American Journalist Kidnapped in Baghdad

0:00It's April 2nd, entertainment and celebrity news today starts now. AI powered in Spotlight Reddy, I'm Cory, with the story. American journalist Shelley Kiddelsen got snatched right off the streets of Central Baghdad by armed guys in black. This award-winning reporter, who covers wars in the Middle East, was pulled from her car near the Palestine Hotel. Iraqi forces confirmed the kidnapping, linked it to the Iran-backed militia, Kataibe Hezbollah, and already nabbed one suspect while chasing down the rest. Surveillance footage caught the whole thing. Two cars involved, one crash southwest of the city, and Kiddelsen switched to a getaway ride that slipped away. She's a veteran from Wisconsin, based in Rome now, with bi-lines in BBC, Politico, and more, digging into militias, ISIS fights, and civilian hits from, conflict. Friends say she got warnings not to travel, but pushed on like always, calling it her calling to report from hot zones. Her mom-back home in Mount Harab, learned from the news, got an FBI visit, and just said she's terrified but praying hard, last heard from her daughter.

1:07Via email with Iraq picks on Monday. The U.S. State Department warned her ahead of time, now they're looping in the FBI, National Security Council, and even Delta Force with Iraqi. Counter-terror teams. One Kataibe Hezbollah connect is in custody, but Iraq still at the highest travel alert. No go for Americans. Efforts are full throttle to bring her home safe. A stark reminder of the risks these truth tellers face daily in places like this. Stay tuned as this unfolds.