International News
Death Toll Rises As Madagascar Protests Persist Despite Gov’t Action
Protesters in Madagascar continued to take to the streets on Tuesday, undeterred by a strong police presence and teargas, a day after President Andry Rajoelina dismissed his government in an effort to quell escalating unrest that the UN says has claimed 22 lives.
The demonstrations, largely driven by young people, have been inspired by “Gen Z” protests in countries like Indonesia and Nepal.
Citizens are expressing anger over entrenched mismanagement and repeated interruptions in water and electricity services across the island nation.
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On Monday, Rajoelina dismissed all his ministers, apologized for their inaction, and promised to address the country’s problems. But his move has done little to halt the rallies, with hundreds gathering in the capital after calls circulated widely on social media.
“The sacking was a small victory,” said 30-year-old activist Masova, who spoke under a pseudonym to protect her identity. “We really want change, the rule of law, justice for all. That’s why it’s no longer just a Gen Z movement.”
Police have been stationed in key areas of the city, and AFP journalists witnessed officers using teargas to disperse a small crowd attempting to assemble.
In the city’s outskirts, daily life appeared to resume, with schoolchildren and street vendors active, though traffic remained light.
Protesters have called for Rajoelina’s resignation, criticizing the government for trying to suppress youth voices.
“They call us the TikTok generation, a generation of idiots, and when we rise up, they won’t even let us speak,” said a student protester dressed in black to mourn those killed in earlier demonstrations.
“Mr Andry Rajoelina, when you led protests, you were allowed to, it was fine. But when we young people rise to fight for our country, you try to silence us.”
The UN has condemned the use of live ammunition during the protests, noting that some victims were bystanders or demonstrators killed by security forces.
The government, however, rejected these figures as unverified and “based on rumours or misinformation.”
The unrest began last Thursday in Antananarivo before spreading to other cities. Last week’s demonstrations were followed by looting, leading authorities to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew.
Rajoelina, a former mayor of the capital who first came to power after a 2009 coup, invited applications for a new prime minister on Monday, with plans to form a new government in the coming days.
“The president is part of a corrupt system,” said a 30-year-old agricultural engineer, speaking anonymously. “He is trying to make us believe that something will change.”
Madagascar, home to nearly 32 million people, is one of the world’s poorest countries despite being a top producer of vanilla and possessing significant natural resources.
According to the World Bank, nearly 75 percent of the population lived below the poverty line in 2022.
Portugal officially inaugurated its new president, Antonio Jose Seguro, on Monday, pledging to bring stability to a nation shaken by political uncertainty and natural disasters.
Seguro, the centre-left candidate, won last month’s presidential run-off against far-right rival Andre Ventura, following weeks of catastrophic storms that killed at least seven people and caused approximately €4 billion ($4.6 billion) in damage.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony in Lisbon’s parliament, Seguro emphasized cooperation with the minority right-wing government and vowed to end the country’s “electoral frenzy.”
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“I will do everything I can to put an end to this electoral frenzy,” he said, pointing to the inability of previous governments to complete their terms.
Amid global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and a more isolationist US approach under President Donald Trump, Seguro stressed the importance of multilateralism.
“The force of law has been replaced by the power of the strongest,” he remarked.
Seguro succeeds Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative who leaves office at 77 after serving two five-year terms.
While the Portuguese presidency is largely ceremonial, Seguro’s leadership signals a commitment to political stability and international engagement.
The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified on its fourth day Tuesday, with fresh explosions reported in Tehran, missile interceptions over Jerusalem, and rising tensions spreading across Lebanon and Gulf states.
AFP journalists in Tehran reported loud blasts across several parts of the Iranian capital, though officials did not immediately confirm the exact targets.
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The conflict began over the weekend after coordinated US and Israeli strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region.
Iran Appeals to UN
Iran called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and halt the war. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the council had a responsibility to act, insisting there were no legal obstacles preventing immediate action.
Oil Surges as Hormuz Disrupted
Global oil prices spiked amid fears of supply disruption, particularly as the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a crucial oil shipping route — was effectively closed.
Brent crude rose more than eight percent to $85.12 per barrel, its highest level since mid-2024. Meanwhile, precious metals fell sharply, with gold dropping over four percent and silver plunging more than 12 percent as investors shifted toward energy and the US dollar.
Iran Issues Fresh Threats
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned of intensified attacks on US forces and Israeli targets.
A spokesman vowed that “continuous punitive attacks” would follow, declaring that the “gates of hell” would open against both nations.
Israeli Troops Advance in Lebanon
Israeli ground forces reportedly advanced into areas near Kfar Kila and the Khiam plains along the Lebanon border.
Israel said the move was aimed at creating a buffer zone to protect its northern communities.
The escalation has displaced at least 30,000 people in Lebanon, according to the UN refugee agency.
Nuclear Site Damaged
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Iran’s Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant sustained recent damage to entrance buildings at its underground facility. However, the agency said no radiological consequences were expected.
Gulf Capitals, US Embassy Hit
Explosions were also reported in Manama and Doha as Iranian strikes continued into a fourth day.
In the UAE, drone debris sparked a fire in an oil zone in Fujairah, though authorities said the blaze was contained.
Two drones reportedly struck the US embassy in Riyadh, causing a fire. Saudi officials condemned the attack as unjustified.
Tech Infrastructure Targeted
US tech giant Amazon confirmed that two of its data centres in the UAE were directly hit by drones, disrupting cloud services in parts of the Middle East. A nearby facility in Bahrain was also damaged.
Global Reactions
US President Donald Trump criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over disagreements on the use of British military bases, saying relations were “not like they used to be.”
France deployed Rafale fighter jets to protect its bases in the UAE, while China urged all sides to ensure safety in the Strait of Hormuz and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Iran has called on the United Nations Security Council to urgently intervene and halt the ongoing war involving the Islamic Republic, Israel and the United States.
Speaking during a weekly foreign ministry briefing on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the global body has both the authority and responsibility to act in order to prevent further escalation of hostilities.
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“The United Nations Security Council has a duty… if it wishes, it can certainly act, because there is no obstacle to its action except its own will,” Baqaei stated.
His remarks come amid rising tensions and continued military exchanges that have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
Iran maintains that international institutions must step in decisively to prevent further loss of life and instability across the Middle East.
Tehran’s appeal places renewed pressure on the Security Council’s five permanent members, whose divisions have often stalled unified action in past conflicts involving major global powers.
Analyst say any meaningful intervention would require consensus among key stakeholders, including Washington and its allies.
The war has drawn global concern, with several countries calling for restraint and diplomatic engagement to avoid further deterioration of security in the region.
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