A fire broke out on Saturday morning , April 11, in a garage in Pangadjuu, Moroni, destroying eight vehicles. The blaze, believed to be accidental, was contained by emergency services. Garage owner Youssouf Abdallah said the fire started after he burned waste following a clean-up. He left the site thinking it was under control, but returned to find it had spread rapidly. Residents tried to limit the damage while waiting for firefighters, who arrived with three water tankers and brought the fire under control. No casualties were reported, though officials noted the lack of water in the area made efforts more difficult.

Comoros records 324 stroke cases in 2025

Health authorities reported 324 stroke cases in 2025 , slightly up from 322 in 2024. Ngazidja remains the most affected, though cases declined there, while Mwali saw a sharp rise from 47 to 73 cases. Officials say the increase is linked largely to poorly managed hypertension, stress and lifestyle factors. The Director General of Health urged better monitoring of high blood pressure, along with healthier diets and more physical activity.

Cabinet backs digital platform for education reform

The Council of Ministers, meeting on April 14 under President Azali Assoumani, reviewed several key issues, including energy, transport, education and investment. A proposed digital platform for the education sector was welcomed, with officials saying it will improve student monitoring and data management for decision-making. The Council also discussed oil block development, training for aviation students, a cooperation deal with China, and support for the country’s accession to the Investment Facilitation for Development agreement.

IMCTC launches counter-terrorism training in Comoros

The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, in partnership with the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre, has launched a legal training programme in Moroni focused on combating terrorist financing. Running until April 17, the initiative brings together around 30 participants, including investigators, prosecutors and financial regulators, to strengthen legal frameworks, improve detection and enhance international cooperation. The programme forms part of broader efforts to build capacity among member states and strengthen responses to terrorism.

Nine trainees begin air traffic control training in Comoros

Nine Comorian trainees have started a six-month practical training programme in air traffic control with ASECNA after completing theoretical studies in Ethiopia. Originally planned for eight months, their training abroad lasted nearly two years due to visa and funding challenges. Authorities praised their resilience and said the programme reflects efforts to strengthen national expertise in civil aviation.

Poland is expected to allocate around 4.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defence in 2025, the highest share among NATO allies, according to recent estimates compiled by defence analysts and data platforms, including Atlas Institute and reported by Euronews.

The surge reflects a broader shift across the alliance, where governments are under growing pressure to meet or exceed NATO’s benchmark of spending at least 2% of GDP on defence.

Countries on NATO’s eastern flank, closest to Russia , dominate the top of the spending rankings. Lithuania (4.0%), Latvia (3.7%) and Estonia (3.4%) are all projected to significantly exceed the alliance’s 2% target.

What this signals is a strategic recalibration. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, frontline states have moved rapidly to strengthen military readiness, expand troop numbers and modernise equipment.

Euronews reports that defence budgets across Europe have seen sustained increases, with many governments committing to multi-year spending plans focused on air defence systems, artillery and ammunition stockpiles.

The United States , NATO’s largest military power, is expected to spend about 3.2% of GDP on defence in 2025—lower than several Eastern European allies in proportional terms but still far higher in absolute spending.

Northern European countries are also stepping up. Norway (3.3%) and Denmark (3.2%) are among the top contributors, reflecting growing concerns over Arctic security and regional stability.

Meanwhile, major Western European economies such as the United Kingdom and Germany are projected to spend around 2.4% of GDP, signalling progress after years of criticism for underinvestment.

Germany, in particular, has pledged a long-term shift in defence policy following its €100 billion special fund announced after the Ukraine invasion, a move widely covered by Euronews as a turning point in European security policy.

A notable development is that nearly all NATO members reached the 2% GDP benchmark in 2025. Countries including France, Italy, Canada and Spain hit that threshold, marking a significant change from just a few years ago when many allies fell short.