Former Madagascar president Andry Rajoelina was leading after last week's presidential election aimed at ending a political crisis, ahead of rival Marc Ravalomanana, according to preliminary results released on Sunday.

Rajoelina and Ravalomanana were frontrunners in the November&nbsp;7 vote in the poor Indian Ocean island that has struggled with instability since independence from France in 1960.

After counting from 30.6 per cent of polling stations, Rajoelina was ahead with 40.9 per cent of the votes against 36 per cent for Ravalomanana, the CENI electoral authority said.

Outgoing president Hery Rajaonarimampianina had 7 per cent of ballots, it said. His attempts to change the electoral laws this year backfired, sparking nearly three months of sometimes violent protests in the capital Antananarivo.

The demonstrators forced Rajaonarimampianina to accept a "consensus" government tasked with organising the election in an impoverished country burdened by a long history of coups and unrest.

Madagascar's electoral regulations mean the two frontrunners will be forced into a run-off in December if neither manages to secure more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round ballot.

Both Ravalomanana and Rajaonarimampianina, who governed from 2014 to September 2018, have denounced irregularities and fraud, but the national election commission has rejected the accusations.

The EU observation mission said it noted only minor irregularities that would not impact the election outcome.

Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, according to World Bank data, with almost four in five people living in grinding poverty.

It has struggled to overcome political divisions after a disputed 2001 election that sparked clashes and after a 2009 military-backed coup.

Former Madagascar president Andry Rajoelina was leading after last week's presidential election aimed at ending a political crisis, ahead of rival Marc Ravalomanana, according to preliminary results released on Sunday.

Former Madagascar president Andry Rajoelina was leading after last week's presidential election aimed at ending a political crisis, ahead of rival Marc Ravalomanana, according to preliminary results released on Sunday. Rajoelina and Ravalomanana were frontrunners in the November 7 vote in the poor Indian Ocean island that has struggled with instability since independence from France in 1960. After counting from 30.6 per cent of polling stations, Rajoelina was ahead with 40.9 per cent of the votes against 36 per cent for Ravalomanana, the CENI electoral authority said. Outgoing president Hery Rajaonarimampianina had 7 per cent of ballots, it said. His attempts to change the electoral laws this year backfired, sparking nearly three months of sometimes violent protests in the capital Antananarivo. The demonstrators forced Rajaonarimampianina to accept a "consensus" government tasked with organising the election in an impoverished country burdened by a long history of coups and unrest. Madagascar's electoral regulations mean the two frontrunners will be forced into a run-off in December if neither manages to secure more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round ballot. Both Ravalomanana and Rajaonarimampianina, who governed from 2014 to September 2018, have denounced irregularities and fraud, but the national election commission has rejected the accusations. The EU observation mission said it noted only minor irregularities that would not impact the election outcome. Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, according to World Bank data, with almost four in five people living in grinding poverty. It has struggled to overcome political divisions after a disputed 2001 election that sparked clashes and after a 2009 military-backed coup.

Madagascar ex-president Rajoelina leads in vote count: Initial results

Madagascar votes on Wednesday for a new president in unprecedented polls in which the three front-runners are former heads of state facing-off amid efforts to defuse a political crisis.

Attempts by the most recent president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, to change the large Indian Ocean island's electoral laws backfired, sparking nearly three months of sometimes violent protests in the capital Antananarivo.

The demonstrators forced Rajaonarimampianina to accept a "consensus" government tasked with organising the election in the poor country with a history of coups and unrest.

Nearly 10 million voters are eligible to cast ballots for one of 36 candidates who, as well as the three front-runners, include two ex-prime ministers, pastors and a rock star. Polling stations open at 0300 GMT and are due to close by 1400 GMT.

One presidential contender must win 50 per cent of votes cast or a second round will be held on December 19.

Rajaonarimampianina is competing against two of his predecessors.&nbsp;

Marc Ravalomanana, a milk mogul, ruled from 2002 to 2009 and Andry Rajoelina, a former party organiser nicknamed "the disc jockey", succeeded him and was in power until 2013.

The trio staged massive rallies over the weekend in the capital, each attracting tens of thousands of supporters.&nbsp;

The former French colony has struggled to overcome political divisions after a disputed 2001 election that sparked clashes and a 2009 military-backed coup that ousted Ravalomanana.

Apart from protests earlier this year, Rajaonarimampianina's tenure was mostly peaceful but anger over the past still simmers.

He has promised "a new phase" in Madagascar's development if elected.

"I'm poor. I live hand to mouth, day to day. I don't have anything to eat for tomorrow," said Coledette, a mother-of-four angered by recent increases in the price of rice.

Bloody protests&nbsp;

The key battle will be between Rajaonarimampianina and the former presidents Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, according to analysts and the findings of a banned pre-vote poll seen by AFP.

The survey, commissioned by the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation, gave Rajoelina support of 25 percent, Ravalomanana 17 percent and four percent for Rajaonarimampianina.

"The big risk of this election is that it will return us to an era of crisis," said Sahondra Rabenarivo, an analyst at the Malagasy Observatory on Public Life.

"It's very important that the results are credible and that the third-placed candidate accepts them," added Rabenarivo referring to the leading hopeful who will not advance to any second round.

Tensions are high between Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, who succeeded him with the backing of the army in the 2009 uprising.

Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, according to World Bank data, with almost four in five people living in grinding poverty.

Many voters see the delivery of basic resources like water, electricity and jobs as their priorities.

The trio of main contenders -- armed with significant campaign resources -- have criss-crossed the island of 25 million by helicopter promising voters a better future.

"It's a circus," added Rabenarivo, the analyst.

An EU-sponsored study found that Rajaonarimampianina spent $43 million on his 2013 campaign -- $21.50 for each vote.

"The people are sick of the (leading) three candidates. Their time in power has been fruitless," said rural voter Mari Rajafinniana who told AFP he planned to vote for candidate number 11, Ny Rado Rafalimanana.

Although there were bloody protests in April that left two people dead, campaigning has so far gone smoothly.

'Disgusted'&nbsp;

The candidates have however been accused of vote buying. The head of Transparency International in Madagascar, Ketakandriana Rafitoson, is "disgusted" by what she says is the handing out of T-shirts, sewing machines and even floor tiles to buy votes.

The election will be seen as an important opportunity for rivals Ravalomanana and Rajoelina to settle their scores through the ballot box, according to commentators.

Both were banned from contesting the last elections in 2013.

Ravalomanana, who until 2014 lived in exile in South Africa after his removal from office,&nbsp;is still bitter after his ouster by Rajoelina in the coup that left the island internationally isolated and bitterly divided.

Rajoelina, a former mayor, party planner and successful entrepreneur is banking on his youth and communication skills to rally support.

Around 20 lower-profile candidates have alleged irregularities in the electoral roll and have unsuccessfully called for the poll to be delayed.

Madagascar votes on Wednesday for a new president in unprecedented polls in which the three front-runners are former heads of state facing-off amid efforts to defuse a political crisis.

Madagascar votes on Wednesday for a new president in unprecedented polls in which the three front-runners are former heads of state facing-off amid efforts to defuse a political crisis. Attempts by the most recent president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, to change the large Indian Ocean island's electoral laws backfired, sparking nearly three months of sometimes violent protests in the capital Antananarivo. The demonstrators forced Rajaonarimampianina to accept a "consensus" government tasked with organising the election in the poor country with a history of coups and unrest. Nearly 10 million voters are eligible to cast ballots for one of 36 candidates who, as well as the three front-runners, include two ex-prime ministers, pastors and a rock star. Polling stations open at 0300 GMT and are due to close by 1400 GMT. One presidential contender must win 50 per cent of votes cast or a second round will be held on December 19. Rajaonarimampianina is competing against two of his predecessors. Marc Ravalomanana, a milk mogul, ruled from 2002 to 2009 and Andry Rajoelina, a former party organiser nicknamed "the disc jockey", succeeded him and was in power until 2013. The trio staged massive rallies over the weekend in the capital, each attracting tens of thousands of supporters. The former French colony has struggled to overcome political divisions after a disputed 2001 election that sparked clashes and a 2009 military-backed coup that ousted Ravalomanana. Apart from protests earlier this year, Rajaonarimampianina's tenure was mostly peaceful but anger over the past still simmers. He has promised "a new phase" in Madagascar's development if elected. "I'm poor. I live hand to mouth, day to day. I don't have anything to eat for tomorrow," said Coledette, a mother-of-four angered by recent increases in the price of rice. Bloody protests The key battle will be between Rajaonarimampianina and the former presidents Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, according to analysts and the findings of a banned pre-vote poll seen by AFP. The survey, commissioned by the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation, gave Rajoelina support of 25 percent, Ravalomanana 17 percent and four percent for Rajaonarimampianina. "The big risk of this election is that it will return us to an era of crisis," said Sahondra Rabenarivo, an analyst at the Malagasy Observatory on Public Life. "It's very important that the results are credible and that the third-placed candidate accepts them," added Rabenarivo referring to the leading hopeful who will not advance to any second round. Tensions are high between Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, who succeeded him with the backing of the army in the 2009 uprising. Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, according to World Bank data, with almost four in five people living in grinding poverty. Many voters see the delivery of basic resources like water, electricity and jobs as their priorities. The trio of main contenders -- armed with significant campaign resources -- have criss-crossed the island of 25 million by helicopter promising voters a better future. "It's a circus," added Rabenarivo, the analyst. An EU-sponsored study found that Rajaonarimampianina spent $43 million on his 2013 campaign -- $21.50 for each vote. "The people are sick of the (leading) three candidates. Their time in power has been fruitless," said rural voter Mari Rajafinniana who told AFP he planned to vote for candidate number 11, Ny Rado Rafalimanana. Although there were bloody protests in April that left two people dead, campaigning has so far gone smoothly. 'Disgusted' The candidates have however been accused of vote buying. The head of Transparency International in Madagascar, Ketakandriana Rafitoson, is "disgusted" by what she says is the handing out of T-shirts, sewing machines and even floor tiles to buy votes. The election will be seen as an important opportunity for rivals Ravalomanana and Rajoelina to settle their scores through the ballot box, according to commentators. Both were banned from contesting the last elections in 2013. Ravalomanana, who until 2014 lived in exile in South Africa after his removal from office, is still bitter after his ouster by Rajoelina in the coup that left the island internationally isolated and bitterly divided. Rajoelina, a former mayor, party planner and successful entrepreneur is banking on his youth and communication skills to rally support. Around 20 lower-profile candidates have alleged irregularities in the electoral roll and have unsuccessfully called for the poll to be delayed.

Madagascar goes to the polls to pick next president

The Prime Minister of Madagascar, Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana has announced his resignation following the outcry over controversial electoral reforms.&nbsp;

"I will tender my resignation to the president today. As a statesman, I cannot be an obstacle to the life of the nation," Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana told a press briefing.

From past several weeks, Madagascar is rocked by violent protests. Protestors were seeking to oppose new laws that opposition has accused of aimed to bar their candidates from participating in elections this year.

In April one had died and 17 were injured in a clash that broke out between Madagascar security forces and activists.

The clashes erupted after police had fired tear gas in an attempt to control the demonstration.&nbsp;

The opposition claims that three new laws, adopted in April, favour the ruling party and put in place obstacles to the disadvantage of opponents. &nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

'I will tender my resignation to the president today. As a statesman, I cannot be an obstacle to the life of the nation,' Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana told a press briefing

The Prime Minister of Madagascar, Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana has announced his resignation following the outcry over controversial electoral reforms. "I will tender my resignation to the president today. As a statesman, I cannot be an obstacle to the life of the nation," Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana told a press briefing. From past several weeks, Madagascar is rocked by violent protests. Protestors were seeking to oppose new laws that opposition has accused of aimed to bar their candidates from participating in elections this year. In April one had died and 17 were injured in a clash that broke out between Madagascar security forces and activists. The clashes erupted after police had fired tear gas in an attempt to control the demonstration. The opposition claims that three new laws, adopted in April, favour the ruling party and put in place obstacles to the disadvantage of opponents.

Madagascar prime minister announces resignation

One person was killed on Saturday when Madagascar police fired teargas at opposition demonstrators protesting against new electoral laws they say are designed to lock out their candidate from a presidential election due this year.

Olivat Rakoto, director of the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona hospital in the city, said they had received 17 people with injuries from midday (0900 GMT) to 3 p.m. (1200 GMT).

"One person came but we could do nothing for him when he arrived," she said, referring to the dead person, one of the 17.

Rakoto did not comment on the nature of the injuries but some witnesses at the hospital said some injuries were caused by landing gas canisters. There was no immediate comment from the government or police.

Supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, a former leader of the Indian Ocean island nation, say the new electoral laws are designed to prevent him running in the election. The opposition is also contending provisions on campaign financing and access to media in the laws.

Ravalomanana, who was deposed in a 2009 coup, has teamed up with the man who succeeded him, Andy Rajoelina, to oppose the laws pushed by President Hery Rajaonarimampianina.&nbsp;

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the centre of the capital early on Saturday to protest against the laws which were enacted by parliament earlier this month, before police fired dozens of teargas canisters at the crowd.

One opposition lawmaker accused the government of attacking opposition MPs while carrying out their work and demanded the president's resignation.

"Hery Rajaonarimampianina has to resign, he attacks members of Parliament which are in the line of their duty," said Paul Bert Rahasimanana who represents a constituency in the capital.&nbsp;

"We just wanted to do some report on the adoption of electoral laws and he sends us forces of repression."

Police later retreated from the scene outside the mayor's office, leaving about 1,000 opposition supporters protesting peacefully.&nbsp;

"We are here because we need freedom of speech and because we do not agree with the authoritarian government," said Fafah Rasoanirina, a 24-year old protester.

The opposition says the law requires a presidential candidate to produce a report on all previous judicial convictions, which could be a disadvantage for their candidate. Ravalomanana was convicted by a court when he was in exile after the 2009 coup for a range of offences.

He has already said he will run in the election due before the end of this year through the precise date has yet to be set. 
&nbsp;

Madagascar police on Saturday fired teargas at opposition demonstrators protesting against new electoral laws

One person was killed on Saturday when Madagascar police fired teargas at opposition demonstrators protesting against new electoral laws they say are designed to lock out their candidate from a presidential election due this year. Olivat Rakoto, director of the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona hospital in the city, said they had received 17 people with injuries from midday (0900 GMT) to 3 p.m. (1200 GMT). "One person came but we could do nothing for him when he arrived," she said, referring to the dead person, one of the 17. Rakoto did not comment on the nature of the injuries but some witnesses at the hospital said some injuries were caused by landing gas canisters. There was no immediate comment from the government or police. Supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, a former leader of the Indian Ocean island nation, say the new electoral laws are designed to prevent him running in the election. The opposition is also contending provisions on campaign financing and access to media in the laws. Ravalomanana, who was deposed in a 2009 coup, has teamed up with the man who succeeded him, Andy Rajoelina, to oppose the laws pushed by President Hery Rajaonarimampianina. Hundreds of protesters gathered in the centre of the capital early on Saturday to protest against the laws which were enacted by parliament earlier this month, before police fired dozens of teargas canisters at the crowd. One opposition lawmaker accused the government of attacking opposition MPs while carrying out their work and demanded the president's resignation. "Hery Rajaonarimampianina has to resign, he attacks members of Parliament which are in the line of their duty," said Paul Bert Rahasimanana who represents a constituency in the capital. "We just wanted to do some report on the adoption of electoral laws and he sends us forces of repression." Police later retreated from the scene outside the mayor's office, leaving about 1,000 opposition supporters protesting peacefully. "We are here because we need freedom of speech and because we do not agree with the authoritarian government," said Fafah Rasoanirina, a 24-year old protester. The opposition says the law requires a presidential candidate to produce a report on all previous judicial convictions, which could be a disadvantage for their candidate. Ravalomanana was convicted by a court when he was in exile after the 2009 coup for a range of offences. He has already said he will run in the election due before the end of this year through the precise date has yet to be set.

One killed, 16 injured as Madagascar police disperse protests

A powerful tropical storm that lashed the island of Madagascar has left 20 people dead and affected 19,000 more, according to an official toll.

The storm also closed several national highways that were flooded by the heavy rain, the country&#39;s disaster management office said late Monday.

In a previous toll late Sunday it said 17 people had died and 15,000 had been affected.

Storm Eliakim slammed into the northeastern Masoala peninsula on Friday before barrelling south down the coast. By Monday it had moved away from the Indian Ocean island and &quot;presents no more danger&quot;.

Madagascar, one of the world&#39;s poorest countries, is frequently hit by cyclones and tropical storms.

In January, cyclone Ava claimed 51 lives and in March last year at least 78 people perished in cyclone Enawo.

The storm also closed several national highways that were flooded by the heavy rain

A powerful tropical storm that lashed the island of Madagascar has left 20 people dead and affected 19,000 more, according to an official toll. The storm also closed several national highways that were flooded by the heavy rain, the country's disaster management office said late Monday. In a previous toll late Sunday it said 17 people had died and 15,000 had been affected. Storm Eliakim slammed into the northeastern Masoala peninsula on Friday before barrelling south down the coast. By Monday it had moved away from the Indian Ocean island and "presents no more danger". Madagascar, one of the world's poorest countries, is frequently hit by cyclones and tropical storms. In January, cyclone Ava claimed 51 lives and in March last year at least 78 people perished in cyclone Enawo.

20 dead as powerful storm hits Madagascar

India has offered Madagascar an $80.7 million Line of Credit for agriculture and mechanisation during the visit of President Ram Nath Kovind to the island nation - the first ever by an Indian president.

President Kovind, who arrived there yesterday on the second leg of his two-nation state visit to Africa and the Indian Ocean Region, held delegation-level talks with his counterpart Hery Rajaonarimampianina in Madagascar.

India offered Madagascar an $80.7 million Line of Credit for agriculture and mechanisation yesterday, according to an official statement.

After the delegation-level talks, President Kovind was conferred the Grand Cross of the Second Class by Solonandrasan. This is the highest honour Madagascar bestows on a non-citizen.

Addressing students and academic community at the University of Antananarivo before concluding his visit, Kovind said, &quot;our primary shared resource is the ocean, a vast expanse of water that holds within it many riches, much hope and sometimes hidden challenges as well. We need to explore the sea and we need to help fishing communities here in Madagascar&quot;.

&quot;We need to ensure maritime security and guard against environmental degradation. Above all, we need to be prepared for humanitarian disasters and the unpredictable moods of the ocean. Malagasy and Indian Navies are close partners and Indian ships have made several friendly visits to Madagascar,&quot; he said.

Earlier today, President Kovind interacted with members of the India-Madagascar Business Forum and urged them to further trade and business opportunities.

President Kovind visited the island nation and held delegation-level talks

India has offered Madagascar an $80.7 million Line of Credit for agriculture and mechanisation during the visit of President Ram Nath Kovind to the island nation - the first ever by an Indian president. President Kovind, who arrived there yesterday on the second leg of his two-nation state visit to Africa and the Indian Ocean Region, held delegation-level talks with his counterpart Hery Rajaonarimampianina in Madagascar. India offered Madagascar an $80.7 million Line of Credit for agriculture and mechanisation yesterday, according to an official statement. After the delegation-level talks, President Kovind was conferred the Grand Cross of the Second Class by Solonandrasan. This is the highest honour Madagascar bestows on a non-citizen. Addressing students and academic community at the University of Antananarivo before concluding his visit, Kovind said, "our primary shared resource is the ocean, a vast expanse of water that holds within it many riches, much hope and sometimes hidden challenges as well. We need to explore the sea and we need to help fishing communities here in Madagascar". "We need to ensure maritime security and guard against environmental degradation. Above all, we need to be prepared for humanitarian disasters and the unpredictable moods of the ocean. Malagasy and Indian Navies are close partners and Indian ships have made several friendly visits to Madagascar," he said. Earlier today, President Kovind interacted with members of the India-Madagascar Business Forum and urged them to further trade and business opportunities.

India offers $80.7 million Line of Credit to Madagascar for agriculture and mechanisation

Global warming could place 25 to 50 per cent of species in the Amazon, Madagascar and other biodiverse areas at risk of localised extinction within decades, a report said Wednesday.

The lower projection is based on a mercury rise of two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels -- the warming ceiling the world&#39;s nations agreed on in 2015.&nbsp;

The highest is for out-of-control warming of 4.5 C.

&quot;Global biodiversity will suffer terribly over the next century unless we do everything we can,&quot; said conservation group WWF, which commissioned the analysis published in science journal Climatic Change.

&quot;We must keep average global temperatures down to the absolute minimum.&quot;

The report focused on 33 so-called &quot;Priority Places&quot; which host some of the world&#39;s richest and most unusual terrestrial species, including iconic, endangered, or endemic plants and animals.

They include southern Chile, the eastern Himalayas, South Africa&#39;s unique Fynbos ecoregion, Borneo, Sumatra, the Namibian desert, West Africa, southwest Australia, coastal east Africa, and southern Africa&#39;s Miombo Woodlands, home to African wild dogs.

The team looked at the impact of climate change on nearly 80,000 terrestrial plant, mammal, bird, amphibian, and reptile species.

At warming of 4.5 C, based on a &quot;business-as-usual&quot; scenario of no emissions cuts, the Amazon could risk the local extinction of 69 per cent of its plant species.&nbsp;

The Miombo Woodlands risks losing 90 per cent of its amphibians, 86 per cent of birds, and 80 per cent of mammals, according to the report.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries made voluntary pledges to curb planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal, oil and natural gas.

New normal

But even if those pledges are met, scientists predict warming over 3 C, a recipe for disastrous climate change-triggered sea level rises, superstorms, floods, and droughts.

Warming of 3.2 C would place about 37 per cent of species in Priority Places at risk of local extinction, said a WWF statement.

&quot;Even with the emissions cuts pledged under the Paris Agreement, temperatures that were extreme in the past are set to be the new normal in all Priority Places,&quot; it added -- in some as early as 2030.

Limiting warming to 2 C would enable many species to continue inhabiting the areas they currently occupy, according to the report.

And if animals can move freely -- not constrained by roads, fences, or human settlements -- the proportion of species at extinction risk at warming of 2 C drops from 25 to 20 per cent.

The report comes ahead of a major meeting of the IPBES inter-governmental panel in Medellin, Colombia, where scientists and governments will release five assessments of the state of biodiversity.

Extinction is not simply about the disappearance of species, said the WWF, &quot;but about profound changes to ecosystems that provide vital services to hundreds of millions of people.&quot;

Job- and revenue-generating tourism would suffer greatly if species disappear, and as-yet-undiscovered medicines from plants forever lost.

&quot;Put simply, we have to stop burning fossil fuels,&quot; said the WWF.

The lower projection is based on a mercury rise of two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels -- the warming ceiling the world's nations agreed on in 2015

Global warming could place 25 to 50 per cent of species in the Amazon, Madagascar and other biodiverse areas at risk of localised extinction within decades, a report said Wednesday. The lower projection is based on a mercury rise of two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels -- the warming ceiling the world's nations agreed on in 2015. The highest is for out-of-control warming of 4.5 C. "Global biodiversity will suffer terribly over the next century unless we do everything we can," said conservation group WWF, which commissioned the analysis published in science journal Climatic Change. "We must keep average global temperatures down to the absolute minimum." The report focused on 33 so-called "Priority Places" which host some of the world's richest and most unusual terrestrial species, including iconic, endangered, or endemic plants and animals. They include southern Chile, the eastern Himalayas, South Africa's unique Fynbos ecoregion, Borneo, Sumatra, the Namibian desert, West Africa, southwest Australia, coastal east Africa, and southern Africa's Miombo Woodlands, home to African wild dogs. The team looked at the impact of climate change on nearly 80,000 terrestrial plant, mammal, bird, amphibian, and reptile species. At warming of 4.5 C, based on a "business-as-usual" scenario of no emissions cuts, the Amazon could risk the local extinction of 69 per cent of its plant species. The Miombo Woodlands risks losing 90 per cent of its amphibians, 86 per cent of birds, and 80 per cent of mammals, according to the report. Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries made voluntary pledges to curb planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal, oil and natural gas. New normal But even if those pledges are met, scientists predict warming over 3 C, a recipe for disastrous climate change-triggered sea level rises, superstorms, floods, and droughts. Warming of 3.2 C would place about 37 per cent of species in Priority Places at risk of local extinction, said a WWF statement. "Even with the emissions cuts pledged under the Paris Agreement, temperatures that were extreme in the past are set to be the new normal in all Priority Places," it added -- in some as early as 2030. Limiting warming to 2 C would enable many species to continue inhabiting the areas they currently occupy, according to the report. And if animals can move freely -- not constrained by roads, fences, or human settlements -- the proportion of species at extinction risk at warming of 2 C drops from 25 to 20 per cent. The report comes ahead of a major meeting of the IPBES inter-governmental panel in Medellin, Colombia, where scientists and governments will release five assessments of the state of biodiversity. Extinction is not simply about the disappearance of species, said the WWF, "but about profound changes to ecosystems that provide vital services to hundreds of millions of people." Job- and revenue-generating tourism would suffer greatly if species disappear, and as-yet-undiscovered medicines from plants forever lost. "Put simply, we have to stop burning fossil fuels," said the WWF.

Warming could threaten half of species in 33 key areas: Report

A cyclone that hit eastern Madagascar over the weekend killed at least six people and injured three others while two people were reported missing, authorities said on Monday.

The tropical cyclone Ava passed through Madagascar on Friday and Saturday, hitting mostly the eastern coast of the island with wind speeds of between 140-190 kph (87-119 mph).

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So. Indian Ocean - NASA Sees <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TropicalCycloneAva?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TropicalCycloneAva</a> Exit Madagascar, Weaker <a href="https://t.co/ynvkEHWuCj">https://t.co/ynvkEHWuCj</a> <a href="https://t.co/WHCNUEstFE">pic.twitter.com/WHCNUEstFE</a>
&mdash; NASAHurricane (@NASAHurricane) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAHurricane/status/950006439799640066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The National Office of Risk and Disaster Management said in a statement that more 13,000 people were displaced by the cyclone, while more than 16,000 pupils had classes suspended until Thursday, due to flooding and risk of landslides.

In March 2017, Cyclone Enawo struck Madagascar, killing at least 78 people on its vanilla-producing northeastern coast.

Enawo damaged around 30 percent of the crop in the world`s biggest producer, which accounts for nearly half of the world`s crop.

But Georges Geeraerts, the president of the Group of the Vanilla exporters, told Reuters the cyclone Ava had not touched vanilla-producing areas and there had been &quot;no impact&quot; on vanilla production.

The government says Cyclone Ava also displaced more than 13,000 people on the Indian Ocean island over the weekend.

A cyclone that hit eastern Madagascar over the weekend killed at least six people and injured three others while two people were reported missing, authorities said on Monday. The tropical cyclone Ava passed through Madagascar on Friday and Saturday, hitting mostly the eastern coast of the island with wind speeds of between 140-190 kph (87-119 mph). So. Indian Ocean - NASA Sees #TropicalCycloneAva Exit Madagascar, Weaker https://t.co/ynvkEHWuCj pic.twitter.com/WHCNUEstFE — NASAHurricane (@NASAHurricane) January 7, 2018 × The National Office of Risk and Disaster Management said in a statement that more 13,000 people were displaced by the cyclone, while more than 16,000 pupils had classes suspended until Thursday, due to flooding and risk of landslides. In March 2017, Cyclone Enawo struck Madagascar, killing at least 78 people on its vanilla-producing northeastern coast. Enawo damaged around 30 percent of the crop in the world`s biggest producer, which accounts for nearly half of the world`s crop. But Georges Geeraerts, the president of the Group of the Vanilla exporters, told Reuters the cyclone Ava had not touched vanilla-producing areas and there had been "no impact" on vanilla production.

6 killed in Madagascar cyclone as thousands displaced

Relatives of those aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 arrived in Madagascar on Saturday where they will be taking the search for the plane into their own hands to try to push governments to expand the search area along the east African coast.

Flight MH370, carrying 239 passengers and crew, disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, sparking a search in the southern Indian Ocean that entered its 1,000th day on Saturday (December 3).

Members of Voice 370, an MH370 next-of-kin support group, were speaking after arriving in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, where they hoped to scour the country&#39;s beaches for debris.

Group&#39;s spokesperson Grace Subathirai Nathan said she hoped the trip would help spur the Malaysian, Chinese and Australian governments to collect debris along the continental coast where parts from the aircraft had been found.

Nathan, whose mother was on the plane, was among four Malaysians, two Chinese nationals and a Frenchman who arrived in Madagascar on Saturday to hunt for debris and raise awareness of the plane among local communities and organisations.

Three pieces of debris found on the beaches of Mauritius, Tanzania and the French island of Reunion, have been confirmed to be from MH370. Investigators are examining several other pieces found in Mozambique and South Africa.

The search is expected to be suspended by the end of the year, when an Australian-led team completes its scouring of a 120,000-sq-km target area.

(Reuters)

Voice 370, an MH370 next-of-kin support group will be searching Madagascar's beaches for debris

Relatives of those aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 arrived in Madagascar on Saturday where they will be taking the search for the plane into their own hands to try to push governments to expand the search area along the east African coast. Flight MH370, carrying 239 passengers and crew, disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, sparking a search in the southern Indian Ocean that entered its 1,000th day on Saturday (December 3). Members of Voice 370, an MH370 next-of-kin support group, were speaking after arriving in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, where they hoped to scour the country's beaches for debris. Group's spokesperson Grace Subathirai Nathan said she hoped the trip would help spur the Malaysian, Chinese and Australian governments to collect debris along the continental coast where parts from the aircraft had been found. Nathan, whose mother was on the plane, was among four Malaysians, two Chinese nationals and a Frenchman who arrived in Madagascar on Saturday to hunt for debris and raise awareness of the plane among local communities and organisations. Three pieces of debris found on the beaches of Mauritius, Tanzania and the French island of Reunion, have been confirmed to be from MH370. Investigators are examining several other pieces found in Mozambique and South Africa. The search is expected to be suspended by the end of the year, when an Australian-led team completes its scouring of a 120,000-sq-km target area. (Reuters)

MH370: Taking matters into own hands

A house fire during a party in central Madagascar on Saturday night killed 38 people including 16 children as the blaze ripped through a thatched roof, police said on Monday.

The victims, the youngest only six months old, were trapped inside the house in Ambalavato village of Ikalamavony district in the rural centre of the island.

The party-goers, including several relatives of the home owner, were celebrating the renovation of the same house in which they perished.

&quot;Of the 39 people in the house, 38 were killed, including 16 children,&quot; Herilalatiana Andrianarivosona, spokesman for the police, told AFP, adding that the fire was an accident.

&quot;A celebration had been held following the completion of the renovations to the house,&quot; he added.

The blaze is believed to have started from embers of a fire that had been used earlier to cook food for guests. It was swept by winds, spreading first to a bale of dry rice straw adjacent to the house before it caught hold of the grass thatch on the roof.

Other villagers tried to rescue the people trapped inside but failed to open the door.&nbsp;Only one 14-year-old boy managed to escape the inferno by jumping through a small window, police said.

Narrow windows to deter burglars are part of the design of many houses in the central region of the impoverished Indian Ocean island.

Due to crime and frequent muggings, the party guests chose to stay at the host&#39;s house rather than return home at night.

Funerals for the 39 victims were held on Monday.&nbsp;Madagascar is one of the world&#39;s poorest countries and relies heavily on international donors.

After a period of political instability triggered by the 2009 ousting of president Marc Ravalomanana by Antananarivo&#39;s then-mayor Andry Rajoelina, it is struggling to foster an economic recovery. 
 
(AFP) 
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The blaze is believed to have started from embers of a fire that had been used earlier to cook food for guests

A house fire during a party in central Madagascar on Saturday night killed 38 people including 16 children as the blaze ripped through a thatched roof, police said on Monday. The victims, the youngest only six months old, were trapped inside the house in Ambalavato village of Ikalamavony district in the rural centre of the island. The party-goers, including several relatives of the home owner, were celebrating the renovation of the same house in which they perished. "Of the 39 people in the house, 38 were killed, including 16 children," Herilalatiana Andrianarivosona, spokesman for the police, told AFP, adding that the fire was an accident. "A celebration had been held following the completion of the renovations to the house," he added. The blaze is believed to have started from embers of a fire that had been used earlier to cook food for guests. It was swept by winds, spreading first to a bale of dry rice straw adjacent to the house before it caught hold of the grass thatch on the roof. Other villagers tried to rescue the people trapped inside but failed to open the door. Only one 14-year-old boy managed to escape the inferno by jumping through a small window, police said. Narrow windows to deter burglars are part of the design of many houses in the central region of the impoverished Indian Ocean island. Due to crime and frequent muggings, the party guests chose to stay at the host's house rather than return home at night. Funerals for the 39 victims were held on Monday. Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries and relies heavily on international donors. After a period of political instability triggered by the 2009 ousting of president Marc Ravalomanana by Antananarivo's then-mayor Andry Rajoelina, it is struggling to foster an economic recovery. (AFP)

House fire kills 38 in central Madagascar

Two people were killed and more than 80 wounded in a grenade attack in Madagascar`s capital Sunday during the country`s national day celebrations, in what the president called &quot;an act of terrorism&quot;. 
 
The blast struck the Mahamasina municipal stadium in Antananarivo at around 1600 GMT, just as a free concert was taking place to mark the nation`s 56th anniversary of independence from France. 
 
President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who visited the injured victims in hospital, blamed the attack on tensions with political opponents in the Indian Ocean island nation. 
 
&quot;There may be differences of opinion between us, but these acts of destabilisation are unacceptable,&quot; he said in a statement broadcast on national television, describing the attack as &quot;not just a destabilising act but an act of terrorism&quot;. 
 
Pleading for calm, he added: &quot;We will not respond to violence with violence.&quot; 
 
According to the gendarmerie, the attack killed two teenagers aged 16 and 18, while 84 people were injured. 
 
A military parade was held at the stadium earlier in the day. 
 
&quot;The explosion was caused by a grenade,&quot; general Anthony Rakotoarison, head of security and intelligence with the national gendarmerie, told AFP by phone. 
 
&quot;We consider this a terrorist act,&quot; he added. 
 
The last attack to hit Madagascar was in January 2014 when a grenade blast killed a toddler and injured several other people outside the same stadium targeted on Sunday. 
 
No arrests were ever made in connection with that attack and there was no claim of responsibility. 
 
Madagascar, one of the world`s poorest countries, is slowly getting back on its feet after a lengthy period of political instability triggered by the 2009 ouster of president Marc Ravalomanana by Antananarivo`s then-mayor Andry Rajoelina. 
 
Rajoelina led a transitional government until late 2013, when a new election that was designed to resolve complex struggles brought Rajaonarimampianina to power. 
 
International donors, on which the country relies heavily, only recently returned to Madagascar after withdrawing over the 2009 turmoil, and the economy is starting to show the first signs of recovery. 
 
(AFP)

President Hery Rajaonarimampianina blamed the attack on tensions with political opponents in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Two people were killed and more than 80 wounded in a grenade attack in Madagascar`s capital Sunday during the country`s national day celebrations, in what the president called "an act of terrorism". The blast struck the Mahamasina municipal stadium in Antananarivo at around 1600 GMT, just as a free concert was taking place to mark the nation`s 56th anniversary of independence from France. President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who visited the injured victims in hospital, blamed the attack on tensions with political opponents in the Indian Ocean island nation. "There may be differences of opinion between us, but these acts of destabilisation are unacceptable," he said in a statement broadcast on national television, describing the attack as "not just a destabilising act but an act of terrorism". Pleading for calm, he added: "We will not respond to violence with violence." According to the gendarmerie, the attack killed two teenagers aged 16 and 18, while 84 people were injured. A military parade was held at the stadium earlier in the day. "The explosion was caused by a grenade," general Anthony Rakotoarison, head of security and intelligence with the national gendarmerie, told AFP by phone. "We consider this a terrorist act," he added. The last attack to hit Madagascar was in January 2014 when a grenade blast killed a toddler and injured several other people outside the same stadium targeted on Sunday. No arrests were ever made in connection with that attack and there was no claim of responsibility. Madagascar, one of the world`s poorest countries, is slowly getting back on its feet after a lengthy period of political instability triggered by the 2009 ouster of president Marc Ravalomanana by Antananarivo`s then-mayor Andry Rajoelina. Rajoelina led a transitional government until late 2013, when a new election that was designed to resolve complex struggles brought Rajaonarimampianina to power. International donors, on which the country relies heavily, only recently returned to Madagascar after withdrawing over the 2009 turmoil, and the economy is starting to show the first signs of recovery. (AFP)

Two killed, 80 injured in Madagascar terror blast

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