Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: WHO warns the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is evolving fast in northeastern DRC, with no vaccine for this strain; Congo reports sharp daily jumps (72 new cases in 24 hours, bringing totals to 782 confirmed cases and 181 deaths) as treatment centers strain and contact tracing coverage sits around 56%. Response Strain & Community Trust: Aid groups say hidden transmission may be larger than official figures due to poor water and sanitation, limited testing, and under-reporting in remote areas, while community anger and insecurity complicate containment. International Support on the Ground: UK Public Health Rapid Support Team experts are deployed with WHO and partners to boost infection control, epidemiology, risk communication, and lab support, and Africa CDC is coordinating aligned partner help. Digital Identity Push: DRC launches RDC-Pass, a national digital ID platform under a 20-year public-private partnership with Trident, aiming to improve access to services and reduce fraud. Colonial-Era Restitution: Congo asks Belgium to return hundreds of colonial-era skulls, escalating a sensitive restitution debate. Science & Sovereignty in Mining Data: Congo seeks digitisation and transfer of Belgian-held geological records that could guide new copper, cobalt, and lithium discoveries. Public Health Leadership Change: Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory seeks new leadership as an Ebola expert steps down, with ongoing research links to DRC responses. Culture & Youth in Kinshasa: A “rapping priest” uses gospel rap to reach Kinshasa youth, blending faith and modern media.