Russian Cultural Outreach in Madagascar: Rossotrudnichestvo says it plans to open 11 new “Russian Houses” across 10 countries, with Madagascar among the eight African sites—centres that blend Russian language, education, science and culture with local partners. Education & Language Access: The Russian House in Madagascar and Samara State Technical University signed a cooperation deal for Russian language courses for Malagasy learners and support for students studying in Russia. Local Reading Culture: A Russian authors library opened at the Russian House in Madagascar, with a literary evening for Malagasy visitors and plans for regular events. Church Gender Equality: A Synod study group’s final report calls for concrete workplace gender-equality mechanisms in Church institutions, plus new criteria for consecrated life institutes. Climate & Schooling: UNICEF reports climate hazards disrupted schooling for 171 million students in 2025, with storms, floods and heat waves driving closures and lost learning—an issue that hits vulnerable children hardest. Global Culture Lens: Chris Rock says his film “Misty Green” pushes back on Hollywood’s “positive” Black-woman roles, aiming for messier, more complicated characters.