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Ossi Tiihonen wrote about a dissertation published at the University of Tampere, which he claimed showed that the WHO conducted a large-scale operation involving 417 videos to create fear. Tiihonen described the operation as deceptive. https://t.co/uZenWzbhIt #Tampere #WHO #terveys (translated)

AFRICA DAILY REPORT — 19 OCTOBER 2026 Most important news from past 24 hours 1. KENYA — EIGHTH EBOLA INFECTION CONFIRMED Importance: 10/10 — Critical Kenya's Director-General for Health, Patrick Amoth, confirmed the country's eighth Ebola infection. The latest patient is a 49-year-old attendant who cleaned utensils and linen and may have been exposed to the country's first patient, who died in Nairobi on 5 October after travelling from DR Congo. The man developed symptoms while under quarantine and tested positive on Sunday. The linked cases underscore the importance of contact tracing and infection prevention in healthcare settings. Source — Reuters, 18 October 2026 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/kenya-confirms-eighth-ebola-case-regional-outbreak-spreads-2026-10-18/ 2. DR CONGO — AUTHORITIES CONFIRM EBOLA IN AN EIGHTH PROVINCE Importance: 10/10 — Critical DR Congo's National Institute for Biomedical Research officially confirmed two Ebola cases, including one death, in North Ubangi province on the border with the Central African Republic. North Ubangi is the eighth Congolese province affected. The country's situation report recorded 9,415 confirmed cases and 4,536 deaths since the outbreak began, including 67 new cases and 26 deaths in the 24 hours to 16 October. The geographical spread increases demands on disease surveillance and treatment capacity. Source — Reuters, 18 October 2026 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/congo-confirms-ebola-outbreak-spreads-eighth-province-2026-10-18/ 3. MALI — RIGHTS GROUP DOCUMENTS CIVILIAN DEATHS IN DRONE STRIKES Importance: 10/10 — Critical Human Rights Watch accused Mali's armed forces and their Russian Africa Corps partners of indiscriminate strikes and other abuses during a counterinsurgency campaign. ACLED data cited in the report show 47 drone strikes and 94 civilian deaths from April to August, compared with 22 strikes and 44 civilian deaths in the same period of 2025. The report also describes abuses by jihadist and separatist groups. Malian and Russian representatives did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment. The allegations require accountability and independent scrutiny. Source — Reuters / Human Rights Watch, 19 October 2026 https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-forces-russian-backers-kill-scores-civilians-drone-strikes-report-says-2026-10-19/ 4. NIGERIA — ARMY CHIEF VISITS BORNO TROOPS AFTER DEADLY BASE ASSAULT Importance: 9/10 — Very High Nigeria's army chief visited troops in the northeast after suspected Islamic State West Africa Province fighters overran a base at Mairari, Borno state. Military and local sources told AFP that 15 soldiers and five members of an anti-jihadist militia were killed, and that attackers looted and burned the base. The visit comes amid concern about rising insurgent activity around Lake Chad and the security of communities and transport routes in northeastern Nigeria. Source — Africanews / AFP, 18 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/18/nigerias-army-chief-of-staff-visits-troops-in-borno-after-deaths-of-15-soliders/ 5. SUDAN–EGYPT BORDER — SURVIVORS DESCRIBE DEADLY STRIKE AT GOLD-MINING SITE Importance: 10/10 — Critical Survivors described an airstrike on the Jabal al-Uqaydat mining area near the Sudan–Egypt border that reportedly killed 72 people the previous week. Rights groups blamed Egypt's air force, while Egypt described operations against illegal mining without directly addressing the specific allegation. Sudan's army chief ordered an investigation. The precise responsibility and casualty figures require independent verification. The incident raises humanitarian and diplomatic concerns in a border area where displaced Sudanese rely on informal mining. Source — Africanews / agencies, 18 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/18/sudanese-gold-miners-describe-deadly-airstrike-that-killed-72/ 6. CAMEROON — OPPOSITION MRC ELECTS FIRST FEMALE PARTY LEADER Cameroon's opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement elected Tiriane Balbine Noah to replace Maurice Kamto. Noah, previously interim president, was the only remaining candidate and received more than 96% of delegates' votes. She becomes the party's first female president. Party officials say they are preparing for 2027 local elections; the MRC has raised concerns about restrictions on opposition activity. The longer-term political significance will depend on the party's ability to organise and compete. Source — Africanews, 18 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/18/cameroons-opposition-mrc-elects-its-first-female-president-tiriane-noah/ 7. DR CONGO — GOVERNMENT ALLEGES KABILA IS PREPARING BROADER ARMED CAMPAIGN Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya accused former president Joseph Kabila of preparing a wider attack on the state after Kabila aligned himself with M23-linked forces through the newly announced Front for the Refoundation of the Nation. Kabila has denied earlier government allegations against him and criticised the administration. Fighting continues in eastern Congo despite mediation efforts. The government's claims are allegations, not independently established findings. Source — Africanews / AFP, 18 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/18/drc-accuses-ex-president-kabila-of-planning-general-attack-on-the-country/ 8. EQUATORIAL GUINEA — MALARIA ELIMINATION PROGRAMME EXPANDS BEYOND BIOKO Importance: 9/10 — Very High Equatorial Guinea plans to expand a long-running malaria-control programme from Bioko Island to the mainland and Annobon. Bioko reduced malaria prevalence to approximately 7% through spraying, mosquito nets, monitoring and community outreach. A newly announced $116 million investment will support expansion. Authorities are considering R21 vaccination for children and new surveillance tools. Experts warn that larger territory, poverty and cross-border transmission make elimination much harder on the mainland. Source — Associated Press, 18 October 2026 https://apnews.com/article/malaria-equatorial-guinea-vaccines-r21-bioko-oil-6478c585067f176c2f17e83704a21a30 9. EGYPT — BLUE-CHIP SHARES DROP AMID REGIONAL TENSIONS Importance: 8/10 — High Egypt's EGX30 stock index fell 2.6% on Sunday, its steepest intraday decline since February, as Middle East tensions unsettled regional markets. The Egyptian presidency said Cairo was ready to support Saudi Arabia's security as attacks by Yemen's Houthis intensified. Elevated oil prices and regional instability may affect Egyptian financing conditions, transport costs and investor confidence. The market move alone does not establish a longer-term trend. Source — Reuters, 18 October 2026 https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/oil-lifts-saudi-bourse-egypt-tumbles-regional-tensions-2026-10-18/ 10. DR CONGO — EBOLA OUTBREAK COMPOUNDS MENTAL-HEALTH EMERGENCY Importance: 9/10 — Very High Health workers in eastern DR Congo warned that Ebola-related bereavement, stigma and isolation are deepening psychological distress among patients, survivors and medical personnel. A report from Bunia described families affected by multiple deaths and reluctance among neighbours to interact with survivors. Ongoing conflict and displacement compound these pressures. Aid organisations say psychosocial care needs to be integrated with infection control and clinical treatment. Source — Africanews / Associated Press, 19 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/19/dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-deepens-mental-health-crisis-amid-stigma-and-conflict/ #Africa #AfricaNews #AfricaDaily #TopNewsOfAfrica #Kenya #Ebola #EbolaOutbreak #PublicHealth #HealthSecurity #DRCongo #AfricaCDC #EbolaResponse #Mali #MaliConflict #DroneStrikes #CivilianCasualties #HumanRights #Sahel #RegionalSecurity #Nigeria #Borno #Sudan #SudanConflict #Egypt #EgyptStockExchange #AfricanEconomy #Cameroon #EquatorialGuinea #MalariaPrevention #wrldorg

The Austrian Health Fund (ÖGK) warns that the number of children and adolescents with obesity has nearly doubled from 775 to 1,415 in two years, which corresponds to an increase of 83 percent, and calls for promoting physical activity in daily life. #Adipositas #Kindergesundheit #Bewegung (translated)

The author had called on Mr. Macron to respond to popular demands. He notably requested a price freeze in light of the social emergency, the abolition of Parcoursup, and the inclusion in the budget of the 10 billion requested by high school and university students to meet their demands. He also called for the launch of compensation, without providing further details in his message. https://t.co/41L5HEKlwv #Macron #France #UrgenceSociale #FR (translated)

When we talk about Ets, we talk about competitiveness and unfair competition from China: in 2025-2026, China opened 135 coal plants. China's sources are 55% coal. We in Europe have reduced emissions by 0.1% and China by 32%. Let me understand, do we really want to destroy the European industry for 0.1%? So what we are asking for is an important reflection, which is why we are asking for the suspension of Ets. These are the words of the president of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini, on the sidelines of the 41st Capri Forum of Young Entrepreneurs. #Italia2026 #Confindustria #EmanueleOrsini (translated)

LACOBRAAA announced that it had just started a new "412" dedicated to talking about football for several hours. He invited his followers to join and stated that he had prepared content to explain the importance of winning. https://t.co/iicey15bNk #Fútbol #Deporte #Victoria (translated)

The author stated that he reaffirmed to President Zelensky this evening his determination to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. He estimated that Russia was choosing escalation because it was bogged down on the front. https://t.co/412Vq3R725 #Ukraine #Zelensky #Solidarité #UA #RU (translated)

Fabrizio Biasin had written that, with Lautaro injured, Inter's attack would rely on Thuram, Pio Esposito, and Bonny. He reported their numbers: Thuram, 3 goals and 2 assists in 418 minutes; Esposito, 2 goals and 2 assists in 375 minutes; Bonny, 2 goals in 139 minutes. https://t.co/vS62YOHFY4 #Inter #Calcio #SerieA (translated)

Martin Ågerup wrote that an analysis commissioned by the City of Copenhagen described how kitchen staff at several nursing homes rejected residents' requests for beef on their birthdays due to the municipality's CO₂ accounts. He used the story of the 95-year-old Niels as an example but emphasized that the person was fictional. According to Ågerup, the municipality's guidelines allowed for a maximum of 80 grams of beef, veal, and lamb per week, including deli meats for lunch. He quoted a resident's statement about a significant longing for decent meat. In April, the Conservative Party, Liberal Alliance, Social Democrats, Venstre, and Danish People’s Party proposed exempting nursing homes from the municipality's food strategy. The Socialist Folk Party, Red–Green Alliance, and the Radical Left rejected the proposal in the Health and Care Committee on August 20, Ågerup wrote. He expected the five parties to be in the minority when the new strategy would be adopted in the City Council at the beginning of 2027. Ågerup argued that politicians should not decide how much meat the elderly should eat, and wrote that nursing home residents should be able to choose their birthday food. He highlighted that, according to him, residents had paid taxes for most of their lives, paid rent for their care homes, and 4,414 kroner per month for food. He concluded with a call for less paternalism and more hamburgers, as well as an invitation to join the Taxpayers Association. https://t.co/5SLqHWljnU #plejehjem #fødselsdag #madpolitik (translated)

BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) Peru⁷ 🇵🇪 reported that according to YouTube Charts, Lima shared the first place globally in BTS streams over the last 28 days, with 12.8 million views. The account noted that Mexico City recorded 5.41 million and Bangkok, 4.92 million. It also indicated that Peru accumulated 20.8 million streams during that period. Among Peruvian cities, Trujillo reached 842,000 views and Arequipa, 559,000, while "Dynamite" was the most streamed song in the country, with 1.45 million listens. For the last seven days, the account stated that Lima held the top global position alone, with 6.42 million streams, compared to Seoul's 3.10 million. #BTSARMY #ARMYOnYoutube #BTS #Lima #YouTube (translated)

In 2025, the Planeta Group achieved a record revenue of 2.2 billion euros, growing by 5.3% compared to the previous year, although its EBITDA remained stable at 410 million due to the lower profitability of its communication division. #GrupoPlaneta #CrecimientoEconómico #PremioPlaneta (translated)

In the 411th episode of the F.A.Z. Einspruch Podcast, the lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Navi Pillay, as well as the significance of the Nobel Prize award in the context of current political issues, are discussed. #Friedensnobelpreis #NavanethemPillay #Völkerrecht (translated)

Univers Tennis reported that the ATP 250 tournament in Lyon announced the withdrawal of Gaël Monfils, despite the wild card that had been granted to him, citing personal reasons. The media also indicated that Lucas Pouille would replace him at the exhibition scheduled for October 24. https://t.co/41OoTRKUaA #ATP250 #Lyon #Tennis (translated)

Cerfia, citing French breaches, listed the administrations, state services, and French public operators that may have been targeted by cyberattacks or data leaks over the past year. In the employment and social benefits sector, Cerfia reported data concerning up to 12 million employees in the URSSAF/DPAE system: names, dates of birth, employers, and hire dates. For URSSAF/Pajemploi, the figure was 1.2 million employees, with identities, addresses, social security numbers, and bank names. The census also mentioned 1.6 million young people linked to France Travail and local missions, whose identities, addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers may have been affected. For Pass'Sport and the Ministry of Sports, it mentioned 3.5 million households along with their names, contact details, phone numbers, and addresses. It also reported nearly 1.2 million CAF/CNAF/Vacaf files claimed, without confirmation from CNAF, regarding family information, beneficiaries, and vacation stays. Cerfia also reported that Bloctel/DGCCRF had about 3 million phone numbers extracted, including 600,000 registered on Bloctel. The Agency for Services and Payment and the Coup de pouce énergie scheme may have involved 108,555 beneficiaries, with their identities, addresses, amounts of assistance, and IBANs. A link mentioned in the post referred to a service that may have affected 550,000 accounts, with names, emails, phones, dates of birth, and engagement histories. France Travail may also have been affected by agent data held by an HR service provider, while France VAE may have seen candidate data targeted. In education and training, the census reported 5.8 million DELF-DALF candidates associated with France Éducation International and GAEL, whose identities, nationalities, dates, and places of birth may have been exposed. For the Ministry of National Education, it mentioned up to 4.35 million teachers potentially affected by identity, assignment, grade, and compensation data, as well as one million students from Créteil whose personal and family data may have been exfiltrated. The COMPAS system may have involved 243,000 agents, with their names, personal addresses, and initial assignments. Up to 200,000 candidates for Ev@lang may have been affected by personal data related to language tests. Cerfia also cited ÉduConnect. The post mentioned 705,000 Parcoursup candidates in the academic region of Occitanie, whose identities, contact details, school information, scholarship status, and family data may have been affected. The intrusion was dated to October 2025. For the Ministry of Sports and FORÔMES, it advanced 450,000 candidates and identity, address, phone number, date of birth, and diploma level data. The Compte Asso was also among the mentioned services. Cerfia further reported at least 30 affected sports federations — notably in football, shooting, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, sailing, skiing, and handball — with data from license holders, including minors. At least eight public higher education institutions were cited: Angers, Lille, UMLP, Alfort, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, AgroParisTech, CNAM, and ésam. The post also mentioned the training platform of the Agency for Civic Service and the application platforms of Campus France. Among financial and administrative organizations, Cerfia reported that about 1.2 million bank accounts linked to DGFiP/FICOBA may have been affected, with identities, addresses, RIBs, and IBANs. Up to 433,485 individuals may have been impacted through the DGFiP property register, with addresses and characteristics of real estate. More than 350,000 individuals may have been affected by tax data — reference tax income, family quotients, and withholding rates — and the portal for vacant inheritances was also listed. For DGAFP/Choosing Public Service, the figure mentioned was 377,418 candidates, with their identities, contact details, diplomas, and professional backgrounds. The post also cited the Ministry of the Interior and the TAJ, FPR, SIA, and SIV files. The census mentioned 774,000 people linked to Cnous/CROUS, with identities, emails, and appointments. It also reported 329,000 extracted documents concerning 139,000 individuals, including identity and income verification documents. ANFR/Radiomaritime may have concerned 330,000 users and their identities, addresses, emails, phones, and dates of birth. For INSEE, Cerfia reported 12,800 agents and former agents, with identities and professional contact details. The Institute for Research and Development may have involved about 7,500 individuals, with identity, address, and professional data along with, for some, social security numbers; exfiltration was not confirmed. The post also cited CNRS and personnel data. Cerfia indicated that Public Health France and a service provider may have been involved for about 80,000 contacts: names, emails, addresses, and professional phones, without any reported medical data. For Tracfin and a support provider, it mentioned 136 professionals, their identities and contact details, as well as 213 assistance requests; according to ANSSI, no suspicion declarations were reported. ANSSI and its innovation laboratory were also listed, with 118 Metabase accounts potentially affected by a compromise. The post further cited 70,000 files and 160,000 administrative documents that may have been exfiltrated from DINUM/HubEE, some containing personal data, as well as the State Cloud. More than 30,000 individuals may have been affected by directory, identity, and professional contact data related to AEFE/Orion. At the Ministry of Ecological Transition, 22,000 agents and accredited organizations may have been involved with access to personal data, and over 300 email accounts may have been compromised. Cerfia also mentioned messaging services and a server from the General Directorate of Customs and Indirect Rights, as well as Tchap, the secure messaging service of the State. Finally, the census reported 14 SDIS targeted, with personal and professional data, internal documents, and medical data. At least five hospital establishments may have been affected: AP-HP, Hospices Civils de Lyon, as well as the establishments in Perpignan, Chaumont, and Haute-Comté. The list also included the French Office for Biodiversity and hunting permits, the National Library of France, and the Center for National Monuments through a ticketing service provider, regional health agencies and vaccination data, as well as the French Office for Immigration and Integration and an IT service provider. #Cyberattaques #ProtectionDesDonnées #SécuritéInformatique (translated)