At least nine people died in Madagascar due to building collapses caused by Tropical Cyclone Gezani, which unleashed winds exceeding 195 kph (121 mph), according to authorities. The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management reported the fatalities and at least 19 injuries as the cyclone moved across the island nation, impacting a population of 31 million people.
Madagascar's weather service issued red alerts for several regions, warning of potential floods and landslides. The Associated Press reported that the cyclone made landfall, causing significant damage. The news came as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted all flights to and from El Paso International Airport for 10 days, citing special security reasons. The restriction, which began at 11:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday and will remain in effect until 11:30 p.m. on February 20, encompasses a 10-mile area around El Paso, including Santa Teresa, N.M., but does not apply to aircraft flying above 18,000 feet, according to FAA notices. The FAA did not detail the security reasons behind the restriction.
In other news, a report by the children's commissioner for England revealed that children are routinely exposed to advertisements for weight loss injections and pills online. The report found that young people were "bombarded" with ads for products claiming to change their bodies and appearance, despite this kind of advertising being banned. Dame Rachel de Souza, the children's commissioner, said the posts were "immensely damaging" to young people's self-esteem and called for a ban on social media advertising to children. A spokesperson for the media regulator Ofcom stated that it did not tolerate "tech firms prioritizing engagement over children's online safety."
Meanwhile, BBC's Lyse Doucet was in Tehran, marking her first visit since an unprecedented protest crackdown.
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