Comoros Independence & Diplomacy: Russia’s Vladimir Putin sent congratulations to Comoros President Azali Assoumani for the country’s 51st independence anniversary, with a message delivered during official Moroni celebrations. Kiswahili Cultural Push: UNESCO’s Kiswahili events in Paris featured calls from Senegal’s Pierre Faye for stronger global promotion of Kiswahili as a bridge for unity, identity, peace, and development—an idea that resonates across the Indian Ocean world. Language & Mobility Policy: Canada extended its Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot for another year (applications open until August 2027), aiming to grow French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec. Regional Travel Rules: Namibia updated its visa-on-arrival list, excluding many countries but including Comoros among the eligible nations. Rural Life Snapshot: A new map shows Comoros still sits among the world’s majority-rural countries, with rural life remaining a defining reality for many communities. Sports (Zone 7 Beach Volleyball): At CAVB Zone 7 Stop 1, Seychelles and Mauritius dominated, while Comoros teams took part in the regional beach volleyball push. Global Rights Watch: A report highlights widespread religious persecution, listing Comoros among countries facing severe discrimination for Christians.