Africa News

Eid al-Adha in 2026 fell on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah and coincided with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage. More than 1.7 million pilgrims participated, with observances reported in Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and Gaza. Coverage from Al Jazeera and Africa News documents the core rituals and local conditions.

The World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern for an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that began on May 15 and involves the Bundibugyo strain. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is scheduled to arrive in Kinshasa on Thursday before traveling to Ituri province, where cases were first reported and the virus circulated for weeks. Uganda has closed its border with Congo, while confirmed figures stand at 121 cases and 17 deaths.

France set a new national May temperature record and the United Kingdom recorded its hottest May day since records began, with multiple western French départements placed under yellow heat alerts. Temperatures reached 34.3°C in Nantes and 34.8°C at Kew Gardens, London, exceeding seasonal averages by up to 11°C in parts of France, the UK, and Spain. Météo-France indicated the heatwave would likely persist through the end of the week.

US and Iranian officials stated that most obstacles to an agreement have been resolved, with negotiations ongoing in Qatar. Military actions including US strikes on Iranian vessels, an Israeli operation in Lebanon, and IRGC claims of downing a US drone occurred in late May 2026. A reported truce since April 7 remains disputed between sources.

Canada is implementing arrival health screenings and requiring isolation plans for asymptomatic travelers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan amid ongoing Ebola outbreaks in those countries. Official assessments place the domestic risk as low with no travel-related cases recorded. Reports conflict on whether entry is restricted for citizens, permanent residents, or non-residents and whether outright entry bans apply.