Ebola tops 10,000 cases, Israel votes, Oleshky ceasefire, Fed meets, Brewers one win away
Congo's Ebola outbreak passes 10,000 confirmed cases, Israelis vote in a tight election, a local ceasefire begins in Ukraine's Oleshky as missiles hit Kyiv, the Fed opens a two-day meeting, and the Brewers move one win from their first World Series title.
Congo's government reported 10,060 confirmed Ebola cases on Tuesday, with nearly half fatal, according to the Associated Press; Reuters also reported the 10,060 figure. The outbreak, declared in May, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment. The AP calls it the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history. Cases have been recorded in five countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and France; Uganda and France have no active cases. About 80% of new cases are not from monitored contacts.
Israelis are voting Tuesday in the first national election since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. More than 7 million people are eligible, and 36 lists are competing for the 120 Knesset seats; 61 are needed for a majority. Polls show a tight race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc and parties led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, with neither side projected to win a majority on its own. Polls close at 10 p.m. local time (3 p.m. CT), when exit polls are released; official results are due Nov. 4.
Netanyahu's supporters sayHe is a steady hand who guided Israel through multiple wars; allies warn a loss would bring a government reliant on Arab-led parties.
Eisenkot and his allies sayThe government has not taken responsibility for Oct. 7; they vow to improve Israel's international standing, conscript ultra-Orthodox men and strengthen judicial independence.
A local ceasefire took effect early Tuesday in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in Ukraine's Kherson region, to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations; Ukraine's human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said it was reached in coordination with U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Both sides say they are observing it. Overnight, Russian missiles hit Kyiv, killing at least one person and damaging the Southern Bridge and metro infrastructure. Russian officials reported deadly drone attacks in Russia's Bryansk region. Reuters could not independently verify casualty reports.
Ukraine saysLubinets, head of Ukraine's negotiating team, said Ukraine is honoring its commitments in Oleshky.
Russia saysRussia's Defense Ministry said it stopped shelling in the Kherson area and that its strikes elsewhere hit transport and military targets.
The Federal Reserve's policymakers meet Tuesday and Wednesday, a month after the Fed raised rates for the first time in three years. The AP says the Fed is expected to hold rates steady; an analyst quoted by TheStreet said markets imply about a 10% chance of a hike. Overnight, South Korea's Kospi jumped more than 4% at one point and Japan's Nikkei rose 2.2%, after Wall Street gained Monday, when the S&P 500 rose 0.7%.
The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 10-1 in Game 3 of the World Series at Tropicana Field on Monday night to take a 3-0 series lead. Milwaukee scored eight runs in the fifth inning with a postseason-record seven straight hits. Rookie Robert Gasser allowed one hit through six innings. The Brewers are one win from their first World Series title; Game 4 is Tuesday night.
