DR Congo, Turkey, Bangladesh
Today's three stories you should know
DR Congo
The U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) has upgraded its assessment of the risk an outbreak of a rare Ebola strain poses to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to “very high.” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the risk of global spread remained low but a nationwide epidemic in DRC could occur. Tedros said 82 cases have now been confirmed, with seven confirmed deaths, though he said the outbreak is believed to be “much larger.” There have now been 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is no proven vaccine for the Bundibugyo variety and, though two are in development, they could take nine months to be approved.
More from AP here.
Turkey
Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel has vowed to fight a court ruling that has effectively removed him as leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP). "We are experiencing a dark day for Turkish democracy," Özel said, pledging to appeal the decision. Justice Minister Akin Gürlek said the ruling, which annulled the CHP party's 2023 congress, "reinforces our citizens' trust in democracy." Özel has spearheaded rallies against President Tayyip Erdogan since the arrest of Erdogan’s main political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Opponents believe Erdogan is trying to extend his 23-year rule by clearing the field of rivals. The 72-year-old, though, has reached his term limit and can only run if an early election is called or if the constitution is amended by parliament.
More from Al Jazeera here.
Bangladesh
I’ll finish today with that all-too-rare thing for Proximities: a fun one. An albino buffalo has become a sensation in Bangladesh ahead of the Eid al-Adha festival because locals think it bears a strong resemblance to Donald Trump. Reuters reports that crowds are flocking to a farm where the buffalo was raised near the capital Dhaka, some from long distances, to pose for selfies. “My younger brother named the buffalo Donald Trump because the hair on the front of its head resembles Donald Trump,” farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said. “Despite its striking appearance, it is very calm by nature. It is an albino buffalo, and animals of this type are generally gentle and do not become aggressive unless provoked.”
Ta-da!
More from Reuters here.