World Grapples with Cyclone, War, Budget Battles, and Gaza Hope

Cyclone Fytia Hits Madagascar, Killing Several and Flooding Homes

Antananarivo - Tropical Cyclone Fytia struck Madagascar over the weekend, resulting in at least three deaths and affecting nearly 30,000 people, according to The Guardian. The storm, the first of the season for the island nation, formed to the northwest of Madagascar and is expected to flood more than 40,000 homes in the coming days.

The Guardian reported that the storm brought significant rainfall, with estimates suggesting up to 150mm in some areas. The Red Cross Malagasy released a photograph showing the extent of the flooding.

While Madagascar grappled with the cyclone, other global events unfolded. In Kyiv, Ukraine, Russian missiles struck early Tuesday morning, damaging several apartment buildings and an educational establishment, Al Jazeera reported. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, announced the attack via Telegram. Reuters news agency witnesses reported loud explosions in the city. Tragically, a father and son were killed, and two children and their mother were injured in the attack, according to Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, in France, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's government successfully passed the 2026 budget after surviving two no-confidence votes, Al Jazeera reported. The budget, which includes measures to reduce France's deficit and increase military spending, was adopted on Monday after four months of political deadlock.

In other international news, the United Nations welcomed the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, Al Jazeera reported. The border had been closed by Israel for nearly two years. According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, only five patients among thousands of sick and wounded Palestinians have been able to leave for urgent medical care so far.

A recent study by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights concluded that international law meant to limit the effects of war is at a breaking point, The Guardian reported. The study, which covered 23 armed conflicts over the last 18 months, found that more than 100,000 civilians have been killed, and war crimes, including torture and rape, are being committed with near impunity.