Region in West Africa defined by UN committees and individual nations
Since mid‑May a Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has infected at least 1,561 people and has killed 506, concentrated in Ituri province; cases have reached North Kivu, South Kivu and Haut‑Uele and neighbouring Uganda has reported cases. Frontline health workers in Ituri have threatened to strike over unpaid benefits and poor equipment, and a French humanitarian worker has tested positive after returning from Congo.
A patient at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is being tested for Ebola. Public Health Scotland says there are no confirmed cases in Scotland, and UK authorities are coordinating with international partners as they monitor evolving outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to more cases and deaths. Authorities warn that aid cuts by Western governments have weakened the region’s defenses, while France reports one detained case linked to travel from the DRC. Health officials say vaccines and frontline response face mounting strain.
The Malian conflict has intensified as Tuareg rebels have retaken Kidal amid coordinated attacks by jihadist-aligned groups. Russia's Africa Corps has withdrawn its presence from the town, and the junta’s position is facing renewed pressure after Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack. Moscow says its role remains to assist the current authorities against extremism, while regional allies push for Russian withdrawal.
Export growth across Scotland is being driven by mid‑market industrial and manufacturing firms, with energy, subsea services, engineering and food supply chains posting strong international sales. The latest Export 100 rankings show firms expanding through global demand and long‑term contracts, not domestic expansion, while defence and aerospace are among the advanced markets seen.
Health officials warn crowd settings at the World Cup heighten risks of infectious diseases, with measles and flu among the leading threats. Surveillance is tight as officials monitor stadiums, airports and bars for early signs of outbreaks. Experts stress vaccination and rapid response as travel ramps up.
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has spread to new health zones in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, increasing confirmed cases and testing gaps. With no approved vaccine or treatment, authorities are scaling testing and surveillance while misinformation challenges containment.
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has sparked a large outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Health officials have confirmed hundreds of cases and dozens of deaths across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu as tracing remains challenging amid conflict. Uganda reports cases linked to Congo and authorities warn the outbreak could last months or longer.
Multiple attacks in Nigeria have left students dead or missing and communities in turmoil. In Borno and Plateau states, gunmen attacked schools, abducting pupils and killing staff, with security forces conducting rescues and authorities coordinating with local leaders.
US-African security ties are shifting from visible troop deployments to intelligence sharing and joint operations. AFRICOM officials say Nigeria is central to a new model of counterterrorism, with recent operations intercepting cargo and disrupting ISIS networks through international coordination.
Burkina Faso has cut diplomatic relations with France with effect from June 26, 2026, accusing Paris of neo-colonial ambitions and backing subversive networks. France regrets the move and says reciprocal measures are under review. The junta cites non-interference and sovereignty as reasons; France seeks safety for its personnel as violence in the region persists.