The United States will suspend South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act from 1 January 2027, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on 2 Nov. South Africa exported about $1.7 billion of goods to the US under the programme in 2025, down from $4 billion in 2024, and the trade ministry said it would support affected sectors. Greer cited trade and investment barriers, corruption and threats to US security and foreign policy interests. South Africa rejects a Trump administration claim that it persecutes white South Africans. Rwanda had no immediate reaction.
Democratic Republic of Congo
3 stories since 28 October 2026, newest first
3 November 2026
2 November 2026
The outbreak has killed 5,376 people, most of them in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Kenya reported nine infections in October, its first Ebola cases, and Nigeria confirmed a case in a 42‑year‑old Swiss woman. Since May, more than 10,000 individuals have been infected across the region, and the fatality rate exceeds 50%. Clinical trials of the Ervebo vaccine have started targeting the Bundibugyo strain.
28 October 2026
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo report 10,060 Ebola infections and 4,887 deaths since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. Cases have also been confirmed in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, with Kenya reporting nine cases and two deaths. At least 2,600 patients have recovered. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists. Ituri and North Kivu provinces account for most reported cases, and Africa CDC calls it the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history.