Aug 15, 2026, 04:00 AM UTC

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo report that the ongoing Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 2,000 lives, with confirmed infections exceeding 4,300 cases. Public health officials and the World Health Organization warn that the epidemic is expanding at an unprecedented pace, averaging dozens of new infections and roughly 50 fatalities daily.

The crisis is heavily concentrated in the northeastern province of Ituri, where armed militia conflict and population displacement continue to disrupt containment measures. Unlike earlier outbreaks, the current epidemic is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccines or targeted clinical treatments exist. Hundreds of patients remain isolated in treatment centres as international health agencies call for urgent intervention.

Sources: Canarias7, Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, La Vanguardia, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal).

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores island early Saturday at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey. The tremor was followed by multiple aftershocks, the strongest measuring magnitude 6.1.

Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning, advising residents to move to higher ground, before disaster management officials lifted the alert.

Casualty reports varied in the initial aftermath. SVT reported that at least five people had died, while NRK reported two fatalities. Svenska Dagbladet noted that the full extent of casualties and structural damage remained under assessment.

Sources: SVT, Svenska Dagbladet, NRK.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara province, triggering temporary tsunami alerts across the region.

According to seismological agencies, including the United States Geological Survey and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the undersea tremor occurred at a shallow depth approximately 70 kilometres from the town of Ende. Several aftershocks followed in the same area, with at least one tremor registering a magnitude of 6.1.

Indonesian authorities initially advised coastal residents to evacuate due to potential tsunami waves, though officials later lifted the alert. While residents reported severe shaking and panic, emergency officials are continuing to assess the extent of structural damage and potential casualties across affected communities.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Die Zeit, Il Messaggero, ORF, Sweden Herald

Former University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday has been found dead in London at the age of 41, emergency services confirmed to British media.

Arday achieved international prominence in 2023 when he was appointed professor of sociology of education, becoming the youngest Black professor in the history of the university.

His death comes shortly after he stepped down from his post earlier this month in the wake of plagiarism accusations concerning his academic work, including his doctoral dissertation. Arday had denied the allegations prior to his resignation.

Sources: Morgunblaðið, Aftenposten, DR, Berlingske, FAZ.