Health

• A proposed White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rule threatens research by using PEPFAR as a justification to increase political oversight of federal grantmaking. • Vaccine development is accelerating in response to the growing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak to mitigate the spread of the virus. • The US Secretary of State is facing questioning from multiple Congressional committees regarding the future and strategic direction of PEPFAR.

• Professor Matthew Herder of Dalhousie University warns that the current Ebola outbreak is exacerbated by a lack of U.S. support for regional responses. • The situation is attributed to significant cuts in public health investments both domestically and abroad under the Trump administration's policies. • Herder highlights that the National Institutes of Health previously served as the primary global funder for biomedical research against infectious diseases.

• An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sickened over 1,000 people and resulted in nearly 250 deaths. • A new study clarifies that while parental depression is strongly linked to child neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, the use of antidepressant medications is not a cause. • These findings directly challenge claims made by RFK Jr. regarding the impact of antidepressants on child development.

• The European HealthTech sector experienced a surge of momentum during the week of June 5, 2026, marked by a massive growth round aimed at reducing administrative fragmentation and clinical workflow inefficiencies. • Key industry activity was driven by the aftermath of the MedTech Forum 2026 in Stockholm and a significant legislative clash regarding the regulation of artificial intelligence. • New structural updates were introduced to increase the attractiveness of the European market for medical hardware providers.

• Bob Harris has announced his departure from BBC Radio 2 after 30 years of broadcasting, describing the move as one of the hardest decisions of his life. • The decision follows a period of declining health, forcing the veteran presenter to step away from his long-standing role. • Harris is a legendary figure in music broadcasting, previously hosting the award-winning BBC TV show Old Grey Whistle Test in the 1970s, where he interviewed icons like John Lennon and David Bowie.

• Several U.S. jurisdictions have reduced the legal authority of public health officials following backlash over COVID-19 mandates, including lockdowns, school closures, and vaccine requirements. • These legislative changes limit the ability of state and local health departments to implement restrictive measures during future health crises. • Experts warn that weakened powers increase the risk of uncontrolled outbreaks as concerns grow over diseases such as hantavirus and Ebola.

• In the phase III INDIGO trial, the investigational monoclonal antibody obexelimab substantially outperformed a placebo in treating immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease. • This development positions obexelimab to compete with the only drug currently approved for the condition, potentially offering patients a new therapeutic option. • Separately, the CDC and state partners published a report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report urging clinicians to increase screening for brucellosis.