This week cannot pass without noting the communiqué from the SADC extraordinary summit of June 29, which essentially calls on Madagascar's ruling team to: release "political detainees" and end arbitrary arrests. Decisions that are bound to disrupt intrigue on the Malagasy political scene. Already the PRRM refutes the inclusive nature of any talks with the former government by rejecting Andry Rajoelina's participation in the next presidential election, arguing he no longer holds the country's nationality.
SME Revalued but Not SMIG or SMIC
The SME (Minimum Employment Salary) will rise to 315,000 Ariary, which will surely please private sector employees who had been overlooked in previous revaluation implementations despite official announcements. As for the informal sector, the bulk of productive activity, both employers and employees feel unaffected as always by this measure.
TF1 Absent for Canal+ Subscribers
Beneficiaries (a minority of viewers) of programs produced by French group TF1 have suspended "deliveries" for subscribers of the encrypted "pay" channel CANAL+, which belongs to the Bolloré group. The question: will those who already paid be reimbursed for the undelivered service? A test of the viewer-customer, always loyal and always docile? We shall see.
A Quiet Incident
Your daily newspaper reports a surge in thefts of bells (especially) from temples. Clearly, thieves' dexterity knows no bounds—how they manage to unscrew and flee with a heavy bell without noise remains a mystery.
Mpox Persists and Spreads Further
Perhaps because it does not produce an alarming death rate, it seems no one cares much. Barrier gestures as against COVID-19 are not being respected, yet a fourteenth death has been reported and vaccine stocks are depleted. It seems people say we've seen worse with COVID. So then!
Valiant African Players at 2026 World Cup
Nine of the ten African nations competing in the 2026 World Cup achieved the historic feat of reaching the round of 16. However, this direct elimination phase proved cruel for the continent, with eliminations of Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and DR Congo occurring in the final minutes of their matches. All played brilliantly against seasoned major nations. The continent's youngsters playing barefoot in streets or improvised hard grounds enjoyed themselves thoroughly. African football's future is not in peril.
Abroad
Double Earthquake in Venezuela
Death toll rises to 1,943; 3-year-old child found alive under rubble
On Tuesday, June 30, the UN announced that the death toll from the double earthquake in Venezuela now stands at 1,943. While the seventy-two-hour window for hoping to find survivors has long passed, a 3-year-old child was found alive under the rubble. The natural disaster with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, the most violent to hit the South American country in over a century, also left 10,500 injured, detailed Tuesday by National Assembly president Jorge Rodriguez. Moreover, survivors critically lacking food and shelter could soon face epidemics, the UN warned Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Delays Before End of Israeli-American Coalition and Iran Conflict
Will the war cease or not? It seems the bellicose nature of the belligerents remains unshakeable despite peace hopes announced here and there, quickly buried afterward. A scenario that bewilders and ultimately wearies even observers. Recently it was announced that the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will return to Toulon—a sign that relief is coming soon?