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☆ Tara Shakiti will be the first artist from Madagascar to send her work to the moon
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Leah Collins | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —From a young age, award-winning artist Tara Shakti knew she wanted to pursue a career creating paintings that empowered other women. Tara Shakti will be the first Malagasy artist to have her work sent to the moon. The main criterion for nomination is that artists’ work should have been included in a curated exhibit, collection, anthology or similar. Tara ShaktiThe artist was invited by Peralta to submit her work for the project after he discovered her paintings through social media earlier this year. “To have my work launched to the moon is an honor of immeasurable magnitude,” Shakti told CNN in an email.

Persons: Tara Shakti, Shakti, ”, “, NASA ”, Samuel Peralta, ” Peralta, Peralta, Leonardo da Vinci, Shakti's, Shakti’s, NASA’s, Tara Shakti “, Tara Shakti’s, Ada Limón, Didi Mendez, they’re Organizations: CNN, SpaceX, NASA, Codex Polaris, Heavy, Embassy of, NASA’s Europa Clipper Locations: Madagascar, Africa, Florence, Paris, Canadian, Toronto, New York, Embassy, Embassy of Madagascar, France, Cuban American

☆ Finally, an answer to a mystery surrounding these 1,000-year-old trees
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Tom Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A team of international academics successfully sequenced the genomes of each of the eight baobab species, examining their relationship with one another and concluded that they originated in Madagascar. "Avenue of the Baobabs" in Western Madagascar is one of the most spectacular collections of the unusual trees. Gavinevans/Creative CommonsOnly one baobab species is not included in the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species: A. digitata, which populates mainland Africa. The likelihood of finding fossil evidence to rubberstamp the conclusions of the genetic data is slim, Dr. Wan conceded. So perhaps these majestic trees may retain some of their mystery after all.

Persons: ”, Wan Jun, Nan, Wan, Seheno, Andriantsaralaza, “, Dr, Organizations: CNN, Biologists, Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, University of Antananarivo, Queen Mary University of London, IUCN, USAID Locations: Madagascar, Africa, Australia, Wuhan, Hubei, China, baobabs, Queen, Western Madagascar, “

☆ Move over diamonds, these little-known gemstones are heating up
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Sarah Royce-Greensill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Experts say that this previously overlooked gemstone is rocketing in desirability and value, as collectors look beyond the so-called “Big Four’” (diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires) for more affordable, niche gemstones that may just be a shrewd investment. “Spinels and Paraiba tourmalines have seen a steady increase in demand over the last decade.”Boghossian's paraiba and diamond set features paraibas and fancy yellow diamonds. Experts posit that only one Paraiba tourmaline is mined for every 10,000 diamonds — and while similar hues are found in Madagascar, the scarcity of Brazilian stones has seen prices soar. At Bonhams, Tonkin said prices for top-quality Paraiba tourmalines reached $75,000 per carat in 2022, compared with $4,800 per carat in 2009. “These incredibly vibrant, clean gemstones really stirred something in me,” she explained in an email.

Persons: Olivia Young, Ouroboros, Ruby, Bonhams, ”, Jennifer Tonkin, Rahul Kadakia, Lily Gabriella, ” Charles Abouchar, “, Tonkin, Roberto Boghossian, Moti Ferder, Ferder foresees, Lily Gabriella's, Lily Gabriella Likewise, Minka, Lucy Crowther, ” Crowther, Young Organizations: CNN, Imperial State Crown, Abouchar SA, Lugano Diamonds, Paraiba tourmalines, Big Locations: Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, British, Burma, London, Geneva, Paraiba, ” Boghossian's paraiba, paraiba, Brazilian, Madagascar, Bonhams, Paraiba tourmalines, Memphis, India

☆ A Crowning Achievement in a Neighborhood’s Fight Against Air Pollution
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Patricia Leigh Brown | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The East Canfield Village neighborhood of Detroit is not the most likely place to encounter a monumental sculpture of an African crown glittering with gold lowrider paint and soaring high into the trees. Weber’s sculpture, “New Forest, Ancient Thrones,” in the newly designed East Canfield Art Park, was unveiled May 18 in a procession led by West African drummers. The sculpture melds crowns worn by two African queens — Ranavalona III of 19th-century Madagascar, who led her kingdom’s resistance to French colonizers before being exiled, and Idia of Benin, whose military derring-do during her son’s reign in the 16th century helped fend off tribal invaders. Weber’s métier is working in industrial corridors in redlined neighborhoods helping communities of color heal from the effects of environmental and social ills, often a lengthy and collaborative process. He is part of a growing movement called regenerative art, which seeks to revitalize links between communities and their ecosystems.

Persons: Jordan Weber, — Ranavalona III Organizations: Canfield Art, West Locations: Canfield Village, Detroit, Canfield, Madagascar, Benin

☆ Safaris aren't the only tourist attraction in Africa. From cruises to wine tasting, here's what else you can do
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Harriet Akinyi | Penny Sadler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Bungy jumping at Soweto Towers, a decommissioned power station in Johannesburg, South Africa. Explore the beachAfrican beach towns combine beauty and culture, in places like Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Namibia and Egypt. In addition to being a popular stop for world cruises, East and South Africa have their own ocean cruise routes which follow the coastlines and visit offshore islands. But South Africa is the continent's crown jewel. The wine country of Franschhoek, outside of Cape Town, South Africa.

Persons: Toubkal, there's, Thomas Janisch, Zina Bencheikh, Madagascar's Tsingy, Carlo Morucchio, Kenya's Masai Mara, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Mombasa's, Samir Hussein, Luciemarie Swanepoel, Jeremy Villasis, Peter Unger, Kate Powell, Intrepid's Bencheikh, Kevin Bubolz, Wrenelle Stander, Michele Westmorland Organizations: bungie, Getty, Intrepid Travel, UNESCO, Heritage, Wireimage, Diamonds, Sainte, Cruises, Stone, Queen, Cruise Line, MSC, Continental, Penguin Locations: Africa, Morocco's, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Nyangani, Zimbabwe, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, Europe, East, Namibia, Victoria Falls, Zambia, Jinja, Uganda, Morocco, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Egypt, Mombasa, Mombasa's Fort Jesus, Fort Jesus, Kaya, Zanzibar's Stone, Madagascar, Swanepoel, Durban, Cape, Kivu, Silversea, Continental Europe, Middle East, Port, Ethiopia, Wesgro, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Cape Town , South Africa

☆ Benin: The country’s past, present, and future is on display for the first time at the 60th Venice Biennale
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Daniel Renjifo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Ancestral African art is a linchpin of identity and a source of inspiration to creatives across the continent. For the first time in the 60-year history of the renowned Venice Biennale in Italy – an arts and culture festival lasting eight months, hosted every other year – Benin is presenting a national pavilion. Hazoumé hopes the exhibition will reiterate his message and inspire other African artists to own their past to fuel creativity. Ishola Akpo sets up his piece titled “Iyalode” at the Benin national pavilion in Venice, Italy. Moufouli Bello draws inspiration from children’s books, Gèlèdé philosophy and Yoruba traditions in this piece titled “Egbe Modjisola," on display at the Benin national pavilion in Venice, Italy.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Romuald Hazoumé's, Jacopo La, Jacopo La Forgia, Romuald Hazoumé, Chloé, Ishola Akpo, Moufouli Bello, we’ll, Hazoumé, Florian Kleinefenn, ” Nwagbogu, “, ”, Gèlèdé, Chloé Quenum, Akpo, I’ve, Nwagbogu, ” Hazoumé Organizations: CNN, French, Smithsonian Museum of African, US, Venice Biennale, African Artist Foundation, Biennale Locations: Africa, West, Benin, Nigeria, Kingdom of Benin, Venice, Italy, “, Rouge, curating, France, Madagascar, Ghana, Uganda, Cameroon

☆ The beautiful African paradise islands that most tourists don’t know about
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Joe Yogerst | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A couple of African paradise islands have been on the radar of avid world travelers for some time. Shellfish Bay on the island’s windward side shelters one of East Africa’s most spectacular beaches, a crescent of white sand framed by 100-meter dunes. Bazaruto Island Resort, the island’s top digs, can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling, sailing on traditional dhow boats, guided 4x4 wildlife safaris, sandboarding on the dunes and other outdoor activities. Lamu’s best beaches are on the island’s windward side, around a 30–40-minute walk via Shela village. — and an ancient stone nilometer for measuring the river’s water level — reflect the island’s importance during pharaonic times.

Persons: São Filipe, Denis, Ponta, Ariadne Van Zandbergen, Dar es Organizations: CNN, Ethiopian Airways, oneworld, Getty, UNESCO, Heritage, Cabo Verde Airlines, Overseas, Paris Orly, Animalia Museum, Egypt, Vogue, Reserve, Dar es Salam Locations: Mauritius, Seychelles, Canary, Africa, Madagascar, Addis Ababa, Bazaruto, Mozambique, East, sandboarding, Johannesburg, Vilanculos, Lamu, Kenya, Manda, Malindi, Nairobi, JamboJet, Fogo, Cape Verde, Cabo Verde, West Africa, Pico, Verde’s, Praia, Overseas Territory, Réunion, French Caribbean, L’Hermitage, Saint, Paris, Antananarivo, Elephantine, Egypt, Aswan, Bissagos, Guinea, Bissau, Bubaque, Pemba, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Tanga, Dar, FlightLink

☆ New map shows just how extreme last month was for the planet
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Unusually warm oceans. Low snow cover in North America and record low levels of Antarctic sea ice. The map shows the world’s most significant “climate anomalies,” or weather events that were unexpected for this time of year. The Northern Hemisphere also experienced an unusually warm winter. Correction: A previous version of this story misstated how low Antarctic sea ice was last month.

Organizations: CNN, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Northern, North Locations: North America, Antarctica, Great, Europe, Ecuador, Madagascar, Africa

☆ MH370 investigation: 10 years on, is the world any closer to finding Malaysia Airlines flight?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

A helicopter takes off from Chinese warship Jinggangshan during an early search for the missing Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines flight 370 on March 11, 2014. Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines flight 370 dropped off the radar shortly after departing Kuala Lumpur in the small hours of March 8, 2014. Families of passengers from China and Malaysia on board MH370 during a remembrance event commemorating the 10th anniversary of its disappearance, in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, on March 3, 2024. Hasnoor Hussain/ReutersAviation experts tell CNN that improved detection technology will likely bring families closer to the missing plane than they ever have been, if a search were to be relaunched. Phoenix Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Bluefin-21 is craned over the side of Australian Defense Vessel Ocean Shield in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 on April 14, 2014.

Persons: MH370, Jiang Hui, ” Jiang, “, ”, Jiang Cuiyun, It’s, V.P.R Nathan, Anne Daisy, Hasnoor Hussain, Anthony Loke, Grace Subathirai Nathan, Adli Ghazali, Oliver Plunkett, it’s, ” Geoffrey Thomas, AirlineRatings.com, Leut Kelli Lunt, Richard Quest, Richard Godfrey, Godfrey, Fred Dufour, AirlineRatings’s Thomas, ” Godfrey, “ I’m, Sarah Bajc, Phil Wood, Bajc, Jiang Organizations: CNN, Malaysia Airlines, Reuters, Reuters Aviation, Malaysian, Transport, Malaysian Transport, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Boeing, Underwater, Australian Defense, Australia Department of Defence, CNN’s, Aviation, Radio, British Aerospace, MH370, British Locations: Beijing, China, Kuala Lumpur, Africa, Malaysia, Subang Jaya, United States, Madagascar, Putrajaya, Australia, Malaysian, Perth, AFP, Asia, Panama, Zhuji

☆ Biden administration sanctions makers of commercial spyware used to surveil US
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Bad actors have used commercial spyware to target at least 50 US government officials, the Biden administration said last year as it unveiled an executive order banning federal agencies from using the technology. In 2021, the US government said NSO Group’s spyware had been used against roughly a dozen State Department employees serving in Africa. The US government has sought to build international support for curbing the use of commercial spyware, and last month, it announced visa restrictions for anyone seeking to enter the United States who has been involved in the commercial spyware industry. The use of commercial spyware “has been linked to arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in the most egregious of cases,” the State Department said at the time. On Tuesday, the Biden administration vowed to watch closely for signs that Intellexa may seek to circumvent the sanctions.

Persons: Washington CNN —, ”, Tal Jonathan Dilian, Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, Côte, Biden, Oregon Democratic Sen, Ron Wyden Organizations: Washington CNN, Biden, Treasury Department, Intellexa Consortium, US, Google, Pegasus, Intellexa, Amnesty International, State Department, Commerce Department, Oregon Democratic Locations: Egypt, Armenia, Greece, Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, Serbia, Spain, Indonesia, Africa, States

☆ Done with diamonds? Gemstone engagement rings are capturing hearts and market share
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Courtney Reagan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"We're seeing a shift in much larger center stone engagement rings, primarily as a result of lab-grown diamonds, and sapphires and rubies tend to be very hot," Daga said. A decade ago, about 5% of engagement rings were colored gemstones, according to Daga. watch nowIndustry giant Signet Jewelers is seeing the same gemstone trend in the wedding category as well as in fashion pieces. Beyond engagement rings, Signet said amethyst and ruby are always popular stones for the Valentine's season. Solidcolours | Istock | Getty ImagesWholesale prices for sapphire gemstones are up 12% per year over the past three years, Daga said.

Persons: Craig Hastings, Ankur Daga, Daga, Jared, Kay, Signet, Beth Gerstein, Gerstein, Boonyakiat, Tourmalines Organizations: Industry, Signet, Getty, Istock, Rolex Locations: London, Madagascar, Angara, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Colombian

Surgical castration “will always be pronounced” for those guilty of raping a child under the age of 10, according to the law's wording. Cases of rape against children between the ages of 10 and 13 will be punished by surgical or chemical castration. The younger the child, the greater the punishment,” Randriamanantenasoa said. Chemical castration is the use of drugs to block hormones and decrease sexual desire. Several countries and some U.S. states — including California and Florida — allow for chemical castration for some sex offenders.

Persons: Andry Rajoelina, Landy Mbolatiana Randriamanantenasoa, Randriamanantenasoa, “, ” Randriamanantenasoa, Jessica Lolonirina Nivoseheno, ” Organizations: —, Senate, Constitutional Court, Amnesty, AP Locations: ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, California, Florida, africa

☆ In Bid to Curb Immigration, France to Scrap Birthright Citizenship in Mayotte
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Located close to the impoverished Comoro islands off the East African coast, the former French colony has become the centre of fierce social unrest, with many residents blaming undocumented immigration for the deteriorating conditions. Much poorer than mainland France, Mayotte has been shaken by gang violence and social unrest for decades. Since January, island residents have been staging strikes and erecting roadblocks to protest against what they say are unacceptable living conditions, paralyzing large parts of local infrastructure. It comes less than three weeks after France's highest court scrapped large parts of a new immigration law designed to toughen access to welfare benefits for foreigners and curb the number of new arrivals into the country. Immigration is a hot-button issue in France, one of Europe's strongholds for far right anti-immigration parties.

Persons: Gerald Darmanin, Darmanin, Emmanuel Macron, Tassilo Hummel, Sophie Louet, Bernadette Baum Organizations: PARIS Locations: Mayotte, Madagascar, France, Republic

☆ How Chanel No. 5 Became a Necklace
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Lindsay Talbot | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In 1920, following the successful launch of her couture house in Biarritz, France, and her subsequent move to Paris’s Rue Cambon, where she opened her flagship boutique, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel decided to create her first fragrance. She commissioned the French Russian perfumer Ernest Beaux to develop “a woman’s perfume, with a woman’s scent” — which, unlike most single-note options of the era, had a bold floral composition. Months later, he presented Chanel with an array of aromatic vials, and she chose the one labeled five. The bottle was topped with a square glass stopper with two interlocking sans-serif C’s, marking the debut of Chanel’s now-iconic logo. In 1924, the stopper was redesigned as a bevel-cut octagon, but it has otherwise remained largely the same for the past century.

Persons: Gabrielle “ Coco ” Chanel, Ernest Beaux, Chanel, Beaux, “, men’s toiletries, —, Boy Capel Locations: Biarritz, France, Russian, Grasse, Madagascar, Brazilian, —, Chanel’s

☆ Madagascan President's Ex-Aide Offered Influence for Bribes, London Jury Told
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Sam TobinLONDON (Reuters) - Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina's ex-chief of staff offered to use her influence to obtain bribes from precious stone miner Gemfields in exchange for help with lucrative mining rights, prosecutors told a London court on Tuesday. Romy Andrianarisoa, 47, is accused of seeking substantial payments from Gemfields between 2021 and 2023 to help the company expand its business into Madagascar. Prosecutor Alex Leach told jurors at Southwark Crown Court that Andrianarisoa was, at the time of the alleged offending, a "trusted adviser" to Rajoelina. At the meeting, Andrianarisoa "made it clear she had direct influence on the president", Leach added. He said Gemfields later approached Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) after it became clear Andrianarisoa and her associate Philippe Tabuteau were seeking a bribe.

Persons: Sam Tobin LONDON, Andry Rajoelina's, Romy Andrianarisoa, Andrianarisoa, Alex Leach, Leach, Sean Gilbertson, Gemfields, Britain's, Philippe Tabuteau, Tabuteau, Sam Tobin, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Southwark Crown, Crime Agency, NCA, Gemfields Locations: London, Gemfields, Madagascar, Southwark, Tabuteau

☆ My family of 4 spent a night on a private houseboat in India for $300 — it was a unique, luxurious way to see such a beautiful place
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Asia London Palomba | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

My family paid $300 for a night on a private two-bedroom houseboat in southern India. We spent the day sailing the backwaters of the river city of Alleppey, and were served three meals. We've spent the holidays hiking volcanoes in Indonesia, traveling by train through Vietnam, and swimming in the Indian Ocean in Madagascar. This past Christmas, my family and I spent two weeks traveling through the southern Indian region of Kerala. The highlight of our trip was spending Christmas on a private houseboat for 25,000 rupees, or about $300.

Persons: —, We've Organizations: Service Locations: India, Alleppey, Asia, Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Madagascar, Kerala

☆ Pope Francis says Africa’s criticism of same-sex blessing a “special case”
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Pope Francis has addressed criticism over his consent to priests to bless same-sex couples, saying the pushback from African bishops was “a special case” influenced by culture. African Catholic bishops said in a letter the pope’s endorsement “caused a shockwave” on the continent and “has sown misconceptions and unrest in the minds of many”, including pastors. Kazakhstani bishops Tomash Peta and Athanasius Schneider jointly described blessings for same-sex unions as a contradiction to the age-long practice and doctrine of the Catholic Church. “To bless couples in an irregular situation and same-sex couples is a serious abuse of the most Holy name of God,” said the preachers who head the Archdiocese of Saint Mary in the country’s capital Astana. French Archbishop Hervé Giraud said last month he could bless a gay couple as he believed such a blessing was not an acceptance of a same-sex union.

Persons: Pope Francis, “, Francis, ”, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Tomash Peta, Athanasius Schneider, of Saint Mary, Hervé Giraud, ” Giraud Organizations: CNN, Italian, Stampa, Catholic Church, of, “, Catholic, La Croix Locations: Africa, Madagascar, Uganda, Asia, of Saint, Astana, Europe, France, Austria, Germany, Sens

☆ Chinese court starts hearing lawsuits against Malaysia Airlines over missing flight MH370
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Jiang Hui speaks with CNN in an interview in Beijing on November 21, 2023, days before a Chinese court began hearing lawsuits over the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. All of them are international companies headquartered outside China, though Malaysia Airlines, Boeing and Roll-Royce have offices in China. In Malaysia, two young boys who lost their father on the flight sued Malaysia Airlines for breach of contract and the Malaysian government for negligence in 2014. In China, families who signed a settlement agreement with Malaysian Airlines received 2.5 million yuan ($350,000) in compensation. Only a few dozen Chinese families signed initially, but over the years more have opted to settle.

Persons: Jiang Hui, Jiang Cuiyun, MH370, Jiang, ” Jiang, Royce, Covid, “, ”, – Organizations: Beijing CNN —, Malaysia Airlines Flight, CNN, Court, Maylasia Airlines, Boeing, Malaysia Airlines, Allianz, Rolls, Malaysian, Malaysian Airlines Locations: China, Beijing, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Chaoyang District, United States, Africa, Australia, Mauritius, Madagascar

Still, the queen conch is one of many vulnerable species not included on Mexico's national endangered species list. In the meantime, species like the queen conch have lacked federal environmental protection and moved steadily toward extinction. Political Cartoons View All 1267 ImagesOfficials accept proposals to list species only during set periods for public comment. In particular, Mexico lists 535 species as endangered, its worst risk rating, whereas IUCN lists nearly 1,500 species in Mexico as either endangered or critically endangered. If a species is included on Mexico’s list in any category, all commercial uses of that species are banned.

Persons: Alejandro Olivera, ” Olivera, It's, Olivera, Angélica Cervantes Maldonado, Rodrigo Jorge, Jorge Organizations: MEXICO CITY, —, Center for Biological Diversity, Fish, Wildlife Service, National Autonomous University, U.S . National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, The International Union for Conservation of, IUCN, UNESCO Locations: MEXICO, Banco Chinchorro, Belize, Mexico, Mexican, La Paz, of California, The U.S, elkhorn, Caribbean, Ecuador, Madagascar, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Gulf of California

☆ Madagascar Leader Poised for Third Term After Boycotted Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Lovasoa RabaryANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar's incumbent leader Andry Rajoelina effectively secured a third term after the electoral body (CENI) on Saturday said he had obtained the most votes in a presidential election marked by a low turn out and an opposition boycott. The country's High Constitutional Court is mandated to announce final results within nine days after the poll body declares provisional results. "I thank the Malagasy people who now refuse to choose the wrong path, who no longer accept to take the path of unrest. Ten of the candidates due to run in the Nov. 16 election later asked the poll body to postpone it saying the state needed to first appoint independent officials on the electoral body. He then stepped down after almost five years as leader of a transitional authority and then became president again after winning a 2018 election.

Persons: Andry Rajoelina, CENI, Rajoelina, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, Hajo Andrianainarivelo, Elias Biryabarema, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Provisional Locations: ANTANANARIVO

☆ Madagascar leader poised for third term after boycotted election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Lovasoa Rabary | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Madagascar's President and a presidential candidate Andry Rajoelina flanked by his wife Mialy Rajoelina as he arrives to cast his ballot at a polling station, during the presidential election in Ambatobe, Antananarivo, Madagascar November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Zo Andrianjafy/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsANTANANARIVO, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Madagascar's incumbent leader Andry Rajoelina effectively secured a third term after the electoral body (CENI) on Saturday said he had obtained the most votes in a presidential election marked by a low turn out and an opposition boycott. The country's High Constitutional Court is mandated to announce final results within nine days after the poll body declares provisional results. Ten of the candidates due to run in the Nov. 16 election later asked the poll body to postpone it saying the state needed to first appoint independent officials on the electoral body. He then stepped down after almost five years as leader of a transitional authority and then became president again after winning a 2018 election.

Persons: Mialy Rajoelina, Andry Rajoelina, CENI, Rajoelina, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, Hajo Andrianainarivelo, Elias Biryabarema, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Provisional, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Ambatobe, Antananarivo, Madagascar, ANTANANARIVO

☆ Gripped by drought, this French island is running out of drinking water
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Claudia Colliva | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In a country like France this is ‘unimaginable’Though 5,000 miles away from mainland France, under French law, Mayotte is as French as the suburbs of Paris. A dried up reservoir in Dzoumogne on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte on October 15, 2023. Gregoire Merot/APAs the water crisis continues, so do the health risks. ‘It’s not a normal life’A man fills a bucket with water in Dzaoudzi, on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, Nov. 7, 2023. Marion Joly/AFP/Getty ImagesMahorais continue to struggle with the financial repercussions of the dire water crisis.

Persons: Racha Mousdikoudine, ”, Mousdikoudine, Douainda Attoumani, “ I’m, “, Cook, Olivier Brahic, Estelle Youssouffa, it’s, Marion Joly, Gregoire Merot, Soumeth Abasse, Abasse, “ We’ve, “ We’re, ” Abasse, Youssouffa, that’s, ‘ It’s, Elsa Leduc, ” Leduc, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Mayotte –, Getty, Regional Health Authority, French National Assembly, Mayotte’s, “, European Commission, Prefecture, BFMTV Locations: Mayotte, Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Prefecture, France, Paris, Chafion Madi, AFP, La, Dzoumogne, M'tsamoudou, Bandrele, Dzaoudzi

The groups said in a press release that “measles continues to pose a relentlessly increasing threat to children.”Estimated measles cases increased 18% last year while deaths increased 43%, according to the report. About 9 million cases of measles and 136,000 deaths – mostly among children – were reported globally in 2022. “Measles cases anywhere pose a risk to all countries and communities where people are under-vaccinated. Low-income countries reported the lowest vaccination rates and showed no signs of recovery from the vaccination coverage decline during the pandemic. “The lack of recovery in measles vaccine coverage in low-income countries following the pandemic is an alarm bell for action.

Persons: –, ” John Vertefeuille, Kate O’Brien Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, Democratic, Pan American Health Organization Locations: Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, U.S, Ohio, Americas

☆ Madagascar heads to polls amid opposition boycott
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsMadagascar heads to polls amid opposition boycottPostedVoters in Madagascar headed to the polls on Thursday (November 16) in a presidential election boycotted by 10 out of 12 opposition candidates and marred by weeks of violent protests. Alice Rizzo has more.

Persons: Alice Rizzo Locations: Madagascar

☆ Madagascar Votes Amid Violence and Calls for Boycott
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( John Eligon | More About John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After weeks of political violence, voters on the island nation of Madagascar went to the polls on Thursday to elect a president, even though 10 of the 13 candidates called for a boycott, accusing the man they are vying to replace of unfairly tilting the process in his favor. Most of the 30 million residents of this nation off the southeastern coast of Africa live in poverty. A series of weather-related catastrophes in recent years have damaged the country’s agricultural production, its economic mainstay, increasing the humanitarian crisis. Political instability has been a defining feature of Madagascar’s elections over the years, and the 2018 race saw efforts by Russia to influence the outcome through the paramilitary organization the Wagner Group. It is unclear whether Russia has any involvement in this year’s election, or how much.

Persons: “, ”, Andoniaina Ratsimamanga Organizations: Wagner Locations: Madagascar, Africa, Russia

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