Ebola Outbreak Exceeds 10,000 Infections While Israel Election Remains Unresolved

The Ebola outbreak declared in May has infected more than 10,000 people, according to the latest figures released by the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus has spread faster than any previous outbreak and covers the largest geographic area to date, extending from Nigeria to Kenya. The death toll stands at nearly 5,000, making this the second-lethal outbreak in history. Approximately one-third of the victims have been children.

In Israel, the national election remains too close to call after a record turnout. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is locked in a tight contest with Gadi Eisenkot, a center-right former military chief of staff. NPR correspondent Daniel Estrin reported that many Israelis believed Eisenkot held the advantage before sleep, but Netanyahu pulled ahead by morning. Election officials expect to finish counting votes by the afternoon of Oct. 29. If neither bloc secures an outright majority, party leaders may need days or weeks to assemble a governing coalition and select the next prime minister.

The winner will have six weeks to build a coalition. The two sides are expected to compete for defectors from the opposing camps. Estrin noted that Eisenkot could gain the backing of a majority of lawmakers due to strong support from Arab-led parties. However, his camp is cautious about forming a coalition with those parties, citing mistrust and the demonization of Arab political leaders following the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. Currently, neither candidate has a clear path to a majority coalition.

On the economic front, the Federal Reserve met on Oct. 28 as prices continued to rise faster than average wages. Investors did not expect an interest rate increase at this meeting. The Labor Department reported that consumer prices rose 3.7% in September compared with the previous year, a larger annual increase than the month before. NPR analyst Scott Horsley reported that the Fed typically fights inflation by raising rates, but policymakers believe the central bank will keep a low profile ahead of U.S. Election Day. A potential rate hike remains possible in December.

The U.S. midterms have seen record spending, with midterm ad spending passing $11 billion according to Ad Impact. An NPR analysis found that candidates in four major Senate races spent more than $15 million on fundraising ads during the 2025-26 cycle. President Donald Trump has been campaigning in tight races in Texas, Mississippi, and Kansas.

Trump has shifted his standard midterm pitch away from promoting GOP tax cuts and attacking Democrats. His jokes, including remarks about Ohio Sen. Jon Husted's physique, entertain rally crowds but divert attention from issues the median voter cares about, such as the economy and gas prices. NPR correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben observed that the Republican base still backs him, suggesting many MAGA votes are available. However, his need to rally support in very red states points to a possible problem for his party.