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WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Central Africa a public health emergency after 80 suspected deaths

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The World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa an international public health emergency on Sunday after dozens of suspected deaths were reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Uganda.

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The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency, the WHO said.

The declaration follows reports of 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases as of Saturday across at least three health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.

The development comes as global health officials continue monitoring a rare hantavirus outbreak tied to the MV Hondius cruise ship, which left multiple passengers and crew members sick, and caused three deaths.

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NEW EBOLA OUTBREAK LEAVES 65 DEAD AS OFFICIALS WARN OF CROSS-BORDER SPREAD

A health worker sprays disinfectant on a colleague after working at an Ebola treatment center in Beni, eastern Congo, on Sept. 9, 2018. (Al-hadji Kudra Maliro/AP)

As of May 13, the WHO said 11 hantavirus cases had been identified in connection with the cruise outbreak, including eight confirmed cases, two probable cases and one inconclusive case.

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In neighboring Uganda’s capital, Kampala, the WHO said two apparently unrelated laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases — including one death — were reported Friday and Saturday involving people who had traveled from the DRC.

Another laboratory-confirmed case was reported in the DRC capital of Kinshasa involving a person returning from Ituri province.

Initial tests suggested the outbreak does not involve the Ebola Zaire strain, which caused Congo’s devastating 2018–2020 epidemic that killed more than 1,000 people.

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EBOLA OUTBREAK REPORTED IN AFRICAN COUNTRY — HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Health workers wearing protective suits tending to an Ebola victim in an isolation tent

Health workers wearing protective suits tend to an Ebola victim in an isolation tent in Beni, Congo, on July 13, 2019. (Jerome Delay/AP)

However, unlike Ebola-Zaire strains, there are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics for the Bundibugyo strain, which the WHO described as making the outbreak «extraordinary.»

The WHO warned the outbreak could be larger than currently reported due to the high positivity rate among initial samples and the growing number of suspected cases.

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The outbreak also poses a public health risk to other countries, the WHO said, urging nations to activate emergency-management systems and implement cross-border screening measures.

‘DISEASE X’ HAS KILLED DOZENS IN THE CONGO — HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYSTERY ILLNESS

Ambulances parked at Bunia General Referral Hospital

Ambulances parked at Bunia General Referral Hospital following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 16, 2026. (REUTERS/Victoire Mukenge)

Ebola is a highly contagious and often fatal disease spread through bodily fluids, including blood, vomit and semen. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain and internal bleeding.

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently said Congo has a «strong track record» responding to Ebola outbreaks while announcing the release of $500,000 in emergency funding to support containment efforts.

The WHO said it will convene an emergency committee to review recommendations for how affected countries should respond.

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Health workers in protective gear starting shift at Ebola treatment center in Beni Congo

Health workers dressed in protective gear begin their shift at an Ebola treatment center in Beni, Congo, on July 16, 2019. (Jerome Delay/AP)

The organization did not recommend border closures or travel restrictions.

Congo has now recorded 17 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976.

Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr and Brittany Miller, along with Reuters, contributed to this report.

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Trump calls out Rep Thomas Massie: ‘Kentucky, get this LOSER out of politics’ Tuesday

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Fresh off his work to oust Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in a Louisiana primary, President Donald Trump made a call to action against Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., urging his backers to vote out another one of his GOP critics and warning the rest of the party to align with him or risk Cassidy’s fate.

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«Tom Massie of Kentucky, the worst and most unreliable Republican Congressman in the history of our Country, is an even bigger insult to our Nation than Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who suffered an unprecedented loss tonight by not even being allowed to run in the Republican Primary,» Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after midnight.

«This is the first time such a thing has ever happened to a sitting U.S. Senator!» the president continued. «That’s what you get by voting to Impeach an innocent man, especially one who made it possible for Cassidy’s Senate win.»

Cassidy failed to advance in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary Saturday night, finishing behind Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming. Letlow and Fleming will face each other in a June 27 runoff after no candidate cleared a majority.

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TRUMP SCORES MAJOR REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VICTORY AS CASSIDY OUSTED IN LOUISIANA

President Donald Trump points at Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has voted against Trump and Republicans during his time in the House. (Win McNamee/Getty Images; Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Trump used Cassidy’s defeat as a warning shot against Massie, who Trump has called a «grand-stander» for having voted against his agenda in the House since 2020.

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«Very disloyal, but Tom Massie, a major Sleazebag, is even worse!» Trump’s scathing post continued. «Kentucky, get this LOSER out of politics in Tuesday’s Election. He is nicknamed Rand Paul Jr., another real ‘beauty,’ because of his absolutely terrible voting habits.

«Vote for Ed Gallrein, a successful Kentucky farmer, and American War Hero, who only ran because he thought that Massie was so disloyal and disrespectful to your President, ME!

TRUMP CONTINUES LAMBASTING INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN THOMAS MASSIE AS CHALLENGER FILES TO ENTER RACE

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«This is a great man, Central Casting, in fact, who truly deserves to represent the fantastic people of Kentucky, a Commonwealth that I am proud to have won all three times, in record fashion!

«ED WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!»

Massie is facing Gallrein in the Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District on Tuesday. The race has become one of the highest-profile GOP House primaries of the cycle, with Trump endorsing Gallrein in an effort to deny Massie another term.

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MAVERICK HOUSE REPUBLICAN IN TRUMP’S CROSSHAIRS TOUTS RECORD CAMPAIGN CASH HAUL

The president’s attack followed several posts celebrating Cassidy’s defeat in Louisiana.

«A BIG NIGHT IN POLITICS. THANK YOU TO ALL!» Trump wrote in a separate Truth Social post.

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Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the Jan. 6 election protest in Trump’s second impeachment trial. Trump called Cassidy «disloyal» and said his «political career is OVER!»

Trump also congratulated Letlow, saying she ran a «fantastic race» and would «make a brilliant Senator» after «taking care of some additional business.» Letlow led Saturday’s primary, while Fleming placed second and Cassidy finished third.

PATRIOT OR ‘PATHETIC RINO’? MAVERICK REPUBLICAN THOMAS MASSIE TRADES ‘AMERICA FIRST’ LABEL FOR ‘AMERICA ONLY’

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The president’s focus quickly shifted back to Kentucky, where Massie has survived past pressure campaigns from Trump but is now facing a well-funded primary challenge in the final stretch.

Massie has represented Kentucky’s 4th District since 2012. The district stretches across northern Kentucky and is heavily Republican, making the GOP primary the decisive contest in most election cycles.

Trump’s feud with Massie has intensified over the past year. Trump called for Massie to be primaried after the congressman opposed a short-term government funding bill in March 2025, pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and opposing his decision to go to war with Iran.

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«Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my reelection,» Massie shot back at Trump last year.

MTG DEFENDS HERSELF AS ‘AMERICA FIRST’ AFTER TRUMP SLAMS HER ON TRUTH SOCIAL

Trump also targeted Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., for supporting Massie, calling her «Weak Minded» and suggesting he would consider withdrawing his endorsement if a challenger entered the race against her in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.

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«Boebert is campaigning for the Worst «Republican» Congressman in the History of our Country, Thomas Massie, of the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and anybody who can be that dumb deserves a good Primary fight!» Trump wrote in an earlier Saturday night Truth Social post.

«Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my Honor to withdraw that Endorsement, and endorse a good and proper alternative. Just let me know, or announce your Candidacy, and I will be there for you!»

Massie noted Trump is too late to call for a Boebert primary.

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RAND PAUL PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR MASSIE AGAINST TRUMP-BACKED CHALLENGER: ‘I’M GOING TO HELP HIM’

«I’ve seen people calling for primary challengers against Boebert online since she got here [Friday],» Massie told reporters after his Kentucky campaign rally Saturday. «Her primary is already closed. So they can call for that. It’s too late.

«And Rand Paul’s not on the ballot this year. You’re going to have to wait two whole years. So I think he should be mending fences with these folks, not trying to burn bridges.»

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Trump began the night warning about Boebert and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., stumping for Massie.

«Word is that Rand Paul and Lauren Boebert, two very difficult, and highly unreasonable, Republican Votes, are right now in the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, which I won by 31 points, parading around like fools for the Worst «Republican» Congressman in the History of our Party!» Trump wrote on Truth Social hours before the Cassidy defeat, blasting Massie as «a disloyal, ungracious, and sanctimonious FOOL, who almost never votes for even the best of Republican Values.»

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«The man running against Massie, Ed Gallrein, is a true American Patriot, a Farmer from Kentucky, and a Military Hero. He is loyal, and MAGA all the way — VOTE FOR ED GALLREIN, AND WIPE AWAY THE STENCH OF ONE OF THE WORST CONGRESSMEN IN THE HISTORY OF OUR GREAT PARTY, THOMAS MASSIE. MAY WE NEVER HAVE TO DEAL WITH HIM AGAIN!»

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Un ataque con dron provocó un incendio en la central nuclear de Barakah, en Emiratos Árabes Unidos

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Fotografía de archivo de la central nuclear de Barakah, en el desierto occidental de Abu Dabi, durante su construcción. El domingo, un dron atacó un generador eléctrico en las afueras de la planta, la primera y única central nuclear de la Península Arábiga. (Arun Girija/Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation/WAM vía AP, archivo)

Un ataque con drones tuvo como objetivo la central nuclear de Barakah, en los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, el domingo, lo que provocó el incendio de un generador eléctrico en su perímetro y volvió a poner a prueba el frágil alto el fuego en la guerra con Irán.

Nadie se atribuyó inmediatamente la autoría del ataque, que no causó fugas radiactivas ni heridos, según informaron las autoridades de Abu Dhabi, la capital de los EAU. Sin embargo, las sospechas recayeron de inmediato sobre Irán, que ha estado amenazando cada vez más a los Emiratos Árabes Unidos en los últimos días, ya que el país acogió los sistemas de defensa antimisiles Cúpula de Hierro israelíes y tropas durante la guerra.

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El Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA) expresó el domingo su “profunda preocupación” por el ataque. Su director general, Rafael Grossi, advirtió que “la actividad militar que amenaza la seguridad nuclear es inaceptable” y confirmó que los niveles de radiación en Barakah se mantienen normales y que no se reportaron heridos.

El ataque se produce mientras Irán sigue controlando el estrecho de Ormuz, una vía marítima vital por la que pasaba una quinta parte del petróleo y el gas natural del mundo antes de la guerra, lo que interrumpe el suministro energético mundial. Mientras tanto, Estados Unidos sigue bloqueando los puertos iraníes como respuesta, ya que las negociaciones para consolidar el alto el fuego no han logrado avanzar.

El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ha sugerido que las hostilidades podrían reanudarse, y la televisión estatal iraní ha transmitido repetidamente segmentos con presentadores sosteniendo rifles tipo Kalashnikov en un esfuerzo por preparar al público para la guerra. Mientras tanto, los intercambios de fuego entre Israel y Hezbollah en el Líbano también han aumentado en los últimos días, amenazando un alto el fuego independiente en esa zona.

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Maqueta de la planta nuclear de Barakah, la primera central atómica de la Península Arábiga y única del mundo árabe, que fue blanco de un ataque con dron el domingo. (EFE/EPA/Ali Haider, archivo)
Maqueta de la planta nuclear de Barakah, la primera central atómica de la Península Arábiga y única del mundo árabe, que fue blanco de un ataque con dron el domingo. (EFE/EPA/Ali Haider, archivo)

La central nuclear de Barakah, de 20.000 millones de dólares, fue construida por los Emiratos Árabes Unidos con la ayuda de Corea del Sur y entró en funcionamiento en 2020. Es la primera y única central nuclear de la Península Arábiga y puede satisfacer una cuarta parte de todas las necesidades energéticas de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, una federación de siete emiratos. También es la primera central nuclear comercial del mundo árabe.

El regulador nuclear de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos afirmó que el incendio no afectó la seguridad de la planta. “Todas las unidades están operando con normalidad”, escribió la organización en X.

El comunicado de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos no culpó a ninguna parte por el ataque.

El ataque del domingo marcó la primera vez que la planta de Barakah, de cuatro reactores, ha sido blanco de la guerra con Irán. La planta se encuentra en los desiertos del extremo occidental de Abu Dabi, cerca de la frontera con Arabia Saudita. Los Emiratos Árabes Unidos firmaron un acuerdo estricto con Estados Unidos sobre la central, conocido como “acuerdo 123″, en el que se comprometieron a renunciar al enriquecimiento de uranio nacional y al reprocesamiento de combustible gastado para disipar cualquier temor de proliferación. Su uranio proviene del extranjero.

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En los últimos años, las centrales nucleares se han convertido cada vez más en blanco de las guerras, primero durante la invasión a gran escala de Rusia a Ucrania en 2022. Durante la guerra de Irán, Teherán afirmó repetidamente que su central nuclear de Bushehr fue atacada, aunque no hubo daños directos en su reactor de gestión rusa ni ninguna fuga radiológica.

Ha habido varios casos de ataques en el estrecho de Ormuz y en los países del Golfo Pérsico durante las últimas semanas. Las conversaciones entre Irán y Estados Unidos se encuentran estancadas, ya que el frágil alto el fuego amenaza con colapsar y volver a sumir a Oriente Medio en una guerra abierta, lo que prolongaría la crisis energética mundial desencadenada por el conflicto.

En la televisión estatal iraní, los presentadores de al menos dos canales aparecieron armados durante programas en vivo.

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En un programa, Hossein Hosseini recibió entrenamiento básico en el uso de armas de fuego por parte de un miembro de la Guardia Revolucionaria, una fuerza paramilitar, cuyo rostro estaba cubierto con una máscara. Después de que le mostraran cómo preparar el arma, Hosseini simuló disparar contra la bandera de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos.

En otro canal, la presentadora Mobina Nasiri dijo que le habían enviado un arma desde una concentración en la plaza Vanak de Teherán para que pudiera aparecer armada ante las cámaras. Dijo: “Desde esta plataforma, declaro que estoy dispuesta a sacrificar mi vida por este país”.

(Con información de AP)

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Maldives military diver dies searching for four Italian divers missing inside underwater cave system

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A perilous search for the bodies of four Italian divers missing deep inside a Maldivian cave was halted Saturday after a military diver died during the mission.

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Mohamed Mahdi, a member of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died from decompression sickness during the dangerous mission, Maldives presidential spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef said.

A group of five Italian divers vanished Thursday during what investigators say was an unauthorized deep dive that far exceeded the Maldives’ recreational diving limit.

The victims included marine researchers and experienced divers, among them Monica Montefalcone, an ecology professor at the University of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, according to the Maldivian government.

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BAGPIPER DIES DOING POPULAR VACATION ATTRACTION DAYS BEFORE MISSING SON’S REMAINS FOUND IN BACKYARD TREEHOUSE

Mohamed Mahdi, a member of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died from decompression sickness during the dangerous mission, officials said. (Maldives National Defense Force)

Gianluca Benedetti was found dead near the cave entrance shortly after the group disappeared. Authorities believe the bodies of the four remaining divers are trapped deep inside a cave system about 160 feet underwater near Vaavu Atoll.

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The cause of the deaths remains under investigation.

Monica Montefalcone wearing scuba diving gear underwater

Monica Montefalcone, one of five Italian scuba divers who died near Alimathaa in the Maldives archipelago while exploring an underwater cave, is shown in this undated photo released by Greenpeace Italia on May 15, 2026. (Greenpeace Italia/AP)

Carlo Sommacal, Montefalcone’s husband and Giorgia’s father, expressed doubts over the accident, saying that «something must have happened down there» given his wife and daughter’s extensive experience.

Speaking to Italian TV, he described Montefalcone as a careful and highly disciplined diver who would never put her daughter or other colleagues at risk.

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Search crews say brutal underwater conditions, limited oxygen and the complexity of the cave system have made recovery efforts extremely dangerous.

Divers preparing on a boat near Alimathaa Island in the Maldives

Divers prepare to search for four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, on May 15, 2026. (Maldives President’s Media Division/AP)

«The death goes to show the difficulty of the mission,» a government spokesman said after Mahdi’s death.

HUMAN REMAINS FOUND IN SUNKEN BOAT BRING CLOSURE TO TEXAS FAMILY’S ALASKA TRAGEDY

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The Italian Foreign Ministry said the cave system consists of three large chambers connected by narrow passages. Rescue teams explored two chambers Friday but were forced to stop because of decompression risks.

Officials are now awaiting the arrival of three Finnish cave-diving specialists to reassess the operation.

Maldives Coast Guard ships in ocean

Officials in the Maldives said the effort to reach the four missing Italian divers was suspended after the death of Mahdi. (Maldives National Defense Force)

Albatros Top Boat, an Italian tour operator that managed the diving trip, denied authorizing the descent and said the divers appeared to be using standard recreational equipment instead of specialized gear required for technical cave diving, its lawyer told Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Saturday.

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The Maldives Tourism Ministry has suspended the operating license of the expedition vessel involved in the trip as the investigation continues.

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Experts warn cave diving is among the world’s most dangerous underwater activities, especially at extreme depths where visibility can disappear instantly and escape routes become limited.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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