Press Freedom Under Fire (US): New York Times reporters were hit with subpoenas to testify before a Manhattan grand jury over security concerns tied to Trump’s Qatari-donated Air Force One, with media groups calling it an intimidation play and a chilling escalation. Leaker Crackdown (US): Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a Pentagon-DOJ joint task force to identify and prosecute “unauthorized disclosure” to the press, tightening pressure on sources and newsrooms. AI Meets Journalism (Azerbaijan): At the Shusha Global Media Forum, speakers debated how AI and visual storytelling are reshaping news—while warning about credibility, security, and ethics. Press Intimidation (Nepal): Nepal’s RSP whip condemned attempts to obstruct media, including vehicles parked outside outlets, urging full constitutional protection for press freedom. Media Governance (South Sudan): President Salva Kiir dissolved and replaced the SSBC board via direct appointment, raising rule-of-law and media-freedom concerns. Media Business & Ads (Global): A new take argues GenAI is disrupting publishing and that weaker journalism can hurt advertiser performance by blurring discovery and context. Investigative Journalism (Mozambique): RSF highlights risks for reporter Estacio Valoi after equipment seizures tied to his investigations.