Bribery Allegations in Madagascar, California’s Pineapple Express,…

London courts have been gripped by a high-profile bribery case tied to Madagascar’s political elite. The former chief of staff for Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina allegedly offered to leverage her influence in exchange for bribes from Gemfields, a conglomerate dealing in precious stones. The case underlines the murky interplay between global corporations and political powerhouses in resource-rich nations. Unearthing Corruption in Madagascar The ex-chief of staff stands accused of seeking bribes for facilitating Gemfields’ acquisition of lucrative mining rights in Madagascar. This case not only unveils the potential corruption within the corridors of power in Madagascar but also raises questions about the ethical practices within the global mining industry. California’s Pineapple Express Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, California has been grappling with a formidable atmospheric river storm, the second of its kind in a week. This storm system, known as the Pineapple Express, brought heavy rains and hurricane-force winds, leading to widespread power outages. The calamity has affected over 600,000 homes and businesses, leaving them without power. The impacted areas span across several Californian cities, including Harbor City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Malibu, Long Beach, and Goleta. The Aftermath of the Storm Images shared from the affected...