Guatemala: state of emergency after prison riots and ten police killed
A wave of coordinated gang violence which left ten police officers dead has prompted the government of Guatemala to declare a thirty-day state of emergency. The attacks began with riots at three prisons, where members of the Barrio 18 gang took guards hostage, and quickly spread to targeted killings of police in and around Guatemala City. Violence escalated after authorities regained control of a prison holding the gang’s leader, Aldo ‘El Lobo’ Duppie. In response, emergency measures now allow expanded police powers, including arrests without warrants for suspected gang members and restrictions on movement and demonstrations. The nation has mourned fallen officers amid heightened security and widespread fear. The unrest highlights ongoing struggles with organised crime, prison control, and public safety, as gangs continue to exert influence both inside prisons and on the streets.
South Africa / Mozambique / Zimbabwe: 100+ dead after severe flooding
A national disaster has been declared in South Africa after weeks of torrential rain and severe flooding killed at least thirty people in the country’s north and caused widespread destruction. In Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the worst-hit provinces, homes, roads, and bridges have been washed away, leaving many families displaced. Heavy rains have also affected other provinces, while neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe also suffered deadly floods, bringing the regional death toll to more than a hundred In Limpopo alone, damage is estimated at around £180 million. Rescue teams are still searching for missing people, including a five-year-old child believed to have been swept away when his home flooded. Hundreds of tourists and staff were evacuated from Kruger National Park during the crisis, highlighting the scale of disruption. As recovery efforts continue, communities face deep loss and an uncertain road ahead.
Syria: US moves 150 IS prisoners, thousands to follow
US forces have begun transferring IS prisoners out of Syria, moving 150 detainees to Iraq under plans that could see up to 7,000 relocated. The move follows growing instability after Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew troops from parts of northeast Syria, raising concerns over the security of prisons and detention camps holding thousands of IS members and affiliates. US officials said recent unrest allowed around 200 low-level fighters to escape one facility, though many were later recaptured. More than 10,000 IS fighters remain imprisoned in Syria, alongside thousands of women and children connected to the group. The transfers are being carried out in coordination with the Iraqi government as part of efforts to prevent a resurgence of IS and maintain regional security. The changes come amid a wider political shift, with Syria’s new government seeking to reassert control after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. A ceasefire has been agreed with the SDF, which has been urged to integrate into the Syrian state, marking a significant transition in security arrangements.
Pakistan: exports of rice rise significantly
Exports of rice from Pakistan rebounded strongly in December 2025, rising 14% month on month, driven largely by a surge of more than 50% in basmati shipments. Total exports reached 489,000 tonnes, allowing Pakistan to overtake Vietnam and become the world’s third-largest rice exporter for the month, behind India and Thailand. The UAE and China were the top destinations, while exports also expanded across Africa, Europe, and North America. A significant development was Pakistan’s growing presence in Central Asia, as exporters shifted to direct trade routes following Afghan border closures. Despite these gains, deep structural challenges remain, including intense global competition, policy inconsistencies, high logistics costs, and limited access to key markets such as Iraq and Turkiye. Encouraging signs include rising demand from Iran, Central Asia, and the USA, offering hope for sustained recovery if reforms follow.
