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KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The number of confirmed Ebola cases in Congo has increased to 782, with 181 deaths, the Congolese Ministry of Health said in a statement on social platform X on Sunday evening.

However, the number of cases in Congo is believed to be higher because the outbreak was confirmed on May 15, weeks after it is suspected to have begun, and the contact tracing coverage rate is at 56%, a sharp decrease from last week.

The latest Ebola outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, unlike the “Zaire virus,” which was responsible for most of Congo’s past 16 outbreaks of the disease.

Fifty-six people have recovered, and the current fatality rate of the outbreak is 23%, the Ministry said.

The outbreak is concentrated in Congo’s eastern province of Ituri, which accounts for more than 90% of the cases. Cases have also been recorded in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, and have spread across the border to Uganda.

Nearly a million people have been displaced by conflict in Ituri, according to the U.N. humanitarian office, making contact tracing difficult as people flee attacks or move frequently in the vast province with dense forests, poor roads and remote villages that can take days to reach.

Tracing is also difficult among the thousands of artisanal miners who regularly move between remote sites in the mineral-rich region.

Attacks on health workers from angry residents, skepticism among some locals, and armed conflict in hot spots continue to challenge efforts to stop the outbreak.

Last month, U.S. officials said Washington intends to send Americans exposed to Ebola while abroad to a new facility in Kenya rather than flying them back home. They said the center would be located at Laikipia Air Base with a capacity of 50 quarantine beds. The move led to protests over the plans to build an Ebola quarantine center, which was later halted by the courts.

The honour was made as a testimony of Dr Raby’s services to higher education.

With a 155-year heritage in creative education, The Northern School of Art is the only specialist arts and design school in the North East.

The prestigious honour recognises Dr Raby’s leadership during a period of significant progress which has seen the school become one of the UK’s leading specialist providers of creative education.

Dr Martin Raby, Principal of the Northern School of Art, honoured with the OBE in recognition of his work in higher education (Image: The Northern School of Art)

During his 18-years as principal, the school secured degree awarding powers in 2024, enabling it to award its own qualifications for the first time in its history.

The school has also achieved the rare distinction of securing three successive Ofsted outstanding ratings for its Middlesbrough-based further education provision.

Students at The Northern School of Art celebrate ‘outstanding’ Ofsted recognition in February 2025 (Image: The Northern School of Art)

It has twice received an overall Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award, the highest rating awarded to a university or college by the Office for Students (OfS) in England, for its higher education provision in Hartlepool.

The Northern School of Art’s Hartlepool campus (Image: The Northern School of Art)

Dr Raby has also overseen the transformation of the school’s estate during the past decade, working closely with partners including Middlesbrough Council, Hartlepool Borough Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Together they have delivered a purpose-built further education campus in Middlesbrough, substantial new teaching facilities in Hartlepool and the establishment of the Northern Film and TV Studios.

Backed by support from North East Screen, the commercial studios are playing an increasingly important role in attracting television and film production to the region.

It has created opportunities for students, alumni and crew returning to the North East.

Production activity is set to grow further through planned enhancements to the studios and the development of a production village, a collaborative project involving the school, Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority and North East Screen.

Throughout his career, Dr Raby has championed social mobility through education, helping thousands of students from diverse backgrounds to access further and higher education, leading them to pursue careers in the creative industries.

Many of those successful students are the first in their families to progress into higher education or employment in the sector.

His contribution extends beyond the institution through support for regional regeneration, economic development and skills growth across Tees Valley and Hartlepool.

Through employer partnerships, civic leadership and a commitment to creative excellence, he has helped school to become a nationally recognised institution and an important anchor organisation supporting the future prosperity of the region.

Dr Raby, now OBE, said: “I’m delighted to receive this honour, which reflects the remarkable achievements of The Northern School of Art and the dedication of everyone associated with it.

“Whilst our key partners have been magnificent in the support that they have provided as we have transformed the school, what is truly special is the exceptional efforts of my colleagues, who are incredibly dedicated to supporting our students.

Read next … more culture and arts stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

“The real transformation is what our students can achieve by studying with us, growing as creative practitioners thanks to the quiet dedication of our staff teams, whether they are FE students, going on to undergraduate study, or our graduates, progressing to impressive careers in the creative industries.

“I could not wish for a better group of colleagues, and it is an honour to lead them, supported by talented governors, as the school continues on its trajectory of growth and development.”

The new OBE recipient pledged: “There is much more to come.”

The supermarket chain has already reduced prices on more than 1,000 products since the start of the year, including everyday staples such as fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, eggs, milk, bread, and yoghurt.

Recent discounts include Mature Cheddar, now £2.49 down from £2.79, cherries (200g) at £1.39 down from £2.29 and 4 Beef Quarter Pounders at £2.89 down from £3.49.

Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, said: “We know customers continue to face pressure on their household budgets, especially heading into the summer months.

“Our £250 million investment in lowering prices on over 1,000 products ensures customers get even better value.

“This latest investment, combined with a significant increase in promotions via the Lidl Plus app, reinforces our unwavering commitment to deliver the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices.”

Lidl has also ramped up investment in its Lidl Plus app, launching ‘Lidl Points’—a flexible rewards programme that lets shoppers redeem them through an in-app marketplace for products or money-off coupons.

Other features include personalised coupons, Rewards of the Week, and seasonal offers.

The retailer recently became the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket, with more than three in five households now shopping at Lidl.

Elsewhere, the chain has announced plans to open more than 50 new stores within a year as part of a £600 million investment in UK infrastructure.

Lidl reveals 1,000 areas where it wants to open new stores

Lidl has revealed a ‘wish list’ of more than 1,000 areas where it would like to open new stores.

You can see the full list of locations on its online site requirements brochure.

Chief real estate officer at Lidl GB, Richard Taylor, said: “At Lidl GB, we currently have one of the most ambitious store opening programmes of any supermarket.

“We’re more committed than ever to bringing our high-quality and low-priced products to even more communities across the country.

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“All of our stores deliver more than just affordable products.

“Each one also brings quality jobs and opportunities for British suppliers to showcase the best home grown produce and support local good causes in the communities each one serves.

“In uncertain times, shoppers and communities can count on us.”

Have you noticed a cut in prices at your local Lidl? Let us know in the comments.

When Will The Ban Begin?

Why Is This Social Media Ban Happening Now?

What Platforms Will Be Banned?

What About The Backlash From Social Media Giants?

What About Donald Trump?

Has The Decision Been Welcomed By Campaigners?

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement early Monday that would extend their shaky ceasefire and lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but challenges immediately loomed, including Israel insisting it would hold onto land seized in Lebanon as it battles Hezbollah.

Details of the deal, which would potentially allow desperately needed oil and natural gas to reach the global market through the critical waterway, were not immediately released. Iran signaled implementation would not start until the signing, which key mediator Pakistan said would take place Friday in Switzerland.

But the memorandum of understanding over the war already faced hurdles. Israel’s continued hostilities with the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon, where Israel bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs Sunday, nearly derailed the negotiations. Israel joined the U.S. in launching the war on Feb. 28.

Israel says it won’t withdraw from Lebanon

In the first official Israeli comments after the announcement of the deal, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel won’t withdraw from land seized in Lebanon as the interim deal is pending. Katz said Israel plans to stay “indefinitely” in lands it holds in Lebanon, as well as Syria and the Gaza Strip. Iran has tied the interim deal over the war to halting Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Katz also threatened that if Iran attacks Israel over Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Israel will strike Iran with “great force.”

Over the past 2 1/2 years, Israel has taken control of areas in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria amounting to 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of territory — an area that is slightly smaller than New York City.

Meanwhile, the deal between the U.S. and Iran gives just 60 days to resolve what to do about Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its atomic program. That took years to resolve in Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from that accord in his first term, setting the stage for the tensions that culminated in the war.

“Congratulations to all!” Trump wrote on social media as he celebrated his 80th birthday Sunday with a UFC cage match fight at the White House.

He added, “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” which was imposed in retaliation for Iran’s grip on the crucial waterway.

The Prime Minister announced the restriction in a Downing Street press conference as he warned social media was having an impact on children’s happiness and mental health.

Sir Keir said he would not compromise on the “safety and happiness of our children”.

He said he was confident the ban can be effective but acknowledged some children would find their way around it.

Making the announcement on Monday morning, the Prime Minister said: “This is not something I do lightly, and I will not present it as cost-free, as if social media has brought no benefits to young people, because clearly that is wrong.

“But government is always about choices, and it’s clear to me that a full ban is the right choice.

“I come to it as a parent myself. I know exactly the fears that we all feel when we’re thinking about this issue.

“All I’ve ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and for them to be safe, and I think that’s what any parent wants, but I ask the question now, ‘do we truly believe that social media creates a happy environment for our children?’

“Do we truly believe that it’s a place where they can feel safe? I don’t think I even need to answer those questions, do I?

“Every parent can see it with their own eyes. Social media is making children unhappy.”

Starmer said social media was “making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse” children and “could even be harming their mental health – exposing them to content that is dangerous, because that’s what grabs the attention”.

He added: “It’s designed to be addictive, of course it is. Features like the infinite scroll, they’re designed to lock you in for hours, and if nothing else, there’s an opportunity cost to that.

“It stops children doing their homework, reading, playing with their friends outside, going to bed a decent hour.

“Now that may not sound like much, but these are the activities that help a child develop into an adult.

“We know how important they are. We just never thought that something would come along to threaten them.”

What apps will be banned in UK under-16s social media ban?

More details on the exact apps have yet to be confirmed, but it’s understood that social media platforms, TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, and Reddit will be banned for under-16s.

The ban will also stop under-16s from accessing romantic or sexual AI chatbots.

The PM did confirm that there will be a limit on their ability to chat with strangers on gaming and live-streaming platforms.

The ban is expected to come into full force by Spring 2027.

Why is social media being banned for under-16s?

The ban comes in response to overwhelming support during a government consultation, which found that 91% of parents backed raising the minimum age for social media access to 16.

The consultation on the proposals closed on May 26 and drew about 116,000 responses, making it the second-largest in history.

More than 83% of parents who responded said the risks of social media outweigh the benefits for children.

Among younger respondents, 62% said restricting high-risk features would improve their safety online.

However, 72% expressed concerns about feeling left out if such restrictions were introduced.

Los Angeles is often nicknamed “Tehrangeles” – a fact that drew smiles from both player and manager when it was mentioned at the news conference.

Many Iranian-Americans will be heading to SoFi Stadium on Monday where Iran will open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand.

Many will not be there to cheer, but to protest.

Fifa has banned the pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag – a powerful symbol for many Iranians living abroad.

The decision has angered parts of the diaspora.

“You don’t come to Los Angeles and tell us we can’t fly the Lion and Sun flag,” said activist Arezo Rashidian, who is helping organise demonstrations outside the stadium.

“This is the largest Iranian community outside Iran. Many of us came here after the revolution. We’re opposing Fifa’s ban and standing in solidarity with the people of Iran.”

Many members of the diaspora are hostile towards Iran’s regime, and some see the squad as an extension of the Islamic Republic.

“It’s unfortunate that the regime turns athletes into mouthpieces.” said Rashidian. “We want athletes to remain athletes.”

Despite that, she and many others still plan to attend the match.

“We understand the pressure they’re under,” she said. “We’ll carry our colours. We’ll cheer for Iran – the country – held captive by the Islamic Republic.”

But while protesters prepare to make their voices heard outside the stadium, Iran’s players say their focus remains on football.

“As players of the national team, we play for every single Iranian, whether in the diaspora or in Iran,” Taremi said.

“In every country people have different opinions. We are here to unite people and bring joy. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We don’t get involved in politics.”

That may be the ideal.

But for Iran’s team, keeping politics outside the stadium could prove difficult in a tournament where football has often felt like a sideshow for this squad.

“There is no winning for Iran’s team,” investigative football journalist Samindra Kunti said.

“Given the circumstances, the political pressure, the location of the matches and the diaspora in Los Angeles, they’re under enormous pressure.”

“It’s impossible to avoid the politics.

“Everything becomes a reminder of their situation.”

The players face pressure from home, pressure from the host nation and pressure from a diaspora determined to make its voice heard.

All before a ball has been kicked.