Ebola & Gender Impact: UN Women warns DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is hitting women and girls hardest, with over half of confirmed cases among women and girls, as caregiving at home drives exposure and fear of treatment centers keeps families from seeking care. Labor Crackdown: Employment Minister Ferdinand Massamba says Kinshasa inspections found illegal work in construction and promises sanctions for firms violating labor laws, including pay practices that can fall below expected standards. Aviation Safety Probe: Investigators are probing a 737-300 freighter gear collapse at Kindu on 17 September, with runway clearance ordered to resume traffic while evidence is preserved. Constitutional Tension: Protests against Tshisekedi’s proposed constitutional changes (C64) turned violent in Kinshasa and other cities, with tear gas, arrests, and clashes reported. Critical Minerals Push: Cabinet minutes confirm a DRC-USA Task Force to speed up the strategic minerals partnership, aiming to translate commitments into “economic and security results” and boost Western-linked copper and cobalt sales. Capital Markets Reform: DR Congo’s new stock market law paves the way for a Kinshasa Stock Exchange, aiming to channel savings into investment and give firms an alternative to bank financing. Copper Exports Surge: Copper exports hit a record 1.72m tonnes in H1 2026, with sales to the US and Europe doubling as Kinshasa diversifies away from China. Carbon Market Law: Tshisekedi signed an ordinance-law setting up DR Congo’s carbon market regime and a national sovereign carbon registry tied to mitigation outcomes.