Spread too thin: Africa’s next Ebola outbreak

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo presents a significant public health challenge, as the current strain lacks a known vaccine and the regional response faces critical resource shortages exacerbated by reduced international funding. While African institutions like the Africa CDC have gained sophistication since the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall institutional immune system remains weaker than in previous years. Meanwhile, in British politics, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has emerged as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, though his path to leadership requires navigating a complex by-election and overcoming significant political hurdles. Separately, the rise of celebrity book clubs reflects a shift in literary culture, where stars like Dua Lipa and Reese Witherspoon influence reading habits, sparking debate over whether these platforms genuinely foster literary engagement or serve primarily as brand-building exercises for the influencers involved.