World Briefs: Ebola outbreak in Congo may spread, says WHO

EBOLA OUTBREAK IN CONGO MAY SPREAD, SAYS WHO

GENEVA • A deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has a clear "potential to expand", the World Health Organisation warned yesterday, as it reported seven more cases of the disease.

"We are on the epidemiological knife edge," Dr Peter Salama, in charge of emergency response at the WHO, told a special meeting on the outbreak that has killed 27 people.

The agency issued a new toll, saying there had been 58 cases since the outbreak was declared on May 8 - an increase of seven over figures issued on Tuesday - and said it was actively following more than 600 contacts.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

METHOD FOUND TO CRIPPLE BREAST CANCER CELLS

PARIS • Scientists have identified the mechanism that allows breast cancer cells to lie dormant in other parts of the body only to re-emerge years later with lethal force, according to a new study.

In experiments with human cells and live mice, researchers showed that disabling the mechanism - with drugs or gene manipulation - crippled the cancer cells and inhibited their capacity to spread.

The discovery, reported in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday, provides a promising target for the development of breast cancer therapies, the study said.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

104 PEOPLE JAILED FOR LIFE OVER FAILED TURKISH COUP

ISTANBUL • A court in Turkey has sentenced 104 people to life in prison for involvement in the failed military coup of 2016, handing down the heaviest penalties possible in the country.

The defendants were part of a group trial of 280 people, mostly military personnel, accused of participating in an attempt to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Scuffles broke out at the sentencing on Monday as some of the defendants tried to attack two witnesses who had turned state's evidence and given details of the plan during the trial, according to Turkish news reports.

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