Ebola passes 10,000 cases as US-Iran talks continue and European protests spread
Africa's top doctor warned on Saturday that the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has passed 10,000 cases and could spread across borders in the coming months. Diplomacy over the US-Iran war continued in Qatar, while protests ran in France, Germany, Poland and Israel.
Africa's top doctor said the outbreak has surged past 10,000 cases and warned of possible large cross-border spread in the coming months, calling for more international support. Health authorities in northeast Nigeria isolated two suspected cases while contact tracing and laboratory testing are carried out.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Iran and Qatar have worked out a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days, provided the US meets Tehran's conditions. He called US outreach a positive step but said Iran does not rule out an attack. Iran's supreme leader said any response to an attack would not be limited by geography, and some Iranian lawmakers urged withdrawal from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The interior ministry estimated 320,000 demonstrators across France on Saturday, fewer than on the previous two Saturdays, with clashes in Paris and other cities. Police fired tear gas as the protests entered a third week. In Germany, protesters clashed with police as thousands rallied in 34 cities.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a televised address that there can be no compromise on the contested reform of the constitutional court. Riot police were deployed to protect the court building after overnight protests. No side appears ready to back down.
Turkish President Erdogan urged Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks in the Black Sea, and he and Zelenskyy agreed to work on a new Black Sea grain corridor. Civilians evacuated from Russian-occupied Oleshky reached Belarus on Saturday on their way to Ukraine, under what is described as the most significant truce since the full-scale invasion began.
Israeli attacks across Gaza killed at least four Palestinians on Saturday, including shelling of the Nuseirat refugee camp. Al Jazeera reports that children have faced Israeli bombs and sniper fire since the school year resumed.
Syria is considering joining Saudi Arabia's mutual defence agreement with Turkey and Pakistan, a move that could draw more countries into the conflict with the Iran-backed Houthis. The UN human rights chief demanded an independent investigation into the death of a Yemeni UN staffer held by the Houthis for over two years.
Thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv urging Gadi Eisenkot to strike a deal with Arab parties to remove Netanyahu, while Netanyahu supporters held a counterprotest. No bloc reached a majority in the election, and Qatar rejected Israeli allegations of interference.