Ebola Outbreak in Congo Still in ‘Expansion Phase’, WHO Says

Rubber gloves are laid out on the ground outside the Rwampara General Hospital as healthcare workers involved in the Ebola response stage a go-slow over unpaid salaries, while authorities seek to contain a new outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in Rwampara, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 6, 2026. (Reuters)
Rubber gloves are laid out on the ground outside the Rwampara General Hospital as healthcare workers involved in the Ebola response stage a go-slow over unpaid salaries, while authorities seek to contain a new outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in Rwampara, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 6, 2026. (Reuters)
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Ebola Outbreak in Congo Still in ‘Expansion Phase’, WHO Says

Rubber gloves are laid out on the ground outside the Rwampara General Hospital as healthcare workers involved in the Ebola response stage a go-slow over unpaid salaries, while authorities seek to contain a new outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in Rwampara, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 6, 2026. (Reuters)
Rubber gloves are laid out on the ground outside the Rwampara General Hospital as healthcare workers involved in the Ebola response stage a go-slow over unpaid salaries, while authorities seek to contain a new outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in Rwampara, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 6, 2026. (Reuters)

The Ebola outbreak in Congo has not yet stabilized and is still expanding, with transmission fueled by population movement, a World Health Official said on Tuesday.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed 1,561 cases, including 506 deaths, in the worst-ever outbreak ‌of the ‌rare Bundibugyo species of ‌Ebola ⁠for which there ⁠is no proven treatment or cure.

"It is still in the expansion phase unfortunately. We would like to say it is stabilizing but frankly we cannot ⁠say it yet," Dr Anne ‌Ancia, WHO ‌representative in the country, told reporters by ‌video link from Bunia, at ‌the epicenter of the epidemic.

She said that major challenges remained, such as the near-saturation of some Ebola ‌treatment centers with occupancy levels around 90%.

Another difficulty is ⁠that ⁠workers falling ill in the mining town of Mongbwalu are not seeking treatment locally, but instead travelling and spreading the disease to new regions, she said.

"Population movements, persistent insecurity and the fragility of the health system continue to complicate efforts to bring the outbreak under control," she said.



Iran Vows 'Devastating' Response to US Threat to Cut off its Economic Lifelines

US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Iran Vows 'Devastating' Response to US Threat to Cut off its Economic Lifelines

US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Iran said on Friday that its response to any new US threats would be "devastating" after Washington pledged to impose the toughest financial penalties in history with the aim of toppling the Iranian leadership.

Washington prepared for sanctions that US Treasury chief Scott Bessent said he would detail on Monday. President Donald Trump earlier warned of economic consequences against any country that provided "any type of lifeline to Iran."

The chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Major General Ali Abdollahi, said the Islamic Republic's reaction would be broad and decisive.

"With preparedness across land, sea, air, air defense and cyberspace, Iran's armed forces will respond to the enemy's new threats with crushing, punishing and devastating responses," Abdollahi was quoted as saying by Iranian media.

The US and Iran have twice announced ceasefire deals, in April and June, aiming to restore the free flow of ships through Hormuz on a path towards ending the nearly six-month-old conflict, but both quickly crumbled.

Bessent told CNBC he would "talk about exactly what we're going to do" on Iran at a press conference on Monday.

"We are going to collapse this regime. It is time for our allies and the rest of the world to make a decision," he said, describing a naval blockade reimposed on Iran in July and the "toughest sanctions in history" as a "one-two punch".

Iran has weathered near-continuous economic sanctions for nearly 50 years, since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, but its people are suffering high inflation, a weakening currency and energy shortages along with damaged infrastructure.

Some Iranians interviewed by Reuters have said more economic punishment could increase hardship, weaken the clerical establishment and prompt unrest, although there has been no sign of that since a deadly crackdown on protests in January.

Before Bessent spoke, Iran's foreign ministry said US sanctions would not "create even the slightest hesitation in Iranians’ determination to safeguard Iran’s independence, dignity and national sovereignty."


Iran President Says Time to End War while in Position of Strength

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (Reuters)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (Reuters)
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Iran President Says Time to End War while in Position of Strength

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (Reuters)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (Reuters)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday it was time to end the months-long Middle East war with the United States because Tehran appeared to be in a stronger position than Washington.

Tehran is keeping the key Strait of Hormuz partially shut and Washington is persisting with a naval counter-blockade of Iran.

"It is better that we bring the war to an end now as we are in a position of power and dignity," Pezeshkian said in a meeting with doctors.

"The whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasises that America has attacked our schools, hospitals and infrastructure in violation of all regulations and is hated around the world."

Pezeshkian also defended a memorandum of understanding agreed with the US in June aimed at ending the war, claiming it did not signal a defeat for Tehran.

"They cannot find even a single clause in this agreement that indicates capitulation. All the commitments concern the other side," he said.

His remarks come weeks after Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he had approved the deal to end the war despite having "different views".

Hardline lawmakers in Iran's parliament have also criticized the government over the deal, accusing it of giving concessions to the US, mostly over the re-opening of the strategic Hormuz Strait.

According to reports in US media, the American navy has been organizing and protecting secret convoys of tankers through the southern sector of the Strait of Hormuz enabling between five and 10 million barrels a day of oil to be exported.

As Tehran claimed to be in the stronger position, the US has said it would ramp up sanctions to heap pressure on Tehran.

The American plan drew condemnation from Iran's foreign ministry, which accused the US of "economic terrorism" and "crimes against humanity".

"The perpetrators and instigators of these sanctions are deserving of trial and punishment for committing such heinous crimes," it said in a statement carried by state media.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday vowed Washington would "collapse" the Iranian regime with its threatened campaign nearly six months since their war began.

The comments underscored how the Trump administration is shifting to economic rather than military pressure on Tehran as the US president's unpopular war drags on.

China also criticized Washington's economic plan, saying that US "sanctions and pressure" would not resolve the Middle East conflict.


Teen Pleads Guilty over Arson Attack on Iran International Offices in London

A shopper walks in Oxford Street, in London, Wednesday, Aug.19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A shopper walks in Oxford Street, in London, Wednesday, Aug.19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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Teen Pleads Guilty over Arson Attack on Iran International Offices in London

A shopper walks in Oxford Street, in London, Wednesday, Aug.19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A shopper walks in Oxford Street, in London, Wednesday, Aug.19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

A British teenager pleaded guilty on Friday over an arson attack at offices linked to television station Iran International in northwest London earlier this year.

Nathan Dunn, 19, pleaded guilty to a charge of "arson being reckless as to whether life is ⁠endangered" at London's ⁠Old Bailey over the incident in April in which an ignited container was thrown towards premises belonging to Volant ⁠Media, the parent company of the London-based broadcaster.

The device landed in a car park and the fire extinguished itself, causing no damage or injuries, Reuters reported.

Dunn had originally been charged alongside a 21-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, ⁠who ⁠cannot be identified because of his age.

Iran International, a broadcaster critical of Iran's government, said at the time that a suspicious vehicle had been denied entry to its London site shortly before the incendiary device was thrown.