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Ebola Outbreak Could Become Worst on Record, Africa C.D.C. Chief Warns

Health workers have warned that the outbreak, already one of the worst in decades, could take as long as a year to contain if infection rates do not flatten.

© Arlette Bashizi for The New York Times

Treating a patient suspected of having Ebola at a hospital in Mongbwalu, Democratic Republic of Congo, last month.
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Estonia’s defense commander went to Ukrainian front line. Ukraine says partners need to see real situation themselves

The image shows Estonian Defense Forces commander Andrus Merilo and Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi during a visit to Ukrainian troops in the southeast direction. Source: Syrskyi Telegram

Estonian Defense Forces commander Andrus Merilo has visited Ukrainian troops in the southeast direction, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi says. The commanders have received briefings on the operational situation, frontline challenges, and the work of Ukrainian Air Assault Forces and Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS). 

Merilo's frontline visit fits within Estonia's pattern of high-level engagement with Ukrainian operational realities amid Russia's threat. In 2025, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Head Sergey Naryshkin accused NATO of escalating military activity near Russia’s borders. He warned that Poland and the Baltic states would be the first to suffer in the event of a war between Moscow and the Alliance.  

Estonia has positioned itself among the most consequential per-capita military aid suppliers to Ukraine and has consistently demonstrated direct command-level involvement in evaluating Ukrainian capabilities and needs.

Syrskyi's briefings: Air Assault Forces, brigade commanders, and Russian threats

During the visit, Syrskyi held a separate meeting with the leadership of Air Assault Forces and air assault brigade commanders.

The discussions covered Russian operational activities, current threats to Ukrainian positions, and possibilities for reinforcing Ukrainian units operating in the southeast.

Syrskyi did not specify which sector of the southeastern front was visited, as Ukrainian Armed Forces typically restrict precise location details about command-level visits for operational security reasons.

Unmanned Systems Forces briefings 

The Commander-in-Chief also spoke with the command of the Unmanned Systems Forces and commanders of assault regiments.

They reported on the state of affairs in their units, supply situations, and results of combat task execution. The SBS briefing comes amid intensified Ukrainian unmanned-systems development, including a $113-million Logistics Lockdown program for middle-strike drones targeting Russian rear targets. The SBS Group was created in June 2025 as Ukraine's first operationally unified command structure for unmanned systems.

Syrskyi: "Important for international partners to see real frontline situation"

"For international partners, it is important to see the real situation on the front, understand the needs of the Ukrainian military, and evaluate the effectiveness of the provided assistance directly on site," Syrskyi said.

At the end of the visit, the Commander-in-Chief thanked Ukrainian troops for their service, resilience, and professionalism.

"It is precisely thanks to you that Ukraine holds, fights, and brings closer a just peace," Syrskyi added.

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The Iran War Permanently Altered the Global Economy

The global order has been altered, and economies are unlikely to simply pick up where they left off before the U.S. and Israel began bombing Iran.

© Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times

Fishermen repairing a boat in the port of Tyre in southern Lebanon. The war with Iran has shaken trust in the region’s peace, stability and prosperity.
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