Pakistan, the country ranked among the most dangerous for journalists in past, has seen another scribe go missing. Pakistan's Geo News said that its senior reporter, Ali Imran Syed went missing on Friday (October 23). The reporter, who left his house to go to a bakery did not return even after many hours. His family told Geo News that Imran Ali Syed left his phone in his house before heading out. His car was parked outside his house at the time of the disappearance.

The police have been informed of Ali&nbsp;Imran Syed's disappearance.

Other media reports suggest that the disappearance of Syed has come just days after he obtained video footage of Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law being arrested from a hotel in Karachi.

Captain Safdar, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law, was arrested and released earlier this week. Nawaz Sharif, who is in UK for medical treatment, condemned this and told reporters that there was a 'state above state' in Pakistan. The reference was taken to be aimed at Pakistan Army.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-still-not-implementing-financial-sanction-on-un-listed-terrorists-fatf-">Pak still not implementing financial sanction on UN-listed terrorists: FATF</a>

Journalists in Pakistan have always been under threat. The mysterious disappearances or even killing of journalists has had many pointing fingers at Pakistani establishment. This has been especially true when journalist criticising the establishment have disappeared mysteriously.

In May this year, editor of an ethnic Baloch news website was found dead in Sweden. Sajid Hussain, the journalist, was forced to flee Pakistan in 2012 after he got death threats. Soon after he was found dead, BBC reported that a press freedom charity had pointed fingers at Pakistani intelligence for Hussain's death.

Again in July, a prominent Pakistani journalist who raised voice against Pakistani establishment went missing. Matuiullah Jan, who went missing from Islamabad, had previously been attacked in 2017.

In an interview to an American NGO, Committee to Protect Journalists, in February, Jan said that his broadcast career turned south after a military spokesman publicly displayed his name and photo on a list of journalists who were accused of distributing anti-state propaganda.

Pakistan, the country ranked among the most dangerous for journalists in past, has seen another scribe go missing. Pakistan's Geo News said that its senior reporter, Ali Imran Syed went missing on Friday (October 23).

Pakistan, the country ranked among the most dangerous for journalists in past, has seen another scribe go missing. Pakistan's Geo News said that its senior reporter, Ali Imran Syed went missing on Friday (October 23). The reporter, who left his house to go to a bakery did not return even after many hours. His family told Geo News that Imran Ali Syed left his phone in his house before heading out. His car was parked outside his house at the time of the disappearance. The police have been informed of Ali Imran Syed's disappearance. Other media reports suggest that the disappearance of Syed has come just days after he obtained video footage of Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law being arrested from a hotel in Karachi. Captain Safdar, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law, was arrested and released earlier this week. Nawaz Sharif, who is in UK for medical treatment, condemned this and told reporters that there was a 'state above state' in Pakistan. The reference was taken to be aimed at Pakistan Army. Also Read | Pak still not implementing financial sanction on UN-listed terrorists: FATF Journalists in Pakistan have always been under threat. The mysterious disappearances or even killing of journalists has had many pointing fingers at Pakistani establishment. This has been especially true when journalist criticising the establishment have disappeared mysteriously. In May this year, editor of an ethnic Baloch news website was found dead in Sweden. Sajid Hussain, the journalist, was forced to flee Pakistan in 2012 after he got death threats. Soon after he was found dead, BBC reported that a press freedom charity had pointed fingers at Pakistani intelligence for Hussain's death. Again in July, a prominent Pakistani journalist who raised voice against Pakistani establishment went missing. Matuiullah Jan, who went missing from Islamabad, had previously been attacked in 2017. In an interview to an American NGO, Committee to Protect Journalists, in February, Jan said that his broadcast career turned south after a military spokesman publicly displayed his name and photo on a list of journalists who were accused of distributing anti-state propaganda.

Another journalist goes missing in Pakistan

Thousands of opposition supporters marched through the streets of Minsk on 66th birthday of Preseident Alexander Lukashenko. Calling for an end to Lukashenko's rule amid a heavy security presence and despite dozens of arrests.

Belarus: Protesters calls for Lukashenko to step down grow on his 66th B'day

As the Belarus elections remain shrouded in further conspiracies with tensions continuing to rise between the West and Russia. Watch report.

Belarus political unrest: The arrest of Mercenaries linked to Russian Wagner group

A Mexican journalist and his police bodyguard were murdered in a hail of gunfire in the southern state of Guerrero early Sunday.

Morrugares ran the PM Noticias, an online publication based in the city of Iguala that specialised in covering crime and police events.

Pablo Morrugares is the fourth journalist murdered in Mexico in 2020.

Just before he was killed, Morrugares had reported on a crime close to a nearby supermarket that involved a turf battle between criminal gangs, according to local media.

On Sunday, at around 1 am, heavily armed men entered the restaurant-bar in Iguala where Morrugares and his bodyguard were dining and opened fire on them.

The Guerrero state Human Rights Commission, an autonomous government office, condemned Morrugares's murder and demanded an "immediate investigation" to identify and capture the killers.

More than 100 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 2000, with only a fraction of those crimes resulting in convictions.

Morrugares was given police protection after he and his wife escaped an attempt on their lives in 2016.

A Mexican journalist and his police bodyguard were murdered in a hail of gunfire in the southern state of Guerrero early Sunday. Morrugares ran the PM Noticias, an online publication based in the city of Iguala that specialised in covering crime and police events.

A Mexican journalist and his police bodyguard were murdered in a hail of gunfire in the southern state of Guerrero early Sunday. Morrugares ran the PM Noticias, an online publication based in the city of Iguala that specialised in covering crime and police events. Pablo Morrugares is the fourth journalist murdered in Mexico in 2020. Just before he was killed, Morrugares had reported on a crime close to a nearby supermarket that involved a turf battle between criminal gangs, according to local media. On Sunday, at around 1 am, heavily armed men entered the restaurant-bar in Iguala where Morrugares and his bodyguard were dining and opened fire on them. The Guerrero state Human Rights Commission, an autonomous government office, condemned Morrugares's murder and demanded an "immediate investigation" to identify and capture the killers. More than 100 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 2000, with only a fraction of those crimes resulting in convictions. Morrugares was given police protection after he and his wife escaped an attempt on their lives in 2016.

Mexican journalist shot dead, the fourth this year

It's been 8 years when Aleppo welcomed first flight, the flight carried Syrian and International Journalists. Now Syria is hoping to resume regular flights to Aleppo.

Flight lands in Aleppo after 8 years

Russia&nbsp;said on Monday it expelled a&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;journalist&nbsp;last month for trying to obtain secret information related to&nbsp;military&nbsp;capabilities in the&nbsp;Russian Far East, the&nbsp;RIA&nbsp;news agency reported.

The expelled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-journalist-detained-for-anti-state-post-on-social-media-275790">journalist</a>&nbsp;worked for Japan's Kyodo News, the agency said on Tuesday, denying the accusation of attempted&nbsp;espionage.

Kyodo did not identify the reporter but said he was detained on December 25 in Vladivostok and released after about five hours of questioning.

The reporter was told to leave&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in 72 hours, Kyodo said.

"For safety reasons, he left the country the following day. It is our understanding that he was engaged in standard reporting activities," Kyodo said in an emailed statement.

Russia's foreign ministry summoned a&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;embassy official to make an official diplomatic protest over the incident,&nbsp;RIA&nbsp;reported.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it could not comment on the matter.

Ties between Japan and&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;have been strained for decades by a territorial dispute over a chain of islands in the Pacific.

Known in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;as the Southern Kuriles and in Japan as the Northern Territories, the islands were seized by the Soviet army in the waning days of World War Two.

The dispute has prevented&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty and developing their relations.

"The&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;citizen was detained by&nbsp;Russian law enforcement officers in Vladivostok on December&nbsp;25, 2019 trying to receive secret materials about&nbsp;Russia's&nbsp;military&nbsp;potential in the Far East,"&nbsp;RIA&nbsp;quoted the&nbsp;Russian foreign ministry as saying.

The announcement came two days after&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;telecommunications firm <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/softbanks-3-billion-wework-financing-talks-stall-with-japan-banks-sources-269735">SoftBank Group Corp</a> said one of its former employees had been arrested on suspicion of leaking company information.

The former employee is suspected of passing information to&nbsp;Russia's trade mission in Japan in exchange for money, the Nikkei newspaper reported, citing the police.

A person familiar with Kyodo's thinking said&nbsp;Russia's announcement seemed to be "revenge for SoftBank."

Russia said on Monday it expelled a Japanese journalist last month for trying to obtain secret information related to military capabilities in the Russian Far East, the RIA news agency reported.

Russia said on Monday it expelled a Japanese journalist last month for trying to obtain secret information related to military capabilities in the Russian Far East, the RIA news agency reported. The expelled journalist worked for Japan's Kyodo News, the agency said on Tuesday, denying the accusation of attempted espionage. Kyodo did not identify the reporter but said he was detained on December 25 in Vladivostok and released after about five hours of questioning. The reporter was told to leave Russia in 72 hours, Kyodo said. "For safety reasons, he left the country the following day. It is our understanding that he was engaged in standard reporting activities," Kyodo said in an emailed statement. Russia's foreign ministry summoned a Japanese embassy official to make an official diplomatic protest over the incident, RIA reported. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it could not comment on the matter. Ties between Japan and Russia have been strained for decades by a territorial dispute over a chain of islands in the Pacific. Known in Russia as the Southern Kuriles and in Japan as the Northern Territories, the islands were seized by the Soviet army in the waning days of World War Two. The dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty and developing their relations. "The Japanese citizen was detained by Russian law enforcement officers in Vladivostok on December 25, 2019 trying to receive secret materials about Russia's military potential in the Far East," RIA quoted the Russian foreign ministry as saying. The announcement came two days after Japanese telecommunications firm SoftBank Group Corp said one of its former employees had been arrested on suspicion of leaking company information. The former employee is suspected of passing information to Russia's trade mission in Japan in exchange for money, the Nikkei newspaper reported, citing the police. A person familiar with Kyodo's thinking said Russia's announcement seemed to be "revenge for SoftBank."

Russia expels Japanese journalist in military espionage row: Sources

Major Crackdown On Free Speech & Dissent In Russia.

Gravitas: In Russia, Journalist = Foreign Agent

Malta police arrested one of the country's most prominent businessmen on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into the murder of journalist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/panama-papers-star-streep-says-rich-playing-black-joke-on-world-247048">Daphne Caruana Galizia</a>, two sources said.

Yorgen Fenech was detained after police intercepted his yacht as he tried to leave the Mediterranean island before dawn, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

His arrest came the day after the government said it would offer a pardon to a suspected middleman in the murder of Caruana Galizia if he provided legally binding evidence of who was behind the killing.

The sources did not say if Fenech had been charged.

Fenech's lawyer was contacted for comment but has so far issued no statement.

Judicial authorities have not yet confirmed Fenech's arrest. Under Maltese law, the police would have 48 hours to interrogate and charge a suspect or release them.

Caruana Galizia, an eminent anti-corruption journalist, was killed by a car bomb near the Maltese capital Valletta in October 2017 - a murder that shocked Europe and raised questions about the rule of law on the small island.

Three men suspected of being the killers were arrested in December 2017, but the authorities have so far failed to determine who commissioned the murder.

In a potentially major step forward in the probe, a man arrested last week as part of a separate investigation asked to see police dealing with the Caruana Galizia case and offered to provide the name of the mastermind in return for a pardon.

Fenech is a director and co-owner of a business group that won a large energy concession in 2013 from the Maltese state to build a gas power station on the island.

His luxury yacht Gio left the Portomaso marina, five miles (8 km) north of Valletta, shortly after 5.00 a.m. (0400 GMT). However, the boat was under surveillance and police swiftly stopped it and forced it to return to port, the sources said.

In February 2017, eight months before she died, Caruana Galizia wrote in her blog about a mystery company in Dubai called 17 Black Limited, alleging it was connected to Maltese politicians.

She did not publish any evidence of this and was unable to discover who owned the company. A Reuters investigation https://tinyurl.com/y8coeu3x later identified Fenech as the owner.

According to a December 2015 email, uncovered by Maltese financial regulators, secret Panama companies owned by then Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's chief of staff, stood to receive payments of up to $2 million from 17 Black for unspecified services.

The email made no reference to the gas power station and there is no evidence any money was deposited with them.

Schembri and Mizzi both told Reuters last October they had no knowledge of any connection between 17 Black and Fenech, or of any plan to receive payments connected to Fenech or the energy project. Fenech denied making any plans to pay any politician or any person or entity connected to them.

Mizzi currently serves as minister for tourism.

The government did not make any immediate comment about Fenech's status.

Malta police arrested one of the country's most prominent businessmen on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, two sources said.

Malta police arrested one of the country's most prominent businessmen on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, two sources said. Yorgen Fenech was detained after police intercepted his yacht as he tried to leave the Mediterranean island before dawn, sources with knowledge of the matter said. His arrest came the day after the government said it would offer a pardon to a suspected middleman in the murder of Caruana Galizia if he provided legally binding evidence of who was behind the killing. The sources did not say if Fenech had been charged. Fenech's lawyer was contacted for comment but has so far issued no statement. Judicial authorities have not yet confirmed Fenech's arrest. Under Maltese law, the police would have 48 hours to interrogate and charge a suspect or release them. Caruana Galizia, an eminent anti-corruption journalist, was killed by a car bomb near the Maltese capital Valletta in October 2017 - a murder that shocked Europe and raised questions about the rule of law on the small island. Three men suspected of being the killers were arrested in December 2017, but the authorities have so far failed to determine who commissioned the murder. In a potentially major step forward in the probe, a man arrested last week as part of a separate investigation asked to see police dealing with the Caruana Galizia case and offered to provide the name of the mastermind in return for a pardon. Fenech is a director and co-owner of a business group that won a large energy concession in 2013 from the Maltese state to build a gas power station on the island. His luxury yacht Gio left the Portomaso marina, five miles (8 km) north of Valletta, shortly after 5.00 a.m. (0400 GMT). However, the boat was under surveillance and police swiftly stopped it and forced it to return to port, the sources said. In February 2017, eight months before she died, Caruana Galizia wrote in her blog about a mystery company in Dubai called 17 Black Limited, alleging it was connected to Maltese politicians. She did not publish any evidence of this and was unable to discover who owned the company. A Reuters investigation https://tinyurl.com/y8coeu3x later identified Fenech as the owner. According to a December 2015 email, uncovered by Maltese financial regulators, secret Panama companies owned by then Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's chief of staff, stood to receive payments of up to $2 million from 17 Black for unspecified services. The email made no reference to the gas power station and there is no evidence any money was deposited with them. Schembri and Mizzi both told Reuters last October they had no knowledge of any connection between 17 Black and Fenech, or of any plan to receive payments connected to Fenech or the energy project. Fenech denied making any plans to pay any politician or any person or entity connected to them. Mizzi currently serves as minister for tourism. The government did not make any immediate comment about Fenech's status.

Malta police arrest businessman Fenech in journalist murder case: Sources

Erin Hale, Journalist on President Xi's warning to Hong Kong. To know more watch the video

Erin Hale, Journalist on President Xi's warning to Hong Kong

Breaking News waits for No man or Toddler, 4-year old boy interrupts his mom on air

4-year old boy interrupts his mom on air

Saudi operatives suspected of killing the journalist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamal-khashoggis-killing-a-murder-that-shook-2018-186106">Jamal Khashoggi </a>at the country's Istanbul consulate were heard joking and talking about dismemberment before his arrival, according to secret tapes heard by UN investigators.

Helena Kennedy, a British lawyer assisting the UN probe into <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-son-defends-saudi-against-critics-exploiting-murder-253041">Khashoggi's death</a>, said recordings she had heard from inside the kingdom's mission in Turkey referred to the Saudi critic as a "sacrificial animal."

"There was a discussion about 'will the body and the hips fit into a bag this way'?", she told BBC television's Panorama documentary programme broadcast on Monday night.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a self-styled moderniser, was feted by global leaders and business titans before the gruesome murder on October 2 last year.

But the global fallout from the killing rendered him a pariah.

Kennedy said Turkish bugs in the Saudi consulate picked up a forensic pathologist suspected of cutting up Khashoggi's body as saying, "I often play music when I'm cutting cadavers. Sometimes I have a coffee and a cigar at hand."&nbsp;

The pathologist also says, "'It's the first time in my life that I've had to cut pieces on the ground -- even if you are a butcher and want to cut, he hangs the animal up to do so'," she added.

"They speak about waiting for Khashoggi to arrive and they say, 'Has the sacrificial animal arrived?'. You could hear them laughing, it's a chilling business."

Turkey handed over 45 minutes of recordings to the United Nations in order for them to investigate the incident.

Khashoggi visited the consulate to secure the divorce papers needed to marry his fiancee but did not make it out alive.

"There's a point where you can hear Khashoggi moving from a man who is being a confident person, towards a sense of fear, a sense of rising anxiety, rising terror and then knowing something fatal is going to happen," said Kennedy.

UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard, who also heard the tapes, said Khashoggi asked his suspected killers, "Are you going to give me an injection?", to which they replied 'yes'."

She added: "The sound heard after that point indicates that he is being suffocated, probably with a plastic bag over his head."

Shortly afterwards, Kennedy said the recording picked up someone saying, "he's a dog, put this on his head, wrap it, wrap it."&nbsp;

"One can only assume that they had removed his head," she explained.

Saudi operatives suspected of killing the journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the country's Istanbul consulate were heard joking and talking about dismemberment before his arrival, according to secret tapes heard by UN investigators.

Saudi operatives suspected of killing the journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the country's Istanbul consulate were heard joking and talking about dismemberment before his arrival, according to secret tapes heard by UN investigators. Helena Kennedy, a British lawyer assisting the UN probe into Khashoggi's death, said recordings she had heard from inside the kingdom's mission in Turkey referred to the Saudi critic as a "sacrificial animal." "There was a discussion about 'will the body and the hips fit into a bag this way'?", she told BBC television's Panorama documentary programme broadcast on Monday night. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a self-styled moderniser, was feted by global leaders and business titans before the gruesome murder on October 2 last year. But the global fallout from the killing rendered him a pariah. Kennedy said Turkish bugs in the Saudi consulate picked up a forensic pathologist suspected of cutting up Khashoggi's body as saying, "I often play music when I'm cutting cadavers. Sometimes I have a coffee and a cigar at hand." The pathologist also says, "'It's the first time in my life that I've had to cut pieces on the ground -- even if you are a butcher and want to cut, he hangs the animal up to do so'," she added. "They speak about waiting for Khashoggi to arrive and they say, 'Has the sacrificial animal arrived?'. You could hear them laughing, it's a chilling business." Turkey handed over 45 minutes of recordings to the United Nations in order for them to investigate the incident. Khashoggi visited the consulate to secure the divorce papers needed to marry his fiancee but did not make it out alive. "There's a point where you can hear Khashoggi moving from a man who is being a confident person, towards a sense of fear, a sense of rising anxiety, rising terror and then knowing something fatal is going to happen," said Kennedy. UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard, who also heard the tapes, said Khashoggi asked his suspected killers, "Are you going to give me an injection?", to which they replied 'yes'." She added: "The sound heard after that point indicates that he is being suffocated, probably with a plastic bag over his head." Shortly afterwards, Kennedy said the recording picked up someone saying, "he's a dog, put this on his head, wrap it, wrap it." "One can only assume that they had removed his head," she explained.

Khashoggi suspects made 'chilling' jokes before killing: Reports

An Austrian student and journalist charged with membership of a leftist terrorist group in Turkey have been acquitted, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

Max Zirngast, who wrote for international publications including a far-left German magazine, was arrested exactly a year ago, accused of links to the outlawed Turkish Communist Party (TKP)/Kivilcim group.

The 30-year-old was also a political science master's student at Middle East Technical University in Ankara at the time of his arrest.

He had defended himself in Turkish at the last hearing in April.

"A verdict was received that Max did not take part in any illegal activity or any activity constituting a crime," his lawyer Murat Yilmaz told AFP.

He said two Turkish citizens, Mithatcan Turetken and Hatice Goz, who were arrested along with Zirngast, were also acquitted.

Zirngast had been free pending the latest hearing on Wednesday but had been barred from leaving Turkey.

He rejected the charges and denied the TKP/Kivilcim group even exists.

In an opinion piece for the Washington Post last year, Zirngast wrote that his arrest was "a perverse confirmation of the authoritarianism I've spent the past several years chronicling and opposing".

He also criticised the attempt to "silence the entire democratic opposition in Ankara".

Zirngast had also published articles on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is designated a terrorist organisation by Ankara and its Western allies.

An Austrian student and journalist charged with membership of a leftist terrorist group in Turkey have been acquitted, his lawyer said on Wednesday. Max Zirngast, who wrote for international publications including a far-left German magazine, was arrested exactly a year ago, accused of links to the outlawed Turkish Communist Party (TKP)/Kivilcim group.

An Austrian student and journalist charged with membership of a leftist terrorist group in Turkey have been acquitted, his lawyer said on Wednesday. Max Zirngast, who wrote for international publications including a far-left German magazine, was arrested exactly a year ago, accused of links to the outlawed Turkish Communist Party (TKP)/Kivilcim group. The 30-year-old was also a political science master's student at Middle East Technical University in Ankara at the time of his arrest. He had defended himself in Turkish at the last hearing in April. "A verdict was received that Max did not take part in any illegal activity or any activity constituting a crime," his lawyer Murat Yilmaz told AFP. He said two Turkish citizens, Mithatcan Turetken and Hatice Goz, who were arrested along with Zirngast, were also acquitted. Zirngast had been free pending the latest hearing on Wednesday but had been barred from leaving Turkey. He rejected the charges and denied the TKP/Kivilcim group even exists. In an opinion piece for the Washington Post last year, Zirngast wrote that his arrest was "a perverse confirmation of the authoritarianism I've spent the past several years chronicling and opposing". He also criticised the attempt to "silence the entire democratic opposition in Ankara". Zirngast had also published articles on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is designated a terrorist organisation by Ankara and its Western allies.

Turkey acquits Austrian student over terror charge

Iraqi journalists, activists, and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions.

Parties, armed groups, and even officials in Iraq benefit from legions of supporters dubbed "electronic armies," which take to social media to anonymously sing their praises or mock their detractors.

These online rivalries now appear to have been fanned by months of rising tensions pitting Iran against the US and Israel.

This summer, suspicious explosions hit five camps and arms depots run by Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of mostly Shiite armed factions linked to Iran.

The Hashed was quick to blame Israel and the United States, but also said it suspected "agents" of the two countries contributed to the attacks.

That accusation was followed by an online campaign accusing a broad range of Iraqi nationals of "collaborating" with Israel and the US.

One graphic shared by an Arabic-language page named "Don't Tread on Us" accused 14 Iraqis of de facto supporting a policy of "normalisation with Israel."

Shared on social media, it named figures such as journalist Joumana Mumtaz and blogger Ali Wajih.

In response, Wajih penned a rare open letter to Iraq's prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Hashed chief Faleh Fayyadh and his powerful deputy Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis.&nbsp;

"For years, a group of us journalists and bloggers have faced incitements to murder by people and pages that may be close to the Hashed, or directly linked to it," he wrote.

Allegations they were "agents" or seeking normalisation with Israel, Wajih said, were "empty and silly".

'A broader plot'?

Iraqis have long been opposed to Israel because of its occupation of Palestinian land.

Baghdad has however developed close ties with Washington since the American-led invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Despite that, Washington's bitter rival Tehran also holds considerable sway in Iraq's political scene and within the Hashed.

In recent months, anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric has been on the rise as Iraqis feel increasingly squeezed by the war of words between the two sides.

Some Iraqi factions have used the purported Israeli strikes to relaunch calls for US troops to leave Iraq.

Just last week, many of the same figures lashed out against US-funded Al-Hurra TV for a documentary alleging corruption among Iraq's religious bodies, both Sunni and Shiite.

Perceptions Iraq was being "attacked" by Israel and America were "broadened to include critical and independent Iraqi voices, who have been maligned as agents in a broader plot," said Fanar Haddad, an Iraq expert at the National University of Singapore.

"In this way, entrenched domestic interests and rivalries have been folded into the ongoing tensions between the Iran-led axis of resistance and the United States, Israel and their allies in the region," he said.

Rights groups react&nbsp;

Omar al-Shaher, a journalist named in the graphic, said there was "not a shred of proof" to back up the claims.

"These days, it's more dangerous than ever to have your name associated with the Israeli camp," he told AFP.

Historian Omar Mohammad, who documented atrocities in Mosul under the Islamic State group, said he suspected the new accusations came "as a result of the recent (purported) Israeli airstrikes and US-Iranian tensions."

Mohammad said the graphic's sleek production meant he was "absolutely" taking its threats seriously.

"It is institutional and professional. Seems there is a team specialised in dehumanising us," Mohammad told AFP from outside Iraq.

Media rights groups are worried such incitement could lead to real violence.

"The sensitivity of the Palestinian question in the region means that accusing someone of working with Israel is tantamount to calling for their killing," said the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory.

On Thursday, monitor and rights group Iraqi Media House called for better protection of journalists.

"The phenomenon of electronic armies has reached dangerous levels, issuing threats including incitement to violence and hatred," it said.

"We are surprised by the authorities' continued silence so far, including the judiciary, in a clear abandonment of its responsibilities when it comes to electronic crimes."

Iraqi journalists, activists, and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions.

Iraqi journalists, activists, and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions. Parties, armed groups, and even officials in Iraq benefit from legions of supporters dubbed "electronic armies," which take to social media to anonymously sing their praises or mock their detractors. These online rivalries now appear to have been fanned by months of rising tensions pitting Iran against the US and Israel. This summer, suspicious explosions hit five camps and arms depots run by Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of mostly Shiite armed factions linked to Iran. The Hashed was quick to blame Israel and the United States, but also said it suspected "agents" of the two countries contributed to the attacks. That accusation was followed by an online campaign accusing a broad range of Iraqi nationals of "collaborating" with Israel and the US. One graphic shared by an Arabic-language page named "Don't Tread on Us" accused 14 Iraqis of de facto supporting a policy of "normalisation with Israel." Shared on social media, it named figures such as journalist Joumana Mumtaz and blogger Ali Wajih. In response, Wajih penned a rare open letter to Iraq's prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Hashed chief Faleh Fayyadh and his powerful deputy Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis. "For years, a group of us journalists and bloggers have faced incitements to murder by people and pages that may be close to the Hashed, or directly linked to it," he wrote. Allegations they were "agents" or seeking normalisation with Israel, Wajih said, were "empty and silly". 'A broader plot'? Iraqis have long been opposed to Israel because of its occupation of Palestinian land. Baghdad has however developed close ties with Washington since the American-led invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. Despite that, Washington's bitter rival Tehran also holds considerable sway in Iraq's political scene and within the Hashed. In recent months, anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric has been on the rise as Iraqis feel increasingly squeezed by the war of words between the two sides. Some Iraqi factions have used the purported Israeli strikes to relaunch calls for US troops to leave Iraq. Just last week, many of the same figures lashed out against US-funded Al-Hurra TV for a documentary alleging corruption among Iraq's religious bodies, both Sunni and Shiite. Perceptions Iraq was being "attacked" by Israel and America were "broadened to include critical and independent Iraqi voices, who have been maligned as agents in a broader plot," said Fanar Haddad, an Iraq expert at the National University of Singapore. "In this way, entrenched domestic interests and rivalries have been folded into the ongoing tensions between the Iran-led axis of resistance and the United States, Israel and their allies in the region," he said. Rights groups react Omar al-Shaher, a journalist named in the graphic, said there was "not a shred of proof" to back up the claims. "These days, it's more dangerous than ever to have your name associated with the Israeli camp," he told AFP. Historian Omar Mohammad, who documented atrocities in Mosul under the Islamic State group, said he suspected the new accusations came "as a result of the recent (purported) Israeli airstrikes and US-Iranian tensions." Mohammad said the graphic's sleek production meant he was "absolutely" taking its threats seriously. "It is institutional and professional. Seems there is a team specialised in dehumanising us," Mohammad told AFP from outside Iraq. Media rights groups are worried such incitement could lead to real violence. "The sensitivity of the Palestinian question in the region means that accusing someone of working with Israel is tantamount to calling for their killing," said the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory. On Thursday, monitor and rights group Iraqi Media House called for better protection of journalists. "The phenomenon of electronic armies has reached dangerous levels, issuing threats including incitement to violence and hatred," it said. "We are surprised by the authorities' continued silence so far, including the judiciary, in a clear abandonment of its responsibilities when it comes to electronic crimes."

In divided Iraq, 'electronic armies' threaten activists, media

A local extremist group linked to Al-Qaeda was responsible for the murder of three prominent Maldivians, including a journalist missing for more than five years, an independent commission in the Indian Ocean island republic has found.

The Presidential Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances said Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla, a reporter with the independent Minivan News website, was abducted on August 8, 2014 and murdered at sea.

Husnu Al-Suood, the president of the commission which was recently established by the Maldives government, told reporters in the capital Male late Sunday that the reporter popularly known as Rilwan received death threats from the group operating under the name Bilad-al-Sham on Facebook.

Al-Suood said the group was also responsible for the assassination of a moderate legislator in 2012 and liberal blogger Yameen Rasheed in 2017, and the attempted murder of another liberal blogger in 2012.&nbsp;

Rilwan's disappearance sparked international concern, with the UN and rights organisations pressing then strongman president Abdulla Yameen to look into his case and ensure the safety of independent journalists.

The commission said Yameen's government covered up his murder in the otherwise peaceful Indian Ocean archipelago known for its luxury tourism.

It said the group was also responsible for arranging for Maldivians to travel to Syria and join the ranks of Islamic extremist fighters. 
Maldives, a nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims, is known to practise a liberal form of Islam.

A local extremist group linked to Al-Qaeda was responsible for the murder of three prominent Maldivians, including a journalist missing for more than five years, an independent commission in the Indian Ocean island republic has found.

A local extremist group linked to Al-Qaeda was responsible for the murder of three prominent Maldivians, including a journalist missing for more than five years, an independent commission in the Indian Ocean island republic has found. The Presidential Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances said Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla, a reporter with the independent Minivan News website, was abducted on August 8, 2014 and murdered at sea. Husnu Al-Suood, the president of the commission which was recently established by the Maldives government, told reporters in the capital Male late Sunday that the reporter popularly known as Rilwan received death threats from the group operating under the name Bilad-al-Sham on Facebook. Al-Suood said the group was also responsible for the assassination of a moderate legislator in 2012 and liberal blogger Yameen Rasheed in 2017, and the attempted murder of another liberal blogger in 2012. Rilwan's disappearance sparked international concern, with the UN and rights organisations pressing then strongman president Abdulla Yameen to look into his case and ensure the safety of independent journalists. The commission said Yameen's government covered up his murder in the otherwise peaceful Indian Ocean archipelago known for its luxury tourism. It said the group was also responsible for arranging for Maldivians to travel to Syria and join the ranks of Islamic extremist fighters. Maldives, a nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims, is known to practise a liberal form of Islam.

Missing Maldives journalist killed by radicals: Report

Two journalists were shot dead in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-says-migrant-numbers-at-us-border-down-40-since-may-239609">Mexico</a> Friday, bringing to three the number of journalists killed in the country this week, officials say.

Jorge Celestino Ruiz, who worked for the newspaper El Grafico de Xalapa, was killed on Friday night in the violence plagued state of Veracruz, the mayor of the state's capital Paulino Dominguez told AFP.

Ruiz's house was shot at in October and bullets were also "fired at his vehicle to intimidate him," said a police source, who asked for anonymity, and did not give further details.

Ruiz had stopped putting his name to his articles to keep a low profile, the reporter's colleagues also said.

State interior secretary Hugo Gutierrez "strongly condemned" the killing on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-in-five-us-twitter-users-follows-donald-trump-survey-236247">Twitter </a>and said it was an attack on freedom of expression.

The shooting occurred less than 24 hours after the director of online news website La Verdad de Zihuatanejo, Edgar Alberto Nava, was gunned down in the southern state of Guerrero, according to the local prosecutor's office.

And on Tuesday, the body of Rogelio Barragan head of news website Guerrero Al Instante was discovered in an abandoned car's trunk in the State of Morelos.

Reporters Without Borders said eight journalists had been killed in Mexico this year up until Thursday.

Since 2000, around 100 reporters have been killed in the country. Violence linked to drug trafficking and political corruption is rampant, and most crimes go unpunished.

Two journalists were shot dead in Mexico Friday, bringing to three the number of journalists killed in the country this week, officials say. Jorge Celestino Ruiz, who worked for the newspaper El Grafico de Xalapa, was killed on Friday night in the violence plagued state of Veracruz, the mayor of the state's capital Paulino Dominguez told AFP.

Two journalists were shot dead in Mexico Friday, bringing to three the number of journalists killed in the country this week, officials say. Jorge Celestino Ruiz, who worked for the newspaper El Grafico de Xalapa, was killed on Friday night in the violence plagued state of Veracruz, the mayor of the state's capital Paulino Dominguez told AFP. Ruiz's house was shot at in October and bullets were also "fired at his vehicle to intimidate him," said a police source, who asked for anonymity, and did not give further details. Ruiz had stopped putting his name to his articles to keep a low profile, the reporter's colleagues also said. State interior secretary Hugo Gutierrez "strongly condemned" the killing on Twitter and said it was an attack on freedom of expression. The shooting occurred less than 24 hours after the director of online news website La Verdad de Zihuatanejo, Edgar Alberto Nava, was gunned down in the southern state of Guerrero, according to the local prosecutor's office. And on Tuesday, the body of Rogelio Barragan head of news website Guerrero Al Instante was discovered in an abandoned car's trunk in the State of Morelos. Reporters Without Borders said eight journalists had been killed in Mexico this year up until Thursday. Since 2000, around 100 reporters have been killed in the country. Violence linked to drug trafficking and political corruption is rampant, and most crimes go unpunished.

Three journalists slain in Mexico in a week

A top UN agency on Wednesday demanded justice for a freelance Pakistani journalist who was murdered earlier this month, as activists warned of a shrinking space for dissent and threats to freedom of speech.

Muhammad Bilal Khan, a social media activist, blogger and freelancer with tens of thousands of followers across Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, was stabbed to death in Islamabad on June 16.

The motive for the killing is not known, but Bilal cast a wide net with his criticism, with the powerful military, politicians, sportsmen, religious figures and even fellow journalists coming in for their share.

Local police said on the day of his death he received a phone call from an unidentified person, who took him to a nearby forest and killed him.

"I condemn the killing of Muhammad Bilal Khan," UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said in a statement, calling for "authorities investigating this crime to bring its perpetrators to trial".

The statement came after an earlier condemnation by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which asked Pakistani authorities to "swiftly investigate the killing to determine the motive and hold the perpetrators to account".

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that must be preserved for everybody, regardless of individuals' religious or political opinion," Azoulay said.

Censorship is already rife among the country's once-riotous mainstream media, with the CPJ noting last year that the military had "quietly but effectively" imposed strict limits on reporting.

Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter were regarded as the last holdouts of dissenting voices, but now even that has changed.

In February, authorities announced the creation of a new enforcement arm to root out social media users accused of spreading "hate speech and violence" as part of the crackdown.

Pakistan routinely ranks among the world's most dangerous countries for media workers, and reporters have frequently been detained, beaten and even killed for being critical of the government or powerful military.&nbsp;

A top UN agency on Wednesday demanded justice for a freelance Pakistani journalist who was murdered earlier this month, as activists warned of a shrinking space for dissent and threats to freedom of speech.

A top UN agency on Wednesday demanded justice for a freelance Pakistani journalist who was murdered earlier this month, as activists warned of a shrinking space for dissent and threats to freedom of speech. Muhammad Bilal Khan, a social media activist, blogger and freelancer with tens of thousands of followers across Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, was stabbed to death in Islamabad on June 16. The motive for the killing is not known, but Bilal cast a wide net with his criticism, with the powerful military, politicians, sportsmen, religious figures and even fellow journalists coming in for their share. Local police said on the day of his death he received a phone call from an unidentified person, who took him to a nearby forest and killed him. "I condemn the killing of Muhammad Bilal Khan," UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said in a statement, calling for "authorities investigating this crime to bring its perpetrators to trial". The statement came after an earlier condemnation by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which asked Pakistani authorities to "swiftly investigate the killing to determine the motive and hold the perpetrators to account". "Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that must be preserved for everybody, regardless of individuals' religious or political opinion," Azoulay said. Censorship is already rife among the country's once-riotous mainstream media, with the CPJ noting last year that the military had "quietly but effectively" imposed strict limits on reporting. Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter were regarded as the last holdouts of dissenting voices, but now even that has changed. In February, authorities announced the creation of a new enforcement arm to root out social media users accused of spreading "hate speech and violence" as part of the crackdown. Pakistan routinely ranks among the world's most dangerous countries for media workers, and reporters have frequently been detained, beaten and even killed for being critical of the government or powerful military.

UN condemns murder of Pakistani journalist

Turkey on Wednesday backed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/evidence-suggests-saudi-crown-prince-is-liable-for-khashoggi-murder-un-expert-228685">UN report which held accountable </a>Saudi&nbsp;Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman&nbsp;and other officials for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In a tweet, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, "Strongly endorse #UN Rapporteur @AgnesCallamard's recommendations for elucidating Khashoggi's murder&amp;holding those responsible accountable".

A UN rights investigator cited evidence on Wednesday claiming&nbsp;that the proof suggested Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior Saudi officials liable for the murder of journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamal-khashoggis-killing-a-murder-that-shook-2018-186106">Jamal Khashoggi</a>.

"It is the conclusion of the Special Rapporteur that Mr. Khashoggi has been the victim of a deliberate, premeditated execution, an extrajudicial killing for which the state of Saudi Arabia is responsible under international human rights law," Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions said in her report based on a six-month investigation.

Agnes Callamard also called for countries to widen sanctions to include the Crown Prince and his personal assets, until and unless he can prove he has no responsibility.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and critic of Prince Mohammed, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

The Saudi journalist disappeared after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul. His disappearance was initially shrouded in mystery and triggered an international crisis for both Riyadh and Washington as Turkish officials accused Saudi Arabia of a state-sponsored killing.

Riyadh, after insisting that Khashoggi left its consulate alive, said more than two weeks afterwards that he died in a "brawl" that arose from a dispute with people he met there.

Three weeks on, the Saudi public prosecutor said the murder was "premeditated" according to information supplied by Turkey.

Khashoggi came from a prominent Saudi family with Turkish origins.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

Turkey on Wednesday backed the UN report which held accountable Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Turkey on Wednesday backed the UN report which held accountable Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In a tweet, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, "Strongly endorse #UN Rapporteur @AgnesCallamard's recommendations for elucidating Khashoggi's murder&holding those responsible accountable". A UN rights investigator cited evidence on Wednesday claiming that the proof suggested Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior Saudi officials liable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "It is the conclusion of the Special Rapporteur that Mr. Khashoggi has been the victim of a deliberate, premeditated execution, an extrajudicial killing for which the state of Saudi Arabia is responsible under international human rights law," Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions said in her report based on a six-month investigation. Agnes Callamard also called for countries to widen sanctions to include the Crown Prince and his personal assets, until and unless he can prove he has no responsibility. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and critic of Prince Mohammed, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. The Saudi journalist disappeared after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul. His disappearance was initially shrouded in mystery and triggered an international crisis for both Riyadh and Washington as Turkish officials accused Saudi Arabia of a state-sponsored killing. Riyadh, after insisting that Khashoggi left its consulate alive, said more than two weeks afterwards that he died in a "brawl" that arose from a dispute with people he met there. Three weeks on, the Saudi public prosecutor said the murder was "premeditated" according to information supplied by Turkey. Khashoggi came from a prominent Saudi family with Turkish origins. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkey says endorses UN report on Khashoggi murder

A popular Pakistan broadcast journalist said Monday he had officially complained to police about being assaulted by a government minister, who responded by saying it was "an unfortunate incident". Sami Ibrahim, an anchor and executive with the private Bol News TV channel, said he was attacked by science and technology minister Fawad Chaudhry at a wedding Friday in Faisalabad.

Pak Minister Fawad Chaudhry admits he slapped Sami Ibrahim

A 22-year-old Pakistani blogger and journalist known for criticising the country's powerful military and the spy agency ISI was hacked to death by an unidentified man here, police said on Monday.

Muhammad Bilal Khan, having over 16,000 followers on Twitter, 48,000 on his YouTube channel and 22,000 on Facebook, was with a friend when he received a phone call after which a man took him to the nearby forest on Sunday night, Dawn news quoted police as saying.

The suspect used a dagger to kill him, Superintendent of Police (SP) Saddar Malik Naeem said, adding that some people heard gunshot firing as well. 
Khan's friend was seriously injured in the incident.

Apart from being a social media activist, Khan was also a freelance journalist.

Soon after his killing, #Justice4MuhammadBilalKhan started trending on social media.

Several Twitter users said that his criticism of the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) led to his killing.

"Pakistani activist and journalist Mohammad Bilal Khan was shot dead last night in Islamabad. Khan was known for his criticism of the all-powerful military and its notorious spy agency," a man said in a tweet.

The deceased's father Abdullah said that his body had marks of a sharp tool.

"My son's only fault was that he spoke about the Prophet," he said. A case was registered under various sections including the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The incident has created fear among people, Khan's father said.&nbsp;

A 22-year-old Pakistani blogger and journalist known for criticising the country's powerful military and the spy agency ISI was hacked to death by an unidentified man here, police said on Monday.

A 22-year-old Pakistani blogger and journalist known for criticising the country's powerful military and the spy agency ISI was hacked to death by an unidentified man here, police said on Monday. Muhammad Bilal Khan, having over 16,000 followers on Twitter, 48,000 on his YouTube channel and 22,000 on Facebook, was with a friend when he received a phone call after which a man took him to the nearby forest on Sunday night, Dawn news quoted police as saying. The suspect used a dagger to kill him, Superintendent of Police (SP) Saddar Malik Naeem said, adding that some people heard gunshot firing as well. Khan's friend was seriously injured in the incident. Apart from being a social media activist, Khan was also a freelance journalist. Soon after his killing, #Justice4MuhammadBilalKhan started trending on social media. Several Twitter users said that his criticism of the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) led to his killing. "Pakistani activist and journalist Mohammad Bilal Khan was shot dead last night in Islamabad. Khan was known for his criticism of the all-powerful military and its notorious spy agency," a man said in a tweet. The deceased's father Abdullah said that his body had marks of a sharp tool. "My son's only fault was that he spoke about the Prophet," he said. A case was registered under various sections including the Anti-Terrorism Act. The incident has created fear among people, Khan's father said.

Pakistan's blogger and journalist known for criticising army hacked to death

WION Chat: In conversation with Reham Khan, Journalist on Pak activist harassment

An Afghani journalist and a cultural adviser&nbsp;to the Parliament was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the eastern part of Kabul on Sunday.

Mina Mangal, who had worked as a news presenter for three local TV networks, was attacked by gunmen on Sunday morning, reported Tolo News.

One or possibly more assailants escaped from the scene, report saod.

Kabul police have launched an investigation.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kabul police said it was not clear whether the murder was a terror act or the result of a personal dispute. Both Islamic State and Taliban militants regularly carry out attacks in the capital.

According to a report, a total of 15 journalists were killed in a series of bombings that began early this year, with nine of them in a single day.&nbsp;

An Afghani journalist and a cultural adviser to the Parliament was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the eastern part of Kabul on Sunday. Mina Mangal, who had worked as a news presenter for three local TV networks, was attacked by gunmen on Sunday morning, reported Tolo News.

An Afghani journalist and a cultural adviser to the Parliament was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the eastern part of Kabul on Sunday. Mina Mangal, who had worked as a news presenter for three local TV networks, was attacked by gunmen on Sunday morning, reported Tolo News. One or possibly more assailants escaped from the scene, report saod. Kabul police have launched an investigation. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Kabul police said it was not clear whether the murder was a terror act or the result of a personal dispute. Both Islamic State and Taliban militants regularly carry out attacks in the capital. According to a report, a total of 15 journalists were killed in a series of bombings that began early this year, with nine of them in a single day.

Afghanistan: Journalist shot dead by unidentified gunmen

Fresh Insights On Balakot Airstrikes. In Conversation With Journalist Francesca Marino Who Investigated The Airstrikes.

Gravitas: What Happened After IAF Airstrikes In Balakot; Discussion With Journalist Francesca Marino

A Pakistani journalist was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday.

The journalist Amanullah Gharoka, who was the chairman of a press club, was travelling to a village in Parova area bordering South Waziristan when some unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike, fired at him, killing him on the spot, police said.

The attackers fled the scene immediately after committing the crime.

The local press club condemned the killing of the journalist and strongly deplored the failure of police in combating the increasing target killing incidents in the area. 
&nbsp;

A Pakistani journalist was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday. The journalist Amanullah Gharoka, who was the chairman of a press club, was travelling to a village in Parova area bordering South Waziristan when some unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike, fired at him, killing him on the spot, police said.

A Pakistani journalist was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday. The journalist Amanullah Gharoka, who was the chairman of a press club, was travelling to a village in Parova area bordering South Waziristan when some unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike, fired at him, killing him on the spot, police said. The attackers fled the scene immediately after committing the crime. The local press club condemned the killing of the journalist and strongly deplored the failure of police in combating the increasing target killing incidents in the area.

Journalist shot dead in northwest Pakistan

Britain and Ireland on Friday announced new talks to revive Northern Ireland's devolved power-sharing institutions on May 7, with the killing of a journalist by republican paramilitaries putting new impetus for a breakthrough.

Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, has been without its semi-autonomous government since January 2017 following a breakdown in trust between its main parties.

In a rare joint statement, politicians from Northern Ireland's six biggest parties united to condemn the killing of 29-year-old Lyra McKee, shot dead on April 18 while reporting on riots in the second city of Londonderry, also known as Derry.

Her death has triggered a renewed attempt to mend fences between the main parties representing the British unionist and Irish nationalist communities.

'Unmistakable message'

British Prime Minister Theresa May and her Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar announced Friday's development saying their attendance at McKee's funeral this week "gave expression to the clear will and determination of all the people of these islands to reject violence".

"We also heard the unmistakable message to all political leaders that people across Northern Ireland want to see a new momentum for political progress," the premiers said in a statement.

"We have agreed to establish a new process of political talks," they said.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney and Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley later held a press conference in Belfast at which they announced the May 7 date for the resumption of talks.

"Lyra symbolised the new Northern Ireland and her tragic death cannot be in vain," Bradley said.

The New IRA (Irish Republican Army) paramilitary splinter group, which violently opposes the peace process in Northern Ireland, admitted responsibility for McKee's killing, saying she was unintentionally shot as they attacked "enemy" police officers.

At her funeral on Wednesday, Father Martin Magill commended Northern Ireland's political leaders for joining together at her funeral, but asked, to a standing ovation: "Why in God's name does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get us to this point?'"

Talks impasse

The two largest parties, the pro-British Democratic Unionists (DUP) and Irish republican Sinn Fein, are at loggerheads over several issues.

The largest parties from each side are supposed to govern together under a power-sharing accord reached in 1998 to end three decades of violent conflict.

Sinn Fein brought down the executive in January 2017, citing a breakdown in trust.

Both blame the other for the paralysis and several exhaustive rounds of talks have floundered, with deadlines coming and going.

In the absence of an executive, the province has been run by civil servants.

DUP leader Arlene Foster has suggested a twin-track approach whereby the devolved institutions are restored quickly to deal with issues like schools and the health service, while a separate process addresses the sticking points that the parties cannot agree on.

Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein's leader in Northern Ireland, has rejected the plan, saying its demands including allowing same-sex marriage and official recognition of the Irish language had to be delivered.

Britain and Ireland on Friday announced new talks to revive Northern Ireland's devolved power-sharing institutions on May 7, with the killing of a journalist by republican paramilitaries putting new impetus for a breakthrough.

Britain and Ireland on Friday announced new talks to revive Northern Ireland's devolved power-sharing institutions on May 7, with the killing of a journalist by republican paramilitaries putting new impetus for a breakthrough. Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, has been without its semi-autonomous government since January 2017 following a breakdown in trust between its main parties. In a rare joint statement, politicians from Northern Ireland's six biggest parties united to condemn the killing of 29-year-old Lyra McKee, shot dead on April 18 while reporting on riots in the second city of Londonderry, also known as Derry. Her death has triggered a renewed attempt to mend fences between the main parties representing the British unionist and Irish nationalist communities. 'Unmistakable message' British Prime Minister Theresa May and her Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar announced Friday's development saying their attendance at McKee's funeral this week "gave expression to the clear will and determination of all the people of these islands to reject violence". "We also heard the unmistakable message to all political leaders that people across Northern Ireland want to see a new momentum for political progress," the premiers said in a statement. "We have agreed to establish a new process of political talks," they said. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney and Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley later held a press conference in Belfast at which they announced the May 7 date for the resumption of talks. "Lyra symbolised the new Northern Ireland and her tragic death cannot be in vain," Bradley said. The New IRA (Irish Republican Army) paramilitary splinter group, which violently opposes the peace process in Northern Ireland, admitted responsibility for McKee's killing, saying she was unintentionally shot as they attacked "enemy" police officers. At her funeral on Wednesday, Father Martin Magill commended Northern Ireland's political leaders for joining together at her funeral, but asked, to a standing ovation: "Why in God's name does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get us to this point?'" Talks impasse The two largest parties, the pro-British Democratic Unionists (DUP) and Irish republican Sinn Fein, are at loggerheads over several issues. The largest parties from each side are supposed to govern together under a power-sharing accord reached in 1998 to end three decades of violent conflict. Sinn Fein brought down the executive in January 2017, citing a breakdown in trust. Both blame the other for the paralysis and several exhaustive rounds of talks have floundered, with deadlines coming and going. In the absence of an executive, the province has been run by civil servants. DUP leader Arlene Foster has suggested a twin-track approach whereby the devolved institutions are restored quickly to deal with issues like schools and the health service, while a separate process addresses the sticking points that the parties cannot agree on. Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein's leader in Northern Ireland, has rejected the plan, saying its demands including allowing same-sex marriage and official recognition of the Irish language had to be delivered.

Bid to restore Northern Ireland government after killing of a journalist

Dissident republican group the New IRA on Tuesday admitted responsibility for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalist-shot-dead-in-northern-ireland-in-terrorist-incident-211785">killing Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKeen</a> during rioting in Londonderry last week, in a statement to The Irish News.

The New IRA "offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death", it said in a statement reported by the Irish newspaper, which said the paramilitary group used a recognised codeword.

McKee, 29, was shot in the head late Thursday as dissident republicans clashed with police in the Creggan housing estate in Northern Ireland's second city, also known as Derry.

While admitting responsibility, the New IRA attempted to justify its actions by claiming she was killed during an attack on "enemy forces" and accused police of provoking the riot which preceded her death.

"In the course of attacking the enemy Lyra McKee was tragically killed while standing beside enemy forces," the statement said.

"On Thursday night, following an incursion on the Creggan by heavily armed British crown forces which provoked rioting, the IRA deployed our volunteers to engage," the New IRA statement said, according to The Irish News.

In the wake of her death, Northern Ireland's six main political parties -- including rival unionists and republicans who have been unable to form a devolved government for more than two years -- issued a rare joint statement.

"It was a pointless and futile act to destroy the progress made over the last 20 years, which has the overwhelming support of people everywhere," it read.

The killing, the latest upsurge in violence to shake the troubled region, came in the run-up to Easter weekend, when republicans opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland mark the anniversary of a 1916 uprising against British rule.

A car-bombing and the hijacking of two vans in Londonderry earlier this year were also blamed on a dissident paramilitary group.

The 1998 Good Friday peace deal largely brought an end to three decades of sectarian bloodshed between republican and unionist paramilitaries, as well as British armed forces, in a period known as "the Troubles".

Some 3,500 people were killed in the conflict -- many at the hands of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

The group called a final ceasefire in 1997 and announced an end to its armed campaign in 2005, stating that it would seek to achieve its aims through peaceful political means.

The New IRA is one of a number of dissident republican paramilitary groups opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland.

There have been concerns that paramilitaries could be seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland caused by Brexit.

Dissident republican group the New IRA on Tuesday admitted responsibility for killing Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKeen during rioting in Londonderry last week, in a statement to The Irish News.

Dissident republican group the New IRA on Tuesday admitted responsibility for killing Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKeen during rioting in Londonderry last week, in a statement to The Irish News. The New IRA "offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death", it said in a statement reported by the Irish newspaper, which said the paramilitary group used a recognised codeword. McKee, 29, was shot in the head late Thursday as dissident republicans clashed with police in the Creggan housing estate in Northern Ireland's second city, also known as Derry. While admitting responsibility, the New IRA attempted to justify its actions by claiming she was killed during an attack on "enemy forces" and accused police of provoking the riot which preceded her death. "In the course of attacking the enemy Lyra McKee was tragically killed while standing beside enemy forces," the statement said. "On Thursday night, following an incursion on the Creggan by heavily armed British crown forces which provoked rioting, the IRA deployed our volunteers to engage," the New IRA statement said, according to The Irish News. In the wake of her death, Northern Ireland's six main political parties -- including rival unionists and republicans who have been unable to form a devolved government for more than two years -- issued a rare joint statement. "It was a pointless and futile act to destroy the progress made over the last 20 years, which has the overwhelming support of people everywhere," it read. The killing, the latest upsurge in violence to shake the troubled region, came in the run-up to Easter weekend, when republicans opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland mark the anniversary of a 1916 uprising against British rule. A car-bombing and the hijacking of two vans in Londonderry earlier this year were also blamed on a dissident paramilitary group. The 1998 Good Friday peace deal largely brought an end to three decades of sectarian bloodshed between republican and unionist paramilitaries, as well as British armed forces, in a period known as "the Troubles". Some 3,500 people were killed in the conflict -- many at the hands of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The group called a final ceasefire in 1997 and announced an end to its armed campaign in 2005, stating that it would seek to achieve its aims through peaceful political means. The New IRA is one of a number of dissident republican paramilitary groups opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland. There have been concerns that paramilitaries could be seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland caused by Brexit.

New IRA admits responsibility for killing Northern Ireland journalist: Media

Police in Northern Ireland have arrested two teenagers in connection with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee. The men, aged 18 and 19, were detained under anti-terrorism legislation and have been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Saturday.

Police arrest teenagers over killing of journalist in Londonderry

Two teenagers have been arrested over the killing of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalist-shot-dead-in-northern-ireland-in-terrorist-incident-211785">journalist shot dead in Northern Ireland</a>, police said Saturday, after a murder that has triggered international condemnation.

The 18 and 19-year-old men were arrested in Londonderry under anti-terror laws and taken to Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.

Journalist Lyra McKee, 29, was shot in the head late Thursday in Derry by, police believe, dissident republicans linked to the New IRA paramilitary group as they clashed with police in Northern Ireland's second city.

Tributes to the 29-year-old were led by her partner, Sara Canning, who said McKee's "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act".

The leaders of Northern Ireland's main political parties -- who have been unable to form a regional government for more than two years -- joined together to condemn the killing.

Detectives hunting the gunman had released security camera footage of the unrest on Derry's Creggan estate, hoping that the community would help trace her killers.

The footage showed McKee standing with other reporters by a police vehicle, and the suspected gunman.

Images on social media showed a car and van ablaze and hooded individuals throwing petrol bombs and fireworks at police vehicles.

Police chief Mark Hamilton said Friday "a single gunman fired shots in a residential area of the city and as a result wounded Ms McKee".

Armed groups

Some officials blamed Thursday's unrest on the "New IRA", a republican paramilitary group opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland.

The New IRA (Irish Republican Army) is an amalgam of armed groups violently opposed to Northern Ireland's peace process. It claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March.

Catholic priest Father Joseph Gormley, who read the last rites for McKee, told BBC radio: "This rioting was clearly orchestrated. I have no problems saying that: everybody in our community knows that.

"We have a small group of people who want to play political games with our lives."

The IRA sought Northern Ireland's integration into the Republic of Ireland through violence.

The group called a final ceasefire in 1997 and announced an end to its armed campaign in 2005, stating that it would seek to achieve its aims through peaceful political means.

Dissident splinter groups have sought to continue.

The 1998 Good Friday peace deal largely brought an end to three decades of sectarian bloodshed in Northern Ireland between republican and unionist paramilitaries, as well as British armed forces, in a period known as "the Troubles".

There have been concerns that paramilitaries could be seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland, caused by Brexit.

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said the killing was "a reminder of how fragile peace still is in Northern Ireland. We must all work to preserve the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement."

Former US president Bill Clinton tweeted: "Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry.

"The challenges in NI today are real-but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do."

Two teenagers have been arrested over the killing of a journalist shot dead in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday, after a murder that has triggered international condemnation.

Two teenagers have been arrested over the killing of a journalist shot dead in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday, after a murder that has triggered international condemnation. The 18 and 19-year-old men were arrested in Londonderry under anti-terror laws and taken to Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. Journalist Lyra McKee, 29, was shot in the head late Thursday in Derry by, police believe, dissident republicans linked to the New IRA paramilitary group as they clashed with police in Northern Ireland's second city. Tributes to the 29-year-old were led by her partner, Sara Canning, who said McKee's "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act". The leaders of Northern Ireland's main political parties -- who have been unable to form a regional government for more than two years -- joined together to condemn the killing. Detectives hunting the gunman had released security camera footage of the unrest on Derry's Creggan estate, hoping that the community would help trace her killers. The footage showed McKee standing with other reporters by a police vehicle, and the suspected gunman. Images on social media showed a car and van ablaze and hooded individuals throwing petrol bombs and fireworks at police vehicles. Police chief Mark Hamilton said Friday "a single gunman fired shots in a residential area of the city and as a result wounded Ms McKee". Armed groups Some officials blamed Thursday's unrest on the "New IRA", a republican paramilitary group opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland. The New IRA (Irish Republican Army) is an amalgam of armed groups violently opposed to Northern Ireland's peace process. It claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March. Catholic priest Father Joseph Gormley, who read the last rites for McKee, told BBC radio: "This rioting was clearly orchestrated. I have no problems saying that: everybody in our community knows that. "We have a small group of people who want to play political games with our lives." The IRA sought Northern Ireland's integration into the Republic of Ireland through violence. The group called a final ceasefire in 1997 and announced an end to its armed campaign in 2005, stating that it would seek to achieve its aims through peaceful political means. Dissident splinter groups have sought to continue. The 1998 Good Friday peace deal largely brought an end to three decades of sectarian bloodshed in Northern Ireland between republican and unionist paramilitaries, as well as British armed forces, in a period known as "the Troubles". There have been concerns that paramilitaries could be seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland, caused by Brexit. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said the killing was "a reminder of how fragile peace still is in Northern Ireland. We must all work to preserve the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement." Former US president Bill Clinton tweeted: "Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry. "The challenges in NI today are real-but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do."

Two teenagers held after killing of Northern Irish journalist

A journalist was shot dead during riots in Northern Ireland in what police Friday were treating as a terrorist incident following the latest upsurge in violence to shake the troubled region.

"Lyra McKee was murdered during orchestrated violence in Creggan last night," Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said in a statement.

McKee had earlier posted an image that appeared to be from the riots in the Creggan housing estate in the city of Londonderry, also known as Derry, accompanied by the words "Derry tonight. Absolute madness."&nbsp;

Images of the unrest posted on social media showed a car and van ablaze and hooded individuals throwing petrol bombs and fireworks at police vehicles.

"A single gunman fired shots in a residential area of the city and as a result wounded Ms McKee," said Hamilton, adding that police believed the gunman was a "violent dissident republican."

"We are treating this as a terrorist incident and we have launched a murder enquiry," he added.

Journalist Matthew Hughes earlier identified the dead woman as one of his friends.

"I just received the heartbreaking news that my friend @LyraMcKee was murdered tonight in a terrorist incident in Derry," he wrote on Twitter.

McKee had written for The Atlantic magazine and Buzzfeed News and was named by Forbes Magazine in 2016 as one of their "30 under 30" outstanding figures in media, according to her literary agent Janklow &amp; Nesbit.

Leona O'Neill, a reporter with the Belfast Telegraph, said she had been next to McKee when she was shot.

"I was standing beside this young woman when she fell beside a police Land Rover tonight in Creggan #Derry. I called an ambulance for her but police put her in the back of their vehicle and rushed her to the hospital where she died. Just 29 years old. Sick to my stomach tonight," she tweeted.

Good Friday Agreement&nbsp;

The violence came in the run-up to the Easter weekend, when Republicans opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland mark the anniversary of a 1916 uprising against British rule.

A car-bombing and the hijacking of two vans in Londonderry earlier this year were also blamed on a dissident paramilitary group.

Michelle O'Neill, the deputy leader of Irish republican party Sinn Fein, condemned the killing.

"My heart goes out to the family of the young woman shot dead by so-called dissidents," she wrote on Twitter.

"This was an attack on the community, an attack on the peace process and an attack on the Good Friday Agreement," the peace deal that largely brought an end to violence on the island exactly 21 years ago, she added, calling for calm.

Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Union Party, which is in favour of Britain's presence in Northern Ireland, described the death as "heartbreaking news".

"A senseless act. A family has been torn apart. Those who brought guns onto our streets in the 70s, 80s &amp; 90s were wrong. It is equally wrong in 2019. No one wants to go back," she wrote on Twitter.

The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 largely brought an end to three decades of sectarian bloodshed in Northern Ireland between republican and unionist paramilitaries, as well as British armed forces, in a period known as "the Troubles".

Some 3,500 people were killed in the conflict -- many at the hands of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Police have blamed a group called the New IRA for the flare-up in violence in recent months.

Some have expressed fears that recent attacks could be a sign that paramilitaries are seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland caused by Brexit.

Londonderry was the scene of one of the darkest episodes in the Troubles in 1972, known as Bloody Sunday, when British troops opened fire on a civil rights demonstration and killed 13 people. A 14th victim later died of his wounds.

A former British soldier was charged with murder last month over the killings.&nbsp;

A journalist was shot dead during riots in Northern Ireland in what police Friday were treating as a terrorist incident following the latest upsurge in violence to shake the troubled region.

A journalist was shot dead during riots in Northern Ireland in what police Friday were treating as a terrorist incident following the latest upsurge in violence to shake the troubled region. "Lyra McKee was murdered during orchestrated violence in Creggan last night," Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said in a statement. McKee had earlier posted an image that appeared to be from the riots in the Creggan housing estate in the city of Londonderry, also known as Derry, accompanied by the words "Derry tonight. Absolute madness." Images of the unrest posted on social media showed a car and van ablaze and hooded individuals throwing petrol bombs and fireworks at police vehicles. "A single gunman fired shots in a residential area of the city and as a result wounded Ms McKee," said Hamilton, adding that police believed the gunman was a "violent dissident republican." "We are treating this as a terrorist incident and we have launched a murder enquiry," he added. Journalist Matthew Hughes earlier identified the dead woman as one of his friends. "I just received the heartbreaking news that my friend @LyraMcKee was murdered tonight in a terrorist incident in Derry," he wrote on Twitter. McKee had written for The Atlantic magazine and Buzzfeed News and was named by Forbes Magazine in 2016 as one of their "30 under 30" outstanding figures in media, according to her literary agent Janklow & Nesbit. Leona O'Neill, a reporter with the Belfast Telegraph, said she had been next to McKee when she was shot. "I was standing beside this young woman when she fell beside a police Land Rover tonight in Creggan #Derry. I called an ambulance for her but police put her in the back of their vehicle and rushed her to the hospital where she died. Just 29 years old. Sick to my stomach tonight," she tweeted. Good Friday Agreement The violence came in the run-up to the Easter weekend, when Republicans opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland mark the anniversary of a 1916 uprising against British rule. A car-bombing and the hijacking of two vans in Londonderry earlier this year were also blamed on a dissident paramilitary group. Michelle O'Neill, the deputy leader of Irish republican party Sinn Fein, condemned the killing. "My heart goes out to the family of the young woman shot dead by so-called dissidents," she wrote on Twitter. "This was an attack on the community, an attack on the peace process and an attack on the Good Friday Agreement," the peace deal that largely brought an end to violence on the island exactly 21 years ago, she added, calling for calm. Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Union Party, which is in favour of Britain's presence in Northern Ireland, described the death as "heartbreaking news". "A senseless act. A family has been torn apart. Those who brought guns onto our streets in the 70s, 80s & 90s were wrong. It is equally wrong in 2019. No one wants to go back," she wrote on Twitter. The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 largely brought an end to three decades of sectarian bloodshed in Northern Ireland between republican and unionist paramilitaries, as well as British armed forces, in a period known as "the Troubles". Some 3,500 people were killed in the conflict -- many at the hands of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Police have blamed a group called the New IRA for the flare-up in violence in recent months. Some have expressed fears that recent attacks could be a sign that paramilitaries are seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland caused by Brexit. Londonderry was the scene of one of the darkest episodes in the Troubles in 1972, known as Bloody Sunday, when British troops opened fire on a civil rights demonstration and killed 13 people. A 14th victim later died of his wounds. A former British soldier was charged with murder last month over the killings.

Journalist shot dead in Northern Ireland in 'terrorist incident'

WION correspondent Nischita Verrendra was manhandled Wednesday by Times Now journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury at the Aero India show in Bengaluru.&nbsp;

Nischita had been interviewing the French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler.&nbsp;

Nischita had asked two questions when suddenly, Chowdhury butted in saying "You're done, you're done?"&nbsp;

Chowdhury then pushed Nischita out of the way.&nbsp;

Nischita stood her ground and pushed back.&nbsp;

When WION spoke to Nischita, she said: "I think he got angry that I pushed back."&nbsp;

And then, shockingly (see video below) Choudhary actually shoved Nischita out of the way.&nbsp;

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What's wrong with this <a href="https://twitter.com/TimesNow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TimesNow</a> reporter?!? <a href="https://t.co/PudOHVrnWW">pic.twitter.com/PudOHVrnWW</a>
— Manisha Pande (@MnshaP) <a href="https://twitter.com/MnshaP/status/1098177755076849664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Nischita walked back to the ambassador and continued with her interview.&nbsp;

She said the ambassador's security detail had by then stepped in, asking Chowdhury to "chill".&nbsp;

"That's why he (Chowdhury) held back. I don't think he would have if they hadn't stepped in," Nischita told WION.&nbsp;

Nischita finished her interview with Ziegler.&nbsp;

She then waited for Chowdhury to finish his interview, and then walked up to him.&nbsp;

"Do you have no decency?" she asked him.&nbsp;

"I'm sorry but yes I have no decency," he replied.&nbsp;

"You almost manhandled me," Nischita told him.&nbsp;

"You're not worth being manhandled," he replied.&nbsp;

Chowdhury apologised when video of the incident went viral.&nbsp;

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Unconditional apologies to Wion reporter for what happened this morning. Deeply regret a moment of unacceptable conduct. Begging forgiveness. Regards
— Srinjoy Chowdhury (@Srinjoy_C) <a href="https://twitter.com/Srinjoy_C/status/1098184258550669314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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My name is Nischita Verrendra. 
 
It's hard to believe this apology since you told me and I quote 'Yes, I don't have decency on field' and 'you are not worth being manhandled'. So let's just accept that we have an indecent reporter amidst us.
— Nischita Verrendra (@nischitav) <a href="https://twitter.com/nischitav/status/1098190618864599042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"My name is Nischita Verrendra," Nischita replied.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"It's hard to believe this apology since you told me and I quote 'Yes, I don't have decency on field' and 'you are not worth being manhandled'. So let's just accept that we have an indecent reporter amidst us," she added.&nbsp;

WION correspondent Nischita Verrendra was manhandled Wednesday by Times Now journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury at the Aero India show in Bengaluru. Nischita had been interviewing the French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler.

WION correspondent Nischita Verrendra was manhandled Wednesday by Times Now journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury at the Aero India show in Bengaluru. Nischita had been interviewing the French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler. Nischita had asked two questions when suddenly, Chowdhury butted in saying "You're done, you're done?" Chowdhury then pushed Nischita out of the way. Nischita stood her ground and pushed back. When WION spoke to Nischita, she said: "I think he got angry that I pushed back." And then, shockingly (see video below) Choudhary actually shoved Nischita out of the way. What's wrong with this @TimesNow reporter?!? pic.twitter.com/PudOHVrnWW — Manisha Pande (@MnshaP) February 20, 2019 × Nischita walked back to the ambassador and continued with her interview. She said the ambassador's security detail had by then stepped in, asking Chowdhury to "chill". "That's why he (Chowdhury) held back. I don't think he would have if they hadn't stepped in," Nischita told WION. Nischita finished her interview with Ziegler. She then waited for Chowdhury to finish his interview, and then walked up to him. "Do you have no decency?" she asked him. "I'm sorry but yes I have no decency," he replied. "You almost manhandled me," Nischita told him. "You're not worth being manhandled," he replied. Chowdhury apologised when video of the incident went viral. Unconditional apologies to Wion reporter for what happened this morning. Deeply regret a moment of unacceptable conduct. Begging forgiveness. Regards — Srinjoy Chowdhury (@Srinjoy_C) February 20, 2019 × My name is Nischita Verrendra. It's hard to believe this apology since you told me and I quote 'Yes, I don't have decency on field' and 'you are not worth being manhandled'. So let's just accept that we have an indecent reporter amidst us. — Nischita Verrendra (@nischitav) February 20, 2019 × "My name is Nischita Verrendra," Nischita replied. "It's hard to believe this apology since you told me and I quote 'Yes, I don't have decency on field' and 'you are not worth being manhandled'. So let's just accept that we have an indecent reporter amidst us," she added.

WION woman journalist manhandled by reporter at Aero India in Bengaluru

The head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte was freed on bail on Thursday, a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-arrests-president-duterte-critic-journalist-maria-ressa-on-libel-charge-197186">Maria Ressa</a>, the award-winning head of news platform Rappler, was served a warrant live on television at her office on Wednesday for what media watchdogs said were trumped-up charges aimed at intimidating those who challenge Duterte's rule.

"For me, it's about two things - abuse of power and weaponisation of the law," Ressa said.

"You have to express outrage and do it now. Press freedom is not just about journalists, is not just about us, it's not just about me, it's not just about Rappler. Press freedom is the foundation of every single right of every Filipino to the truth," she told reporters after posting bail.

Ressa is accused of cyber libel over a 2012 Rappler article, which was updated in 2014, that linked a Filipino businessman to murder, human trafficking and drug smuggling. Rappler cited information contained in a 2002 intelligence report but did not say which agency compiled it.

The businessman's lawyer says the information was wrong and that the article was defamatory and that he wants to clear his name.

Duterte has made no secret of his annoyance at Rappler and has sparred frequently with its reporters, who are known for scrutinising his policies and his appointments and for questioning the accuracy of his sweeping, often bellicose statements.

CRITICISM DISCOURAGED

Rappler's reporting has accused his administration of creating a social media "ecosystem" designed to defend Duterte, threaten and discredit his opponents, and discourage Filipinos from criticising him for fear of being attacked by online trolls. The government denies the accusations.

Duterte once suggested Rappler was American-owned and could, therefore, be linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency. He called Rappler a "fake news outlet" and banned a reporter from covering his events.

Rappler, founded in 2010, is no stranger to legal challenges and faces ongoing cases over tax evasion and alleged ownership violations. It denies wrongdoing and says it will not be cowed into self-censorship.

This was the first time Ressa was arrested, although she said her release marked the sixth time she had been charged and granted bail.

Duterte's spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said the libel case had nothing to do with the government and that Duterte had no interest in punishing journalists.

"That's absolutely unrelated. The president has been criticised and he does not bother," he told DZMM radio.

Ressa spent the night in a room at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in the capital, Manila, and was unable to post bail because the court was closed.

Her brief detention was criticised by journalists and activists at home and abroad. Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said it was an "outrageous" arrest that "must be condemned by all democratic nations".

London-based Amnesty International said Duterte's administration was using the law to "relentlessly intimidate and harass journalists". Dabet Panelo of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said it would backfire and called for protests on Friday.

The head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte was freed on bail on Thursday, a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists.

The head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte was freed on bail on Thursday, a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists. Maria Ressa, the award-winning head of news platform Rappler, was served a warrant live on television at her office on Wednesday for what media watchdogs said were trumped-up charges aimed at intimidating those who challenge Duterte's rule. "For me, it's about two things - abuse of power and weaponisation of the law," Ressa said. "You have to express outrage and do it now. Press freedom is not just about journalists, is not just about us, it's not just about me, it's not just about Rappler. Press freedom is the foundation of every single right of every Filipino to the truth," she told reporters after posting bail. Ressa is accused of cyber libel over a 2012 Rappler article, which was updated in 2014, that linked a Filipino businessman to murder, human trafficking and drug smuggling. Rappler cited information contained in a 2002 intelligence report but did not say which agency compiled it. The businessman's lawyer says the information was wrong and that the article was defamatory and that he wants to clear his name. Duterte has made no secret of his annoyance at Rappler and has sparred frequently with its reporters, who are known for scrutinising his policies and his appointments and for questioning the accuracy of his sweeping, often bellicose statements. CRITICISM DISCOURAGED Rappler's reporting has accused his administration of creating a social media "ecosystem" designed to defend Duterte, threaten and discredit his opponents, and discourage Filipinos from criticising him for fear of being attacked by online trolls. The government denies the accusations. Duterte once suggested Rappler was American-owned and could, therefore, be linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency. He called Rappler a "fake news outlet" and banned a reporter from covering his events. Rappler, founded in 2010, is no stranger to legal challenges and faces ongoing cases over tax evasion and alleged ownership violations. It denies wrongdoing and says it will not be cowed into self-censorship. This was the first time Ressa was arrested, although she said her release marked the sixth time she had been charged and granted bail. Duterte's spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said the libel case had nothing to do with the government and that Duterte had no interest in punishing journalists. "That's absolutely unrelated. The president has been criticised and he does not bother," he told DZMM radio. Ressa spent the night in a room at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in the capital, Manila, and was unable to post bail because the court was closed. Her brief detention was criticised by journalists and activists at home and abroad. Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said it was an "outrageous" arrest that "must be condemned by all democratic nations". London-based Amnesty International said Duterte's administration was using the law to "relentlessly intimidate and harass journalists". Dabet Panelo of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said it would backfire and called for protests on Friday.

Philippine journalist released on bail after criticising Duterte government

A Pakistani journalist under scrutiny for anti-government social media posts was beaten and seized outside his home on Saturday, his son said, in the latest sign of pressure on media.

Rizwan Razi, who worked for private Din TV in the city of Lahore, was being investigated for "defamatory and obnoxious" comments about the judiciary, government and intelligence services, according to Pakistan`s law enforcement agency.&nbsp;

However, there was no official confirmation he had been arrested.

"My father went out of home to see off friends," his son Osama told Reuters of the incident on Saturday morning.

"When the friends left, unknown persons, riding a black Honda Civic car, thrashed and dragged him in the car and fled away ... I ran after the car but could not do anything."

Pakistani journalists say they face an increasingly hostile climate since the vote last year that saw Prime Minister Imran Khan`s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) take power.

A report from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), dated Saturday and seen by Reuters, said Razi had previously been questioned about his Twitter comments. It said authorization had been granted to register a case against him.

His account @RaziDada appeared to be offline on Saturday.

FIA officials in Lahore referred questions to the main office in Islamabad, where officials could not be reached.

Khan`s government replaced the party of ousted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was at odds with the powerful military and is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for corruption.

The increased official pressure has come at a difficult time for the media in general as advertising revenues have plunged and newsroom budgets been slashed.

Government officials say Pakistan has an independent media and the military denies pressuring journalists.&nbsp;

In a separate case, Ammar Ali Jan, an academic also based in Lahore, was arrested over his involvement in a protest at the death of Arman Loni, a regional leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement. He was later released on bail.

A message on Ammar`s Facebook page on Saturday said he was taken at 4 am "I am a law-abiding citizen and will not be deterred in the fight for justice," it said.

Police official Azhar Naveed confirmed the brief detention and bail, which followed other arrests over the protests earlier this week. He said Ammar was charged with taking part in a rally, blocking a road and making "anti-state" speeches.&nbsp;

A Pakistani journalist under scrutiny for anti-government social media posts was beaten and seized outside his home on Saturday, his son said, in the latest sign of pressure on media.

A Pakistani journalist under scrutiny for anti-government social media posts was beaten and seized outside his home on Saturday, his son said, in the latest sign of pressure on media. Rizwan Razi, who worked for private Din TV in the city of Lahore, was being investigated for "defamatory and obnoxious" comments about the judiciary, government and intelligence services, according to Pakistan`s law enforcement agency. However, there was no official confirmation he had been arrested. "My father went out of home to see off friends," his son Osama told Reuters of the incident on Saturday morning. "When the friends left, unknown persons, riding a black Honda Civic car, thrashed and dragged him in the car and fled away ... I ran after the car but could not do anything." Pakistani journalists say they face an increasingly hostile climate since the vote last year that saw Prime Minister Imran Khan`s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) take power. A report from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), dated Saturday and seen by Reuters, said Razi had previously been questioned about his Twitter comments. It said authorization had been granted to register a case against him. His account @RaziDada appeared to be offline on Saturday. FIA officials in Lahore referred questions to the main office in Islamabad, where officials could not be reached. Khan`s government replaced the party of ousted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was at odds with the powerful military and is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for corruption. The increased official pressure has come at a difficult time for the media in general as advertising revenues have plunged and newsroom budgets been slashed. Government officials say Pakistan has an independent media and the military denies pressuring journalists. In a separate case, Ammar Ali Jan, an academic also based in Lahore, was arrested over his involvement in a protest at the death of Arman Loni, a regional leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement. He was later released on bail. A message on Ammar`s Facebook page on Saturday said he was taken at 4 am "I am a law-abiding citizen and will not be deterred in the fight for justice," it said. Police official Azhar Naveed confirmed the brief detention and bail, which followed other arrests over the protests earlier this week. He said Ammar was charged with taking part in a rally, blocking a road and making "anti-state" speeches.

Pakistani journalist critical of government seized outside home

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