International
The British Government activates emergency measures due to saturation in English prisons
The British Government announced on Monday that it has activated emergency measures to prevent overcrowding in English prisons, due to the increase in those convicted of the violent riots that broke out two weeks ago.
The measures, activated under the so-called ‘Operation Early Dawn’, allow the accused to be held in police stations cells and not have to appear before a court until a place is available in a prison.
The emergency provisions affect the regions of the north of England, such as Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester, Mersydide and Cheshire.
The prison system in England, already quite saturated, has been overwhelmed by the recent increase in those convicted of violent acts.
The anti-immigration riots were instigated by far-right groups in response to the knife attack three weeks ago in a recreational center in Southport, in the English northwest, where an aggressor killed three girls and injured ten other people.
The Secretary of State for Prisons, James Timpson, said today that the Labour Executive “has inherited a judicial system in crisis” and, therefore, “we have been forced to make difficult but necessary decisions to keep it in operation,” so “Operation Early Dawn has been activated to manage the pressure felt in some parts of the country.”
Nev Kemp, deputy director of the National Council of Police Chiefs, told the media that law enforcement will continue to make arrests in order to “maintain the safety of the public, including the surveillance of protests and events and the guarantee that people will be arrested, as expected.”
According to the Government, the rapid measures to prosecute and accuse those responsible for the riots “have exacerbated the capacity problems that have already existed for a long time in our prisons.”
More than 470 people have been accused of various crimes after the revolts that broke out in several British cities, where numerous people – in many cases with their faces covered – threw stones, bottles and cans against the police who tried to contain the violence, but also attacked hotels that housed asylum seekers and mosques.
International
UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions
The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.
According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.
Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.
The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.
“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.
While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.
To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.
Central America
El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program
The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.
Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.
The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.
According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.
In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.
International
Macron meets Machado, stresses need for democratic transition in Venezuela
Emmanuel Macron met on Monday at the Élysée Palace with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, where they discussed the importance of advancing a democratic transition in Venezuela.
In a message shared on social media, Macron highlighted Machado’s commitment to freedom and stressed the need to achieve a transition that is peaceful and respects the will of the Venezuelan people.
“I received María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Together, we discussed her commitment to freedom and the importance of achieving a democratic, peaceful transition in Venezuela that respects the will of its people,” he wrote.
For her part, Machado expressed her “deep gratitude” to Macron and to France for their support of democracy and freedom in Venezuela.
“We have gone through a long and painful journey, and we are now very close to freedom. Venezuela will become a nation of free and equal men and women—prosperous, safe, and united,” she said.
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