Researchers found that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) started about three months before the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared it an emergency in May 2026. The outbreak has spread quickly, with over 4,000 cases reported so far.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo began around February 2026, earlier than the official emergency declaration in May 2026.
The World Health Organization used virus sequencing to determine the earlier start of the outbreak.
More than 4,000 Ebola cases have been reported in the DR Congo outbreak.
The Ebola virus spreads quickly and causes serious illness.
Early detection is important to control outbreaks and save lives.
Other news in Africa includes Zambia preparing for elections and Rwanda becoming a major supplier of tungsten to the U.S. defense industry.
The WHO monitors and responds to health emergencies like Ebola outbreaks.
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Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked the port city of Mocha on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, killing seven people and wounding 30. The attack involved ballistic missiles and drones targeting military forces and civilian areas, raising concerns about the security of key shipping routes nearby.
Key Facts
The Houthi rebels launched missiles and drones against Mocha, a port city controlled by Yemen’s government.
Seven people died in the attack, including soldiers and civilians, and 30 were injured.
Yemen’s air defenses shot down 11 Houthi drones during the assault.
The Houthis announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea last month.
The attack followed a Saudi defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan amid regional tensions involving Iran.
Saudi Arabia confirmed a fire at its Jazan refinery caused by a Houthi attack but reported no injuries.
The Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait are critical shipping routes affected by rising regional conflict.
This attack is part of increased Houthi offensives since a 2022 truce began to break down.
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A small boat with two women, a child, and a dog was stranded near Alaska. The U.S. Coast Guard asked for help from nearby ships, including Mark Zuckerberg’s superyacht Launchpad, but only another ship, the Wilderness Legacy, went to assist and tow the boat to safety. Zuckerberg’s yacht and its support vessel did not help, and Zuckerberg’s family was not on board at the time.
Key Facts
A 21-foot skiff with two women, a child, and a dog became stranded near Point Highland, Alaska, on August 3.
The U.S. Coast Guard received the request for assistance and broadcasted a call for voluntary help to nearby vessels since the boat was not legally in distress.
Mark Zuckerberg’s 387-foot superyacht Launchpad and its $30 million support ship Wingman were near the stranded boat but did not assist.
Another vessel, the 192-foot replica steamship Wilderness Legacy, stopped and helped tow the skiff to a safe bay and refueled it.
Ship-tracking data showed Launchpad slowed and stopped but did not provide aid, while Wingman passed by without stopping.
The Coast Guard confirmed the stranded boat was not in distress, so nearby ships were not legally required to help.
Zuckerberg and his family were not on the yacht when the incident occurred.
A spokesperson explained Launchpad crew reviewed the Coast Guard’s request on a different radio channel after some delay.
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A US judge dismissed criminal charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani after the US Justice Department decided to drop a fraud and bribery case. The case involved allegations that Adani bribed Indian officials and misled US investors, but the Justice Department said the case was difficult to prove and did not align with their current priorities.
Key Facts
Judge Nicholas Garaufis dismissed criminal charges against Gautam Adani in Brooklyn, New York.
The US Justice Department decided to abandon the fraud and bribery case against Adani.
Adani was accused of bribing Indian officials to get approval for a solar energy project and misleading US investors.
Adani Group has denied any wrongdoing.
Adani promised to invest $10 billion in the US before the charges became public.
The Justice Department said the case was mostly foreign, hard to prove, and not a priority.
Judge Garaufis asked whether anything was promised in exchange for dropping the charges; Adani said no formal agreement existed.
The Justice Department denied that the investment promise influenced their decision to drop the case.
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July 2024 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous United States, with an average temperature of 76.9 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat caused multiple record highs, droughts, wildfires, and disruptions to events, while globally, July was also one of the warmest on record due to the El Niño weather pattern.
Key Facts
July 2024 averaged 76.9°F, breaking the previous July heat records from 1936 and 2012.
Some states like Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana set all-time high temperature records.
More than 185 million people in the U.S. were under heat alerts during a severe heat wave.
Several major U.S. cities, including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., faced extreme heat problems.
The U.S. experienced its third driest July on record, with nearly half the country in drought by early August.
Wildfires burned large areas, such as over 140,000 acres in eastern Oregon.
Globally, July 2024 tied as the second warmest July on record, influenced by the El Niño weather event.
The World Meteorological Organization advised that the coming months are expected to remain warmer than normal.
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An injured bald eagle, believed to be Jackie from California's Big Bear Valley nest cam, has died about a month after being hurt in a fight with other birds. The Ojai Raptor Center reported the eagle's death on Monday.
Key Facts
The bald eagle was known as Jackie, part of a famous nest cam duo in Big Bear Valley, California.
Jackie got injured during a fight with other birds nearly a month ago.
The eagle was being cared for by the Ojai Raptor Center.
The center announced Jackie’s death on Monday.
The story is still developing with updates expected.
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Russia’s Supreme Court has stopped the only officially registered party that opposes the war in Ukraine from taking part in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The court’s decision means voters cannot choose this party, Yabloko, which has criticized the ongoing conflict and pushed for peace.
Key Facts
The Russian Supreme Court ruled to cancel Yabloko's registration for the next parliamentary vote.
Yabloko is the only legal party opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina filed the lawsuit against Yabloko.
Rodina accused Yabloko of receiving undeclared help from Western sources; Yabloko denied these claims.
Yabloko’s leader, Nikolai Rybakov, said they will appeal the court’s decision.
About 100 Yabloko supporters protested outside the court after the ruling.
Yabloko has not won seats in the State Duma since 2003 and polls show it has low public support.
The ruling United Russia party, which supports President Putin, has won every parliamentary election since 2003.
Many of Putin’s opponents are jailed, exiled, or declared extremists, limiting political competition.
Most Russians, according to independent polls, favor peace talks with Ukraine despite the ongoing war.
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Jackie, a bald eagle known for raising eaglets in Big Bear, California, has died after about three weeks of medical care at the Ojai Raptor Center. She was rescued after a fight and illness, but despite treatments, her condition worsened and she passed away early Monday morning.
Key Facts
Jackie was a bald eagle famous for raising eaglets with her partner, Shadow, near Big Bear Lake.
She was rescued on July 17 after a fight with two younger eagles and found very sick.
Jackie was treated at the Ojai Raptor Center with intensive care including a blood transfusion and oxygen therapy.
Her illness included anemia and a drop in packed cell volume, which affects blood quality.
Despite all efforts, Jackie’s health got worse, and she died after more than three weeks in care.
Jackie was about 14 years old and raised several eaglets named by local school students.
Her and Shadow’s lives were livestreamed by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley for years.
Jackie’s remains are now with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is set to remove nuclear material from a secret Syrian site after the Trump administration brokered a deal with Syria and Israel. This agreement helped avoid a potential conflict over the site and involved close cooperation between the U.S., Israel, and Syria's new government.
Key Facts
The secret nuclear material was stored at a site called "Site 99" in Syria, linked to the old Al-Kibar nuclear reactor.
The Al-Kibar reactor was bombed by Israel in 2007, mostly destroying Syria’s nuclear program.
The material at Site 99 includes yellowcake, a uranium powder that can be processed for nuclear fuel.
Although the material cannot make a nuclear bomb, it could be used to create a “dirty bomb” that spreads radioactive material.
The Israel Defense Forces bombed entrances to the site after the fall of the Assad regime to limit access.
Israel and the U.S. worked for over a year to find a way to remove the material peacefully.
Israel threatened to bomb the site again if the material was not removed or if Syria tried to use it.
The Trump administration secured Syria’s agreement to remove the material, helped by better relations with Syria’s new government.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has turned down a peace plan supported by President Donald Trump. The plan suggested that Israel should slowly pull its military out of Gaza if the militant group Hamas gave up its weapons.
Key Facts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a U.S.-supported peace plan.
The plan was backed by President Donald Trump.
It proposed a gradual Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
The withdrawal depended on Hamas disarming.
Hamas is a group that controls Gaza and has weapons.
The plan aimed to bring peace to the Gaza region.
CBS News reported on this development.
The rejection indicates ongoing tension between Israel and Gaza.
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Firefighters in the UK are facing more wildfires this summer due to heatwaves and drought. Authorities say it is very important to have enough firefighters with the right equipment to handle the growing risks from extreme weather and wildfires.
Key Facts
Nearly three-quarters of England is in drought, causing very dry conditions.
Firefighters are dealing with more wildfires and emergencies than usual, with calls up 31% compared to recent years.
Over 120 firefighters are still working on a fire in New Forest national park, Hampshire.
Nottinghamshire declared a major incident after two large woodland fires near Mansfield.
London fire brigade handled 392 wildfires and 68 water rescues between April and July.
The combination of wet winters and heatwaves is increasing wildfire risks in the UK.
About 45 million people live in drought areas, and 27 million face water use limits.
The government is monitoring the drought situation and working to protect water supplies and the environment.
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A large number of migrant children and families stayed in temporary shelters in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa. Many went several days without enough food, water, or basic facilities after the biggest migrant crossing ever recorded there.
Key Facts
Ceuta is a Spanish territory located in North Africa.
There has been a recent large increase in migrants crossing into Ceuta.
The crossing involved many children and families.
Migrants stayed in makeshift shelters with limited resources.
Many migrants spent several days without sufficient food and water.
This event is the largest migrant crossing in Ceuta’s history.
Local facilities were unable to fully support the sudden number of arrivals.
The situation highlights challenges in managing sudden migrant flows in border areas.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a 15-point peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace aimed at ending the war in Gaza. This refusal highlights differences between the leaders and could affect Trump’s support among U.S. voters as both leaders face important elections soon.
Key Facts
Netanyahu declined a peace plan proposed by President Trump’s Board of Peace to stop the Gaza conflict.
The peace plan included disarmament of Hamas and Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza under a transitional Palestinian administration.
Hamas claimed it dissolved its government and agreed to hand over power and disarm as part of the plan.
Netanyahu said the Israeli military will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed, including light weapons.
A senior U.S. official suggested Netanyahu’s decision is influenced by his political needs ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.
U.S. domestic support for Israel and Trump’s Middle East policies is reportedly declining as voters question the effectiveness of his peace efforts.
Hamas urged U.S. mediators to pressure Netanyahu to follow through with the peace roadmap and avoid political obstruction.
The White House gave a cautious response and referred questions to the Board of Peace for further details.
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A new playground in Knowsley, England, that cost over £178,000 was vandalized with graffiti and damage before it opened. Local officials reported the incident to police and are working to repair the site, but the park’s opening will be delayed.
Key Facts
The playground is located in Finch Woods, Halewood, Knowsley.
Every piece of play equipment was spray painted with graffiti.
Trees and safety surfaces were also damaged.
The repair costs are expected to be in the thousands of pounds.
The playground was planned to open for families during summer holidays.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage to find those responsible.
The playground includes areas for toddlers and juniors, with swings, slides, climbing frames, and sensory panels.
Council leader Graham Morgan described the vandalism as “mindless” and harmful to the community.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck western Colombia, causing severe damage. At least 111 people have died, and many buildings collapsed, trapping residents under rubble.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.4 on the Richter scale.
It occurred in western Colombia.
At least 111 people died because of the quake.
Dozens of buildings fell down or were badly damaged.
Some people were trapped under debris following the collapse.
Rescue efforts are likely underway to help those trapped.
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Police are investigating whether Joshua Kerry, charged with murdering former UK politician Ann Widdecombe, was involved in an attempted burglary or arson at Nigel Farage’s London home in 2025. Counter Terrorism Policing reopened the earlier investigation after finding new leads and referred their original inquiry to the police watchdog.
Key Facts
Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, who died in July 2025.
Widdecombe was found with serious head injuries at her home in Devon and died from blows with a hammer.
Police are now re-examining an attempted burglary or arson at Nigel Farage’s London home that occurred in April 2025.
The initial investigation into that incident was closed without arrests but has been reopened by counter-terrorism police.
Counter Terrorism Policing London identified a new lead they missed the first time and referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Nigel Farage expressed confidence in the police and said security concerns for Reform UK politicians have increased after Widdecombe’s death.
The attack on Widdecombe has not officially been called a terrorist incident, but counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation due to possible political motives.
Police are reviewing fingerprints, video footage, and evidence of accelerants like lighter fluid from the London incident.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 hit Colombia, causing serious damage and deaths. Airports and buildings in several cities in the coffee-growing region were damaged, and rescue teams are working to find survivors.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.4 on the magnitude scale.
It affected parts of Colombia, especially the coffee region.
Airports in Manizales, Armenia, Cartago, Pereira, and Buenaventura were damaged.
Buildings were knocked down in the affected area.
The death toll is still rising as rescue workers search through debris.
Emergency responders are actively working in the impacted zones.
Videos of the earthquake’s effects have been shared publicly.
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Lebanon has charged former central bank governor Riad Salameh and a former banker, Samir Hanna, with financial crimes such as embezzlement and illegal enrichment. This is part of a wider investigation into Salameh, who led Lebanon’s central bank for 30 years and denies wrongdoing.
Key Facts
Lebanon indicted Riad Salameh and Samir Hanna for embezzling millions from the central bank.
Salameh was central bank governor from 1993 until July 2023.
Salameh has already been arrested and charged over other financial crimes but denies guilt.
This is the first case involving a commercial banker linked to Salameh’s financial crimes.
Investigations allege Hanna bribed Salameh during his time as governor.
Salameh is under medical care and currently not in custody; Hanna paid $1 million bail.
The case involves misuse of public funds through four offshore companies in the Cayman Islands.
Salameh also faces legal probes in France, Switzerland, and Germany.
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President Donald Trump proposed a plan to end the Gaza conflict by having Hamas disarm gradually, allowing Israel to withdraw as new security arrangements took place. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected this plan, insisting that Israel must control the timing of any withdrawal and that Hamas must be fully disarmed first, a condition that could delay peace indefinitely.
Key Facts
President Trump believes American power has become too cautious and wants to show strong leadership with a Gaza peace plan.
Trump’s plan includes Hamas surrendering weapons gradually while international and Palestinian security groups take control.
Netanyahu vetoed the plan by requiring full disarmament of Hamas before Israel withdraws.
Netanyahu’s condition gives Israel sole control over whether and when Hamas is considered fully disarmed.
This makes the peace process dependent on Israel’s judgment, which could delay any progress indefinitely.
Netanyahu’s stance reflects pressures from his right-wing political allies who want a strict definition of victory in the Gaza war.
Trump wants a clear diplomatic success to show US power can work, but Netanyahu prioritizes Israel’s security and political goals.
The disagreement reveals how Israeli domestic politics can limit US influence and complicate diplomacy.
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Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has appointed Mohsen Rezaee, a veteran military commander, as the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). Several other key military leaders were also named to important roles in Iran’s armed forces, signaling a continued tough stance toward the United States.
Key Facts
Mohsen Rezaee, former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is now secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Rezaee served as IRGC commander for 16 years, including during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war.
Ali Abdollahi was appointed chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, and Ali Ozmaei became head of the IRGC Navy.
Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was confirmed as IRGC commander-in-chief, replacing Mohammad Pakpour who was killed in recent fighting.
These appointments aim to strengthen Iran’s internal military cohesion and leadership control.
Rezaee has a political background but has never won elected office and has advised the Supreme Leader on military matters.
He opposes recent negotiations with the U.S. and supports a hardline position resisting U.S. influence.
The Supreme National Security Council includes top officials from Iran’s government and military, coordinating national security decisions.
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