Russian Economic Crisis

Germany is increasing its Ebola assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo by €11 million as the country battles what Development Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan described as the worst Ebola outbreak in the nation's history. The additional funding will support equipment deliveries, mobile laboratories, and training for healthcare workers conducting disease awareness campaigns, she announced on broadcaster RBB.

The outbreak has killed more than 2,300 people and infected at least 4,900 others within three months. The World Health Organization has confirmed cases across six northeastern provinces, with Ituri hardest hit. UN humanitarian coordinator Tom Fletcher said a person dies from the disease on average every 30 minutes.

The European Union is contributing €2.5 million in rapid tests and diagnostic equipment, while the United Nations has pledged an additional $30.5 million to combat the virus.

Japan's 10-year government bond yield climbed to 2.93% on Monday, its highest level since 1996, as disappointing economic growth data added to market pressure across the curve. The five-year yield also struck a record high at 2.17%, while the 30-year rate rose to 4.07%.

The rally in yields followed data showing the economy grew at an annualised rate of just 1.1% in the second quarter, well below the 2.0% forecast, with capital expenditure declining 1.2%. Markets are now pricing in further monetary tightening, with sources indicating the Bank of Japan is considering raising its policy rate to 1.25% as early as September, a move backed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government.

Tensions over monetary policy have surfaced internationally, after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly singled out Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda in a televised interview on August 4. Meanwhile, the government has yet to clarify how it will finance a planned two-year cut to food consumption taxes starting in April 2027.

The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest in the nation's history, claiming 2,325 lives and surpassing the 2,299 deaths recorded during the 2018–2020 outbreak. The National Institute of Public Health reported 4,945 confirmed cases, including 101 in the preceding 24 hours, with the case fatality rate rising to approximately 47 percent.

The outbreak, declared on May 15 and caused by the Bundibugyo strain, is the fastest-growing in recorded history, according to U.N. emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher, who warned that someone dies from the virus every 30 minutes. No approved vaccines or treatments exist for the strain. Six provinces are affected, with more than 3,400 cases in Ituri alone.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned the epidemic is on track to eclipse the 2014–2016 West African outbreak, which killed 11,310 people. Uganda was declared Ebola-free on July 28 after containing 20 cases.