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France Reports First Ebola Case as DR Congo Outbreak Worsens

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France has confirmed its first case of Ebola after a doctor returned from a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The doctor was immediately admitted to a specialized medical facility and is reported to be in stable condition. French health authorities have emphasized that the risk to the general public remains very low.

The case comes as the DRC battles a major Ebola outbreak that has infected more than 1,000 people and claimed over 260 lives. The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no vaccine currently exists. Health officials are tracing individuals who may have come into contact with the infected doctor, while France has activated a dedicated monitoring system for aid workers returning from the affected region.

The World Health Organization has warned that the outbreak could become one of the largest on record, with infections concentrated in eastern DRC, particularly in Ituri province. Efforts to contain the virus have been complicated by ongoing conflict in the region, where armed groups control large areas. Neighboring Uganda has also reported Ebola cases and fatalities, raising concerns about the spread of the disease across borders.

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Glencore to Buy $115M Cobalt from Industry Veteran for U.S. Stockpile

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Glencore has reached an agreement to purchase nearly 2,000 metric tons of cobalt from industry veteran Rami Weisfisch, worth around $115 million at current market prices. The deal, spanning 12 months in 2026, is expected to supply the United States for its planned National Defense Stockpile under Project Vault, a program backed by $12 billion in public and private funding. The cobalt, originally acquired by Weisfisch in 2015, is stored across Europe and the U.S., and marks the end of Weisfisch’s 50-year involvement in the cobalt industry.

The move comes amid heightened U.S. efforts to secure critical materials, including cobalt, to reduce reliance on China, the dominant global supplier and processor of strategic metals. Glencore’s CEO Gary Nagle confirmed the company’s participation in Project Vault, following the cancellation of a U.S. Defense Logistics Agency tender for cobalt last year. The deal uses pricing tied to Fastmarkets assessments, ensuring alignment with current market conditions.

Cobalt prices have surged approximately 160% since February 2025, reaching $26 per pound ($57,320 per ton), driven by tight supply and rising global demand. Democratic Republic of Congo, the top producer, imposed export quotas from February to mid-October, disrupting supply chains. China, the largest cobalt processor, has been most affected by these restrictions, scrambling to secure cobalt for its industries, including lithium-ion battery production for electric vehicles and mobile devices.

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