- At least eight people are believed to have been shot dead when security forces opened fire on opposition supporters in an operation to retake control of government buildings.
The operation this morning, which government sources only said the joint army and police force shot in the air, was in a desperate attempt to regain control, to at least four ministerial buildings which the opposition supporters had managed to occupy in their campaign to unseat president March Ravalomanana.
To date, more than 125 people are reported to have been killed since opposition protests calling for the stepping down of the Malagasy were mounted, and receiving less attention from president Ravalomanana who was re-elected for a second five-year term in 2006.
Over the past two weeks, international mediators have engaged in several discussions with both the ruling league and the opposition, but with little effect outside the boardrooms.
Supporters of the sacked Mayor of Antananarivo and opposition leader, Andry Rajoelina have continued their campaign and even tried to install their own people to replace Mr Ravalomanana's government.
The United Nations has been leading the mediation talks, with support from the African Union, SADC and other bodies.
Latest violence in Madagascar has crippled the country's tourism while reports have also pointed out at a sharp declining business confidence in the island.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.