West Bank, DR Congo, Taiwan
Today's three stories you should know
West Bank
The economy of the occupied West Bank is on the brink of collapse, according to new research, which warns the dire financial straits are also fuelling instability. A report from the International Crisis Group said myriad Israeli constraints on life in the Palestinian territory, including restrictions on movement, the withholding of revenue and the illegal settlement of land, are leaving Palestinians without any opportunities. “The economic conditions necessary for any Palestinian future other than permanent subjugation are being dismantled,” the report said, adding the policies were aimed at advancing “Israel’s own declared goal of extending its control and preventing a Palestinian state from emerging.”
More from AP here.
Episode 3 of The Proximities Podcast, a conversation with Ethiopian journalist Zecharias Zelalem, is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Episode 2, on Iran, is on Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here and YouTube here.
Episode 1, on Sudan, is on Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here and YouTube here.
DRC
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have recorded the biggest single-day jump in confirmed Ebola cases since an outbreak was formally declared last month. Some 72 new cases were documented in 24 hours, government data showed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 782. There have now been 181 deaths, according to the government’s latest situation report. Regional instability, populations suspicious of outsiders due to conflict, and the lack of an approved vaccine for the rarer Bundibugyo strain of the virus have so far hampered efforts to fully contain the outbreak.
More from Reuters here.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s intelligence service has opened a website that invites Chinese nationals to share tips and private information on their government at a time of heightened tension between Beijing and Taipei. Taiwan’s spy agency, the National Security Bureau, said it was launching the initiative in line with similar schemes in Western countries, mentioning the U.S., the UK and Israel. Its aim, it said, was to “expand the collection of intelligence on China’s political, military, economic and social developments.” Beijing, which views self-ruled Taiwan as a rogue part of its territory, has adopted an increasingly bellicose stance towards the island, repeatedly refusing to rule out the use of military action to capture it.
More from the Independent here.