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Women journalists working in various media outlets have emphasized on professional and dignified journalism. Journalists participating in an interaction on ‘Digital Media Management and Journalist Code of Ethics’ held in the capital on Wednesday pointed out the need for accountability in the Nepali journalism sector in recent days. 

In coordination with Working Women Journalists (WWJ), the program was organized by Press Council Nepal. The women journalists participating in the program discussed the need for the Press Council, the body responsible for monitoring and regulating the independent press, to play an important role as there are currently many problems in digital media.

At the program, Press Council member Santarem Bidari informed about the journalist code of ethics and said that it will bind journalists and the media morally. 

Press Council member Nakul Aryal, answering the questions of women journalists, said that the council is a supportive organization for journalists and it will facilitate making journalism professional and dignified. 

Similarly, former member of the council and WWJ advisor Subekchhya Bindu Tuladhar informed about the women-friendly communication guidelines, disability-friendly communication guidelines, senior citizen-friendly communication guidelines issued by the council. 

She recalled that these guidelines were prepared after a detailed study of Nepal's national laws, international treaties and agreements and after collecting opinions and suggestions from relevant stakeholders. 

Chief Officer of the council, Jhabindra Bhusal, informed that the council is working on YouTube regulation and management. 

At the program, WWJ President Ramkala Khadka said that the increasing interference in the press and freedom of expression is a matter of serious concern and emphasized that journalists should follow the code of ethics and promote dignified, responsible and professional journalism. 

She said that in some cases, journalists have complained that the council itself has pressured them to remove news from online portals, and that the council should work in the coming days to eliminate such a trend and create an environment where they can work independently.

South Korea’s Supreme Court has cleared Samsung chairman Lee Jae-yong of fraud charges linked to a 2015 merger, ending a lengthy legal battle.

Lee was accused of inflating the value of Samsung Biologics to tighten control of the company. Lower courts had already acquitted him, and the top court upheld those rulings, declaring the merger lawful, according to BBC.

The verdict was welcomed by South Korea’s business community, which hopes the decision will help Samsung navigate ongoing economic and trade challenges.

At least 63 people have died and nearly 300 were injured in Pakistan’s Punjab province after torrential rains triggered building collapses, electrocutions, and flooding, officials said.

Rawalpindi declared a public holiday as evacuations began near the swelling Leh River. In Chakwal, which saw 400mm of rainfall in a day, rescue teams and military helicopters were deployed, according to BBC.

The monsoon death toll nationwide has reached nearly 180 since late June, over half of them children. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared emergencies in several areas, urging residents to follow safety measures.

More rains and flash floods are expected through the weekend, with thousands of rescuers on alert, BBC reported.

Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to climate change, with recurring monsoon disasters and rapidly melting glaciers worsening the crisis.

An explosive-laden drone crashed early Thursday near Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, with no casualties reported, according to the regional counter-terrorism directorate.

The crash comes amid a sharp rise in drone attacks across northern Iraq, mostly targeting oil fields operated by foreign companies. This week alone, facilities run by Norwegian firm DNO and US companies in areas including Faysh Khabur, Tawke, Baadre, and Duhok have been hit, according to Xinhua.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.