MSF Warns Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo is Deeply Alarming

By Al Mayadeen English

30 May 2026 23:39

Médecins Sans Frontières warned that the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s Ituri Province is spreading rapidly and outpacing response efforts, as WHO monitors a growing public health emergency with hundreds of suspected cases.

The situation surrounding the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been described as “deeply alarming” by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), as health authorities and humanitarian teams struggle to contain a rapidly spreading outbreak in the country’s northeast.

Alan Gonzalez, deputy director of operations at MSF, said in a statement that the situation in Ituri Province has deteriorated significantly just two weeks after the outbreak was officially declared, warning that both communities and frontline health workers are facing mounting pressure.

He said the speed of transmission has placed response teams under severe strain, with infections emerging faster than they can be effectively tracked and contained.

Rising cases and strained health response

According to MSF, suspected Ebola cases are being identified on a daily basis, but limited testing capacity is slowing down diagnosis and delaying urgent response measures.

The organization warned that without a rapid expansion of testing and containment capabilities, health authorities risk losing control of the outbreak’s trajectory.

Gonzalez stressed that immediate scaling-up of diagnostic infrastructure is essential to prevent further spread, describing the current situation as one where response systems are struggling to keep pace with transmission.

WHO monitoring emergency situation

The warning comes as World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Ituri Province to assess the situation on the ground.

The WHO has already classified the Ebola outbreak in both the DRC and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, highlighting the cross-border risks posed by the spread of the virus.

According to UN health data, more than 900 suspected cases have been reported in the DRC so far, including at least 223 suspected deaths.

Recurring outbreaks in Central Africa

The latest outbreak comes months after the previous Ebola epidemic in the DRC was declared over in October 2025, underscoring the continued vulnerability of health systems in parts of Central Africa.

Ebola outbreaks have repeatedly affected the region over the past decades, often exacerbated by limited infrastructure, delayed detection, and challenges in reaching remote communities.

Humanitarian agencies continue to warn that without sustained international support, rapid response capacity in outbreak-prone regions remains insufficient to prevent recurring health emergencies.

Egypt Condemns Somaliland Office in al-Quds, Backs Somalia Unity

By Al Mayadeen English

1 Jun 2026 19:19

Egypt reiterated its political backing for Mogadishu during talks in Seoul, stressing cooperation on security, development, and African Union stabilization efforts in Somalia.

Egypt has reaffirmed its full support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, rejecting any unilateral measures that would undermine Somali state unity or infringe upon its sovereignty.

During his meeting with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi on the sidelines of the Korea–Africa Ministerial Meeting in Seoul, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized Cairo’s condemnation of Somaliland’s decision to open a representative office in occupied al-Quds, describing it as a “blatant violation” of international law and relevant UN resolutions, and a “direct affront to the legal and historical status of al-Quds."

The Egyptian minister reiterated Egypt’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Somalia across economic, developmental, and security fields, highlighting the depth of historical relations between the two countries.

Egypt seeks stronger strategic partnership with Somalia

Abdelatty also stressed the importance of ensuring sufficient and sustainable funding for the African Union mission for support and stabilization in Somalia, enabling it to fulfill its mandate in supporting security, stability, and counterterrorism efforts.

For his part, the Somali foreign minister reviewed domestic developments in his country and the government’s efforts to enhance security and build state institutions, expressing appreciation for Egypt’s continued support for Somalia at the political, security, and development levels.

In a related context, the Egyptian foreign minister held separate meetings with his counterparts from Cameroon and The Gambia, where they discussed ways to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation, as well as coordination on African and regional issues, particularly developments in the Sahel region and efforts to support security, stability, and development across the continent.

Warnings of Rising Prices in South Africa Amid Iran War Supply Risks

By Al Mayadeen English

1 Jun 2026 15:42

Tiger Brands reported a marginal rise in half-year earnings, driven by revenue growth and improved margins, while warning of potential price increases amid economic fallout from the US-Israeli war on Iran.

South African food producer Tiger Brands has warned of rising price pressures ahead, citing ongoing supply chain disruptions linked to geopolitical instability, including the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The company also reported a marginal increase in half-year earnings, alongside plans for targeted price adjustments to offset expected cost pressures.

Tiger Brands reported a modest rise in headline earnings per share from continuing operations, increasing by 0.6% to 9.80 rand for the six months ended March 31, compared with a restated 9.74 rand a year earlier.

Revenue rose 1.3% to 17.9 billion rand ($1.10 billion), driven mainly by:

Volume growth of 2.6%

A price decline of 1.3%

On a like-for-like basis, excluding discontinued products and divestments, normalized volume growth reached 4.5%, reflecting resilient demand despite price sensitivity in the consumer market.

Stronger margins support profitability

The company’s gross margin improved significantly to 32.1%, up from 29.8%, supported by:

Lower raw material costs in key categories

Ongoing efficiency initiatives

Factory optimisation and improved production processes

Cost savings in recipes, packaging, and logistics

Operating income increased sharply by 26.1% to 2.1 billion rand, outperforming expectations due to stronger margins and additional logistics savings.

Tiger Brands noted that the consumer environment remains highly competitive, with households continuing to prioritise affordability. The company said pricing pressure remains a key feature of the market, even as volumes show signs of recovery in certain categories.

Geopolitical risks drive inflation concerns

Looking ahead, Tiger Brands warned that global geopolitical uncertainty, including the war on Iran, is likely to intensify supply chain disruptions in the second half of the 2026 financial year.

The company said these risks could affect:

Global supply chains

Transport and logistics costs

Consumer disposable income

Input prices across key production categories

Industry-wide concerns have also grown over rising energy, fertilizer, and shipping costs linked to the war, which are expected to feed into broader inflationary pressure in South Africa.

Targeted price increases and cost controls planned

To manage potential cost pressures, Tiger Brands said it will rely on a combination of:

The company stressed that these measures aim to limit the impact on profitability while remaining competitive in a price-sensitive market.

Tiger Brands declared an interim dividend of 430 cents per share, an increase of 3.6%, reflecting its improved earnings performance and stable cash generation.

Iranian Strikes Damage at Least 20 US Military Sites, Satellite Images Show

Monday, 01 June 2026 6:37 PM

Iranian strikes damage at least 20 American military sites, according to satellite images and videos analyzed by BBC Verify.

Iranian retaliatory attacks have left at least 20 US military sites damaged since the start of the US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic, an analysis of satellite images and videos shows, indicating the strikes were more extensive than publicly acknowledged.

Satellite images and videos analyzed by BBC Verify showed that Iran has targeted key facilities across eight countries in West Asia since the end of February, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain and Oman.

The strikes caused millions of dollars of damage to state-of-the-art air defense systems, refueling aircraft and radars, according to the analysis.

As Washington has sought to limit satellite analysis of the war by requesting Planet, a major provider, to impose an "indefinite" restriction on new images of Iran and most of the region, the analysts used satellite imagery from other international providers combined with older images from Planet to track the damage caused by Iranian strikes.

In contrast to repeated claims of the White House that Iran's military has been almost wiped out, analysts noted that the damage seen at US facilities suggests that Tehran's retaliatory attacks have been more precise and extensive than American officials have previously acknowledged.

The actual figure could be higher, with some analysts putting the number of bases targeted as high as 28.

The Leader urges Muslim countries to deepen cooperation and shape a new regional and global order beyond American dominance.

According to the BBC analysis, among the significant losses were three advanced anti-ballistic missile battery systems at al-Ruwais and al-Sader airbases in the UAE, as well as Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan.

The report also found that Iranian strikes severely damaged US refueling and surveillance aircraft at Prince Sultan Airbase in Saudi Arabia, with wrecked aircraft and burn marks visible at the site.

Among the aircraft identified by a MAIAR analyst was an E-3 Sentry surveillance plane, which could reportedly cost up to $700 million to replace.

Iranian strikes also hit Ali al-Salem Airbase and Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. Analysts at MAIAR identified destroyed fuel storage bunkers, aircraft hangars, and troop accommodation in satellite imagery, indicating the base was struck multiple times during the war.

At Camp Arifjan, defense intelligence firm Janes reported significant damage to satellite communications equipment, according to the report.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of aerial aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrages of missiles and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases and interests in regional countries.

On April 8, a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect and was later extended unilaterally by Washington.

Following the successful Iranian retaliatory attacks, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei last week stressed that the United States "will no longer have a safe haven for its mischief and for establishing military bases in the region" and was "growing more distant from its former status day by day."

Iran Warns Northern Israeli Settlers to Flee if Beirut Suburbs Come Under Attack

Monday, 01 June 2026 4:39 PM

The logo of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has issued an evacuation notice for settlers in northern occupied territories, should Israel carry out threats to bomb southern Beirut under the pretext of targeting the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah.

In a statement issued on Monday, the headquarters said Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has threatened to bomb the Dahiyeh district and the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in continuation of his sinister acts in the region.

“Given the [Israeli] regime's repeated violations of the ceasefire, if this threat is implemented, we warn residents of the northern parts and military settlements in the occupied territories to leave the area if they do not want to be harmed,” the statement said.

Netanyahu ordered military strikes on Monday on Dahiyeh and Beirut, saying they were a response to what he claimed to be Hezbollah's "repeated violations" of an ongoing truce.

The prime minister of the Israeli regime said he and the minister for military affairs, Israel Katz, had instructed the army to strike "targets" in the area.

Foreign Minister Araghchi says the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States applies across “all fronts, including Lebanon.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Monday that the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States covers “all fronts, including Lebanon,” warning that any violation on one front will constitute a breach of the broader ceasefire arrangement.

“For immediate attention: The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Araghchi said in a post on his X account.

Iran Draws Red Line: No Final Deal with US Until Israel Ends Onslaught Against Lebanon

Monday, 01 June 2026 9:56 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has stated that a ceasefire in Lebanon is inseparable from any final agreement to end the war, as the Israeli regime escalates assaults on Lebanon in violation of an earlier truce.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Monday, Esmaeil Baghaei responded to a question about Lebanon's developments and the ongoing Israeli atrocities in the country.

"Our region is facing continuous warmongering by the Zionist regime. This is not just about today or yesterday. Over the past 80 years, the Zionist regime, with US support, has waged a permanent and endless war against the countries of the region," he said.

He noted that the developments of recent months constitute a "clear and flagrant violation" of the April 8 ceasefire.

The United States and Israel launched their illegal, unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on February 28.

Iran’s armed forces responded with at least 100 waves of decisive retaliatory strikes under Operation True Promise 4, launching hundreds of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as drones, against American military bases across West Asia and Israeli positions throughout the occupied territories.

Iran also effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz to vessels affiliated with adversaries and those cooperating with them.

A fragile Pakistan‑brokered ceasefire has been in place since early April, but a US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect.

Tehran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the blockade is lifted and the war permanently ends.

An Iranian lawmaker says the country’s nuclear issue was not and will not be subject to negotiations with the US as the current talks are centered on ending the war.

"We have emphasized and continue to emphasize that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an integral part of any ceasefire and any final agreement to end the war," Baghaei added.

The spokesman further stated that it is not only Israel that is “violating the ceasefire; the United States, on such a wide scale, is also committing violations of the ceasefire in our region."

He also pointed to the continuation of "maritime banditry and aggression against Iranian commercial shipping," saying, "Add to this violation of the ceasefire the continuation of maritime banditry and aggression against Iranian commercial shipping, which itself is both a violation of the ceasefire and an act of aggression against Iran."

Iranian officials have warned that any new aggression will be met with a far more devastating response than before.

A senior Iranian diplomat says the new regulations devised by Iran govern maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

No effort will be spared to help Lebanon, Lebanese resistance

Baghaei reiterated that the Islamic Republic will withhold no effort in assisting Lebanon and the Lebanese resistance against the unlawful aggression of the Zionist regime.

"As the Islamic Republic of Iran, we once again emphasize that we consider ourselves committed to taking any action we can to help Lebanon and to help the resistance in Lebanon against the aggression and unlawful violations of the Zionist regime," he stated.

New or contradictory US demands prolonging negotiations

Responding to a question about the main obstacles to the negotiations with the US, Baghaei said, "In a situation where the other side constantly changes its views, raises new or contradictory demands, and sends different and inconsistent media messages, it is natural that this situation prolongs the negotiation process."

No nuclear talks held with US

When asked about US President Donald Trump's recent claim that Iran's buried enriched uranium must be removed and destroyed, and whether Iran needs foreign technology to access the Fordow site, Baghaei responded, "Whenever we need to take action on nuclear issues, we know very well how to proceed."

"Regarding the details of nuclear-related discussions, no negotiations have taken place at this stage. I repeat once again that at this stage, our focus is on ending the war," he added.

Release of blocked funds is Iran's definitive demand

Addressing a question about the release of Iran's blocked assets and reports that the US is willing to deliver $6 billion of Iran's frozen assets in Qatar in the form of food and medical equipment rather than cash, Baghaei stated that what Iran received during the JCPOA process were the blocked funds belonging to the Iranian people.

"At present, we are not seeking concessions; we are seeking to receive the rights of the Iranian nation that have been unjustly violated. One of these violated rights is Iran's blocked or restricted assets, which in recent years have been frozen in some foreign countries due to illegal US actions," he added.

Any NATO action in Persian Gulf will complicate situation

Responding to a question about NATO's announcement that it intends to take actions to lift the maritime blockade and engage in military intervention, Baghaei said that any movement or action that leads to further complication of the situation in the Persian Gulf is unwise, and no responsible or rational actor would accept such a risk.

"If NATO, European countries, and members of this coalition want to fulfill their responsibilities, they must hold the United States and the Zionist regime accountable, because they are the ones who have caused this situation in the first place," he concluded.

Iran Says US Directly Responsible for Israeli Truce Violations in Lebanon

Monday, 01 June 2026 7:12 PM

Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the US is responsible for Israel’s continued violations of the Iran-US truce terms in Lebanon.

Iran has warned the United States that Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon constitute a clear violation of the April 8 ceasefire with Tehran, and that it holds Washington responsible for the breaches.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a Monday statement that the US has violated the terms of the April 8 ceasefire announced by Pakistan by attacking Iranian ships and facilities in the Persian Gulf, while it has also failed to contain Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which Tehran views as a clear violation of the truce.

“Despite the efforts of the United States in the initial days following the ceasefire to pressure the Israeli regime into halting its aggressions against Lebanon, the direct responsibility of the United States, both for violating the ceasefire against Iran and for the Israeli regime's violation of the ceasefire against Lebanon, is evident,” said the statement.

The statement said Washington should bear the costs of the Israeli violations of the truce in Lebanon and their impacts and consequences for the situation in the entire region.

Iran’s highest operational command unit warns residents in northern areas and military settlements in the occupied territories to leave the area amid Israel’s threats to bomb Lebanon.

It said that Iran would act to defend its interests “everywhere it deems necessary” based on its legitimate right to self-defense, adding that the Israeli regime has violated the territorial integrity of Lebanon by launching dozens of attacks and operations against the Arab country, which have killed thousands and displaced nearly two million people.

The statement came after Iran's central military command warned settlers living in the Israeli-occupied territories to evacuate their homes and properties in anticipation of a potential Iranian attack in response to evacuation warnings issued by the Israeli regime to people in areas of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

However, the Iranian warning caused US President Donald Trump to intervene immediately. He said in a post on social media that he had convinced the Israeli regime to halt its plans for attacks on Beirut.

The escalation in the situation in Lebanon comes despite reports showing that Iran and the US had moved closer to signing an initial agreement aimed at permanently ending the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

Iran has repeatedly said that any deal to end the aggression against the country must include a cessation of attacks on allied resistance forces in other parts of the region.

‘Iran’s Patience Has Limits,’ Senior Advisor to Leader Warns Israel, US

Monday, 01 June 2026 6:12 PM

Mohsen Rezaei, former chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)

A senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has warned Israel and the United States over the regime’s escalating aggression against Lebanon and the American blockade of Iranian ports, saying Tehran’s patience has a threshold.

Mohsen Rezaei made the remarks in an X post on Monday, as Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon and the US continues its naval piracy near the Strait of Hormuz, which has been controlled by Iran since the illegal US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

“The Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control. We will not allow the naval blockade to continue, and will not tolerate the escalation of tensions in Lebanon,” he said.

“The patience of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran has limits,” warned Rezaei, a former chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

A massive wave of displacement has unfolded in Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli threats to bomb the Lebanese capital.

The unjustified US-Israeli aggression on Iran began on February 28. In response, the Iranian Armed Forces targeted sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets throughout the region and restricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

On April 8, forty days into the war, an Islamabad-brokered ceasefire went into effect. However, the first round of Tehran-Washington negotiations failed to reach an agreement.

Iran is insisting that the ceasefire agreement with the United States includes a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Tel Aviv and Beirut announced a truce on April 17, but the occupying regime violated it by conducting several deadly attacks on Lebanon.

‘Every Choice Has a Price’: Speaker Qalibaf Warns US, Israel Over Naval Blockade, Lebanon Carnage

Monday, 01 June 2026 10:57 AM

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has warned that the US naval blockade of Iran’s ports and Israel’s growing war crimes in Lebanon will come at a price for Washington and Tel Aviv.

In a post on his X account on Monday, Qalibaf said the US naval blockade imposed on Iranian ships and ports and the escalation of war crimes by the "genocidal Zionist regime" in Lebanon clearly show the US's lack of compliance with the ceasefire.

“The naval blockade and escalation of war crimes in Lebanon by the genocidal Zionist regime are clear evidence of US noncompliance with the ceasefire,” he wrote.

The top Iranian negotiator in indirect talks with the US further warned against the consequences of continued violent acts, which would ultimately come at a cost.

"Every choice has a price, and the bill comes due," Qalibaf said, adding, "It will all fall into place."

The top Iranian parliamentarian’s warning comes amid Israel’s continued violations of the ceasefire agreement, including repeated incursions north of the Litani River, deadly strikes on civilian areas, and displacement orders targeting southern Lebanese communities.

These acts of aggression have caused significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon, despite the truce that took effect in April. The heightened tensions in Lebanon also increased concerns over the humanitarian and security consequences of continued hostilities in the region.

The Federation of Labor and Health Unions in the Bekaa Valley has issued a strong condemnation of the latest Israeli aggression targeting Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.

On April 8, forty days into the US-Israel-imposed war on the Islamic Republic, a Pakistan-brokered temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US took effect.

Negotiations ensued in the Pakistani capital Islamabad but stopped short of an agreement amid Washington’s maximalist demands and insistence on unreasonable positions, including a naval blockade it has imposed on Iranian vessels and ports.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Monday stated that a ceasefire in Lebanon is inseparable from any final agreement to end the war, amid the Israeli regime's escalating assaults on Lebanon.

"Our region is facing continuous warmongering by the Zionist regime. This is not just about today or yesterday. Over the past 80 years, the Zionist regime, with US support, has waged a permanent and endless war against the countries of the region," he said.

He noted that the developments of recent months constitute a "clear and flagrant violation" of the April 8 ceasefire.