Ebola outbreak in Congo surpasses 10,000 infections as Israel election stalls

Democratic Republic of Congo officials announced that the Ebola outbreak has infected more than 10,000 people since its declaration in May. The agency reported nearly 5,000 deaths from the disease during that period. Health experts identified this as the largest outbreak in geographic scope to date, spreading from Nigeria to Kenya. It also stands as the second-highest death toll in the history of the virus. Roughly one-third of those who died were children.

The outbreak has expanded faster than any previous instance of the disease. Officials stated that the geographic reach now covers multiple nations across the continent. The mortality rate has remained high despite ongoing response efforts. The most recent data reflects figures released by the national health ministry this week. The situation continues to strain regional medical resources and borders.

In Israel, voters cast ballots in a record turnout to decide the next government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a tight race against Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot served as a former military chief of staff and ran as a center-right candidate. Election officials indicated that final tallies may take time to process. The count extended into the weekend, leaving the outcome uncertain as of Tuesday.

Initial reports suggested Eisenkot held an advantage, but Netanyahu pulled ahead by morning. Analysts noted that the result is too close to call at this stage. The leading candidate will have six weeks to form a governing coalition. Neither candidate currently holds a clear path to a majority in parliament. Party leaders are expected to negotiate with defectors from the opposing camps to secure enough seats.

Eisenkot may receive support from Arab-led parties, which performed well in the election. However, his camp has expressed hesitation about forming a coalition with those groups. This mistrust stems partly from the events following the attacks of October 7, 2023. Netanyahu’s supporters remain mobilized, but both sides face difficulties in assembling a stable majority. Coalition talks are expected to begin immediately once the vote count concludes.

Investors are watching the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy alongside these geopolitical developments. Consumer prices rose 3.7% in September compared to the same month last year. This marks a larger annual increase than the previous month’s figures. The Fed raised interest rates in September, but markets expect the bank to remain cautious before the U.S. midterm election. A potential rate hike is currently targeted for December.