People survey the damage done by cyclone Gezani in Toamasina, Madagascar, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Hery Nirina Rabary)

Madagascar death toll rises after tropical cyclone

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Authorities in Madagascar say at least 36 people have died, over 370 are injured and almost 18,000 homes are destroyed after Tropical Cyclone Gezani hit the large Indian Ocean island. The cyclone made landfall on the east coast late Tuesday and unleashed winds in excess of 195 kilometers per hour. The system has since weakened to a tropical storm. Authorities on Wednesday warned of severe damage and possible floods and landslides as the storm moves across west the island. Gezani hit less than two weeks after Tropical Cyclone Fytia killed at least 14 people in Madagascar. The island is the world’s fourth largest and especially vulnerable to tropical cyclones.

Madagascar’s president has declared a national disaster and made a plea for international help.

Feds open perjury probe into officers’ testimony

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal authorities have opened a criminal probe into whether two immigration officers lied under oath about a shooting in Minneapolis last month, as all charges were dropped against two Venezuelan men. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons said Friday that his agency had opened a joint probe with the Justice Department after video evidence revealed “sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements” about the shooting of one of the Venezuelan men. The officers, whose names were not disclosed, are on administrative leave pending the completion of an internal investigation. Lyons added that the U.S. attorney’s office is actively investigating.

California investigates delayed wildfire evacuation order

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s top prosecutor is opening a civil rights investigation into how delayed evacuations impacted a historically Black community ravaged by one of the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires. Attorney General Rob Bonta said Thursday the investigation was spurred by months of conversation with community members and fire survivors concerned about the disparate impact of the Eaton Fire fire on the west side of Altadena, California. Reporting by the Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press found that side of town received evacuation orders well after other areas. The LA County Fire Department did not immediately comment on the launch of the investigation.

Minnesotans welcome ICE drawdown but remain vigilant

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Trump administration is scaling back its immigration enforcement surge in and around the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, but state officials and residents say its effects on Minnesota’s economy and immigrant communities will linger. Border czar Tom Homan says better coordination with state and local officials has allowed the operation to wind down. The surge was increasingly scrutinized after federal officers killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Homan says targeted enforcement will continue with fewer agents. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, meanwhile, say the damage from the operation will be lasting and are calling on the federal government to help pay the costs.

New US-brokered Ukraine/Russia talks set for next week

Envoys from Russia and Ukraine are to meet for a new round of U.S.-brokered talks in Geneva next week as both sides keep fighting and trading long-range strikes. On Friday, officials in Moscow and Kyiv said the talks will take place in Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday. The talks come against the backdrop of more Russian attacks that keep hitting Ukrainian cities and the power grid. Ukraine keeps sending drones at targets inside Russia. Earlier, U.S.-led peace efforts in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, failed to settle major issues, such as the future of occupied parts of eastern Ukraine.

Storm leaves 2 dead in France; flood alerts remain Saturday

PARIS (AP) — Storm Nils has killed two people and kept parts of southwestern France on high flood alert as power crews race to restore electricity. On Friday, officials said flooding remains the main threat even as wind alerts are lifted. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon told TF1 that France recorded one death on Thursday in Landes. She said a second man died in recent hours in Tarn-et-Garonne. Power company Enedis said the storm cut power to as many as 900,000 customers at its peak. By Friday morning, it had restored service to about half. The French weather service kept red flood alerts for Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne.