An American citizen working in the Democratic Republic of Congo has contracted Ebola, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Monday. The individual, identified as a doctor, developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive for the virus late Sunday. According to Satish Pillai, the CDC's Ebola response incident manager, arrangements are being made to transport the patient to Germany for treatment.
Trump to Host Swearing-In of New Federal Reserve Chief Kevin Warsh
Newly appointed US Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh will be sworn in on Friday during a ceremony at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump, according to a White House official. Warsh was confirmed by the US Senate on Wednesday to lead the central bank at a time when its independence has come under increasing scrutiny from Trump. He also takes office as inflation in the United States remains at its highest level in three years. It is considered unusual for a Federal Reserve chair — whose institution is designed to operate independently from political influence — to be sworn in at the White House. The last Fed chief to do so was Alan Greenspan in 1987 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan. Warsh is expected to face the challenge of working with a president who has repeatedly sought to influence monetary policy and frequently criticised outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Previously regarded as a strong advocate of controlling inflation through tighter monetary policy, Warsh has more recently aligned with Trump's calls for lower interest rates, a shift that has intensified debate over the independence of the Federal Reserve.
Taxi and Auto Unions Call for Strike in Delhi from May 21
Commercial vehicle drivers' unions in Delhi are planning a three-day strike from May 21 to 23, demanding an increase in taxi and auto-rickshaw fares in response to rising fuel prices. The All India Motor Transport Congress on Monday submitted a letter to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta outlining their demands. Anuj Kumar Rathore, vice-president of the Chaalak Shakti Union, said continuously rising prices of CNG, petrol and diesel have made it difficult for middle-class drivers to support their families. He added that, in coordination with several transport organisations in the capital, the union has called for a 'Chakka Jam' and appealed to drivers not to operate their vehicles during the three-day protest. The union also warned that if the government fails to announce a fare hike and issue a notification within one or two weeks, the agitation could escalate into a larger movement, for which it said the Delhi government would be responsible.
Delhi Court Grants ED Transit Remand for AAP Leader Deepak Singla
A Delhi court granted transit remand to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for producing arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Deepak Singla before a court in Haryana's Panchkula. In an order issued around 10:30 pm, Special Judge Sushant Changotra directed the central agency to present Singla before the concerned court by 2 pm on Tuesday. During the hearing, the ED had sought a one-day transit remand. Earlier in the day, the agency arrested Singla in connection with an alleged multi-crore money laundering case linked to a purported Rs 150 crore fraud involving the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), officials said. The arrest came after coordinated raids at several locations associated with Singla and alleged hawala operators in Delhi and Goa. Singla had contested the Vishwas Nagar Assembly seat in Delhi as an AAP candidate. The ED had also conducted searches against him in 2024 as part of the same investigation. According to officials, the money laundering probe relates to an alleged bank loan fraud in which Singla and his family members are accused of cheating OBC of more than Rs 150 crore.
Trump Administration Launches $1.7 Billion Fund for Alleged Political Targeting Victims
The Trump administration announced the creation of a $1.7 billion compensation fund for individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by the Justice Department during the Biden administration — a move that Democrats and government watchdog groups criticized as unconstitutional and politically motivated. Named the 'Anti-Weaponization Fund,' the $1.776 billion initiative is part of a settlement resolving President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. Under the arrangement, people who believe they faced politically motivated investigations or prosecutions will be able to apply for financial compensation. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the program as 'a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.' In a statement, Blanche said the government should never be used as a political weapon against citizens and added that the Justice Department intended to address past wrongs while preventing similar actions in the future. However, critics noted that the statement did not address accusations that investigations and prosecutions involving Trump's political opponents during his administration have also raised concerns about politicized law enforcement.
Four Killed in Kenya Fuel Protests as Transport System Shuts Down
Four people were killed and at least 30 others injured in Kenya during protests against rising fuel prices, as the country's public transport system was brought to a standstill. Kenya, like many African nations reliant on fuel imports from the Gulf region, has been severely impacted by Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route through which around one-fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes. Last week, the Kenyan government announced sharp fuel price increases in response to soaring global oil costs, including a 23.5 percent rise in diesel prices. The move prompted transport workers to call for a nationwide strike. In the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi, protesters blocked roads and set bonfires early Monday in an effort to stop vehicles and boda boda motorbikes from operating, according to an AFP journalist at the scene.
