Al Jazeera is reporting that Assaf Abou Rahhal, a journalist with Lebanon's Al Akhbar newspaper, was killed today in an exchange of fire between the Lebanese Army and the Israel Defence Forces. Read more here
CATEGORY: Middle East and North Africa
UAE: BlackBerry ban is a sign of elite’s unease
The leaders of the Emirates are nervous of an Iranian-style uprising, says
Christopher Davidson
Iran: Human rights journalist jailed
Emadden Baghi, an Iranian human rights activist and journalist, has been given a year-long prison sentence and banned from any political activity for five years. He was arrested during anti-government protests in 2009. He faces a second trial...
Iran: Relatives of defence lawyer in stoning case arrested
The wife and brother-in-law of the lawyer who defended Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the mother of two who was sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery, have been arrested. The lawyer, Mohammed Mostafaei, who is also a human rights...
Kuwait: Journalists acquitted of libel and charges
A court in Kuwait City has acquitted a journalist prosecuted for insulting Kuwait's Prime Minister. Journalist Mohammed Abdel Qader Al-Jassem and activist Khaled Al-Fadala, had their charges dropped on 12 July . Al-Jassem was accused of libelling...

The truth about Mohammed al Dura
It was the most iconic image of the second intifada: the killing of a Palestinian child. Ten years on, French libel courts are still settling disputes about what really happened at the Netzarim crossroads. Natasha Lehrer reports
Tunisia, where independent journalism is a criminal act
As statements of contempt for free expression, they don’t come much plainer. This week Tunisia told the world that it defines independent journalism as “spreading news likely to harm public order”
PODCAST: Israeli settler radio—Piracy goes Kosher
With the launch of a radio station in the West Bank, settlers are winning legitimacy as well as influence. Padraig Reidy interviews with Israeli journalist Anat Balint on the subject of Israeli settler radio
Egypt’s “Emergency Law Martyr”
Protests in Egypt tend to follow a familiar rhythm. As a veteran observer of more public demonstrations than I can remember, you get a sense of the routine.
Iran: Hossein Derakhshan trial begins
After 21 months, the trial of Iran’s blogfather, controversial blogger Hossein Derakhshan finally begins
Plus Iran’s satellite silence, Irena Maryniak talks to Sadeq Saba, head of BBC Persia