The Democratic Republic of Congo’s international friendly against Chile in Spain next week has been cancelled after officials raised health concerns over the Ebola outbreak in the African nation.
Juan Franco, mayor of the city of La Línea de la Concepcion, has signed a decree that prevents the June 9 event from proceeding as planned.
The decision was described as a “precautionary measure” and comes following recommendations from the Andalusian Regional Health Service and the municipality’s own medical department.
“A report by the head of the health service of the mayoralty of La Linea clearly advises against hosting the match given the health risks,” Franco said.
La Linea, a coastal resort with a population of about 65,000 people in Cadiz province, close to the Gibraltar border, was due to host the match as both countries continued their preparations for the World Cup.
DR Congo is currently based in Belgium after cancelling a planned pre-tournament training camp in the capital, Kinshasa, due to the Ebola outbreak in the east of the country.
BBC Sport understands that no DR Congo players –
who play for clubs outside the country have recently visited their homeland, but few support staff and fans have flown in from there.
DR Congo is scheduled to face Denmark in a friendly match in Liège on Wednesday.
The US public health agency has banned the entry of non-Americans who have been in the DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days, in response to the Ebola outbreak.
The outbreak in eastern DR Congo is caused by a rare strain of Ebola known as Bundibugyo.
There is currently no vaccine for this species and the World Health Organization has said that it could take up to nine months for a vaccine to be ready.
DR Congo plans to stay in Houston during the tournament and is scheduled to open their group campaign against Portugal on June 17, marking their first World Cup qualification since 1974.
They will then travel to the Mexican city of Guadalajara to face Colombia before returning to the United States to take on Uzbekistan in Atlanta.
Man United have suffered injury problems in defense this season, and the partnership that ends the 2026/27 campaign could look very different to the one that started.
Lenny Euro and Ayden Haven could form a long-term partnership at centre-back for Manchester United
Manchester United will go with five central defenders next season, but the pecking order could change dramatically at the end of the year in a campaign that will give them all opportunities.
United ended the season with Harry Maguire and Lesandro Martinez forming the preferred partnership of Michael Carrick. They started together when fit and offered a good combination of right-footed and left-footed, dribbler and passer, strong in the air and combative on deck.
But it’s easy to see that partnership breaking down at some point next season. Maguire is now 33 and Martinez has struggled with injury problems, never appearing in more than 27 Premier League games during his four-year spell at Old Trafford.
And it’s easy to forget that Matthijs de Ligt was the standout player in the early weeks of this season. He played every minute of the Premier League season until the end of November and then failed to overcome a back injury which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.
De Ligt underwent surgery to correct the problem and although he will not be fit for the start of the season, he will be aiming for a place in the side when he returns to full training at Carrington.
Then there are the two youngsters and it will be worth watching their development as the season progresses. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven started three games together last season, but United did not win any of them; both are regarded as exciting talents at Carrington.
Indeed, Euro, 20, and Heaven, 19, are so highly rated that Maguire, who has been a mentor to both of them, has told club staff they could be United’s own version of Arsenal’s title-winning central defensive partnership of Willem Saliba and Gabriel.
The pair have been the bedrock of Arsenal’s domestic success and arguably stand as the best partnership in the league. Maguire’s belief in the long-term potential of the Euro and Paradise is telling.
Maguire signed a new one-year contract with the option of a further year in April, and, as was the case last season, his end at Old Trafford is clearly imminent. Martinez’s contract situation remains the same, with 12 months remaining and a one-year option. He has fitness concerns about getting an extension and will turn 29 in the middle of next season.
De Litt also has to prove his form and fitness again. It seems inevitable that at least one of De Ligt, Martinez and Maguire will leave Old Trafford next summer, so there is a path to the Euros and heaven.
They also have a right foot to left foot balance and should have attributes that indicate they will make a good partnership. He has already made a connection off the pitch.
Heavens overcame a sticky spell to finish the season well and was superb in the win at Chelsea, but the Euros haven’t started last term as expected. United beat Real Madrid to his £52million signing in 2024, and although he is still young for a central defender, he will target a place in the strongest XI by the end of next season.
It certainly feels like there will be spots in this defence next season. Maguire and Martinez currently hold the shirts, but their grip will loosen and De Ligt, Yoro and Heaven will have chances to impress.
Every founder applying to Startup Battlefield wants the same thing: disrupt the main stage. Six-minute live presentation and demo in front of top-tier Silicon Valley investors. A dedicated TechCrunch article was published at the time of your submission. You could win a $100,000 equity-free prize and a shot at the Disrupt Cup.
And it can all be yours, but every path to startup battlefield success starts with an application. And we’ve actually extended the deadline for this year’s group to June 8th, so you only have a brief window to send your message.
Head here to start that app now, but for starters, we have some advice based on past competitions and some details on why participants start getting perks before Disrupt’s main stage even begins.
What needs to happen to get Startup Battlefield into the top 20
The Startup Battlefield Top 20 represents the best of the Startup Battlefield 200. Companies whose ideas are meaningfully different, category-defining, and able to make a big impact in their industry or geography. Selection depends on which companies are most compelling, unique and ready for the global platform.
Your product and installer video are everything. They are the first impression and play the most important role in identifying which companies are ready for the disruption phase. Show your product in action. Be specific about what makes you different. Let not only your metrics, but also your confidence, come through on camera.
Selected companies work closely with the TechCrunch team on pitch preparation prior to Disrupt. Each company presents a six-minute live pitch and demo on the Disrupt stage, followed by a live Q&A with top-tier investors such as Eileen Lee (Cowboy Ventures), Kirsten Green (Forerunner), Naveen Chadha (Mayfield), Chris Farmer (Signalfire), Dana Grayson (Construct Capital), Ann Miura-Ko (Floodgate), and Hans Tung (Remarkable Capital).
Five of the top 20 are selected to perform again on the final day of Disrupt in front of a new panel of high-profile judges. The winner receives equity-free prize money and $100,000 in Disrupt Cup.
Not initially selected for the top 20? you’re still in the race
The list is not final as long as the disruption is ongoing. Every year, things change – founders drop out, the schedule changes, and exceptional companies rapidly emerge from the 200 over the course of the programme.
We keep the top 20 confidential until the event begins and maintain a short list of companies ready to participate. This happens in every cycle.
And more importantly, being in the 200 is where the real opportunity begins. The stage is a moment. But the access, exposure and network you get as part of a group extends far beyond that.
What every Startup Battlefield 200 companies get
You don’t need to make the top 20 for Startup Battlefield to change your trajectory.
Each selected company receives a fully funded demo booth at TechCrunch Disrupt; complimentary event passes for the team; access to pre-event virtual programmes with world-class VCs, operators and founders; dedicated pitch preparation; and an invitation to a private Startup Battlefield reception.
All 200 companies are present in Disrupt. Whether you’re on the Disrupt stage competing for a $100,000 prize or on the Showcase stage for the best in the industry, both are real opportunities to stand out in front of investors, press and partners who come to Disrupt to learn what’s next.
On the editorial side, every company enters the TechCrunch ecosystem. Coverage is not guaranteed, but our editors actively track startup battlefield companies through articles, the Build Mode Podcast, the Equity Podcast, and future updates as you grow. TechCrunch often invites standout companies to pitch, speak, and give retreats on its platform. This is an opportunity that adds up over time.
Plus, you join the Startup Battlefield alumni community, which includes 1,700+ companies like Dropbox, Discord, and Cloudflare that have collectively raised $32 billion and produced 250+ exits. This is not a mailing list; it is a network of founders who have gone through similar experiences and continue to support each other.
Alumni receive frequent opportunities to mentor and speak at TechCrunch events, discounts and complimentary access to future events, and exclusive perks from our partner network.
The stage is a moment. Network, visibility and reach are ultimate.
You get value just for applying to Startup Battlefield
Even if you are not selected, you still benefit from applying. Applicants get access to resources from our partners, as well as exclusive discounts on event tickets and performance opportunities, so you can stay close to the ecosystem and come back stronger in the next cycle.
If you’re unsure whether you’re ready, apply anyway. It’s free, there’s nothing to lose, and we’ll tell you if it’s not the right time. Founders who wait until they feel ready often wait too long.
While you’re preparing, check out Build Mode, TechCrunch’s podcast for early-stage founders featuring past Startup Battlefield companies, breakout founders, and top-tier investors. Learn what it takes to build a battlefield-ready company.
This line from Confucius keeps popping up again and again in writings about anger and decision-making. It is usually shared as a short warning, almost like a saying that travels faster than its original context.
The sentence is strict and doesn’t try to soften what it is saying. Confucius is often associated with ideas of discipline and restraint, and this quote is in line with that tradition.
It does not go into detailed explanations or philosophy. It simply changes and keeps the result in the same frame.
Most readers stop at tthis point becauseit seems simple at first, but the longer it lingers, the heavier its meaning becomes. It’s less about drama and more about what happens to a person internally when they decide to act on anger instead of retreating from it.
today’s thought by confucius
What is the meaning behind this statement of Confucius?
The meaning of the quote is not actually about burial or literal action. It points to the consequences, and specifically, the price that comes with vengeance.
The idea of ”two graves” is often read as a way of saying that loss is not limited to one direction. The person targeted for revenge is not the only one affected.
The person who chooses it is also harmed, sometimes in ways that are not initially obvious. This is less of a rule and more of a warning based on a pattern.
Confucius, in the way his teachings are generally understood, often leant toward restraint and steady behaviour rather than reactive sentiment.
This quote reflects that mentality. The quote shows that revenge is not a neat and tidy act that restores balance. The act creates a second layer of damage that follows the person who started it.
There is also an emotional angle hidden in it. Revenge usually begins in moments of hurt or anger. This quote quietly shifts the focus from the original injury to what happens next after the reaction. That change is where the warning sits.
Revenge is rarely limited to the first action
In real life, situations motivated by revenge go beyond the first intention. What starts as a reaction to something traumatic can turn into a chain of reactions.
One action leads to another, and soon, the original issue is no longer the only thing at play. The quote reflects that sense of expansion.
It does not describe the stages in detail, but it suggests that emotional reactions are usually unlimited. Once a person moves from emotion to action, the situation often changes shape. This moment is where the second “tomb” becomes symbolic.
This suggests that the result is not isolated. Something is moved forward and not always in a visible way. The damage is not always immediate or direct, but it builds around the decision.
emotional reaction and loss of control
At the heart of this proverb is a simple idea about control. Revenge is usually not a planned or neutral decision. It comes from emotion, often when thinking is compressed by anger or frustration.
In that moment, restraints diminish, and reactions become more immediate.Confucius’s warning fits precisely into that gap.
This does not negate the emotion. It focuses on what happens when emotion becomes unstoppable action.
The cost is not described in detail, but it is implied through the outcome. This is why this quote still appears in modern writing. It talks about situations where people act first and understand later. This structure is familiar not only in extreme cases but also in small everyday conflicts.
Modern conditions still reflect the same pattern
The idea behind the quote also appears in everyday settings, not just historical or philosophical ones. It appears in more common ways in everyday behaviour.
Conflicts in relationships, workplaces or even online spaces often follow a similar path. The response to loss can escalate rapidly.
What starts out as a single reaction can turn into a back-and-forth that was never intended in the beginning. As the exchange continues, the original issue becomes secondary.
The quote alludes to that pattern without describing it directly. This directly leads to results, where the person starting the cycle often ends up gaining more weight than expected.
This cycle does not always lead to physical consequences, but it does take an emotional toll and has long-term consequences.
Understanding this merely as moral advice misses the point
This quote is often treated as a simple moral directive against revenge, but this reading may be too narrow. The text is not just saying that revenge is wrong.
It focuses more on what it does to the person involved. Emphasis is placed on results rather than decisions. No moral label is needed to understand the process.
This serves as a description of how emotional decisions unfold over time. It also doesn’t suggest that people should ignore emotions or suppress them completely.
The issue is more about awareness before action. Once emotion becomes action, the outcome is not controlled in the same way.
Other famous quotes related to Confucius
“It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop.”
“When anger rises, consider the consequences.”
“Life is basic, but we insist on making it complicated.”
“The man who moves a mountain begins by picking up small stones and moving them.”
“The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.”
At the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, health care workers are racing to open new treatment centres and increase testing. But after years of war, the deadly virus is just one of the many challenges they face.
“We are at one of four Ebola treatment centres in Bunia. A 48-year-old woman, a mother of five, has come here feeling unwell.
Doctors are asking questions and assessing her before taking her back to be tested for Ebola. “The woman is one of the first patients at the new treatment centre, which was built from the ground up less than 24 hours ago.
As soon as they took him to the isolation unit, he suffered a stroke. For a few tense moments, the doctors wait for him to stabilise before taking him for testing.
Doctors won’t know for several hours whether he’s positive or not. And yet, that’s an improvement from just two weeks ago, whethey concentrated testing in Kinshasa, 1,000 miles away, which delayedng critical diagnoses by several days.
“Is this a laboratory?” I ask. “This is the laboratory.” We are the first journalists here in Bunia to see laboratory workers testing the rare Ebola strain that has fuelled the outbreak. “We were very surprised by the speed of this outbreak.
I can say that we have a giant backlog of samples. We got overwhelmed with work here very quickly. So last week we were able to run 36 samples per day. And right now we are able to run 372 samples per day.” “
These samples from suspected Ebola cases have just come into this laboratory. Right now it takes about eight to 12 hours to get the test results, but they’re working to get that down to two hours.”
Reducing the time it takes to transport samples is essential to slowing the outbreak. At this clinic, the painstaking process of disinfecting the entire facility is underway after the deaths of two health care workers from Ebola.
New structures are also being built to isolate and test suspected Ebola cases and protect other patients. But beyond Ebola, medical workers here are also caring for victims of a broader war that hasn’t stopped just because a deadly virus is spreading.
Inside, we met a wounded Congolese soldier who asked us not to name him for fear of reprisal. He says Ebola has worsened an already dire situation after years of fighting.
At the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, health care workers are racing to open new treatment centres and increase testing. But after years of war, the deadly virus is just one of the many challenges they face.By Bethlehem Feleke, Michael Anthony Adams, Yasu Tsuji, John Hazell and Monica Kovora
French Open: Rafael Joder 6-7 1-3 Alexander Xavier*
Zverev roars as he grabs a break for a second-set lead. It was a tough game for Jodar, who played as if he were hitting uphill. This is the level of Zverev hitting the ball on the return.
French Open: Alexander Zverev wins first set 7-6 (7-3) in a tiebreak.
Along with his serve, Alexandre Xavierou has an impressive tiebreak record on Paris clay. A loose forehand from Joder gives the German two points away, with two points to come.
Zverev hung tight on the baseline, pushing Joder, then pulled the German in with a drop shot. Zverev races to meet it and execute a backhand winner.
Three set points: He only needs one. Zverev finds the first serve and breaks. Another seed will take it. A 66-minute opening set from the youngster after trailing 5-2.
(A.P)
French Open: Rafael Nadal takes Alexander Zverev in a tiebreak.
Rafael Juder saves a break point in the tie-break. Alexander Zverev was timing his charge, using his deep position to find passing shot angles as he raced to a 40-0 lead, but the youngster held firm.
Serving for the set, Rafael Jodar made two forehand errors, giving Alexander Zverev three break points. The German, in a very deep withdrawal position, steps to the forehand and breaks, with Zverev leading 5-4 and on serve.
(A.P)
French Open: Rafael Nadal breaks Alexander Zverev to advance in quarterfinals
Rafael Joder has played five sets in each of his last two wins against Pablo Carreno Busta (3 hours 41) and Alex Michelson (4 hours 16).
But the youngster has made a fast start, breaking Alexander Zverev in the first set, and will serve for the set!
French Open: Alexander Zverev saves break points in the opening game.
Rafael Joder and Alexandre Xavierio walk on Court Philippe-Chatrier. But their opening two games spanned 17 minutes, with the young Spaniard saving two break points on Xavier’s serve.
Jodar, 19, started the year ranked 168th in the world. He is making his debut in Paris and is bidding to become the first debutant to reach the semifinals there since a certain Rafael Nadal in 2005. Jodar has the most wins on clay this season.
Xavier, meanwhile, is the second seed and is now the heavy favourite to win his first Grand Slam title at the age of 29. The German had a giant chance with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic out and Carlos Alcaraz injured.
Rafael Joder in action (Reuters)
An emotional Marta Kostyuk celebrates a historic French Open win against Elina Svitolina for Ukraine.
An emotional Marta Kostyuk celebrated her victory over compatriot Elina Svitolina in the name of the Ukrainian people after advancing to her first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open.
Kostyuk, 23, became the first Ukrainian woman to win the last four games of a match since reaching the semifinals of Roland Garros, defeating her idol Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Kostyuk has won 17 matches in a row and is unbeaten this season. His inaugural match in Paris last week came after a missile attack narrowly missed his parents’ home in Kyiv.
A first Ukrainian semi-final was guaranteed as Kostyuk played seventh seed Svitolina. At least 18 people died in Ukraine last night after a massive airstrike by Russia.
French Open: Marta Kostyuk dedicates victory to Ukraine and praises Elina Svitolina
Marta Kostyuk sheds tears at the start of her court victory. She dedicates the win to Ukraine and praises her idol Elina Svitolina. It was a special moment for him after reaching the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time and making 25 appearances in the main draw of a Grand Slam.
“I want to start with the historic match we played today with Elena. It was a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv; many people died, and I want to dedicate this match to the Ukrainian people and their resilience.
“And of course I want to point out the incredible impact she had on Elena and Ukrainian tennis, on Ukrainians, and on me and everyone watching.
(Reuters)
French Open: Game, Set and Match! Marta Kostyuk is on the move.
It was an amazing last four games by Marta Kostivic; what a fantastic level.
Kostyuk has now won 16 matches in a row on clay, unbeaten on the surface this season. And at the age of 23, she has reached her first Grand Slam semifinal. She will play eighth seed Mira Andreeva on Thursday for a place in the final.
There’s a cute moment on the net when Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina hug. Svitolina has been Kostivka’s inspiration, but is it the passing of the baton? Kostyuk became the first Ukrainian woman to reach the final four at Roland Garros.
Marta Kostyuk celebrates her 6-3 2-6 6-2 victory over Elina Svitolina (Reuters)
French Open: Marta Kostyuk cruises to victory
The result is a wonderful addition from Marta Kostiuk. At 2-2, the 15th seed took off, firing winners and controlling critical volleys to win three games in a row. She will serve for a spot in the semifinals, leading 5-2 in the decider.
AI is getting expensive, and some companies are cutting back on use in an effort to reduce costs.
That group includes Uber, which recently instituted internal usage limits as a way to cut down on its excessive AI spending.
Bloomberg reports the company created a new rule that sets a monthly limit of $1,500 per employee and per agent on coding tools, including Anthropic’s Cloud Code or Cursors. The company says usage can be tracked through an internal dashboard that every employee has access to, although, in some cases, limits can be exceeded with permission.
This news is perhaps not too surprising, since in April the company’s CTO revealed it. The ridesharing giant had spent its entire annual AI budget in just four months. It appears that Uber encouraged employees to use AI “as much as possible” and even competitively ranked their internal use on internal leader boards, the report said. first reported.
Also Also, Uber’s COO, Andrew McDonald, recently raised doubts about the productivity impact of AI during a podcast appearance, saying “it’s very hard to draw a line” between the use of AI and new consumer features.
Uber’s cuts raise a broader issue the tech industry is currently facing:
As enterprises pour money into AI, where exactly is the return on investment? In fact, AI ROI remains so far a largely theoretical phenomenon. Everyone is hopeful that the investment will eventually come to fruition – although some companies are clearly getting a little restless while they wait.
