Regional Waste & Health: Pacific countries, including French Polynesia, are pushing cleaner waste management under SWAP2, a SPREP-backed project funded by AFD to cut pollution and improve local waste infrastructure, with progress including 108 beach surveys and audits of 106,000+ marine-litter items to pinpoint hotspots. Marine Conservation & Food Security: Tahiti Marine says it has achieved a world-first by breeding two endangered sea cucumber species in captivity using controlled spawning basins, aiming to protect luxury seafood and support livelihoods while reducing pressure on wild stocks. Wildfire Health Risks: A wind-driven wildfire west of Athens escalated into a major emergency, with two firefighting helicopters colliding and killing two crew members; the incident highlights the health toll of extreme fires and smoke during Europe’s wildfire crisis. Invasive Species & Displacement: A new study argues invasive plants and animals should be treated like major drivers of forced migration, noting how outbreaks can push communities off land—an issue with clear public health and housing impacts. Shark-Attack Trauma: US experts reviewed recent shark attacks and found many victims can’t identify the shark species, with several incidents involving children and severe injuries, underscoring the need for better risk communication and safer coastal practices.