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

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

World press freedom declines 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

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

Pakistan media freedoms face sharp decline

Freedom Network report blames PECA, legal and economic pressures for worsening press freedom and journalist safety

By Our Correspondent