AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Football & National Team): Madagascar coach Corentin Martins said his side’s 2-1 loss to Nigeria came from Nigeria’s higher quality and a second-half energy drop, despite Madagascar starting brightly and creating chances to go further. Ocean Monitoring (Blue Economy): The EU and Canada helped launch the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System, with Canada pledging C$82m over five years and the EU adding €92m, aiming to strengthen weather, climate, maritime safety and coastal protection—Madagascar is among the participating members. Critical Minerals Value Chains (Mining & Industrial Policy): The UN unveiled a Country Support Mechanism on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, naming Madagascar among the first six countries to get help building domestic processing, jobs and governance around minerals used for the energy transition. Agriculture & Resilience (Food Systems): Japan and WFP inaugurated solar-powered agricultural hubs and learning/nutrition centres in Betioky district to support drought-affected communities and improve nutrition and climate resilience. Energy Transition & Climate Finance (Policy): UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to set credible, time-bound plans to move beyond fossil fuels and scale climate finance—an issue echoed by regional calls for climate justice. Youth & Governance (Civic Space): Madagascar’s Gen Z activists say they feel “betrayed” after a year of protests, alleging the new authorities used similar crackdown tactics.