Ebola Crisis Escalates: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has become the second-deadliest on record and the deadliest in the country’s history, with confirmed deaths now topping the 2018-20 peak (2,325 deaths out of 4,945 confirmed cases), as the virus spreads about five times faster than earlier outbreaks at the same stage. Response Strain: Health agencies cite delayed detection, overstretched surveillance, armed conflict, and limited vaccine/treatment options, while WHO and Africa CDC urge faster contact tracing, earlier detection, and expanded testing and treatment capacity. Connectivity Under Pressure: In South Kivu’s Fizi Territory, authorities have kept mobile networks and internet cut for more than a month, disrupting journalism and daily economic activity—CPJ is calling for the shutdown to be lifted. Telecom Upgrade for Remote Areas: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched Africa’s first commercial satellite-to-mobile service in DR Congo, enabling eligible customers to use compatible LTE smartphones for SMS and light-data apps like WhatsApp in areas without terrestrial coverage. Banking Stress: Afriland First Bank RDC is reported to be in negative equity (about $116.9m) and nearing insolvency, raising fresh concerns for financial stability. Mining Policy Watch: DR Congo’s ban on exporting copper and cobalt concentrates, alongside a new tax regime, is seen as unlikely to move global prices immediately but could add short-term risk premiums as details emerge.