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Yemen Online
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Yemen authorities arrest journalist Hamoud Hazz'a on unknown charges in Marib - Yemen Online
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the August 16 arrest of Yemen News Agency journalist Hamoud Hazz'a after security forces raided his home in Al-Jufaina camp, Marib Governorate, confiscated his mobile phone and laptop, and took him to an undisclosed location without legal justification. Before his arrest, Hazz'a warned in an August 16 Facebook post that security personnel were stationed outside his home. He later posted that the Fourth Security Zone force had broken down his door, frightening his family. Hazz'a was later transferred from political security detention to military prosecution and brought before military courts. Authorities cited his registration in the Department of Defense as reason for his arrest, National Organization of Yemeni Reporters CEO Yousef Hazeb told CPJ via messaging app. A security official also told local media that Hazz'a's status as a second lieutenant in the National Defense Service Department of the Yemeni Armed Forces prompted the transfer. 'Hazz'a's case shows how press freedom is deteriorating in areas controlled by the internationally recognized government,' said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. 'The exploitation of his honorary military status to justify military court proceedings is clearly an attempt to silence him. He should be released immediately.' The Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate noted that displaced journalists who escaped Houthi-controlled areas are often assigned honorary military ranks or benefits in exchange for media work. The syndicate called on authorities to stop exploiting journalists' circumstances and to respect freedom of expression. Hazz'a has previously informed several press freedom organizations, including the Yemen News Agency, that he has faced online threats and incitement due to his social media commentary on Marib's local government. CPJ contacted the Yemeni embassy in Washington for an update on Hazz'a's whereabouts but received no immediate response.
Yemen Online
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Yemen authorities arrest journalist Hamoud Hazz'a on unknown charges in Marib
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the August 16 arrest of Yemen News Agency journalist Hamoud Hazz'a after security forces raided his home in Al-Jufaina camp, Marib Governorate, confiscated his mobile phone and laptop, and took him to an undisclosed location without legal justification. Before his arrest, Hazz'a warned in an August 16 Facebook post that security personnel were stationed outside his home. He later posted that the Fourth Security Zone force had broken down his door, frightening his family. Hazz'a was later transferred from political security detention to military prosecution and brought before military courts. Authorities cited his registration in the Department of Defense as reason for his arrest, National Organization of Yemeni Reporters CEO Yousef Hazeb told CPJ via messaging app. A security official also told local media that Hazz'a's status as a second lieutenant in the National Defense Service Department of the Yemeni Armed Forces prompted the transfer. 'Hazz'a's case shows how press freedom is deteriorating in areas controlled by the internationally recognized government,' said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. 'The exploitation of his honorary military status to justify military court proceedings is clearly an attempt to silence him. He should be released immediately.' The Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate noted that displaced journalists who escaped Houthi-controlled areas are often assigned honorary military ranks or benefits in exchange for media work. The syndicate called on authorities to stop exploiting journalists' circumstances and to respect freedom of expression. Hazz'a has previously informed several press freedom organizations, including the Yemen News Agency, that he has faced online threats and incitement due to his social media commentary on Marib's local government.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
South African journalists protest against the murder of Palestinian reporters
South African journalists embarked on a protest to stand against Israel's murders of Palestinian reporters in Gaza. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers Dozens of South African journalists embarked on a protest to stand against Israel's brutal murders of Palestinian reporters in Gaza. The protest took place at Cape Town's Sea Point and was organised by Journalists Against Apartheid (JAA), in solidarity with protesters around the world who have condemned Israel's killings. This follows the assassination of six journalists, including prominent Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif, in a targeted attack on a media tent outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on August 10. A total of 269 Palestinian journalists have been killed so far, according to Al Jazeera's data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists and The CPJ believes that at least 26 of them, including Al-Sharif, were deliberately targeted for being journalists. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Israel has for years accused Al-Sharif of being a terrorist but provided no credible evidence, according to the CPJ. JAA was formed last year in honour of the journalists who have been killed. The organisation said powerful governments failed to protect Al-Sharif from this assassination, and as a result, 'on Sunday night, Israel took away a father, husband, and son simply for doing his job'. 'Israel admitted to targeting Al-Sharif, remaining silent on the five other journalists it killed in the same attack,'' said the group. 'These journalists are an inspiration to us. They have been working in the harshest conditions for 22 months, without respite. Despite the lack of significant international action, the unfolding genocide, and forced starvation, they keep reporting on the horrors they themselves are victims of,'' JAA said. "Israel's history of false accusations against journalists is distressing. The CPJ's 2023 'Deadly Pattern' report details five claims of terrorism or militant activity against journalists killed by Israeli forces between 2004 and 2018, and how many journalists Israel has accused of being members or suspected members of militant organisations - all with questionable "evidence" or none at all." JAA spokesperson Deshnee Subramany said: 'We are enraged by Western media that have repeated Israeli lies without scrutiny while silencing Palestinian voices, permitting this genocide to continue. "Many media outlets have contributed to Israel and the United States' disinformation campaign against Palestine, flouting basic journalistic principles,'' she said, adding that the organisation demands that these media houses cease this disastrous propaganda. Subramany also condemned South African media organisations who have undertaken 'sponsored propaganda trips to Israel and published this propaganda' without declaring how these trips were funded. 'This falls far short of journalism ethics, and is shameful in a country where the media's bravery was central to dismantling apartheid. "We stand in solidarity with protesters around the world who have condemned Israel's reprehensible killings.''
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
184 Palestinian journalists killed since October 7, 2023
An Israeli strike on Al Jazeera staff in a tent near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on August 10, 2025 (Sunday) killed six journalists, four of whom were members of the Al Jazeera staff comprising correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal. The two other journalists killed were Moamen Aliwa and Mohammad al-Khaldi. The deadly strike on the tent was deliberately carried out by the Israeli military who labelled Anas al-Sharif as a 'terrorist' affiliated with Hamas, although many rights advocates stated that he was targeted for his frontline reporting. According to the Committee to Project Journalists (CPJ), a US-based independent non-profit that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists, the strike on August 10 also injured Ahmed al-Harazein, a 29-year-old driver and logistics provider for Al Jazeera. and two other journalists in the vicinity. With the six journalists killed on August 10 the worrisome tally of the number of journalists and media workers killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 escalated to 184. Two-thirds of the killings of Palestinian journalists since October 7, 2023 were due to Israeli airstrikes, according to CPJ. The Palestinian journalists and media workers who have been killed since October 7, 2023 are shown in the graphic below. Palestinian journalists killed since 2023 outnumber the total number of journalists killed in the world, as shown below. Two Israeli journalists, Roee Idan and Yaniv Zohar, were killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. In what has been deemed as the deadliest period for journalists, CPJ's analysis shows that as of August 12, 2025, a total of 192 journalists were killed as a direct consequence of the Israel-Gaza War; comprising 184 (96%) Palestinians, 2 (1%) Israelis, and 6 (3%) Lebanese. Additionally: 132 journalists were reportedly injured. 2 journalists were reportedly missing. 90 journalists (including those in West Bank and Jerusalem) were reportedly arrested where Israel arrested 85 and Palestinian authorities arrested 5. Multiple instances of assault, threats, cyberattacks, censorships, and killings of family members. As of August 13, 2025, around 86.3% of the Gaza Strip remains under Israeli militarized zones or under displacement orders, or where these overlap, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). Palestinian fatalities as of August 13, 2025 stand at 61,722 with 18,430 or around 30% of those killed being children.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai's collusion trial resumes after delay
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The sprawling trial, which began in December 2023, is entering its final stages as Western nations and rights groups continue to call for Lai's release. Hong Kong - A Hong Kong court on Aug 15 began hearing closing arguments in the national security trial of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, following a one-day delay because of bad weather. The 77-year-old founder of the Apple Daily newspaper is charged with foreign collusion under Hong Kong's national security law, which Beijing imposed following huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019. The sprawling trial, which began in December 2023, is entering its final stages as Western nations and rights groups continue to call for Lai's release. Aside from the collusion offence – which could land him in prison for life – Lai is also charged with 'seditious publication' related to 161 op-eds carrying his byline. Despite being kept behind bars since December 2020, the tycoon gave spirited courtroom testimony over more than 50 days during the trial. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on Aug 14 that 'the world is watching how Hong Kong treats its journalists'. 'The prolonged detention of Jimmy Lai not only destroys Hong Kong's historic reputation as a free and open society, but also as a trusted hub for business,' said CPJ regional director Beh Lih Yi. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No service on Sengkang-Punggol LRT due to power fault: SBS Transit Singapore Owners call for stronger management rules in ageing condos, but seek to avoid being overburdened Asia Johor seizes four Singapore-registered vehicles for illegal e-hailing Singapore More families in Singapore using childminding and elder-minding services Business US Treasuries a draw as yield gap with S'pore govt bonds widens, but analysts urge caution Asia Attack on my son is a 'warning' to silence me, says Malaysian MP Rafizi Ramli World Trump says Putin ready to make deal on Ukraine as leaders prepare for Alaska meeting Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength US President Donald Trump said on a Fox News radio programme on Aug 14 that he had previously brought up the Lai case with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 'I'm going to do everything I can to save him... you could also understand President Xi would not be exactly thrilled,' the outlet quoted Trump as saying. The Hong Kong government said Aug 13 it 'strongly disapproved and rejected the slanderous remarks made by external forces' regarding Lai's case. 'Political prisoner' Throughout the trial, Lai has fielded questions about his political ideology, management style and overseas contacts. He described himself at least twice as a 'political prisoner', which drew sharp rebukes from the three-judge panel. Prosecutors showed the court a diagram titled '(Lai's) external political connections', arguing that he had exerted influence in the United States, Britain and Taiwan. It featured headshots of top US political figures, including Mr Trump, his former deputy Mike Pence and ex-secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen was also among those named. Two prosecution witnesses, Chan Tsz-wah and Andy Li, also accused Lai of financially backing the advocacy group 'Stand With Hong Kong' to run overseas newspaper ads supporting the 2019 protests. Lai has denied calling for sanctions against China and Hong Kong and said he never advocated separatism. Four other people who held senior roles in Apple Daily were called upon by prosecutors to testify about how Lai shaped the outlet's political stance. The mogul said his newspaper championed democracy and freedom, adding that he had always disavowed violence. 'The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong... (including) rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly,' Lai said on the first day of his testimony. Apple Daily was forced to close in 2021 after police raids and the arrests of its senior editors. Lai is a British citizen and his son Sebastien reiterated in March calls for the Keir Starmer administration to do more, saying: 'I don't want my father to die in jail.' AFP
