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Small Business Administration unveils new initiative to roll back federal regulations
SBA unveils new initiative targeting Biden-era regulations that imposed $6 trillion in compliance costs on American families and small firms nationwide.
Cassidy: ‘There is a deal that could be made’ on ACA subsidies by end of year
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on Sunday expressed cautious optimism about a bipartisan compromise on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for a select group of Americans before the ta…
America Needs a Tech Skeptic in the 2028 Race
A long-shot 2028 run by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox could force tech and social media into the center of the presidential debate.
Poll: Most are satisfied with their health insurance, but a quarter report denials or delays
A large majority of Americans, 82%, said they’re satisfied with their coverage in the new NBC News Decision Desk Poll.
Can Lawmakers Find a Solution to Expiring Health Care Subsidies?
The United States Senate rejected a pair of health care bills that would have delivered relief to more than 20 million Americans before the end of the year. Now, cost-saving subsidies added to the Affordable Care Act in 2021 are likely to expire on New Year’s Eve, causing patient prices to increase by as much as 100%. NBC’s Anne Thompson reports in this week’s Sunday Focus.
Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS
Despite being in control of the White House and Congress, Republicans have been unable to pass their health care agenda. We look at why that's the case, as well as a new lawsuit against the president.
Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS
Despite being in control of the White House and Congress, Republicans have been unable to pass their health care agenda. We look at why that's the case, as well as a new lawsuit against the president.
Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS
Despite being in control of the White House and Congress, Republicans have been unable to pass their health care agenda. We look at why that's the case, as well as a new lawsuit against the president.
A grad student’s wild idea triggers a major aging breakthrough
Senescent “zombie” cells are linked to aging and multiple diseases, but spotting them in living tissue has been notoriously difficult. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have now taken an inventive leap by using aptamers—tiny, shape-shifting DNA molecules—to selectively tag these elusive cells. The project began as an offbeat conversation between two graduate students and quickly evolved into a collaborative, cross-lab effort that uncovered aptamers capable of binding to unique surface proteins on senescent cells.
Is This Entertainment, America?
2-year-old Sizzling Hottie, said the chart for Evangeline Friday, "fell leaving the gate" and was eventually ambulanced off. Here is how that looked...
5 Years Ago I Received America’s First Covid Vaccine
The COVID pandemic "taught me the importance of public health and hope," writes Sandra Lindsay.
Thousands Of Players Flock Back To Divinity: Original Sin 2, And Some Of You Are Even Trying The Originals
Even Dragon Commander saw a boost.
Exclusive: Is America ready for a woman president? Nancy Pelosi's surprising take.
Exit interview: After four decades, the most powerful woman in the history of the United States heads home. She's still defiant.
Why thousands of Massachusetts residents are avoiding doctor visits even with health insurance
Nearly 30% of Bay Staters skipped medical care due to costs last year, despite the state having one of America's highest insurance rates at 97.9%.
Why Trump and these MAGA allies are trying to resurrect the 'r-word'
Trump's foes and friends have noticed a revival of the term, which advocates say is harmful to Americans with mental disabilities.
See how American's old and new Airbus narrowbody planes compare
American has axed first class for a single business cabin with beds and doors. The plane is overall chic and modern, but there's a row I'd avoid.
From shoplifting to return fraud, how America became a nation of small-time scammers, cheaters, and thieves
Everyday consumers are shoplifting, cheating on returns, and committing other "mini crimes" to get back at big businesses.
Crowd rallies in Lewiston in support of Somalis
Speakers at the Lewiston rally pushed back against Trump’s recent comments about Somalis: “We are Americans. We are citizens, right? He should respect us and protect us and serve us like any other American.”
Dispatch Has A Endgame State So Rare That Not A Single Player Has Seen It Yet
There's a fourth "your Robert" outcome that's gone completely unnoticed.
ENTERTAINMENT: Repertory Theatre celebrates Christmas season
Little Rock's Arkansas Repertory Theatre celebrates the Christmas season with "Holiday Radio, Live at The Rep" and the Second North American tour production of the musical "Mrs. Doubtfire" sweeps the Baum Walker Hall stage at Fayetteville's Walton Arts Center.
Tomb Raider Co-Creator Doesn't Seem Too Impressed With Legacy Of Atlantis
"Personally I'd prefer exploring new lost worlds than another remake/remaster/reimagining."
Health Care Subsidies, Flooding In Washington, DOJ Under President Trump : Up First from NPR
Health care subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. Millions of Americans face price hikes but can Congress reach a deal to alleviate the pain? Historic flooding hits part of the Pacific Northwest, we’ll have the latest from Washington. Plus, a look at the U.S. Justice Department under President Trump.
Higher cost, worse coverage: Affordable Care Act enrollees say expiring subsidies will hit them hard
Americans are feeling the strain already with less than three weeks to go until the expiration of COVID-era tax credits that have helped many people pay for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
Can My iPhone 17 Pro Match a 6K Cinema Camera? I Teamed Up With a Pro to Find Out
I put a video shoot together to see just how close an iPhone can get to a pro cinema setup.
As Epstein releases near, Americans think Trump knew about Epstein’s alleged crimes
Friday featured yet another drop in the drip-drip-drip of new information from the Jeffrey Epstein files. This time: new pictures released by House Democrats that feature Donald Trump and other powerful people like Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon and Richard Branson, culled from tens of thousands of photos from Epstein’s estate.
Six Huskies Placed on HERO Sports Group of Five All-American Teams - University of Connecticut Athletics
STORRS, CT – The UConn Huskies placed six players on the 2025 HERO Sports Group of Five All-American team announced on Friday. Leading the way was wide recei...
As Netflix and Paramount circle Warner Bros. Discovery, Hollywood unions voice alarm
Several Hollywood unions, including the Writers Guild of America and Teamsters, have expressed serious concerns over a potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery or its assets to Netflix or Paramount.
EV sales are up everywhere in the world
Sales of EVs in North America fell by 1% compared to last year, while China was up, confirming the fears of some US auto execs.
Doctor reveals why health care costs are so high
Health care costs are financially straining Americans, rising faster than inflation.
House Republicans propose healthcare plan with no extension of tax credits
With insurance premiums set to rise sharply for at least 22 million Americans, Mike Johnson unveils alternative
Chemical Bonding: COSI demonstration, donated science kits get a big reaction at Marietta Elementary School
MARIETTA — Fifth and sixth grade students at Marietta Elementary School were paid a visit from COSI with a science experiment demonstration Friday morning. As part of the event, students also received the COSI Connects American Innovation Kits, which will arrive at the school Monday. COSI, in partnership with AT&T, selected Marietta for the opportunity […]
Science kits are donated along with a demonstration by COSI at Marietta Elementary School
Fifth and sixth grade students at Marietta Elementary School were paid a visit from COSI with a science experiment demonstration Friday morning. As part of the event, students also received the COSI Connects American Innovation Kits, which will arrive at the school Monday. COSI, in partnership with AT&T, selected Marietta for the opportunity which was […]
Why both parties' health care proposals are failing
NBC News’ Ryan Nobles stopped by “Here’s the Scoop” to talk about why the Republican-controlled Senate voted to reject health care bills offered by each party as the U.S. barrels toward a cliff with steep premium hikes for millions of Americans.
GOP unveils health bill without ACA subsidies
Presented by the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare {beacon} Health Care PRESENTED BY COALITION TO STRENGTHEN AMERICA’S HEALTHCARE The Big Story GOP unveils health bill …
The rise and fall of Hooters
Since 1983, Hooters has been an iconic brand. But in 2025, its franchisor, Hooters of America, went bankrupt. Can the original founders save it?
For Republicans, Trump’s Hands-Off Approach to Health Care Is a Problem
The prospect of soaring health care costs could exacerbate Americans’ feelings about affordability, an issue that President Trump has tried to downplay. But Democrats plan to keep the issue front and center.
US is spending record amounts on healthcare while American health declines, Steve Moore says
'Kudlow' panelists Liz Peek and Steve Moore discuss the GOP weighing healthcare options.
House GOP unveils narrow health care package with key deadline looming
House Republicans unveiled a narrow health care package on Friday that does not extend soon-to-expire enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies — the latest sign that Congress is unlikely to avert skyrocketing insurance premiums for millions of Americans in the new year.
House GOP unveils narrow health care package with key deadline looming
House Republicans unveiled a narrow health care package on Friday that does not extend soon-to-expire enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies — the latest sign that Congress is unlikely to avert skyrocketing insurance premiums for millions of Americans in the new year.
Trump gives Elon Musk a win over a longtime foe
President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered a review of two major proxy advisory firms — companies that advise shareholders on votes — that had previously drawn the ire of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and others in Corporate America.
Samsung's new camera sensor could make motion blur issues a thing of the past
Samsung is working on a new camera sensor, and once it finds its way into a next-gen Galaxy S-series device,...
With ACA subsidies set to lapse, millions of Americans face a painful spike in health plan costs
Divinity Isn't Just Going To Fill Baldur's Gate 3’s Shoes, It's Going To Outgrow Them
Larian Studios has announced the game that will follow in the footsteps of Baldur's Gate 3.
Health Experts Slam Possible FDA ‘Black Box’ Warning for COVID Vaccines
The FDA is reportedly considering the addition of high-level warning labels to COVID vaccines, a move that some experts say may cause unfounded concerns over safety
Want To Know What The Last 2 Minutes Before Being Swallowed By A Volcanic Eruption Look Like? Now You Can
RIP Camera V3.
Supporting Breakthrough Health Advancements in Eswatini Under the America First Global Health Strategy - United States Department of State
Today, the United States and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on global health cooperation that includes strategic investments to strengthen national health efforts, leverage American technology, and facilitate the long-term sustainability of Eswatini’s health system. The Department of State, working with Congress, intends to provide up […]
Da'Realyst Clark named Hero Sports G5 All-American - Kent State Golden Flashes
KENT, Ohio – Da'Realyst Clark continued to earn national recognition, being named to the HERO Sports Group of Five All-American Third Team.
Week in politics: Indiana rejects redistricting, health care in limbo and Trump mocks affordability
Polling indicates most Americans are unhappy with how President Trump is handling the economy.
Week in politics: Indiana rejects redistricting, health care in limbo and Trump mocks affordability
Polling indicates most Americans are unhappy with how President Trump is handling the economy.
Our Favorite Hobby-Friendly Gifts for Science Geeks and Gamers
These science-themed gifts mix brains and fun.
Trump calls affordability a "hoax"; Democrats take note
In the first year of his second term, President Donald Trump has focused his attention on foreign policy and made numerous trips abroad – with an eye toward the Nobel Peace Prize. But as he discusses peace deals with foreign leaders, his ratings domestically have fallen. Critics say that he isn’t doing enough to ease American’s economic concerns. So, this week, Trump returned his attention stateside and kicked off his affordability tour in Pennsylvania, while simultaneously branding “affordability” as a democratic “hoax.” Today on the politics roundtable, we discuss why Trump’s tour signals the administration’s concerns about the politics of affordability, and how some Democrats could use this as a way to gain an edge during the 2026 midterms. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Dan Merica, the co-anchor of our politics newsletter, The Early Brief, and White House Bureau Chief Matt Viser.
Owls Receive HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Honors - Kennesaw State University Athletics
KENNESAW, Ga. – Highlighted head coach Jerry Mack being named HERO Sports Group of Five Coach of the Year, Kennesaw State football received two All-America honors on Friday.
Science Quiz: Sneaky Parasites and Productive Pizza
Put your science knowledge to the test with this week’s news quiz. Play now.
Dickens Named to HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Team
Following a stellar season on the field for the Flames, Liberty running back Evan Dickens has been named to the 2025 HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Te...
What's on the agenda for Toure today?
Yes, that's right - Manchester City assistant Kolo Toure will be facing the cameras this lunchtime to preview Sunday's Premier League game at Crystal Palace. Boss Pep Guardiola has a "personal matter" to deal with so is not around today but is expected to return to work on Saturday and will be in the dugout at Selhurst Park. Toure is likely to field questions about City's magnificent win at Real Madrid during the week and the title race as it reaches an important juncture.
‘This place will win’: Business leaders say West Palm Beach is becoming America’s next big boomtown
West Palm Beach has evolved from its retirement haven days, as tech firms, financial giants and entrepreneurs flock to one of the country's most sought-after business destinations.
Why America gave up on economists
Both parties have turned their backs on traditional economic advice. Is the country paying the price?
Video Health insurance premiums set to skyrocket as Trump tease something 'much better'
The Senate failed to advance two competing health care proposals aimed at addressing a spike in costs expected for tens of millions of Americans who receive enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Utah State’s Noah Avinger Named HERO Sports All-American - Utah State University Athletics
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State senior cornerback Noah Avinger has been named to the HERO Sports Group of Five All-American second team it was announced on Friday.
Surprise: Samsung has a new camera sensor for its next flagships after all
Samsung is apparently working on a new smartphone camera sensor that might solve shutter lag woes on future flagships.
Canada is figuring out what to do with its stockpiles of US alcohol
At least four provinces will be using the sales of their American liquor to fund food banks and charities.
The year-end Obamacare crunch is yet another failure of America’s political system
Americans are being failed by their government.
Metro Atlanta doctor warns health insurance premiums could spike 800%, leaving thousands at risk of losing coverage
A metro Atlanta physician says her monthly insurance bill is set to jump from $100 to $800 — and she fears millions of Americans may soon face the same impossible choice.
Why Biya's victory damages Cameroon's electoral integrity
Cameroon looks calm — but the disputed election has shaken citizen's faith in the electoral system. Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the only female presidential candidate, joins us Under the Baobab, explains why there were no winners in Cameroon's election, and reveals surprising ways Cameroon's political elite can try to rebuild trust with the electorate.
First-year Huskers boost MotoAmerica through inaugural Business Battle
"Most business schools wait until junior and senior year before introducing students to industry professionals, but we wanted to do that for our freshmen. Day one, we introduced them to corporate partners, real-world business challenges and mentors from our business community." —Laurie Miller, associate dean of undergraduate programs and curriculum, College of Business
Health insurance subsidies expire this month but Congress can't agree on a fix : The NPR Politics Podcast
The enhanced subsidies 22 million Americans use to help pay for health insurance are set to expire at the end of this month, and when they do, many Americans will see their insurance premiums balloon. We discuss Democrats' and Republicans' competing proposals to address rising healthcare costs and whether Congress is likely to come to an agreement before — or after — the looming deadline. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
The future of American science and a dispatch from ASH
This week on "The Readout LOUD": Is a new obesity drug making people lose too much weight? Plus catch up on #ASH25 and hear how the country's scientific institutions have had a bruising year.
AETH Entertainment and Kartoon Studios Partner to Launch TaleSphere Studios
New Live-Action Banner to Produce Family and Youth Entertainment; First Project, “Real Santa” BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON), a global producer and distributor of children’s and family entertainment, and AETH Entertainment, a full service entertainment studio, today jointly announced they have teamed up to launch TaleSphere Studios, a joint venture that will produce live-action youth and family focused entertainment. “This marks an
Video Competing Democrat, Republican health care proposals both fail in the Senate
The Senate failed to advance two competing health care proposals aimed at addressing a spike in costs expected for tens of millions of Americans who receive enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.
The year in sports
One-time NPR host David Greene talks sports in America and running his hometown newspaper.
WATCH: Rep. Thompson calls on Noem to resign for 'making America less safe'
Senate rejects dueling health care bills as Obamacare deadline looms
The result virtually guarantees insurance subsidies used by more than 20 million Americans will lapse at the end of the year.
Indiana, Ohio State headlines USA TODAY Sports college football All-America team
There were standout players from across the country this college football season that comprised the USA TODAY Sports All-America team.
American Express draws several impressive early commitments
The American Express has drawn several impressive early commitments
The Senate is set to vote on two rival health plans. Here's what's at stake for Americans
The U.S. Senate is set to vote on two partisan health bills addressing expiring COVID-era subsidies. These subsidies help millions of Americans with insurance costs.
Walton family fortune: How American's richest family manages their wealth
America's richest family uses a model pioneered by the Rockefellers to manage their wealth.
Senate set to vote on dueling health care measures as Americans express concerns over costs
Trump’s affordability argument just got the unlikeliest champion
The main reason Americans are upset about the economy: They are still adjusting to high prices that surged during years of runaway inflation that took place during former President Joe Biden’s term.
Analysis: The Civil Rights law that Stephen Miller says ruined America
Trump’s key aide thinks the country was better off with strict quotas that sought to preserve the racial makeup of the country in the 1920s and so favored immigrants from Western and Northern Europe over what he called “third world countries.”
Brazil’s Business Elite Keeps Hope Alive for Centrist Candidate
A key member of one of Brazil’s most prominent business groups is holding out hope for a centrist candidate to emerge in next year’s presidential election, criticizing the left and right for failing to address the South American nation’s economic and social challenges.
Poll paints dire picture on affordability as Trump touts economy
As President Trump mocks the term "affordability," a new poll found Americans are making major sacrifices to keep up with the cost of living.
Republicans worry Trump is missing the mark on affordability
President Donald Trump’s high-profile economic speech on Tuesday night was meant to alleviate Americans’ concerns about the cost of living. Instead, it mainly appeared to deepen fears within the GOP that he’s not quite getting it.
Postscripts from the frontlines of Trump's attacks on science: no simple happy endings
Stories from the frontlines of Trump's attack on science: Follow-ups from a year of struggles in Part 8 of our series "American Science, Shattered."
Democrats voice concerns about Venezuelan tanker seizure: ‘sounds a lot like the beginning of a war’
Senator Rand Paul said it was ‘not the job of the American government to go looking for monsters around the world’
Senate to question military leaders on Trump's National Guard deployments
The Senate is set to question military leaders over President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to American cities
Senate poised to reject extension of health care subsidies as costs rise for many
The Senate is poised to reject legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits for millions of Americans
Senate poised to reject extension of health care subsidies as costs rise for many
The Senate is poised to reject legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits for millions of Americans.
It’s not just Americans who are feeling US tariffs. Five charts show their global impact
There are signs steeper US tariffs, introduced by US President Donald Trump, are feeding through to higher prices for Americans. But they are also inflicting pain beyond US borders. We look at examples from around the world.
A divided GOP forges ahead on health care message — without plan to address spiking premiums
Congressional Republicans are taking a major political gamble this week, laying out a GOP health care agenda that ignores the soon-to-expire enhanced subsidies that help tens of millions of Americans afford Obamacare — despite pleas from some in their own party.
A divided GOP forges ahead on health care message — without plan to address spiking premiums
Congressional Republicans are taking a major political gamble this week, laying out a GOP health care agenda that ignores the soon-to-expire enhanced subsidies that help tens of millions of Americans afford Obamacare — despite pleas from some in their own party.
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tiiny AI Pocket Lab: Mini PC with 12-core ARM CPU and 80 GB LPDDR5X memory unveiled ahead of CES
Tiiny AI is an American startup that has introduced a brand-new mini PC with one goal - putting large LLMs in user's pockets. The impressively tiny Pocket Lab mini PC packs a 12-core ARM CPU along with an NPU that is capable of up to 160 TOPS of compute power. Memory is crucial, taken care of by 80 GB of LPDDR5X RAM.
Republicans barrel toward health care cliff while Democrats claim messaging war victory: ‘The American public knows’
Democrats target ‘vulnerable’ Republican senators ahead of high-stakes health care showdown
The Democratic National Committee launches ad campaign targeting four vulnerable Republican senators ahead of crucial Senate votes on ACA tax credits affecting 20 million Americans.
Democrats are doing nothing to control 'out of control' health care costs: Sen. Bill Cassidy
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., contrasts the Republican and Democratic Party's plans for health care on 'America Reports.'
Sports Illustrated’s 2025 College Football All-Americans: Full First and Second Teams
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza leads the way on offense, while Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez tops the defensive selections.
Only one American woman in politics makes Forbes most powerful list
Only one American woman in politics, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, made Forbes’s 2025 list of most powerful women. Wiles, the White House’s first female chief of staff, is ran…
Some Americans might get $1,500 to cover health bills. Who qualifies?
Senate Republicans want to give Americans up to $1,500 to cover health expenses rather than extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies
America’s Emotional Divide: Navigating the Powerful Decision-Making Forces Impacting Politics, Policies & Personal Choices Pt. 2
CEO Brent Buchanan, alongside VP Chris Kratzer, unpacks the insights behind his #1 Amazon bestseller in Elections America’s Emotional Divide: Navigating the Powerful Decision-Making Forces Impacting Politics, Policies & Personal Choices.