The World Health Organisation has acknowledged that the Ebola outbreak started “a couple of months ago” after criticism from the US – this is a breaking story

The World Health Organisation has acknowledged that the Ebola outbreak started “a couple of months ago” after facing sharp criticism from the US.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the United Nations’ health agency had been “a little late” in identifying the disease. Rubio told reporters: “The lead is obviously going to be CDC [Centers for Disease Control] and the World Health Organisation [WHO], which was a little late to identify this thing unfortunately.”

At a press conference on Wednesday morning, a reporter asked how long Ebola had been spreading before it was detected and whether the WHO had any response to criticism from Rubio.

Anais Legand, an Academic Researcher from WHO, replied: “Surveillance starts within the communities and starts with the health organisations in every single country.”

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Deep in the forests of Sweden lies a haunting graveyard where hundreds of classic cars have been left to rot among the trees.

The eerie Båstnäs Car Cemetery has become an unlikely attraction for photographers and urban explorers thanks to its rusting collection of abandoned motors slowly being reclaimed by nature.

Hidden close to the Norwegian border, the site is littered with decaying Volvos, Saabs and American cars dating back to the 1940s and 50s – many now covered in moss, swallowed by vegetation and sinking into the woodland floor.

The remarkable collection began decades ago when brothers Rune and Tore Ivansson used the remote forest clearing as a scrapyard for unwanted vehicles.

At its peak, thousands of cars passed through the site, with usable parts stripped and sold on while the remaining shells were simply left where they stood.

Over time, the scrapyard was abandoned and nature gradually took over – transforming the forgotten vehicles into a striking post-apocalyptic landscape.

Today the site has become world famous among photographers, who travel from across Europe to capture the surreal sight of classic cars frozen in time beneath towering pine trees.

Some appear almost untouched apart from thick blankets of moss crawling across their bonnets and roofs.

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Others have collapsed completely into the undergrowth after decades exposed to harsh Scandinavian winters.

Many of the vehicles still contain original details, from cracked steering wheels and faded dashboards to rusted chrome grilles and shattered headlights.

Despite its decaying appearance, the car cemetery has become an atmospheric symbol of nature reclaiming the man-made world.

The haunting woodland graveyard now offers a rare glimpse into motoring history – with each rusting vehicle telling its own silent story.

Photographer Tim Brakemeier captured the striking images while exploring the abandoned site, documenting the beauty hidden within the rusting wrecks.

The stunning series highlights the strange contrast between industrial decay and the peaceful Swedish wilderness surrounding it.

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An hour after the BBC’s announcement, Rylan posted on Instagram: “Just wanted to say as it was reported I was in ‘the race’ for Strictly, the biggest congrats to my Emma and equal congrats to Johannes and Josh. You’re all going to have the best time. Made up for yous.

“This wasn’t my time sadly but [I’m] extremely grateful to even have been considered.”

“I’m taking the news really well (see next slide) but genuinely looking forward to the new series with you three,” he added, before reposting an iconic clip of himself crying during his early days as a contestant on the talent search The X Factor.

Rylan isn’t the only It Takes Two alum to have spoken about missing out on the role hosting the main show.

Fleur East also admitted she’s been feeling “bothered” about being overlooked for the hosting job, having fronted the spin-off series since 2023.

GENEVA (AP) — The head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday the risk of global spread of the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda is high at national, regional levels but low at the global level.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said so far 51 cases have been confirmed in Congo in the northern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu provinces in Congo, “although we know the scale of the epidemic is much larger.”

He said Uganda has also told the U.N. health agency of two confirmed cases in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. “Beyond the confirmed cases, there are almost 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected,” he said. “We expect those numbers to keep increasing.”

He was found guilty of breaking electoral law after posting a false statement about a Conservative council candidate

A Reform UK councillor has said they “were taken in as much as anybody else” by another party member convicted of breaking electoral law. Andy Osborn was found guilty of publishing a false statement about a Conservative candidate in a social media post in April 2025.

The court heard he wrote on Facebook: “Samantha Hoy worked in the care industry but allegedly was sacked for fraud no wonder Wisbech is in such a state. Reform UK.”

Cllr Hoy, who works in the care industry, and has never been sacked or faced fraud allegations, called the situation “incredibly hard”.

Cambridgeshire County Council said Mr Osborn told them in writing “on two separate occasions” that he would appeal the conviction, but did not do so before the May 5 deadline. A by-election will be held in his former ward of Roman Bank and Peckover.

Speaking at a county council meeting, Cllr Hoy said: “I don’t want to pretend that what happened to me was the worst thing in the world because actually people every day go through far worse things than what happened to me. But I also don’t want us to just quietly accept that abuse in public life is okay.

“Having to explain to people on the doorstep why this is being raised – and why this lie is being told. Waiting a year and then to go to court, to go in your little witness box and take your oath, is quite a daunting experience.

“I don’t blame everyone in Reform because we’ve probably all had bad apples, but I am disappointed that I have never even privately to this day had an apology from a single member of Reform. In fact, people have defended him and said it was just a mistake.”

Cllr Mike Black expressed his sympathies and said that “councillors should not be put through what she’s been put through”. The Labour councillor said: “I think I’ll just say that I do feel that he has been an exemplary councillor for Reform.

“I thought a shocking example of the conduct was that when pointed out that this jibe was unfair, that it wasn’t withdrawn, and was just doubled down on. I fear that is the sort of thing that does course in our politics today and that we shouldn’t be carrying on with.”

Cllr Steve Tierney said that he didn’t hold Reform UK responsible for “one bad egg”. The Conservative councillor said: “It’s really tempting because we’re all politicians to make political points when things like this happen and I don’t think we should do it.

“If we use this to make political points we take away the personal, and the personal is what matters. A friend of mine was treated abominably and the man that did it has paid the consequences, rightly so.”

Cllr Des Watt, now an independent but formerly of Reform, said: “What a tangled web we weave when we choose to deceive. I would just like to say as a former colleague of Andy Osborne, he gave me a right old cock and bull story too and he took his own colleagues in as well. I’m not authorised to speak on behalf of my former colleagues but I suspect there was a lot of that going on.”

Cllr Colin Galbraith, of Reform UK, offered his personal apologies to Cllr Hoy but said he couldn’t do it on behalf of the party. He said: “Yes, Cllr Watt is correct, we were taken in – as an individual I do not condone at all what Andy Osborn did.

“Cllr Osborne took it upon himself to make these accusations – it was never discussed and we were never sure of what he’d actually said and what he’d say in court. Reform were taken in as much as anybody else.

“Yes, I will make an apology to Cllr Hoy personally – I can’t do it on behalf of the Reform party because this has nothing to do with the Reform party. What he said, he wasn’t saying it on behalf of our party – yes, it is embarrassing – yes, I don’t like it, and I hope we can move on.”

The council agreed to start preparations for a by-election.

Tributes have poured in for Langley School pupil Adriana Retyte, 14, who died in hospital two days after emergency services were called to her family home in Norfolk

The family of a talented schoolgirl who was tragically found dead at her home in Norfolk have spoken of their “heartbreak” following her sudden death.

Adriana Retyte, 14, a keen footballer who “brought joy, laughter and light to people around her,” died in hospital two days after emergency services attended her family home in Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk, just before 10pm on May 8.

The teenager was given CPR at the scene before being taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where she sadly died on Sunday, May 10.

An inquest, which opened at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, heard that the medical cause of Adriana’s death was hanging.

Announcing the teenager’s passing in a post on Facebook, Adriana’s mother, Greta Saggers, 31, said: “It is with broken hearts that we share the loss of our beautiful Adriana. Thank you to everyone for the love, kindness, and support shown to our family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Mrs Saggers works as a managing director for the Norwich-based employment agency Anglian Recruitment.

She is also employed as a manager at her husband Ben Saggers’s property business Strand Development Limited, which is a major sponsor of Wymondham Rugby Club, as well as Taverham Toucans – a girls football team for under-14s where Adriana was a player.

Tributes have poured in for Adriana on a fundraiser set up in her honour to support Papyrus – a young suicide prevention charity.

Writing on the appeal page, Sofiia Katrechko said: “It is truly heartbreaking for someone so young, with so much life ahead of her, to be taken too soon. I will always cherish the time I spent with Adriana and the fun memories we shared together.

“She brought so much joy, laughter and light to the people around her, and those moments will stay with me forever.”

Adriana was born on February 27, 2012, in Drogheda, Ireland, Norfolk assistant coroner Maeve Sykes confirmed at the inquest opening on Tuesday. A full inquest into the circumstances surrounding her death is scheduled for 10am on October 16.

A funeral will be held for Adriana at St Faith’s Crematorium on Manor Road in Norwich at 2pm on May 21.

Adriana was a Year 9 pupil at the independent Langley School, near Loddon, Norfolk. In a statement following her death, the school said: “Everyone at Langley School has been profoundly saddened by the loss of Adriana Retyte, a Year 9 pupil at Langley Senior School.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all of those impacted by this tragic loss. This is a devastating loss for our whole school community.

“Adriana was a much-valued and cherished member of the school community, known for her warmth, kindness and positive spirit. She approached her studies with diligence and pride, and was respected by staff and pupils alike for her thoughtful and considerate nature.

“She also made a significant contribution to wider school life, embracing opportunities in sport, the performing arts and academic work with enthusiasm. Adriana will be remembered with great affection by all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.

“We have ensured that appropriate pastoral support is available for all members of our community affected by this sad news, and we will continue to support one another in the days and weeks ahead.

“As a close-knit school community, we respectfully request that the family’s privacy is protected as they come to terms with their loss.”

Samaritans (116 123 in UK and Ireland) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland did not mince his words after the Blues saw their Premier League title hopes ended

For the last few weeks, Erling Haaland has taken on the role of Declan Rice. Just as the Arsenal star made a point of telling his teammates that the title race wasn’t over when they lost at the Etihad, so Manchester City’s No.9 has been spreading that message where he can.

Haaland made a point of it after the 3-3 draw with Everton that ultimately left City needing to go to Bournemouth needing a win just to stay in the title race, and he could be seen on the pitch at the Vitality trying to gee the players up as they trailed. If your eyes strayed from the Norwegian, you could see Pep Guardiola doing exactly the same on the touchline.

This season has been a learning curve for Haaland, not as a goalscorer – he tucked home his 38th goal of the campaign in injury time on Tuesday night – but as a leader. The decision to sign a lengthy new contract in January 2025 saw Guardiola bump the striker up to the captaincy group and Haaland has been working out how best to lead.

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After weeks of offering carrots to his teammates supporting their efforts in games, after Bournemouth came the stick. For anyone still at the club next season, more is expected.

“Everything is relative. It was better than last season,” the Norweigan told club media. “I felt we could have still pushed a little more in the league but again it’s over now so it’s easy to say that now. We won two trophies, that is important but we wanted the Premier as well.

“In the end, every game in the Premier League is difficult. We tried. It wasn’t enough. The whole club should use this as motivation now. We should be angry, we should feel a fire inside our belly because it’s not good enough.

“It’s gone two years now, it feels like forever. We’re going to do everything we can, everyone that will be here next season, to win the league.”

City will be losing their captain this summer when Bernardo Silva departs and their chief motivator as well in Guardiola, so there needs to be a stepping up across the squad. Going close to winning the league this year does not guarantee that the Blues will be any nearer next time so if Haaland’s message seems brutal it does need to be heard loudly and clearly at the Etihad.

That also applies to Haaland, who has admitted over the course of the campaign that his level has not always been up to scratch. But as City look to go one better, they need to keep this mentality to push each other to be better.

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The committee’s letter to Ofcom, meanwhile, asks about the regulator’s role in the complaints process, its powers to investigate potential breaches of the broadcasting code, and the timeline for launching its own investigation into the Married at First Sight allegations.

Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift has spoken out after being dropped from the BBC’s Chelsea Flower Show team following 24 years covering the event, taking aim at the BBC, David Beckham and young presenters

Gardening expert Joe Swift has criticised the BBC and Chelsea Flower Show after being axed from the presenting line-up following 24 years. King Charles and Queen Camilla were accompanied by Sir David Beckham on Monday, May 18, to open the star-studded week-long festival.

But Gardener’s World star Joe, 60, said he had to request a ticket from the Royal Horticultural Society for this week’s VIP gala, hosted at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, despite his decades covering the event.

He said: “I have been going to Chelsea for 30 years. I worked 24 years of them filming and I split up with the BBC on my 25th year. That was a long schlep.” For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter

Previously co-presenter of the BBC’s coverage of the show, alongside Monty Don, fans protested on social media when Joe was substituted by presenters Rachel de Thame and Arit Anderson.

Speaking on his podcast, The James and Joe Garden Show – which he hosts with garden designer and RHS vice-president, James Alexander-Sinclair – Joe was critical of younger presenters.

He said: “You can’t trust the young. They get obsessed with gimmicks, not real gardening, horticulture and good design.”

On the episode titled Chelsea Flower Show 2026: The Secrets the BBC Won’t Tell You, he also aimed criticism at a new garden designed by Frances Tophill and supported by King Charles, Sir David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh.

He said, sarcastically: “David Beckham, that famous garden designer… and he will take all the credit. He will bend it like Beckham. “

The catering provided for presenters at the event also came in for sharp criticism. He said: “The catering used to be amazing. My kids used to come and they didn’t even look at a garden. They used to just sit there just working their way through breakfast, lunch and dinner. That all got cut back a few years ago.”

Joe also took aim at the less than pleasant toilets at the RHS show, remarking: “It is the chemical loo smell. By the end of the summer you are like ‘get me out of there.’”

Swift, who is attending a private party hosted by Range Rover on Thursday, May 21, also felt that BBC coverage had deteriorated due to budget cuts.

He said: “I used to do a lot of pre-films. When I first started filming for Chelsea they would send me all over the place. We would go abroad and film – like to France and Portugal. I think the budgets just got cut and cut.”

He rounded off his complaints by taking a swipe at the road links to the show, noting traffic queues along the Embankment. He continued: “There is only one road around Chelsea. There is a lot of tension between designers and gardeners because it is military precision.”

Adding that he would like to design his own Chelsea garden in the future, Joe admitted he doubted he could secure the necessary funding – particularly as the RHS is currently seeking new sponsors after charity, Project Giving Back, announced this year would be the last time it would fund the festival.

He said: “I have got an idea for a show garden but I need £500 million to do it.”

In response to Joe’s complaints, an RHS spokeswoman stated: “Joe RSVP’d to our invitation to attend RHS Chelsea on 11 February.

“Chelsea Flower Show ran for a hundred years without Project Giving Back and if it’s a super design, which will get the immense publicity that RHS Chelsea offers, we’re sure Joe will be able to find a sponsor…. although he might need to stop joking about the highly exaggerated £500 million budget!”

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We have nothing to add.”

An unusual legal battle is unfolding in South Africa concerning the mental well-being of three elephants housed in a zoo.

Animal welfare groups say the three animals are depressed and are advocating for their relocation to a larger conservation park where they can be happy.

The case, set to be heard this week, will decide if the state is meeting its legal obligations regarding the welfare of the animals and the conditions in which they are kept, according to David Bilchitz, a board member at Animal Law Reform South Africa, one of the groups bringing the case.

Bilchitz said experts would present evidence in court that the elephants are unhappy.

The animal welfare groups said a part of the South African Constitution puts an obligation on authorities to look after animals.

The zoo in question in Johannesburg is publicly owned and has defended its management of the elephants, saying they are well cared for.

Bilchitz said elephants have highly complex social structures and specific physical and mental needs, and generally live in herds of 20 to 50 animals that roam large areas in the wild.

He said that the three elephants at the zoo, named Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane, live in an enclosure not much bigger than a soccer field with none of the typical stimulation that elephants need, like trees to forage from and mud pools to bathe in.

“They are sad, depressed and frustrated,” Bilchitz said. “They are listless and stand around.” He said the elephants had shown signs of psychological distress, like standing and rocking and other “repetitive compulsive behaviour.”

Johannesburg Zoo said in a statement that there had been a “media scourge” over the condition of the elephants and maintained they were healthy and also popular with zoo staff and visitors. It also said that relocating elephants from zoos to semiwild sanctuaries is not always successful.

There is a kind of precedent for the case. In 2024, an old bull elephant called Charley was relocated from another South African zoo to a game reserve after he outlived his elephant companions at the zoo and animal experts believed he was lonely.

The zoo agreed that Charley should be taken to the reserve to retire after he spent decades in captivity, including around 16 years in a circus.