-watching TV series and gaming. There are also jobs involve eating candy or cheering for your team. Palki Sharma has a report.

Gravitas: Jobs that involve sleeping, eating, gaming and tasting candy

At what point do you pull the plug on a person? 12-year-old Archie Battersbee's parents are fighting to keep him alive. The boy has been in coma since April, the doctors now want to pull the plug on him. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: The life support debate: Archie Battersbee's parents fight to keep him alive

Responding to Nancy Pelosi's visit, China has planned four days of military drills in areas encircling Taiwan. Beijing is calling this "targeted military operations". Palki Sharma tells you how China's actions have raised the risk of conflict.

Gravitas: Chinese military surrounds Taiwan with military drills

UN nuclear chief has said that the situation in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is 'completely out of control'. The plant is currently under Russian occupation. UN Secretary General has warned that humanity is one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation. Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: Ukraine war: Warnings of a nuclear emergency

Baloch insurgents have claimed responsibility for the downing of a Pakistani military helicopter on Monday. Pakistan's army has dismissed the claims as 'propaganda'. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Baloch insurgents claim downing of Pak military helicopter

Reports say the White House tried to discourage Nancy Pelosi from visiting Taiwan during her Asia trip. Was President Biden opposed to her visit? What did the US gain from this brinkmanship? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Did Joe Biden oppose Pelosi's Taiwan visit?

Nancy Pelosi's visit has raised the threat of a military showdown in the Taiwan Straits. China is responding through drills. What are China's other military options? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Pelosi visits Taiwan: What are China's military options

Conquering Taiwan would cement Xi Jinping's legacy in China. But three factors will make the Chinese president think twice before attacking Taiwan. Palki Sharma decodes what the Taiwan showdown means for Xi Jinping.

Gravitas: Taiwan showdown: What does it mean for Xi Jinping?

A top Pakistani General and five other officers have died in a chopper crash. They were on a flood relief operation in Balochistan. Palki Sharma tells you how floods are wreaking havoc in Pakistan.

Gravitas: Top Pakistan General killed in chopper crash

India has reported its first Monkeypox death. Meanwhile, American states like California, Illinois, and New York have declared a state of emergency. What explains the sudden flare-up in monkeypox cases? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: State of Emergency in California

Gravitas Global Headlines: India, Maldives ink six pacts | Iraq political turmoil

India has won gold in lawn bowls at the Commonwealth games. Lovely Choubey, Pinki, Nayanmoni Saikia and Rupa Rani Tirkey represented India. Palki Sharma brings the stories of these incredible women.

Gravitas: Commonwealth Games: India wins gold in lawn bowls

British oil firm BP posted its highest quarterly profits in 14 years on Tuesday. How are oil firms reporting bumper profits amid a global cost-of-living crisis? How can governments tame big oil's hunger for profits? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: British oil firm BP reports highest profit in 14 years

gravitas-1

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

gravitas 1