Ebola Surge & Response Reset: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has crossed 4,000 cases and about 1,850 deaths, with WHO warning the virus is spreading faster than the scale-up can keep up; health authorities are also intercepting river traffic near Kinshasa and screening passengers after suspected cases, while Africa CDC and WHO push for stronger community-led detection, contact tracing, frontline protection, and faster access to care. Mining Policy & Value Capture: Kinshasa has ordered an immediate halt to exports of copper and cobalt concentrates, aiming to force more local processing, alongside a new tax regime for mining by-products and limited strategic waivers. Uranium in Cobalt Exports: Congo says it will investigate claims that uranium may be embedded in China-bound cobalt shipments; Chinese mining firms deny the allegations and say uranium traces are too low to extract. Clean Power for Industry: A US-Congolese partnership signed an MoU to develop up to 2 GW of clean-energy infrastructure, targeting both rural electrification and power for mining. Population & Identity: DR Congo is preparing its first census in 42 years, with residents in places like Ituri saying being counted and getting identity documents could unlock access to services. Urban Growth Pressure: Kinshasa’s population boom is outpacing living standards, raising questions for jobs, housing, and public services as the city heads toward ~26 million by 2030. Regional Security Flashpoint: Uvira in South Kivu saw a “ghost town” protest over deteriorating security and demands for better equipment for FARDC and allied forces.