A school shooting in a small Canadian town and a cyclone in Madagascar dominated headlines on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, while a 13-year-old boy's heroic actions and political developments in Ukraine also captured global attention.
In British Columbia, Canada, a school shooting left residents of Tumbler Ridge reeling. Details about the suspect were withheld by police, but the community was left grappling with grief and a desperate need for answers, according to Sky News. International correspondent John Sparks noted the premier's visible struggle to find words, reflecting the shock felt by Canadians.
Meanwhile, in Western Australia, 13-year-old Austin Appelbee swam 4 kilometers to shore and then ran another 2 kilometers to get help after his family was swept out to sea. Authorities released the audio of his emergency call, detailing his efforts to save his mother, brother, and sister, who were on an inflatable kayak and paddleboards when they got into difficulty, as reported by Sky News.
On the political front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would only hold elections after a ceasefire with Russia and the implementation of security guarantees. This decision came in response to suggestions of staging fresh ballots under US pressure. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine had never initiated the discussion about elections, according to Euronews. Under Ukraine's constitution, holding national elections while the country is under martial law is illegal, a law that was declared on February 24, 2022, the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone Gezani battered Madagascar, resulting in at least nine deaths and widespread destruction. The cyclone, which made landfall on Tuesday, slammed into the country's second-largest city, Toamasina, with winds reaching 250 kilometers per hour, according to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNRGC) via Euronews. The storm collapsed houses and caused major flooding.
Finally, in Japan, a traditional swordsmith is experiencing renewed interest in the centuries-old art of katana making. Akihira Kawasaki, a 57-year-old swordsmith in Saitama Prefecture, noted that popular culture, including anime and video games, has contributed to rising attention around the craft, as reported by Euronews. Despite the resurgence, the profession faces challenges, including an ageing workforce and a demanding five-year apprenticeship.
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