Health Scholarships: Merck Foundation says it has funded 2,600+ scholarships for healthcare providers across 52 countries in 44 underserved specialties, with 800+ focused on areas like fertility, women’s health, urology, psychiatry, and family medicine—announced alongside the 13th Africa Asia Luminary 2026 event with First Ladies from 12 countries. Reparatory Justice Push: Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai warned that a landmark UN resolution on the transatlantic slave trade must not fade after conferences, urging concrete reparatory justice steps instead of symbolic commitments. Financial Governance Basics (Local Angle): A piece on Sao Tome and Principe’s licensing authority explains why modern finance separates licensing from supervision and oversight—an issue for banks, payment providers, and compliance teams operating across borders. Currency Pressure: A new roundup flags São Tomé and Príncipe’s dobra among Africa’s weakest currencies versus the US dollar, pointing to import dependence and broader economic fragility. Ocean Protection: West African states are calling to include the Eastern Atlantic in the first wave of marine protected areas under a high-seas treaty, highlighting a key corridor that runs toward São Tomé and Príncipe. Higher Education Links: The 35th AULP meeting in Macao brought together Portuguese-language universities, including São Tomé and Príncipe, to expand academic research and exchange. Patent Fight (HIV): PATAM and TWN filed a third-party observation at ARIPO challenging a Gilead patent application on broad HIV integrase inhibitor compounds, arguing prior disclosures undermine novelty and inventive step. Influence Operations: Ukraine’s intelligence alleges Russia plans to expand “Russian Houses” across Africa, including São Tomé and Príncipe, as part of a broader influence and recruitment campaign.