News

UN adopts resolution to correct world map representation as diplomatic delegations take formal action to resolve historical biases embedded within traditional cartographic standards. United Nations General Assembly hall delegates convene during formal international voting sessions. This international measure specifically targets the widely used Mercator projection, which was first created in the 16th century by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator for navigation at sea. Although it is useful for maritime directions, the mathematical scaling of the Mercator map causes landmasses farther from the equator to appear larger, while those near it are compressed.

The International Fund for Houbara Conservation has introduced a fresh support scheme for Emirati houbara breeders during ADIHEX 2026. The Houbara Breeders Support Initiative aims to assist existing breeding projects and individuals planning to develop new facilities. It provides specialized training, technical support, and access to established breeding expertise. The initiative also establishes standards related to animal welfare, biosecurity, and responsible management of breeding sites.

Business

South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook will deliver opening remarks, joining delegations from the African Development Bank Group. Participants will emphasize integrating South Korea’s manufacturing expertise with Africa’s human capital and vital mineral resources. The Korea Africa partnership aims to develop AI digital infrastructure strategies as the continent seeks to close an estimated $400 billion annual development financing shortfall.

Health

The ongoing outbreak impacts 60 health zones spread across six different provinces. Additionally, authorities have registered 1,439 recoveries, with the case fatality rate standing at 48.6%.Health teams in Congo continue Ebola testing, contact tracing and treatment. The outbreak in Bundibugyo has become Congo’s most severe and deadliest Ebola epidemic to date, ranking as the second-largest in the world’s history behind the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. Ituri province remains the primary epicenter, contributing approximately 85% of confirmed cases and 88% of the deaths reported so far, making it the most critically affected area amidst this public health crisis. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that contact tracing efforts have yet to fully identify all transmission chains. Many recent fatalities involved individuals who did not appear on existing contact lists. The continuation of community deaths and unsafe burial practices further hampers containment efforts. According to Africa CDC, over 60% of deaths during the most recent seven-day period occurred in community settings rather than health facilities, complicating control measures. Global health authorities ramp up Ebola containment efforts The World Health Organization has increased laboratory testing capabilities, expanded treatment services, and enhanced field operations within affected regions. Over 330 tonnes of emergency supplies have been shipped by WHO, and more than 300 specialists have been deployed to support response activities. Currently, health services operate 24 laboratories positioned closer to affected populations, compared to just one centralized

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began administering Ebola vaccinations in Kisangani on Thursday, launching a targeted campaign in the capital of Tshopo Province to protect frontline responders. The initiative prioritizes healthcare workers, emergency response teams, and individuals with direct contact with confirmed patients as the country confronts its deadliest recorded Ebola outbreak. Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba confirmed that the government deployed an initial supply of the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use framework across impacted eastern provinces to safeguard essential personnel and help disrupt viral transmission chains.

The European Commission has broadened its initiative to combat Ebola by acquiring €2.1 million worth of PCR tests specifically for the Bundibugyo virus outbreak. This procurement involves open-platform testing kits designed to be compatible with existing laboratory systems. The procurement process received backing from the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Dispatches are scheduled to commence in August, as health authorities face a significant outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, affecting surrounding regions.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has obtained a distribution of 70,000 Ebola vaccine doses as the outbreak in Bundibugyo expands. As of Aug. 18, health authorities reported 5,208 confirmed cases and 2,476 fatalities. The epidemic now affects 56 health zones across six different provinces. Additionally, officials have documented 1,115 recoveries, while 730 patients remain hospitalized or in isolation as response teams continue working intensively within affected communities in eastern and northeastern parts of DR Congo.

The World Health Organization indicates that if sufficient resources are allocated, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could be contained within three months. As of August 16, official data recorded 5,021 confirmed cases and 2,378 fatalities. The disease has spread across six provinces and 55 health zones, with an approximate case fatality rate of 47%. This marks the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever documented in the country. WHO and Congo health teams strengthen surveillance amid the expanding Ebola outbreak. Thierno Baldé, WHO incident manager, stated that the timeline for containment hinges on maintaining adequate staffing, supplies, and operational support. To date, about $69.3 million of the required $115 million has been mobilized. During a two-week span, health teams established over 400 new treatment beds. They also dispatched 100 additional epidemiologists and more than 500 community health workers, who are vital for surveillance, contact tracing, case identification, and patient referrals. The response effort also involves deploying ambulances, vehicles, medical supplies, and trained personnel across the impacted regions. Transmission has now reached Bas-Uélé, making it the sixth province affected by the outbreak. Although Ituri continued to be the primary transmission hub in mid-August, accounting for the majority of confirmed cases and deaths, officials report that many recent infections lack any known link to existing patients. This gap underscores the urgency of faster case detection and contact monitoring. In response, teams have expanded surveillance activities to identify cases

Health Officials Warn of Near 30,000 Deaths from Malaria in DRC Amidst 26 Million Cases BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo documented 26,064,143 malaria cases in 2025, highlighting the extensive reach of the disease across the nation. The country’s health authorities also reported a total of 29,938 deaths linked to malaria during that period. During the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province, Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, shared these statistics. The campaign aims to target regions where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and continues to strain healthcare resources.

Technology

Japan is broadening its efforts to combat investment fraud by deploying artificial intelligence technology to spot warning indicators within consumer complaints. The Consumer Affairs Agency unveiled this new initiative on September 1, as part of a comprehensive anti-fraud strategy. The AI system will scrutinize the language used in complaints, patterns of solicitation, and similarities with previous cases. Authorities aim to detect early signs of harmful schemes and problematic businesses by utilizing existing data collected nationwide from consumers.

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In the first half of 2026, China’s digital industry generated a total of 20.71 trillion yuan in revenue, representing a 13.6% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Meanwhile, overall profits rose by 19.3%, reaching 1.79 trillion yuan. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the industry’s profit margin stood at 8.6%, which is 0.7 percentage points higher than the year before. These figures encompass key segments of China’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

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Children and Youth Face Increasing Online Information Dangers, UN Warns NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – The United Nations is calling for enhanced protective measures for children and adolescents as digital platforms continue to transform how they access and engage with information. A recently published UN issue brief underscores the growing threats posed by disinformation, hate speech, harassment, artificial intelligence, and online systems driven by attention metrics. It also raises alarms about issues related to personal data privacy, behavioral advertising practices, and the way algorithms influence content distribution. The report emphasizes that younger users require more robust safeguards to ensure they can safely access online education, communicate with peers, and participate in public discourse.

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On Tuesday, Japan achieved a successful launch of its H3 rocket, which carried the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into orbit. The launch, designated as H3 Flight No. 9, took place from the Tanegashima Space Center at 4:23:31 a.m. Japan time. JAXA confirmed that the rocket adhered to its planned trajectory throughout the entire mission. The satellite separated approximately 29 minutes after liftoff, entering its predetermined orbit as scheduled. Michibiki No. 7 expands Japan’s QZSS satellite navigation network.

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