About this Episode
A World Health Organization (WHO) doctor has warned Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be spreading faster than first thought, and locals have said they are scared and unsure how to protect themselves. The outbreak has killed 131 people and authorities have reported more than 500 suspected cases, while modelling has suggested substantial under‑detection and the possibility of over 1,000 cases. The virus has spread beyond Ituri to other provinces and into Uganda. WHO supplies and international evacuations are under way, and public health teams continue investigations and response efforts.
Spanish former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been placed under criminal investigation over alleged influence‑peddling linked to the €53m state bailout of airline Plus Ultra and has been ordered to appear before the Audiencia Nacional on 2 June, a judge has ruled. Prosecutors are probing possible inadequate use of rescue funds and money‑laundering allegations, and police have searched Zapatero’s offices and those of related companies. Zapatero has denied wrongdoing, said he will cooperate, and insisted his public and private activity has respected the law.
An F-16 deployed with NATO air policing has shot down a stray Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia after its trajectory raised concern, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has said. Ukraine has apologised for the unintended incident and said expert teams will work with Estonia to prevent repeats, while Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service has threatened retaliation and accused Kyiv of launching strikes from Baltic soil. Latvia has denied Russian claims it allowed drone launches, and observers note the episode follows political turmoil in Latvia after recent drone incidents contributed to the collapse of its government.
