Ebola Outbreak: 10,000 Cases Logged Since May

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported that 10,000 people have been infected with Ebola since the outbreak was declared in May. This figure marks a grim milestone for the epidemic, which has moved faster than any previous outbreak in recorded history.

The current crisis is the largest by geographic scope on record. The virus has spread across a region that extends from Nigeria to Kenya. It is also the second deadliest outbreak in history, with nearly 5,000 deaths reported to date. Approximately one-third of those fatalities were children.

In Israel, the national election has resulted in a race that is too close to call. Voters turned out in record numbers to decide the fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His main rival is Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff who leads from the center-right.

Election officials expect to finish counting votes by the afternoon of the day following the election. The leading candidate will have six weeks to form a governing coalition. This process may take days or weeks if no single bloc secures a majority in parliament.

Israelis initially believed Eisenkot held the advantage after polls closed. By the following morning, Netanyahu had pulled ahead, creating the tight race that now defines the political landscape. Eisenkot could gain majority support through strong showings from Arab-led parties. However, his camp is hesitant to form a coalition with those groups due to mistrust following the October 7, 2023, attacks.

In the United States, midterms ad spending has surpassed a record $11 billion, according to Ad Impact. An analysis by NPR found that candidates in four major Senate races spent more than $15 million on fundraising ads during the current cycle. President Trump is campaigning in tight races in Texas, Mississippi, and Kansas.

The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its current meeting. Consumer prices rose 3.7% in September compared to the previous year, a larger annual increase than the month before. Investors believe the central bank will remain low-key ahead of Election Day and may raise rates again in December.