Bad news no longer even take time to follow one another. They pile up. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ebola is progressing at a speed described as "exponential" by the United Nations. More than 2,500 deaths. An epidemic out of control, worsened by conflicts, lack of funding, and attacks on healthcare workers and medical infrastructure. Elsewhere, a helicopter crashes in Kenya, killing seven people. In Nigeria, the election campaign opens against a backdrop of social anger and soaring cost of living. In the United States, expulsions to third countries are accelerating, even sending migrants far from their own country. In the Middle East, war continues to produce its toll of deaths, sanctions, settlements, and diplomatic condemnations. The world does not lack crises. It lacks above all adequate responses. China refuses new American sanctions against Iran and calls for dialogue. Europe, Canada, and several other countries denounce Israeli plans to expand settlements in the West Bank. The great powers speak. Condemn. Threaten. Negotiate. Meanwhile, on the ground, bombs fall, borders close, and populations pay the price. This international cacophony echoes in Madagascar. For behind the grand diplomatic maneuvers lies a much harsher reality: that of the people. And the latest Afrobarometer report, African Insights 2026, reminds us of this obvious truth with striking figures. 61% of Malagasy people say they live in rather bad or very bad conditions. This is no longer an alert. It is a distress signal. In a country where there is talk of rebuilding, institutional reforms, political dialogue, new electoral deadlines, and diplomatic repositioning, the fundamental question remains terribly simple: how does the population live? That is where the true barometer of power lies. Bruno Fuchs, president of the foreign affairs commission of the French National Assembly, has just completed a week of travel in Madagascar. His message deserves to be heard: cooperation must better respond to the needs of the population. And Paris now assumes looking squarely at Antananarivo's rapprochement with Moscow. The time when foreign partners could consider Madagascar solely through the prism of geopolitical balance seems over. Malagasy people are not waiting for a battle of influence between powers or a miniature cold war in the Indian Ocean. They are waiting for water. Electricity. Jobs. Roads. Schools. Hospitals. Purchasing power. Security. They are waiting to live. Even credit today gives a contrasting image of this economy under strain. Data from the Credit Information Bureau show a slowdown in installment credit activity compared to 2025. Again, behind the statistics are households hesitating, businesses calculating, consumers giving up. And yet Madagascar still knows how to produce reasons to smile. In Santa Susanna, Spain, Madagascar's world champions in mixed doubles petanque carried the national colors high. In Iavoloha, they were received by the head of state and rewarded with an exceptional bonus of 5 million ariary each. A fine recognition. But a medal, even a world one, cannot mask daily difficulties. Sport, however, offers another window of hope. With the transformation of the Indian Ocean U15 Festival into the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival, Madagascar will have a new opportunity to showcase its young talent. The Malagasy Football Federation is preparing its selection, drawing from young players in the Talent Development Scheme, players from local clubs, and expatriates. Perhaps this is one of the country's true riches: its youth. Yet it must be offered more than speeches. And then there is culture. Today, at the Mahamasina sports palace, Rossy and his stage companions will revive, for the duration of a show, the soul of a generation. A moment of celebration, but also of memory. For Madagascar has just lost two figures of its musical heritage. Papa James passed away in South Africa. The "sacred monster" of the 1970s leaves behind songs that have become cult classics and an indelible mark on Malagasy music. His journey also recalls a darker reality: the recent xenophobic violence that had struck his business in South Africa had deeply marked his life and health. Malagasy rock also mourns Bon Samar, a recognized guitarist, who passed away last Thursday. Two losses. Two memories. Two reminders that culture is not a bonus to the soul. It is a part of