West African republic on the Atlantic
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has accelerated since May, with thousands of confirmed cases and deaths across six provinces. Authorities are restarting schools in parts of the region, while health workers and communities push for stronger protections, vaccines, and international funding to contain the fastest-growing outbreak in history.
Leaders from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond have aligned on a 19-point framework, endorsed at a Ghana summit, to turn UN recognition of transatlantic slavery into concrete reparatory measures. The plan calls for debt relief, cultural restitution and new global panels to guide implementation, with growing cross‑regional support and ongoing debates over the specifics of compensation.
Maryland County's new superintendent has vowed to push an agriculture-focused development plan, prioritizing education, local land use, and inclusive governance, as he tours communities in Harper and Pleebo. The plan includes processing equipment for farmers and reforms to land practices, with an emphasis on locally benefiting the county and sustainable development ahead of Liberia's bicentennial.
Liberia faces heightened tension as security forces prepare for demonstrations linked to a civil‑rights movement. Authorities warn against violence and illegal activity while promising constitutional protections and professional policing.
Fans at FIFA Fan Festivals in Philadelphia and Atlanta have drawn hundreds of thousands for World Cup viewing, with activations from sponsors, volunteer support, and large screens shaping the experience. Reports also show crowding and security concerns at recent live-event activations, while other festivals face mixed feedback on crowd management.
A cross-border cocaine trafficking operation involving Liberia, Spain and the UK has been revealed. Liberia’s case centers on a 237.6-kilogram seizure linked to Paul King and Global Logistics Services, with prosecutors alleging a web of false documentation and warehousing. Spain’s investigation ties a 13-ton haul to a money-laundering network connected to a California SPAC founders. San Diego’s gang sweep uncovers a retail-to-wholesale cocaine market, with 20 pounds seizing weekly. Authorities warn of Liberia as a transit hub and Europe-bound shipments.
A global humanitarian picture shows funding shortfalls and ongoing emergencies across Mozambique and Somalia. OCHA and NGO reports highlight displacement, disease, food insecurity and the need for sustained aid amidst conflict and climate shocks. New funding gaps risk undermining relief efforts and recovery.
The provided articles describe ongoing Russian strikes and Ukrainian responses across Ukraine, including Kyiv and port regions, with casualties and infrastructure damage reported. The latest updates indicate continued missile and drone attacks and retaliatory strikes on logistics facilities and oil depots, as Kyiv asserts significant strikes on the Russian war effort.
ECOWAS members have endorsed the Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a 6,800-km conduit linking 13 West African states with potential to export 30 bcm of gas annually. The project aims to diversify energy supplies, boost regional integration and support electricity generation, while weighing security and financing risks as construction eyes 2028 start.
Donor contributions to HIV programmes have declined, with the 2025 funding level the lowest since 2007. The US remains the largest donor but has reduced its support, while total resources for HIV response have fallen 18% across all sources. UNAIDS warns that declining funding could jeopardise gains in prevention and treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Guardian reports that a barrister faces possible contempt of court after his closing speech in a Palestine Action case; legal figures criticised the prosecution and warn of a chilling effect on defence advocacy. A separate Liberian case reviews a retrial order, while another Liberian case examines jury misconduct and post-verdict investigations.
Israel’s government faces a constitutional clash as appointees to the Second Authority resign amid court intervention, threatening Channel 13’s sale. The High Court has frozen authority operations, citing concerns over political influence. The government refuses to concede, arguing the court’s ruling is invalid while pursuing legislation to curb regulatory power.
Since late May more than 160,000 foreign nationals have returned or been repatriated from South Africa, with governments reporting 115,000 back to Zimbabwe and 56,000 to Malawi; many returns have followed protests that have targeted migrants, sparked violent attacks and diplomatic rows across Africa. Petitioners have asked the ICC to examine whether the violence and state failures constitute crimes against humanity.
Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached 2,536 confirmed cases and 1,033 deaths since May 15, making it the fastest-spreading outbreak to date. Bundibugyo virus is behind this wave, with no approved vaccines or treatments. The outbreak remains largely confined to the eastern provinces of Congo, with cases rising rapidly and the peak potentially still ahead.
Liberia’s Armed Forces of Liberia has begun a nationwide drive to recruit more women, aiming to reach all 15 counties by 2030. Pvt. Tamar Tarr, 24, has risen from trainee to a clerk at AFL headquarters and competed abroad in a UN peace operations program, illustrating progress and ongoing gender barriers.
The latest updates show the Bundibugyo-virus outbreak has grown rapidly in Congo, with thousands of cases and over a thousand deaths reported. The virus has no approved vaccines or treatments, distinguishing this outbreak from the 2014-2016 crisis.
Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed a pygmy hippo calf born on July 31 to Gloria and Otto. The gender is pending health checks; the calf is bonding with its mother in private, away from public view, while keepers monitor its early development.
The IB Atlantic IV has been the subject of a Liberian maritime saga. Liberia’s LiMA rejected a docking request for a vessel in distress off Sierra Leone, while authorities accuse the ship’s pursuers of delaying action. A wider government shake-up coincides with the ongoing cocaine scandal that has swept multiple agencies. The story centers on accountability, jurisdiction and what this may mean for Liberian governance.
Two Cardiff men have been charged with conspiring to import a Class B drug and to facilitate exploitation, after two 17-year-olds were caught with 64kg of cannabis while travelling to the UK. The teens remain in custody in Thailand, with families and the Foreign Office assisting. A fourth man faces related charges and will appear in court on 4 September.
Randall Lane has been dismissed as Forbes’ chief content officer after it emerged he received a payment from RJ Shook of Shook Research. The payment, described by Lane as a gift, raises conflict-of-interest concerns amid Forbes’ editoral standards. The Times and AP report describe Lane’s resignation and the company’s stance, while broader public trust in media is noted.
A large oil slick has spread from the Minoan Pioneer attack area across the Strait of Hormuz toward Qeshm Island, threatening coastal ecosystems and fishing communities. Authorities say the spill may be linked to the August 3 attack, with Iran calling for compensation as patience wears thin amid ongoing maritime tensions.
Survivors of the Gatumba refugee camp massacre, 22 years on, are urging Burundi to reopen credible investigations, cooperate with regional and international mechanisms, and ensure accountability for those responsible. The clashes highlight ongoing failures to deliver justice for identity-based violence in the region.
Liberia’s National Development Plan is moving from planning to implementation as the government seeks to mobilize domestic resources, attract private investment and use innovative financing. The ARREST/AAID framework is being evaluated for progress, with a focus on delivering measurable improvements for Liberians amid declining traditional aid.
The first 20 people have arrived at Roberts International Airport under the Liberia–U.S. third-country deportation arrangement. Liberia is set to receive up to 1,200 people within a year, with most transfers involving nationals from Africa and the Western Hemisphere who have been medically cleared. Deportees can seek asylum or leave under Liberian law; the U.S. will facilitate transfers and provide support.
Mexican authorities are enforcing a new transit arrangement for deported nationals, routing Mexicans via Guatemala and Honduras before return to Mexico within 24 hours, as the United States widens cooperation with Latin American partners. Officials say this tactic is aimed at deterring migration, while Mexico protests and seeks clarity on legal protections for its citizens.
Liberia’s former vice president has denied involvement in a transnational cocaine-trafficking network. Police accuse her of meetings and payments linked to the operation; she has been detained, hospitalized for a medical emergency, and court appearances have been disrupted as the investigation broadens to include foreign suspects and multiple charges.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces the largest Ebola outbreak on record, with thousands of confirmed cases and deaths. Trust deficits and misinformation challenge responders, but community-led efforts are driving tracing, care, and safe burials. Frontline workers report stress and delayed pay, while aid demands rise as the outbreak accelerates.
An independent arbitrator has ruled that The Washington Post did not have sufficient cause to fire columnist Karen Attiah over her social media posts after Charlie Kirk’s killing and has ordered the paper to reinstate her with full back pay and benefits. The decision has been issued this week and is binding under the paper’s labor agreement.
The Trump administration has expanded third-country deportations, sending thousands to several countries, including Liberia, Equatorial Guinea and Uganda. Deportees report harsh conditions, with some arriving in chains. Liberia will host up to 1,200 migrants over the next year under a new arrangement, while critics call the move a loophole that bypasses due process.
The UN warns of rising conflict-related sexual violence across several crises. Bodies recount abuses, underreporting remains high, and survivors face persistent barriers while authorities struggle to protect rights and investigate abuses.
The administration has ended Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and other nations, and deportations are expanding. ICE has shifted from criminal targeting to people in limbo, asylum seekers, and long-term residents, with thousands already detained or facing removal as flights increase and new detention capacity is built.
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is spreading across eastern Congo, with thousands of cases and deaths reported. Health workers are receiving Ervebo under compassionate-use rules as vaccination campaigns expand amid ongoing insecurity and displacement. WHO warns the outbreak remains out of control while vaccines are being tested for effectiveness against Bundibugyo.
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has expanded to two new zones—Biena and Manguredjipa—fueling a surge in cases and deaths as health workers face security challenges. Vaccination of frontline workers has begun with Ervebo, and the WHO warns the outbreak is out of control with cross-border risks rising.
The latest deportation flights have carried Afghans, Iranians and others to the Central African Republic as part of a broader U.S. crackdown on asylum seekers. Returnees face risks and uncertain futures amid ongoing legal and diplomatic efforts.
CERD has published a fresh interpretation of the rights convention, saying states must implement comprehensive reparatory measures for people of African descent, covering all remedies. The guidance, approved last week and published today, frames reparatory justice as a present legal obligation with monetary, non-monetary and structural remedies. The UN watchdog adds that transformative actions include truth commissions and revised memorials.