Press Freedom Watch: Reporters Without Borders says global press freedom hit a 25-year low in 2026, with over half of countries now rated “difficult” or “very serious,” and Eswatini flagged among the worst for perceived freedom of speech. Maternal Health Push: UNFPA urged urgent investment in midwives, citing Eswatini’s progress in cutting preventable maternal deaths while warning more workforce support is still needed. ENPF Governance Crisis: A legal opinion disputes Labour Minister Phila Buthelezi’s defence of Derrick Shiba’s ENPF board chair appointment, as employer and employee representatives keep boycotting board activities and the fund remains effectively paralysed. Royal Diplomacy & Travel: King Mswati III returned from Azerbaijan and the UAE, with the UAE engagement helping unlock a visa waiver deal. UAE–Eswatini Visa Deal: The two countries signed a mutual visa exemption MoU to ease travel and boost people-to-people, business and investment links. Security/Crime & CIT: Fidelity Services launched next-generation cash-in-transit vehicles and reported improved attack trends, with operations spanning Eswatini. Bushfire Festival Economy: PM Russell Dlamini told MTN Bushfire to double its economic injection target for next year, as Ngwenya Border Post saw heavy festival traffic. Copyright & Creative Economy: ESWACOS says first royalty distributions are expected in the 2026/27 financial year after licensing and music tariffs were approved. Regional/International Context: Taiwan-related coverage continues to spotlight growing opposition to China’s “one country, two systems,” including claims that Beijing tried to obstruct Lai’s Eswatini visit.