FirstFT: Goldman Sachs prevents Hong Kong bankers from using Anthropic’s Claude

Also in today’s newsletter: oil tops $120 and Asian chipmakers surge

Gaza Freedom Flotilla says boats surrounded by 'Israeli military'

The dozens of boats, which set sail from various European ports, aim to break through the years-long Israeli blockade.

Press freedom worldwide falls to its lowest level in 25 years

Reporters Without Borders warns that 'journalism is increasingly criminalised worldwide'.

Israel intercepting aid ships headed for Gaza, army radio says

Israel has begun taking control of aid ships ‌bound for Gaza far from ​its shores, Israeli ​army radio cited an Israeli source ​as saying on Wednesday.

World press freedom hits new low as authoritarianism rises

With three in four countries "problematic" or worse, the 2026 World Press Freedom Index offers a bleak picture for global media. The conditions for press freedom are rated "satisfactory" in only a few dozen countries.

2 Hongkongers penalised as new public vaping ban takes effect

At least two Hong Kong residents have been penalised for vaping in Admiralty as health authorities begin enforcing a new law banning the public use of alternative tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. “We will issue penalty tickets without warning, and step up publicity in high-traffic areas such as business districts,” Head of Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office Dr Manny Lam Man-chung said, stressing that the new measure would not undermine tourism. A patrol in a business district in...

By Theodora Yu,Vivian Au

Global press freedom falls to lowest level in 25 years, RSF warns

Freedom of the press has fallen to its lowest level in a quarter of a century, NGO Reporters without Borders (RSF) warned Thursday as it released its annual global ranking. The group reported a worldwide decline in media freedom, citing factors ranging from US President Donald Trump’s “systematic” attacks on the press to actions in Saudi Arabia, where a journalist was executed in 2025.

By FRANCE 24

2026 RSF Index: Press freedom at a 25-year low, Serbia ranks worst in the region

For the first time in the history of the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, over half of the world’s countries now fall into t

Israeli maps outline expanded zone of military control in Gaza - The Straits Times

Israeli maps outline expanded zone of military control in Gaza  The Straits Times

Malta stagnates at 67th place in World Press Freedom Index ranking

Malta has retained its position in the latest World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), ranking 67th globally for the second consecutive year. The country continues to lag behind several nations with fewer resources or more complex political environments, including Liberia (58), Ukraine (55), Gabon (43), and Poland (27). At the top … Continued

By Caroline Muscat

Israel intercepts Gaza aid ships in international waters

Israel has intercepted aid ships bound for Gaza in international waters near Greece, flotilla organisers said, decrying the move as an "escalation of Israel's impunity".

Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla approached by warships, activists claim

Activists on board said security personnel boarded the ship and ordered passengers to line up at the front.

Israeli military begin raids on Gaza aid flotilla that includes President Connolly’s sister

The Israeli military has started raids on boats that are part of an aid flotilla headed for Gaza that includes a sister of President Catherine Connolly.

Cyprus drops to 80th in world press freedom index

Cyprus has fallen three more places in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 80th out of 180 countries, as concerns grow over legal and administrative attempts to constrain journalism in the country, CIReN reported. According to the index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Cyprus remains the second-lowest ranked EU member state for press […]

By Newsroom

The 8 at 8: Thursday

Gaza flotilla with Connolly’s sister on board is intercepted, man in court accused of murder of Yveta Donovalova in Waterford and Charles gets a frosty reception from the Mayor of New York.

Finland drops to sixth in global press freedom ranking

It previously topped the index more than ten times.

68% of threatened journalists say their attackers dread global investigations – survey

Laurent Richard, founder of Forbidden Stories, says, 'When investigations become collective, intimidation loses part of its power'

By Victor Barreiro Jr.

Hong Kong remains at 140th on global press freedom index as NGO highlights Jimmy Lai’s 20-year jail term

Hong Kong remains at 140th place on Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) global press freedom index of 180 countries and territories, with the NGO highlighting the 20-year sentence handed down to Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai earlier this year. The press freedom watchdog released its annual index on Thursday, ahead of World Press Freedom Day on […]

By Hong Kong Free Press

Israel intercepts Gaza aid ships in international waters, organisers say

Activists say Israel intercepted aid flotilla near Greece in escalation, Turkiye calls it an 'act of piracy'

By Reuters

Ten Malaysians missing after Israeli forces board Gaza aid flotilla, says  Sumud Nusantara Command Center 

BANGI, April 30 — The Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC) has confirmed that 22 vessels under the Global Sumud F...

Türkiye condemns attack on Global Sumud Flotilla

Turkish Foreign Ministry denounced attack on international waters on Global Sumud Flotilla by Israel on Thursday. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, meanwhile, held a phone call with Jo...

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years — RSF

Reporters Without Borders warns press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years, with more than half the world in ‘difficult’ situations. Read More: https://punchng.com/press-freedom-at-lowest-level-in-25-years-rsf/

By Punch Newspapers

Georgia Falls 21 Places to 135th in RSF 2026 World Press Freedom Index

Georgia has fallen 21 places in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index 2026 to rank 135th out of 180 countries and territories, down from 114th in the previous year, marking a total drop of 75 positions over the past 25 years. According to RSF, a Paris-based press freedom watchdog, more than half …

By Civil.ge