Committee to Protect Journalists said on Saturday that sentencing of Iraqi Kurdish journalists Sherwan Sherwani and Guhdar Zebari to six years in jail "for jeopardising Kurdish national security" was "unfair and disproportionate".

The journalists were arrested in Kurdish region of Iraq last year after their coverage of anti-government protests in Duhok, a province controlled by ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party, reported Al-Jazeera. The freelance journalists were found guilty on February 16 by a court in Erbil that held them guilty for putting Kurdish national security at risk.

They cited social media exchanges wherein they had criticised the government. According to a report by Voice of America (VOA), Sherwani`s lawyer said journalistic materials were presented as evidence of spying, and others pointed out that the region`s prime minister had described the journalists as spies in a press conference a week before the trial.

"With this verdict, the Kurdish authorities are sending a clear message: the press freedom that they claim to defend and to uphold and to respect is not being respected," Ignacio Miguel Delgado, the CPJ Middle East and North Africa representative, told Al Jazeera.

"Iraqi Kurdistan keeps claiming that it`s the only democracy [in the region] and it takes pride in that...But what we have witnessed throughout 2020 and into this new year is the exact opposite, at least as far as press freedom goes," said Delgado.

Meanwhile, the VOA has reported Sherwani as saying that he was tortured both mentally and physically during the investigation."While I was under investigation, I was not allowed to see my lawyers, I got tortured physically and mentally, they threatened me of raping my wife," Sherwani told the court.

(With ANI inputs)

Committee to Protect Journalists said on Saturday that sentencing of Iraqi Kurdish journalists Sherwan Sherwani and Guhdar Zebari to six years in jail "for jeopardising Kurdish national security" was "unfair and disproportionate".

Committee to Protect Journalists said on Saturday that sentencing of Iraqi Kurdish journalists Sherwan Sherwani and Guhdar Zebari to six years in jail "for jeopardising Kurdish national security" was "unfair and disproportionate". The journalists were arrested in Kurdish region of Iraq last year after their coverage of anti-government protests in Duhok, a province controlled by ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party, reported Al-Jazeera. The freelance journalists were found guilty on February 16 by a court in Erbil that held them guilty for putting Kurdish national security at risk. They cited social media exchanges wherein they had criticised the government. According to a report by Voice of America (VOA), Sherwani`s lawyer said journalistic materials were presented as evidence of spying, and others pointed out that the region`s prime minister had described the journalists as spies in a press conference a week before the trial. "With this verdict, the Kurdish authorities are sending a clear message: the press freedom that they claim to defend and to uphold and to respect is not being respected," Ignacio Miguel Delgado, the CPJ Middle East and North Africa representative, told Al Jazeera. "Iraqi Kurdistan keeps claiming that it`s the only democracy [in the region] and it takes pride in that...But what we have witnessed throughout 2020 and into this new year is the exact opposite, at least as far as press freedom goes," said Delgado. Meanwhile, the VOA has reported Sherwani as saying that he was tortured both mentally and physically during the investigation."While I was under investigation, I was not allowed to see my lawyers, I got tortured physically and mentally, they threatened me of raping my wife," Sherwani told the court. (With ANI inputs)

Putin-Kim meet begins as North Korea fires ‘unidentified’ ballistic missiles

North Korea fired at least two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, hours after the US separately deployed B-1B bombers for allied air drills. The country later confirmed that the two short-range ballistic missiles it fired were part of a "tactical nuclear strike drill".

Japan's defence ministry also reported that at least one suspected ballistic missile was launched, while Japanese media reported that two missiles were fired and landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

"Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional provocations, and is maintaining full readiness through close cooperation between Korea and the United States," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-calls-for-boosting-north-koreas-navy-as-waters-brimmed-with-danger-of-nuclear-war-630077">Kim calls for boosting North Korea's navy as waters brim with 'danger of nuclear war'</a>

The launch comes a day before South Korea and the US wrap up 11 days of combined military drills, which Pyongyang has denounced.

The B-1B bombers conducted separate air drills with warplanes from South Korea and Japan earlier on Wednesday.

North Korea's ballistic missiles are banned by United Nations Security Council resolutions that have imposed strict sanctions on the nuclear-armed country.

The US is concerned that arms negotiations between Russia and North Korea are actively advancing, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told a briefing on Wednesday, noting that any arms deal would violate sanctions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-second-attempt-to-launch-spy-satellite-fails-state-media-628585">North Korea's second attempt to launch spy satellite fails: State media</a>

Kirby said Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had recently travelled to North Korea to try to convince Pyongyang to sell artillery ammunition to Russia.

The US and South Korean militaries want to more closely integrate their systems for tracking North Korean missile launches, an effort that may soon include more cooperation with Japan as well, U.S. Space Force officials said on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden agreed with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at an Aug. 18 summit that by the end of this year the three countries would share North Korea missile warning data in real time.

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North Korea fired at least two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, hours after the US separately deployed B-1B bombers for allied air drills.

North Korea fired at least two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, hours after the US separately deployed B-1B bombers for allied air drills. The country later confirmed that the two short-range ballistic missiles it fired were part of a "tactical nuclear strike drill". Japan's defence ministry also reported that at least one suspected ballistic missile was launched, while Japanese media reported that two missiles were fired and landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). "Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional provocations, and is maintaining full readiness through close cooperation between Korea and the United States," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. Also read | Kim calls for boosting North Korea's navy as waters brim with 'danger of nuclear war' The launch comes a day before South Korea and the US wrap up 11 days of combined military drills, which Pyongyang has denounced. The B-1B bombers conducted separate air drills with warplanes from South Korea and Japan earlier on Wednesday. North Korea's ballistic missiles are banned by United Nations Security Council resolutions that have imposed strict sanctions on the nuclear-armed country. The US is concerned that arms negotiations between Russia and North Korea are actively advancing, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told a briefing on Wednesday, noting that any arms deal would violate sanctions. Also read | North Korea's second attempt to launch spy satellite fails: State media Kirby said Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had recently travelled to North Korea to try to convince Pyongyang to sell artillery ammunition to Russia. The US and South Korean militaries want to more closely integrate their systems for tracking North Korean missile launches, an effort that may soon include more cooperation with Japan as well, U.S. Space Force officials said on Wednesday. US President Joe Biden agreed with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at an Aug. 18 summit that by the end of this year the three countries would share North Korea missile warning data in real time. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles amid joint US-South Korea drills

Just a day after firing a small missile showing anger towards US's increased regional presence,&nbsp;North Korea fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday, South Korea said on Friday. In other news,&nbsp;United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on Thursday that she will not be contesting for the leadership role after the Republicans gained control. Meanwhile, Twitter has temporarily closed the office buildings amidst reports of mass exodus after Elon Musk’s “hardcore” work ultimatum failed to motivate the employees to work for "long hours at high intensity”.Finally,&nbsp;Andy Jassy, CEO of the retail giant Amazon&nbsp;said that the layoffs will extend to the next year 2023 as the firm has not yet concluded the review as per its business conditions.

Click on the headlines to read more:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-has-fired-suspected-icbm-seoul-says-535152">North Korea fires suspected ICBM, Japan says it fell in exclusive economic waters</a>

&nbsp;

<img src="https://www.wionews.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.wionews.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fstory_page%2Fpublic%2F2022%2F11%2F18%2F311657-untitled-design-2022-11-18t074654363.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75" />

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff earlier said it had detected the "launch of an unidentified ballistic missile in an eastward direction". The coastguard warned ships not to approach fallen debris in the water.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nancy-pelosi-to-step-down-as-us-house-democratic-leader-after-two-decades-535126">Nancy Pelosi to step down as US House Democratic leader after two decades</a>

<img src="https://www.wionews.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.wionews.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fstory_page%2Fpublic%2F2022%2F11%2F17%2F311635-00032nt7v4.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75" />

Pelosi was the top Democratic leader in the US House for the better part of the last two decades and holds an important place in the politics of the country. During her speech, Pelosi confirmed&nbsp;that she will complete her term as a member of Congress.&nbsp;

“I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/after-elon-musks-ultimatum-employees-leave-en-masse-twitter-closes-offices-temporarily-535169">After Elon Musk's ultimatum, employees leave en masse, Twitter closes offices</a>

<img src="http://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/11/18/311667-twitter.jpg" />

On Wednesday, Musk told employees that his goal was to build “Twitter 2.0” and for that, they have to choose between working “long hours at high intensity” or leave. He conducted a poll on the workplace app Blind for their response.

In response, 42 per cent of 180 people chose the "Taking exit option, I'm free!" in the app, which verifies employees through their work email addresses and allows them to share information anonymously, according to multiple media reports.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-slow-economic-growth-mass-layoffs-at-amazon-across-teams-will-continue-till-2023-says-ceo-andy-jassy-535161">Amid slow economic growth, mass layoffs at Amazon across teams will continue till 2023, says CEO Andy Jassy&nbsp;</a>

<img src="https://www.wionews.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.wionews.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fstory_page%2Fpublic%2F2022%2F11%2F18%2F311663-0009au2bn.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75" />

The CEO has been putting continuous efforts into reducing the firm's ex[ensises amid its slow economic growth especially after the firm reported its smallest revenues in the holiday quarter.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Moscow steps up attacks in Eastern Kyiv; missiles cripple energy infra

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Just a day after firing a small missile showing anger towards US's increased regional presence, North Korea fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday, South Korea said on Friday.

Just a day after firing a small missile showing anger towards US's increased regional presence, North Korea fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday, South Korea said on Friday. In other news, United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on Thursday that she will not be contesting for the leadership role after the Republicans gained control. Meanwhile, Twitter has temporarily closed the office buildings amidst reports of mass exodus after Elon Musk’s “hardcore” work ultimatum failed to motivate the employees to work for "long hours at high intensity”.Finally, Andy Jassy, CEO of the retail giant Amazon said that the layoffs will extend to the next year 2023 as the firm has not yet concluded the review as per its business conditions. Click on the headlines to read more: North Korea fires suspected ICBM, Japan says it fell in exclusive economic waters Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff earlier said it had detected the "launch of an unidentified ballistic missile in an eastward direction". The coastguard warned ships not to approach fallen debris in the water. Nancy Pelosi to step down as US House Democratic leader after two decades Pelosi was the top Democratic leader in the US House for the better part of the last two decades and holds an important place in the politics of the country. During her speech, Pelosi confirmed that she will complete her term as a member of Congress. “I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said. After Elon Musk's ultimatum, employees leave en masse, Twitter closes offices On Wednesday, Musk told employees that his goal was to build “Twitter 2.0” and for that, they have to choose between working “long hours at high intensity” or leave. He conducted a poll on the workplace app Blind for their response. In response, 42 per cent of 180 people chose the "Taking exit option, I'm free!" in the app, which verifies employees through their work email addresses and allows them to share information anonymously, according to multiple media reports. Amid slow economic growth, mass layoffs at Amazon across teams will continue till 2023, says CEO Andy Jassy The CEO has been putting continuous efforts into reducing the firm's ex[ensises amid its slow economic growth especially after the firm reported its smallest revenues in the holiday quarter. Watch | Russia-Ukraine War: Moscow steps up attacks in Eastern Kyiv; missiles cripple energy infra

Morning news brief: North Korea fires suspected ICBM, Pelosi steps down as US House Democratic leader & more

Just a week after North Korea launched what it claimed to be a hypersonic missile, this morning, North Korea has again fired what it is describing to be a ballistic missile into the Eastern Sea.

North Korea fires a 'ballistic missile', 2nd suspected missile fired in 6 days