2026 already this century’s worst year for the press: RSF Press Freedom Index

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has warned that closure or sustained disruption of the Strait of Hormuz will spark a systemic global food crisis, with prices rising sharply within 6–12 months. The FAO reports its Food Price Index has already risen for three consecutive months due to high energy costs and Middle East conflict disruptions, and forecasts a cascading chain of impacts: energy shortages → fertilizer scarcity → lower yields → commodity inflation → widespread food insecurity, potentially affecting millions. The agency called for alternative trade corridors, relaxed export restrictions, and increased domestic resilience measures to mitigate the crisis.