DR Congo Ebola death toll surpasses 100
via Business News1 min read
The Democratic Republic of Congo announced on Monday, June 8, 2026, that the number of confirmed deaths from the Ebola epidemic has reached 101. This is according to the latest data released by the country's health authorities. The Congolese Ministry of Health also reported 550 confirmed cases since the outbreak began. This particular outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which is under close international health authority surveillance due to the lack of an approved vaccine specifically for this strain. The health response continues in several eastern provinces of the country, where medical teams face significant logistical and security challenges. Congolese authorities have highlighted that the persistent activity of armed groups in some affected areas complicates screening operations, patient care, and contact tracing. In response to the evolving situation, health authorities are continuing awareness campaigns and epidemiological surveillance measures to try and contain the virus's spread. The World Health Organization classified this epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern last May, calling for increased regional and international mobilization to support efforts to combat the disease.
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The Swedish Embassy in Tunisia released a video on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, showcasing a symbolic moment of friendship before the upcoming football match between Tunisia and Sweden. The video features six individuals, three wearing the Tunisian national team jersey and three in the Swedish jersey, embracing warmly. The accompanying message, "Together in friendship, see you on the field," emphasizes fair play, respect, and camaraderie beyond the competition. This initiative highlights football's role as a universal language that brings people together. The highly anticipated match between Tunisia and Sweden is scheduled for June 15, 2026, at 03:00 local time at Monterrey Stadium.
Divers have captured what is believed to be the first underwater footage of an adult great white shark in its natural Mediterranean habitat. The images, released on June 8, 2026, show an impressive animal, highlighting the species' extreme rarity in the Mediterranean basin. While some surface sightings have been reported over decades, no underwater sequences of an adult specimen had been recorded by divers until now. Derk Remmers, one of the divers, described the encounter as special, noting the shark was very close and his fingers trembled while operating the camera. Great white shark populations in the Mediterranean have declined dramatically due to overfishing, scarcity of prey, accidental catches, marine pollution, and habitat degradation. Scientists fear a regional disappearance of the species, as documented encounters are few, limiting knowledge about their movements, breeding areas, and populations. This sighting follows another event in 2025 off Sfax, Tunisia, where fishermen observed a great white shark, estimated at over five meters, circling their boat without aggression. The great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, is a top marine predator, crucial for regulating marine ecosystems. Despite its fearsome reputation, it is not a "killing machine" but a key species maintaining biodiversity. Its exceptional sensory capabilities, including detecting minute traces of blood and perceiving electrical fields, make it an effective hunter. It is also one of the few fish tha
Economist Ridha Chkoundali warned on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, about a shift in Tunisia's inflation trend and the risks posed by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which could further increase prices. While the annual inflation rate remained stable at 5.5% in May 2026, matching April's figure, Chkoundali highlighted a concerning change in trajectory. In 2025, inflation showed a downward trend, but in 2026, it rose from 4.8% in January to 5.5% in May, indicating renewed inflationary pressures. Chkoundali stated that the full impact of the Middle East geopolitical crisis is not yet reflected in current statistics. He anticipates that Tunisia could face imported inflation in the coming months due to disruptions in global energy and raw material markets. Tunisia's economy relies heavily on imported raw materials and intermediate goods, primarily from Europe. Rising energy costs directly affect production costs, fueling domestic inflation. He also pointed to risks from disruptions in maritime transport, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, which could impact the supply of fertilizers and agricultural inputs. Tunisia imports nitrogen fertilizers, whose production depends on natural gas, and ammonia for phosphate fertilizers, much of which comes from Gulf countries via the Strait of Hormuz. Increased costs or supply difficulties would raise farmers' expenses, potentially leading to reduced fertilizer use or decreased production, further increasing agricultural product prices. C