Ebola Preparedness Boost: The UK pledged up to £800,000 for Rwanda and £800,000 for Burundi to strengthen surveillance, early detection, infection prevention and control, WASH, and risk communication—aimed at stopping regional viral haemorrhagic outbreaks before they spread. Ebola Response Pressure in DRC: In eastern Congo, confirmed Ebola cases passed 800 as treatment centres struggle with contact tracing and overwhelmed facilities; Burundi’s AU chair, President Ndayishimiye, is set to host a virtual summit to coordinate a $518m response plan. Regional Health Funding: The US added $20m (Ksh2.59bn) for Ebola preparedness in Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan, targeting emergency operations centres, lab testing, border screening and medical supplies. Banking Fraud Crackdown: KCB dismissed 60 staff tied to insider fraud and account manipulation across East Africa, including Burundi, raising fresh questions about internal controls and oversight. Burundi Fiscal Outlook: Burundi plans to raise government spending next fiscal year by about one-quarter, supported by extra mining revenues and export diversification. Trade Facilitation at Borders: East African Business Council urges Tanzania and Burundi to publish a clear list of commonly traded goods under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime to reduce delays and help women and youth traders. Maritime and Logistics Risks: A Lake Tanganyika cargo transport deal between Tanzania’s Tashico and DRC’s LMC targets better passenger and freight links, while a separate Gulf shipping crisis has stranded thousands of ships and tens of thousands of seafarers.