Malaria warning: Nigeria’s malaria fight is stuck in a “perfect storm” of funding gaps and rising drug resistance, with the country still carrying the world’s heaviest burden—68.5 million cases estimated in 2024—despite widespread use of mosquito nets and cleaner-drain campaigns. Ocean discoveries: A major Ocean Census push has identified 1,121 new marine species in a year, including deep-sea “ghost shark” relatives and worms living inside glass-like sponges, underscoring how much ocean life remains unknown. Oral obesity race: Eli Lilly’s oral obesity pill Foundayo (orforglipron) won FDA approval, intensifying competition with Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy, as the market for weight-loss tablets keeps heating up. Rheumatic heart disease research: Ochsner’s Dr. Craig Sable is named a principal investigator in a $15M American Heart Association initiative, with a SHIELD hub also funded to improve early detection and treatment across partners including Timor-Leste. Local health integrity: Philippines’ Southern Philippines Medical Center says viral claims about denying care based on politics are false, stressing equal access for all patients.