Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began administering Ebola vaccinations in Kisangani on Thursday, launching a targeted campaign in the capital of Tshopo Province to protect frontline responders. The initiative prioritizes healthcare workers, emergency response teams, and individuals with direct contact with confirmed patients as the country confronts its deadliest recorded Ebola outbreak.
Oil prices rebound as Brent and WTI recover after Monday’s sharp decline. Brent closed Monday at $92.17 a barrel, down $2.22, or 2.35%, from the prior day’s close. WTI finished at $85.01 after falling $2.05, marking a 2.35% decrease. During trading, the U.S. benchmark reached its lowest point in a week. Prices had advanced over the previous two weeks before reversing course as markets digested new U.S. sanctions related to Iran. In recent days, oil traders have remained attentive to supply dynamics influenced by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Since beginning on February 28, the conflict has disrupted certain regional energy flows. Additionally, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has faced restrictions. Prior to these tensions, approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption was transported via this strategic waterway. U.S. broadens economic sanctions targeting Iran U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Operation Economic Outcast on Monday, expanding sanctions related to Iran’s commercial activities. The new measures target digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and maritime shipping. Nearly 60 entities, individuals, and vessels across multiple jurisdictions were sanctioned. These actions target networks involved in Iranian oil transportation, revenue generation, as well as groups linked to nuclear procurement, missile development, and cyber activities. The updated framework enables U.S. authorities to pursue foreign entities operating within or supporting five
Business
Oil prices rebound as Brent and WTI recover after Monday’s sharp decline. Brent closed Monday at $92.17 a barrel, down $2.22, or 2.35%, from the prior day’s close. WTI finished at $85.01 after falling $2.05, marking a 2.35% decrease. During trading, the U.S. benchmark reached its lowest point in a week. Prices had advanced over the previous two weeks before reversing course as markets digested new U.S. sanctions related to Iran. In recent days, oil traders have remained attentive to supply dynamics influenced by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Since beginning on February 28, the conflict has disrupted certain regional energy flows. Additionally, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has faced restrictions. Prior to these tensions, approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption was transported via this strategic waterway. U.S. broadens economic sanctions targeting Iran U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Operation Economic Outcast on Monday, expanding sanctions related to Iran’s commercial activities. The new measures target digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and maritime shipping. Nearly 60 entities, individuals, and vessels across multiple jurisdictions were sanctioned. These actions target networks involved in Iranian oil transportation, revenue generation, as well as groups linked to nuclear procurement, missile development, and cyber activities. The updated framework enables U.S. authorities to pursue foreign entities operating within or supporting five
Health
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began administering Ebola vaccinations in Kisangani on Thursday, launching a targeted campaign in the capital of Tshopo Province to protect frontline responders. The initiative prioritizes healthcare workers, emergency response teams, and individuals with direct contact with confirmed patients as the country confronts its deadliest recorded Ebola outbreak.
This initiative involves open-platform testing kits that laboratories can integrate with their current systems. The procurement process received support from the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Shipments are scheduled to commence in August, as health teams respond to a significant outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and impacting neighboring regions. PCR testing support strengthens the international response to Ebola in DR Congo. By August, the World Health Organization will facilitate the distribution of these tests through its Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics located in Dubai. WHO will oversee the distribution to various sites involved in the Ebola response. PCR testing enables laboratories to verify infections and enhance surveillance efforts around known cases. Confirmed test results inform patient treatment, isolation procedures, and contact tracing efforts. This latest supply package expands laboratory capabilities at a critical time when authorities continue to track the virus’s transmission across multiple provinces and health zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
As the Ebola crisis expands, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has obtained an allocation of 70,000 Ebola vaccine doses. The country’s health authorities reported 5,208 confirmed cases and 2,476 deaths by Aug. 18. Currently, the epidemic affects 56 health zones across six provinces. Additionally, 1,115 recoveries have been documented, while 730 patients remain hospitalized or isolated as response teams continue their efforts in eastern and northeastern regions of DR Congo.
World Health Organization reports that the Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could be brought under control within three months if adequate resources are mobilized. As of August 16, official data indicated 5,021 confirmed cases and 2,378 fatalities. The virus has impacted six provinces and 55 health zones, with a case fatality rate roughly at 47%. This has made it the most lethal Ebola outbreak ever documented in the nation. WHO and Congo health teams strengthen surveillance amid the expanding Ebola outbreak. In late August, WHO incident coordinator Thierno Baldé highlighted that the timeline for containment hinges on maintaining sufficient staffing, supplies, and operational capacity. To date, the response has secured approximately $69.3 million of the $115 million needed. Over a two-week span, health teams added more than 400 treatment beds and deployed 100 additional epidemiologists alongside over 500 community health workers. These personnel support activities such as surveillance, contact tracing, case detection, and patient referrals. The effort also necessitates ambulances, vehicles, medical supplies, and trained staff across the affected regions. Transmission has now extended to Bas-Uélé, marking it as the sixth province impacted by the outbreak. While Ituri remained the main transmission hub in mid-August, accounting for the majority of confirmed cases and deaths, officials noted that many new infections had no apparent link to known patients. This gap underscores the urgency for faster case identification and contact monitoring. Consequently, teams have expanded surveillance measures to
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Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began administering Ebola vaccinations in Kisangani on Thursday, launching a targeted campaign in the capital of Tshopo Province to protect frontline responders. The initiative prioritizes healthcare workers, emergency response teams, and individuals with direct contact with confirmed patients as the country confronts its deadliest recorded Ebola outbreak.
On Friday afternoon, a moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 was recorded in Longchang City, located in China’s Sichuan Province’s southwestern region, as per data provided by the China Earthquake Networks Center. The tremor struck at 1:13 p.m. Beijing local time at a depth of 13 kilometers, with its epicenter pinpointed within Neijiang prefecture at 29.23 degrees north and 105.22 degrees east. Emergency agencies quickly launched initial field evaluations across the county-level jurisdiction, with early assessments confirming no immediate casualties or structural damages.
In a significant development, the UAE and Egypt have officially launched a five-year wheat supply deal valued at up to US$500 million. Al Dahra Agriculture Trading will provide imported wheat to Egypt’s General Authority for Supply Commodities under this agreement. The financing backing for these purchases comes from the Abu Dhabi Exports Office. This arrangement formalizes a framework established in 2023 and outlines the terms for wheat transactions between Al Dahra and GASC over the course of five years.
Wildfires sweeping across northeastern Algeria have resulted in at least 12 fatalities and 54 injuries amid a severe heatwave. Interior Minister Said Sayoud confirmed that five individuals died in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou. Among the injured, six remain in critical condition due to burns and are receiving intensive medical treatment. The fires have engulfed multiple northern provinces, prompting emergency crews to continue operations near forested regions and residential neighborhoods close by.
South Korea welcomed 2,093,223 foreign visitors in July 2026, extending a strong recovery in international tourism. The monthly total increased 20.8% from 1,733,199 arrivals recorded in July 2025. It also stood 44.6% above the level reached in July 2019, before the pandemic disrupted global travel. The Korea Tourism Organization reported the latest monthly tourism figures on August 25.