Aviation & Trade Links: The Comoros and Madagascar will resume direct flights after nearly four years, with President Azali Assoumani saying an agreement reached with Madagascar’s leader in late June has cleared the way—expected to boost travel, tourism, and trade and ease disruption from the 2022 suspension. Independence Diplomacy: Russia’s President Putin sent congratulations to Comoros on its 51st Independence Day, while the UAE also issued messages to Azali Assoumani—another reminder of Moroni’s growing diplomatic visibility. Digital Payments: Visa says it is expanding Visa Pay across Africa, naming Comoros among markets adopting the platform through a software kit for virtual cards and remittances. Foreign Policy Watch: Russia’s Lavrov said Moscow will closely monitor Trump-Zelenskyy talks at the NATO summit in Ankara, framing Western military support for Ukraine as direct involvement. Regional Security & Shipping: Iran’s warnings and Hormuz-related incidents continue to raise stakes for maritime routes, with reports of disputed ship movements and renewed threats. Global Governance: A new WTO study on Arab accession highlights how deeper trade integration can support reforms, while pointing to legal and infrastructure hurdles. Moroni Angle: With flights restarting and payments scaling, the week’s biggest practical story for Comoros is connectivity—air links plus faster financial rails.