Ebola Emergency: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 2,000 deaths, with 4,381 confirmed cases and 2,011 deaths reported across five provinces, as WHO and Africa CDC warn the virus is outpacing the response and push for faster detection, contact tracing, and expanded treatment capacity. Mining Policy Shock: Kinshasa has banned exports of copper and cobalt concentrates effective immediately (with possible one-year waivers), a move expected to reshape company compliance and add near-term price risk while details of the new tax regime are clarified. Uranium in Cobalt Probe: The government says it will investigate reports of undeclared uranium embedded in China-bound cobalt shipments after Nature Communications findings, while Chinese firms deny wrongdoing—raising fresh scrutiny over critical-minerals supply chains. Clean Energy Deal: ANSER and a US-Congolese consortium signed an MoU targeting up to 2 GW of clean-energy infrastructure to expand rural power and support mining-linked development. Aviation & Trade Links: Emirates scheduled its first-ever passenger flights to Kinshasa (N’djili) from Feb 3, 2027, potentially boosting passenger and freight connectivity. Security & Peace Process: DRC and M23 began implementing the Doha peace track with the release and handover of 15 detainees, facilitated by the ICRC, as further releases are hoped for. Urban Growth Pressure: New reporting highlights Kinshasa’s rapid expansion but falling living standards, underscoring the business risk of weak job creation and services.