Wildlife Trade Oversight: A senior U.S. Interior official, linked to a commercial lemur breeding center, is reportedly set to lead the U.S. delegation to the CITES Animals Committee in Geneva next week—raising fresh questions for Madagascar’s conservation and wildlife trade stakeholders. Disaster-Tech for Industry & Response: Singapore researchers say they’ve built waterproof “diving suits” for cyborg Madagascar hissing cockroaches, letting the insects survive underwater for up to three hours—an unusual but potentially useful tool for flood and search-and-rescue operations. Climate Risk to Supply Chains: UN agencies warn El Niño could hit high-risk African countries including Madagascar, with funding requests for climate-resilient seeds, livestock protection and flood-control measures. Fertilizer Cost Pressure: WTO analysis says conflict around the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted urea and phosphate fertilizer trade, threatening price spikes and farm output—an issue that can quickly ripple into Madagascar’s food and agro-industries. Energy & Trade Volatility: Reports on contested tanker routes in the Strait of Hormuz underline how shipping disruptions can tighten regional energy inputs and logistics. Local Business Footprint: Castel Group published its 2025 sustainability report, highlighting local sourcing and agro-industrial value chains across Africa—relevant for Madagascar’s push toward more resilient, locally rooted production.