Demonstrators gathered across Imphal West chanting for justice and calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, restore stability and address their grievances. Many also demanded stronger action against armed groups and criticised the role of central security forces, as anger grows over repeated incidents of violence.

Zimbabwe is entering a period of heightened political uncertainty, with the country facing a constitutional crisis . While the document does not spell out the exact trigger, the context strongly suggests tensions linked to constitutional amendments and the broader balance of power within state institutions. The absence of specifics signals that this is still unfolding, rather than a resolved dispute, with potential implications for governance and legal stability.

Zanu PF intensifies long-term political positioning

Zanu PF is actively advancing its 2030 Bill campaign , taking the message to Heroes Acre, a site loaded with national and historical symbolism. This move underscores the strategic weight of the campaign, positioning it as part of a longer-term political project rather than routine legislation. At the same time, provincial outreach on Amendment No. 3 is being stepped up, indicating a coordinated national effort to build public backing for constitutional changes.

Referendum stance signals confidence in mobilisation

The Zanu PF party’s assertion that it does not fear a referendum reflects a calculated posture. It suggests confidence in its ability to secure public approval if a national vote is called. When viewed alongside the intensified outreach campaigns, this stance points to active preparation for a referendum scenario, even if no formal timeline has been announced.

ZiG transition exposes gap between policy and confidence

The debate around the Zimbabwe Gold currency is sharpening, highlighting a distinction between adoption and stability. Authorities are pushing for ZiG-only payments as a key step in the transition, but the need to emphasise stability separately suggests that confidence in the currency remains uncertain. The reference to the latest Monetary Policy Committee statement indicates that this is an ongoing policy challenge, not a settled issue.

Economic measures reflect mounting pressure on households and growth

Government responses point to rising economic strain, with plans to cut fuel taxes aimed at cushioning consumers. At the same time, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has held interest rates despite global fuel shocks, while authorities review construction sector fees to stimulate activity. Taken together, these measures reflect an attempt to balance immediate cost-of-living relief with broader economic stability.

Oil prices have surged above $100 per barrel as military strikes, tanker attacks and the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz rattle global markets.

Global energy watchdog, the International Energy Agency (IEA), said on Thursday, March 12, the conflict has created the "largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market", removing millions of barrels a day from the market.

The Strait of Hormuz alone normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. With shipping traffic collapsing after Iranian retaliation and US-Israeli strikes, global energy markets have entered a period of extreme volatility.

For Africa, the consequences could be severe.

According to a Ghanaian financial analyst, Nelson Cudjoe Kuagbedzi, the biggest risk for African economies lies in the disruption of international supply chains.

“Okay, so I think the biggest risk has to do basically with the disruption in the international supply chains,” he told Global South  World. “Most of the goods and products that we use in Africa are imported, most especially petroleum products.”

That vulnerability is rooted in the structure of Africa’s energy sector. Despite producing crude oil, the continent lacks sufficient refining capacity and therefore imports much of the fuel it consumes.

In fact, Africa imports more than 70% of its refined petroleum products, leaving economies highly exposed to fluctuations in global oil markets.

Nelson says the continent’s limited production also makes it impossible to cushion the impact of a prolonged conflict.

“It is also important to know that the total crude output in Africa represents less than 10% of global crude output,” he explained.

The crisis also exposes another longstanding economic challenge of how Africa exports raw materials but imports many finished products.

“We haven't also developed our economies enough to the extent that we will use homegrown solutions to solve homegrown policies,” Kuagbedzi said.

“I mean, raw cocoa, raw gold, raw coffee, raw timber.”

For him, the war should serve as a wake-up call.

However, the Middle East remains the backbone of global oil supply. Many members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are located in the region, producing a significant share of the petroleum used worldwide.

According to Nelson, that concentration makes Africa particularly vulnerable.

“Most of the OPEC members that produce the chunk of the petroleum products, whether crude or refined, that we use in Africa, most of those OPEC members are in the Middle East,” he said.

With tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz disrupted and oil shipments stalled, markets are already reacting. Brent crude surged past $100 per barrel for the first time since the Ukraine war's energy shock.

If the crisis deepens, some analysts warn prices could climb much higher, intensifying inflation worldwide.

Cuba’s government condemned what it described as a new aggressive escalation by the United States, reaffirming its determination to defend national sovereignty. Official statements accused Washington of intensifying economic pressure through additional measures that further strain the island’s fragile economy. Authorities framed the latest actions as part of a broader hostile policy aimed at destabilising the country. Havana insisted it will resist external interference and continue defending its political system. The rhetoric underscores renewed diplomatic tension between the two nations.

Open-air cinema offers relief amid prolonged blackouts in Havana

Residents in Havana gathered for an open-air film screening organised by the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), creating a rare communal moment amid severe electricity shortages. Using inflatable screens and rechargeable batteries due to fuel scarcity, organisers transformed a darkened street into a temporary cinema. Blackouts now affect more than half of the island during peak hours, worsening after new US measures targeting countries supplying oil to Cuba. President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Washington of “asphyxiating” the country energetically, while residents described the screenings as a welcome emotional escape. The initiative reflects community resilience in the face of a deepening energy crisis.

Cuba commemorates key milestone in Martí’s political project

Cuban media marked an anniversary described as a decisive moment in the maturation and crystallisation of José Martí’s political vision. The date is portrayed as pivotal in consolidating the ideological foundations of Cuba’s independence movement. Official narratives emphasised Martí’s enduring influence on national identity and revolutionary thought. The commemoration reinforced the symbolic importance of historical memory in contemporary political discourse. Authorities highlighted Martí’s project as a cornerstone of sovereignty and unity.

US Supreme Court to examine issues related to measures against Cuba

Cuba reported that the United States Supreme Court will examine matters linked to the application of aggressive measures against the island. State media framed the review as part of ongoing legal and political disputes surrounding US sanctions policy. The development is seen as significant given the long-standing legal battles connected to economic restrictions. Cuban authorities continue to criticise the broader sanctions regime as unlawful and harmful to the population . The case adds another dimension to bilateral tensions.

Solar kits priced at over 75,000 pesos amid worsening blackouts

The Cuban government is promoting the sale of solar panel kits as power outages across the country frequently exceed 12 to 16 hours per day. According to the state electricity company, an 800-watt module costs 75,200 Cuban pesos and includes a solar panel, cables, connectors and a battery with 1,200-watt output. While the system can power basic appliances such as a refrigerator, rice cooker or television, it does not fully cover the needs of an average household. The programme is partly aimed at recognised “Heroes and Heroines of Labour”, with more than 130 modules already installed under a broader plan targeting over 10,000 workers. However, the price equals more than 20 average monthly state salaries, making it largely inaccessible without remittances or external support. Although authorities announced tariff exemptions and tax incentives for renewable energy investment, the high upfront cost highlights the economic constraints facing most Cuban families amid the ongoing energy crisis.

Bessent claimed the economic turmoil had ripple effects within Iran’s leadership, alleging that senior figures were moving money out of the country in large volumes. He portrayed this as a sign of internal strain, arguing that financial pressure has exposed vulnerabilities at the top of the system. His remarks came amid past waves of economic protests in Iran, which Tehran has blamed in part on foreign interference.

Kwara State’s governor condemned the violence as a “cowardly” attack on civilians, while President Bola Tinubu labelled it “beastly” and ordered the deployment of an army battalion to the Kaiama district to support security forces. The killings come amid ongoing insecurity in Nigeria, where jihadist insurgency in the north-east and bandit attacks across central and northern regions continue to challenge authorities, despite recent military operations claimed to have weakened armed groups.

By 2026, few governments in the Global South publicly admit it, but many now operate as if the old model no longer applies. The language remains, growth targets, reform agendas, donor frameworks, but the behaviour has changed. Development is no longer about catching up. It is about coping, stabilising, and surviving in a world that no longer offers predictable rewards for doing things “the right way.”

This shift did not begin with a manifesto or conference declaration. It emerged from shock.

A world that broke the model

Between 2020 and 2025, the global system delivered a series of blows that exposed the fragility of development orthodoxy.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed how quickly global supply chains could collapse and how unevenly global solidarity functioned. Vaccines arrived late in much of Africa, despite years of participation in global health frameworks. Countries learned a hard lesson: integration did not guarantee protection.

Then came war-driven inflation, energy shocks, and food insecurity. Sanctions, once portrayed as targeted tools. became blunt instruments with spillover effects far beyond their intended targets. For many African economies, external crises they did not cause became domestic emergencies they had to manage.

Climate extremes added another layer. Floods, droughts, and heatwaves no longer appeared as future risks but as recurring costs. Adaptation replaced mitigation as the urgent priority, even as climate finance remained slow and conditional.

In this environment, the old development bargain began to look hollow. Play by the rules, open your markets, reform your institutions, and prosperity will follow. After 2025, fewer policymakers believed that sequence still held.

The quiet end of 'catching up'

Development thinking was long built around comparison. Income levels, infrastructure density, literacy rates, health outcomes, progress meant closing gaps with advanced economies.

But comparison assumes a stable destination. That assumption has eroded.

Western economies themselves now struggle with ageing populations, political polarisation, infrastructure decay, and fiscal stress. Their development path no longer looks universally desirable, let alone replicable. At the same time, the costs of reaching those benchmarks, environmental damage, social inequality, and external dependence are clearer than ever.

As a result, many countries have stopped measuring success by proximity to an external ideal. Instead, they ask narrower, more immediate questions: Can the lights stay on? Can food move from farms to cities? Can hospitals function under pressure? Can young people find some form of livelihood, even if it is informal?

This is not a resignation. It is recalibration.

Development as functionality

In 2026, development increasingly means functionality rather than transformation.

Power systems do not need to be world-class; they need to be reliable enough to support small businesses, clinics, and households. Healthcare does not need cutting-edge equipment everywhere; it needs trained staff, supply continuity, and referral systems that work under constraint. Transport does not need megaprojects; it needs roads that remain usable during the rainy season.

Across the Global South, especially in Africa , “good enough” solutions are quietly outperforming ambitious master plans.

Mini-grids expand energy access faster than national grid overhauls. Digital health platforms fill gaps left by overstretched public systems. Informal logistics networks move goods more efficiently than formal supply chains burdened by bureaucracy.

Who defines success now?

If development is no longer about meeting Western benchmarks or donor indicators, a deeper question emerges: who decides what progress looks like?

This question unsettles long-standing hierarchies. Global institutions still produce rankings and reports, but their authority is weaker than before. National governments, local communities, and regional blocs increasingly set their own priorities, even when these diverge from international advice.

This creates tension. Functionality may coexist with inequality. Stability may come at the cost of rapid reform. Pragmatism may override ideals.

The post-2025 development landscape does not offer moral clarity. It offers trade-offs.

Not the end, but a reckoning

To say that development has changed is not to say it has ended. People still want better lives, longer health, safer cities, and meaningful work. What has changed is the belief that there is a single, universal path to those outcomes.

In 2026, development is less about becoming something else and more about strengthening what already exists. Less about imitation, more about adaptation. Less about promises, more about systems that hold under pressure.

These territorial changes carry regional weight. The Houthis’ close links with Iran remain a central concern for Saudi Arabia and its Gulf partners, who see Yemen as part of a wider strategic contest. Since the conflict intensified in 2014, tens of thousands have been killed, and nearly half of the population now relies on humanitarian aid, according to the International Crisis Group.

Despite backing from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, the government has struggled to consolidate power, weakened by internal divisions and rival southern factions pushing for greater autonomy. The result is a fragmented political landscape that complicates efforts to end the war and stabilise the country.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, located just southwest of the Houthi-controlled areas, remains a flashpoint. The U.S. and allied navies have recently increased patrols to keep commercial traffic flowing after a spike in attacks on tankers and cargo ships initiated by Saudi Arabia last week.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia and Iran have signalled interest in diplomacy, including mediated talks in recent months. Still, scepticism persists on whether any agreement can withstand deep distrust built over years of proxy conflict.

For Yemen’s civilians, the fractured map above means continued uncertainty. Aid groups warn that disruptions in access to food, medicine and basic services remain severe. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that more than 17 million people are in need of urgent assistance.

Footage from the affected Bhagirathpura area shows residents queuing with containers to collect safe water, while municipal staff deploy heavy machinery to clean sewers and distribute filtered supplies. Hospitals have seen a surge in cases of severe diarrhoea and dehydration, with some patients arriving in critical condition. Health workers and volunteers report that even residents who consumed boiled water fell ill, and many households were temporarily abandoned as the crisis escalated.

The incident highlights how infrastructure failures in densely populated cities can escalate into public health crises.

The alert also extends to Mato Grosso do Sul and areas of Paraná, affecting more than 1,000 municipalities nationwide. In these areas, temperatures have risen up to 5 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, increasing health risks for the population.

Footage filmed by Viory on Sunday, December 28, showed residents in São Paulo seeking relief from the heat by drinking cold beverages, resting in shaded areas and using water fountains in public parks. Inmet forecast maximum temperatures of at least 34°C in the city, with conditions remaining oppressive throughout the weekend.

Some residents said the heat had become difficult to endure, prompting families to spend time outdoors near water sources. Others said they were avoiding beaches due to unsuitable conditions, instead turning to open urban spaces to cool down.

On Friday, December 27, São Paulo recorded a temperature of 36.2°C, the highest for December since records began in 1961, according to local authorities. In response to the heatwave, the state government warned of increased water consumption and urged residents to save and reuse water whenever possible.

Sudan — Cholera epidemic persists amid conflict | Africa

Sudan continued to battle one of its most severe cholera outbreaks in 2025, with more than 124,000 suspected cases and over 3,300 deaths reported. Ongoing conflict and mass displacement worsened the situation, damaging water and sanitation infrastructure and limiting access to healthcare. The epidemic stressed already fragile health services, forcing authorities and international organisations to implement emergency treatment centres and vaccination campaigns.

South Sudan — Cholera outbreak hits displaced populations | Africa

The cholera crisis in South Sudan, which began in late 2024, escalated in 2025, affecting almost 95,000 people and causing over 1,500 deaths. The outbreak primarily impacted displaced populations and communities with limited access to safe water and healthcare. Humanitarian organisations faced immense challenges in delivering treatment and preventive services in conflict‑affected regions, highlighting the intersection of displacement, poverty, and public health vulnerability.

Democratic Republic of Congo — Ebola outbreak in Kasai province | Central Africa

In September 2025, the DRC declared a new Ebola Virus Disease (Zaire strain) outbreak in Kasai Province. By the time the outbreak was contained in December, there were 81 confirmed cases and 28 deaths, including healthcare workers. The outbreak highlighted persistent weaknesses in surveillance, rapid response capacity, and community engagement in remote regions, underlining the challenges of controlling Ebola even in areas with previous outbreak experience.

Haiti — Cholera resurgence in Port‑au‑Prince | Latin America

Haiti experienced a resurgence of cholera in 2025, with 2,852 suspected cases, 186 confirmed infections, and 48 deaths, mostly among children under nine. The outbreak was concentrated around Port‑au‑Prince and the surrounding areas, exacerbated by weak sanitation infrastructure, poverty, and restricted access to healthcare. International agencies and local authorities mobilised emergency interventions, including treatment centres and water purification programmes, to limit further spread.

Vietnam — Measles epidemic hits children | East Asia

In Viet Nam, over 80,000 suspected measles cases were reported in 2025, amid declining routine vaccination coverage. Other countries in the region, including Cambodia, Mongolia, and the Philippines, also saw significant increases in measles infections, putting tens of thousands of children at risk. WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi warned that these outbreaks were reversing years of progress in immunisation, highlighting the urgent need for catch-up vaccination campaigns and improved access to preventive healthcare.

Bolivia — Measles emergency declared | Latin America

Bolivia declared a public health emergency in response to a measles outbreak that began in June 2025, resulting in 87 confirmed cases. National and international health authorities mobilised to contain the spread, particularly among children, through vaccination drives and awareness campaigns. The outbreak exposed gaps in routine immunisation coverage and underscored the ongoing challenges in maintaining herd immunity in low-resource settings.

Cuba — Dengue, chikungunya and arboviral epidemics strain healthcare | Latin America

In 2025, Cuba confronted a serious public health emergency marked by simultaneous outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne viruses, with cases reported across most of the island and health facilities struggling to cope with demand. Official data and independent reports indicated tens of thousands of infections, with active transmission in multiple provinces and persistent challenges in diagnosis and treatment.

Local health organisations reported shortages of medicines, diagnostic reagents and hospital capacity, while civil society groups called for a formal public health emergency declaration amid overwhelmed clinics and limited resources. The outbreaks unfolded alongside broader systemic strains, including shortages of potable water and gaps in essential services that complicated public health responses.

Footage filmed by Viory shows local tour guide and environmental advocate Bonifacio Jomio snorkelling through the reef, searching for the starfish before injecting them with coconut vinegar. The method, carried out by hand, is part of a local effort to slow the damage and protect what remains of the coral ecosystem.

Jomio said the reefs were in far better condition before Typhoon Odette, internationally known as Rai. Since then, he explained, growing corals have increasingly been eaten and killed, prompting him to act in order to support both the marine environment and the coastal community that depends on it.

He described the use of coconut vinegar as a crucial alternative to chemical solutions. According to Jomio, the organic substance is fatal to the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish but does not harm other marine species, allowing interventions to be carried out without further damaging the reef.

Restoring coral reefs is essential for sustaining fish populations, Jomio said, as healthy corals provide breeding grounds for many species. He noted that the recovery process is slow, making protection efforts all the more urgent.

Despite the challenges, Jomio said his work is driven by a desire to preserve the reefs for future generations. His actions have attracted attention online, drawing praise from viewers while also prompting calls for wider institutional support to address the scale of the crisis.

On 6 December 2025, the government of Daniel Noboa formalised a new International Treaty for the Promotion and Protection of Investments with the United Arab Emirates, aiming to open the door to foreign capital and strengthen economic ties. The agreement promises to channel resources into strategic sectors in Ecuador infrastructure, renewable energy, agroindustry, logistics, digital economy, tourism and responsible mining. The government frames this as a clear signal that Ecuador is ready to become a stable, competitive partner for long-term investment. Alongside the treaty, memorandums on anti-corruption cooperation and a technology innovation corridor were signed, indicating a broader push towards economic modernisation.

Vice-Presidency expanded, now also takes on Ministry of Health amid crisis

The office of the Vice-President, currently led by María José Pinto, has undergone a significant restructuring: staff numbers have nearly doubled, new functions have been added, and – in a surprising move – the Vice-Presidency now also oversees the Ministry of Health. This reflects the government’s decision to entrust Pinto with leading health policy amid one of the worse hospital crises in recent memory — hospitals suffering supply shortages, unpaid private providers and scarce medicines. The expanded remit also incorporates social-policy areas such as childhood development, mental health, education and adolescent pregnancy prevention. he change signals an attempt to centralise and strengthen health and social governance under a consolidated institutional roof.

President Noboa set to host binational summit with Peru focusing on transnational crime

Ecuador will host the next edition of the binational summit with Peru on 12 December 2025, with Daniel Noboa as host. The main agenda point will be the joint fight against transnational organised crime, including narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and cross-border criminal networks. The summit reflects a renewed commitment from both countries to collaborate on security, border controls, environmental protection, cross-border water-management and shared infrastructure projects. A new Presidential Declaration and Action Plan — the “Quito 2025 Plan” — will be signed to formalise the cooperation for 2025–2026. The summit underscores how the transnational crime challenge remains a high priority for the Ecuadorian government.

Artificial Intelligence to become mandatory in national school curriculum under new education reform

A legislative proposal presented on 5 December 2025 aims to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a compulsory component in Ecuador’s national curriculum, covering from initial education to high school. The plan seeks to equip future generations with digital and technological skills deemed essential for the rapidly changing economic and social landscape. The measure reflects the government’s ambition to integrate innovation and modern educational standards, preparing students for jobs in technology-driven sectors. If approved, Ecuador would position itself among the few countries in Latin America to institutionalise AI education at all school levels.

Insulin shortage deepens nationwide health crisis, threatening diabetic patients

Ecuador faces a critical shortage of insulin and other essential medicines, a situation that has severely affected diabetic patients across the country. Leading voices such as Aquiles Álvarez have accused authorities of blocking insulin supplies at a standard price (USD 5.28), while official procurement processes were paused or delayed. The situation highlights long-standing structural problems in the national health supply chain, especially concerning access to vital medicines. For thousands of Ecuadorians dependent on insulin, the shortage is a matter of life and death, exacerbating existing inequalities in health access.

The reduction has especially hurt supplies of fuel oil, one of the most important inputs for Cuba’s ageing thermoelectric power plants. Deliveries from Mexico fell by approximately 73%, while imports from Venezuela, historically Cuba’s most significant energy partner, dropped by nearly 15%.

As a result, Cuba has been forced to shut down significant portions of its electricity generation capacity. According to the national electrical union, nearly 900 megawatts, almost a third of daily demand, are now offline due to a lack of fuel and lubricants. In Havana, residents report unplanned blackouts of up to nine hours, while more remote provinces sometimes receive only two to four hours of electricity each day.

Cuban officials have attributed the crisis to a combination of external and internal factors, including the steep reduction in shipments from allies, payment difficulties, and a shortage of vessels capable of transporting fuel across the Caribbean. Meanwhile, longstanding US sanctions , economic instability and damage to infrastructure from Hurricane Melissa are also compounding the problem.

The situation has renewed international attention on Cuba’s energy vulnerability and geopolitical isolation. As global allies recalibrate their own energy strategies, Havana’s ability to maintain stable electricity access and avoid further social disruption may depend on forging new partnerships or accelerating its transition to renewable energy .

With schools and universities shut down, frustration is spreading across the country. Businesses are struggling, and many people are finding it harder to move around or access basic services.

Outside the capital, things are even worse. Clashes between Malian forces and terrorist groups in rural and border areas have forced people from their homes, cut off supply routes, and made it difficult for aid to reach those in need.

The situation has grown so unstable that the United States has issued an urgent security alert, telling all American citizens to leave Mali immediately.

On October 28, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security alert that reflects the growing danger on the ground. The message urges Americans to leave the country as soon as possible, using commercial flights while they are still available. Roads leading out of Mali are considered too dangerous, with frequent attacks and armed ambushes reported along major highways.

For those who choose to stay, the Embassy advises preparing for emergencies, stocking up on supplies, keeping communication devices ready, and staying out of public view. It also warns that U.S. officials have limited ability to help citizens outside the capital because of the ongoing conflict and travel risks.

“The international airport in Bamako remains open and flights are available,” the alert states. “U.S. citizens should depart using commercial aviation, as overland routes to neighbouring countries may not be safe for travel.”