Flooding and fierce winds have pushed Madagascar's death toll from Cyclone Gezani to 59, with more than a dozen people still unaccounted for, the country's disaster agency said on Monday. It is the latest in a string of tropical storms to batter the southern African island in recent months, underscoring its vulnerability to increasingly extreme weather fuelled by climate change. At least 59 people had been killed countrywide by the cyclone, which slammed into Madagascar on February 10, the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNRGC) said, while more than 16,000 people have been displaced by storm waters. A previous report had put the death toll at 43. Most of the fatalities were reported in the port city of Toamasina on the east coast, formerly known as Tamatave, Madagascar's second-largest urban centre with around 400,000 inhabitants. Another 15 people remain missing nearly a week after the cyclone struck, according to BNRGC. The damage to housing was extensiv...
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended heartfelt greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the people of China and Chinese communities worldwide on the advent of Chinese New Year 2026 — the Year of the Horse. In a post on X, the premier said the Horse symbolises energy, resilience and speed — values that resonate with the shared journey of Pakistan and China. Describing the two countries as “iron brothers”, he said they were "bound by an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and a shared vision of peace, development and regional connectivity." Gong Xi Fa Cai! As we welcome the Chinese New Year 2026 - the Year of the Horse - I extend my heartfelt greetings to President Xi Jinping, the brotherly people of China, and to Chinese communities around the world. The Horse symbolizes energy, resilience and speed - values that… — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 16, 2026 He further expressed hope that the new year would further strengthen the enduring friendship ...