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Google Weather for Wear OS breaks on original Pixel Watch, Galaxy Watch
Back in September, Google stopped offering its Weather app for new Wear OS 6 devices. Google Weather has now stopped working due to a bug...
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 …
House GOP unveils health care bill without ObamaCare subsidies extension
House Republicans on Friday unveiled a health care bill they will bring to a vote next week that includes items that are broadly popular in the party, like cost sharing reductions and reforms to th…
iOS 26.2 adds new way for your iPhone to make notifications pop
iOS 26.2 is packed with changes, including a hidden new feature for notifications that can help ensure you don’t miss any alerts.
Wake Up Dead Man Knows the Whodunnit is Inherently Political. (It’s also a Perfect Movie.)
Featured image: Netflix To be honest, I’ve been afraid of writing this review. I was so deeply moved by Wake Up Dead Man, the new film from Rian Johnson (and the third in his Benoit Blanc tri…
Carville: Crockett broke ‘first rule of politics’ with Senate campaign launch
Democratic strategist James Carville mapped out on Thursday what he sees are possible problems with Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s (D-Texas) announcement to run for Senate, saying she broke the R…
San Mateo Medical Center Health Campus Completes Major Renovation & Expansion
San Mateo, California – San Mateo County’s public hospital has been transformed into a state-of-the-art health care campus, rebuilt to meet California’s seismic safety standards and reimagined to better serve patients and staff. Community leaders gathered today to celebrate the opening, calling it a major investment in public health and a welcome upgrade for the tens of thousands of residents who rely on the County for medical and other care.
MIT HEALS leadership charts a bold path for convergence in health and life sciences
MIT HEALS leaders outline a unified vision for advancing health and life sciences at MIT, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, translational research, and strengthened clinical partnerships to drive biomedical innovation and accelerate high-impact solutions across the Institute.
MIT HEALS leadership charts a bold path for convergence in health and life sciences
MIT HEALS leaders outline a unified vision for advancing health and life sciences at MIT, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, translational research, and strengthened clinical partnerships to drive biomedical innovation and accelerate high-impact solutions across the Institute.
Space Force officials fear program delays from small business fund fight
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office already is seeing an impact from the congressional impasse on reauthorizing Pentagon use of Small Business Innovation Program grants, Director Kelly Hammett said.
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,...
Quantum Nexus to Power California’s Research Regime
On October 3, proud alums were celebrating UC Berkeley’s past and present at Homecoming. Five floors up, campus and state leaders were hailing its future.Governor Gavin Newsom, UC President James
Eckerd College marine science professor helps track shifting seaweed that could alter ecosystems in Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea
News | Eckerd College
iOS 26.2 is here with Liquid Glass, AirDrop, and Apple Music updates
More ways to de-glass your iPhone
iOS 26.2 adds new Apple Music features and fixes a viral bug
Apple today released iOS 26.2 for iPhone users, and the update brings several key changes for Apple Music. There’s also...
Google Translate brings real-time speech translations to any headphones
Live translation, no Pixel Buds required
Apple releases iOS 26.2 with Liquid Glass tweaks, CarPlay changes, more [Release notes]
Apple has officially released iOS 26.2 for iPhone. The latest version includes Liquid Glass design tweaks, new customization options for...
Google Translate rolling out live translation using Gemini with any headphones
Google Translate is rolling out new features that leverage Gemini, including live translation with headphones...
The Search for Life Tops NASA's Science Goals for the First Human Mars Mission
A new report identifies searching for life as the top science priority for humanity's first landing on Mars, ranking it above understanding water cycles, mapping geology, or even studying how the Martian environment affects astronaut health. The report outlines four possible exploration campaigns, with the highest ranked approach calling for missions totalling 330 sols at a single scientifically rich site where crews could investigate everything from ancient lava flows to active dust storms. By placing the search for extraterrestrial life at the centre of human Mars exploration, the report reimagines the first crewed mission not just as a milestone for spaceflight but as humanity's best chance to answer whether we're alone in the universe.
Are we in a new era for EHRs?
The healthcare industry is experiencing a fundamental shift in digital health infrastructure, one that prioritizes interoperability, clinician efficiency and patient-centered care – and where AI and advanced analytics play key roles.
Doogan, O’Neil, Roussell, Men Lacrosse Named Finalists for the 2026 RVA Sports Awards - University of Richmond Athletics
RICHMOND, Va. – Maggie Doogan , Aidan O'Neil , Aaron Roussell and the Richmond men's lacrosse program have been named finalists for the 2026 RVA Sports Award...
Mosquitos use it to suck blood. Researchers used it to 3-D print
A mosquito proboscis repurposed as a 3-D printing nozzle can print filaments around 20 micrometers wide, half the width of a fine human hair.
Watch live: Jeffries gives remarks amid health care, redistricting battle
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) will speak with reporters Friday morning after senators struck down Democrats’ effort to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are s…
Your Business Will Eat You Alive If You Don't Do This Step First
A company cannot outperform the psychology, clarity and health of its leader.
Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold already sold out in South Korea ahead of US launch
Samsung’s long-awaited Galaxy Z TriFold will hit store shelves in the US early next year, but if its Korean launch...
AI-powered FFR-CT software linked to considerable cost savings, accurate predictions
According to Heartflow, its AI offering saves health systems nearly $1,400 per patient thanks to reductions in unnecessary cardiovascular testing.
Doom Studio id Software Unionizes To Secure AI Protections, Benefits: ‘We See The Direction The Industry Is Headed’
"People decided that it was time that we took our future into our own hands"
Trump signals willingness to work with Democrats on health care
President Trump suggested Thursday that he would be willing to work with Democrats on the issue of health care, as concerns over rising insurance premiums grow. “What a nice group of Democrats,” Tr…
Whole Hog Politics: ObamaCare intensifies Trump slump
The latest poll from The Associated Press and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago asked its usual slate of questions about voters’ views of President Trump’s job perfo…
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.
I visited an underrated city in Sweden before heading to Copenhagen, and it ended up being a highlight of my Europe trip
Malmö, Sweden, is just 20 minutes from Copenhagen, Denmark, via train. Affordable and fun, it's totally worth adding to your trip to Scandinavia.
RIT integrates print and graphic media into packaging science
University integrates print and graphic media into packaging science program to reflect evolution of print technologies.
Business school grad 'rebuilt' himself throughout ASU journey
W. P. Carey School of Business graduate David De Sousa wants future students to know that his ASU journey is proof that your past does not define your future.
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.
SFA students blend pop culture, business innovation at Swift-Mas Showcase
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Students in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business stepped into the spotlight during finals week for the Swift-Mas Showcase, an event supported by SFA’s Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship that highlighted student innovation and creative problem-solving throughout the fall semester.
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...
3 theories that explain Trump’s collapsing support
How Trump’s winning coalition is unraveling in real time.
GOP defectors raise the heat on Republicans over health vote subsidies
GOP leaders in both chambers of Congress are under growing pressure from rank-and-file Republicans to address health insurance premiums that are expected to soar next year, fueling concerns the nat…
ObamaCare impasse sets stage for January health care battle
Only a holiday miracle can prevent ObamaCare subsidies from expiring on Jan. 1, setting up a major health care fight next month when lawmakers turn their attention to a 2026 spending bill and anoth…
Why America gave up on economists
Both parties have turned their backs on traditional economic advice. Is the country paying the price?
Sticker Shock: Obamacare Customers Confront Premium Spikes as Congress Dithers
With subsidies that give consumers extra help paying their health insurance premiums set to expire, lawmakers are again debating the Affordable Care Act. The difference this time: It’s happening in the middle of ACA open enrollment.
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.
E-Sports Week in Review
On December 2 and 9, Fortnite No Build finals took place. Each day had four matches, and the results each week stayed the same. Albion dropped Game 1 and were killed immediately. Each game saw better improvement, resulting in a top place of 13th for Game 4 for both weeks. Overall, the Britons placed 33rd in the finals.
Jason Buechel, the man who's tasked with energizing Amazon's grocery business
Jason Buechel, a longtime Whole Foods leader with roots in food and tech, is now tasked with unifying Amazon’s sprawling grocery business.
The Game Awards 2025 – Every Winner and Xbox Reveal Plus New Details on Control Resonant, Diablo IV, Tomb Raider, and More
On behalf of the creative teams at Xbox, Bethesda Softworks, Activision, and Blizzard, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s winners and nominees at The Game Awards!
Dayton RollHouse reopens with new entertainment space
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – RollHouse celebrated the grand reopening of its fully renovated Dayton location on Thursday, Nov. 11. RollHouse is known for blending authentic local hospitality with premium …
Daddy's Coming Home with Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
It seems Lilith annoyed her father so much, he’s about to burn it all down: Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred arrives April 28, 2026, and the Paladin class is available now with pre-purchase.
The Legacy of Lara Croft Continues in Two New Tomb Raider Games
30 years after it all started, Lara Croft returns in one new adventure, Tomb Raider: Catalyst (2027) and a complete reimagining of her first, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (2026). Learn more inside:
New restaurants, jobs and entertainment venues transform Century Farms
With hundreds of jobs on the way, Century Farms is transforming Antioch.
Arts and Entertainment Agenda: Dec. 12-18
Arts and Entertainment Agenda: Dec. 12-18
Science Shouldn’t Rely on Corporate Software (opinion)
We need to treat the software undergirding scientific research as a public good—and make investments accordingly.
Japan: Promote Safe Sports by Ending Abuse, Discrimination
The Japanese government’s Japan Sports Agency (JSA) should adopt policies to promote safe sports in Japan by ending abuses and discrimination against athletes, 12 nongovernmental organizations and individuals said in a joint letter to Junichi Kawai, the JSA’s commissioner.
School of Science welcomed new faculty in 2024
Shaoyun Bai, Abigail Bodner, Jacopo Borga, Linlin Fan, Whitney Henry, Gian Michele Innocenti, Christoph Kehle, Aleksandr Logunov, Lyle Nelson, Sergey Ovchinnikov, and Shu-Heng Shao joined the MIT School of Science in 2024.
Wisconsin State Patrol drops reminder: In-car entertainment might be breaking the law
(WFRV) – Ever wonder if motorists in Wisconsin can look at or operate an electronic device for entertainment while driving? Well, the state patrol provided some clarification. The Wisconsin S…
Business owners fear wall could collapse, crush homeless encampment east of L.A.
Business owners in El Sereno, a neighborhood east of downtown Los Angeles, are raising concerns about a cement block wall along an alley, saying it could collapse and cause serious injuries or deat…
How Sports Fans are Streaming ESPN Content Like Never Before | The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific
Hear from five ESPN employees who made history for how sports fans stream content in Australia and New Zealand.
Rumor Replay: AirTag 2, iPhone 18 upgrade, Studio Display 2
This week’s Rumor Replay covers: iPhone 18’s Face ID upgrade, AirTag 2 rumors, the latest on Apple’s new Studio Display, and more.
Court Docs Shed Light on Instacart's Car-Dominant Delivery Business - Streetsblog New York City
Online grocery delivery giant Instacart makes nearly all of its deliveries by car, court documents revealed.
Early Earth's belly held onto its water
When the early Earth’s magma ocean crystallized 4.4 billion years ago, the deep mantle trapped an ocean’s worth of water, scientists say.
Apple AirTag 2: Four New Features Found in iOS 26 Code
The AirTag 2 will include a handful of new features that will improve tracking capabilities, according to a new report from Macworld. The site says that it was able to access an internal build of iOS 26, which includes references to multiple unreleased products. Here's what's supposedly coming: An improved pairing process, though no details were provided. AirTag pairing is already fairly simple, but there's room for improvement with the naming and emoji selection.
Blame Republicans for our health insurance mess
Conservatives haven’t taken health policy seriously for decades.
Google is building an experimental new browser and a new kind of web app
Meet the GenTab, nothing like the plain ol’ browser tab.
Republicans block bill to extend expiring health insurance subsidies
Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a motion to advance a Democrat-drafted bill to extend enhanced health insurance premium subsidies that are due to expire at the end of 2025, tax credits that …
Health care costs are set to rise for millions as Senate rejects bill
The Senate shot also shot down advancing a bill that would've deposited $1,000 to $1,500 into health savings accounts, or HSAs, for eligible consumers
New AirTag 2 leak reveals five improved features coming
When AirTag 2 finally arrives, a new leak has revealed five improved features that could be included with the long-awaited update.
Google announces experimental ‘Disco’ browser with ‘GenTabs’ powered by Gemini 3
Google today announced “Disco” as an experiment to “shape the future of web browsing.” GenTabs are the first flagship feature...
Goldman on Lander challenge: ‘Politics will have to wait ’til 2026′
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday declined to comment on New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s (D) decision to challenge him in the party primary, instead homing in on legislative tasks to c…
Reimbursement expected to drive implementation of CCTA, coronary plaque analysis
For years, imaging experts have predicted that CCTA may become the primary imaging modality for coronary artery disease and eliminate the need for invasive diagnostic catheterizations. That prediction is now coming true.
Senate GOP health care plan fails on mostly party-line vote
LIVE coverage: Senate votes on second health care proposal, defense funding A Republican-drafted proposal to set up health savings accounts for people who buy their health insurance on the Affordab…
The AirPods Pro 3 just dropped below $200 for the first time
A discount that sounds great.
WhatsApp is trying to reinvent voicemail
It’s now easier to send a voice or video message when someone doesn’t answer their phone.
A guide to self-employment tax for small business owners
Self-employment tax isn't an "extra" tax — it's the same payroll tax that was always there, now just fully visible to new small business owners.
FMOL Health has purchased this property near Our Lady of the Lake
FMOL Health has acquired a kidney care facility property on Flanders Drive near Essen Lane. The system purchased the site through Our Lady of the Lake Hospital Inc. from Flanders Building LLC f… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. We are glad you enjoy reading Business Report. Continue reading this story and get ACCESS to all […]
AirPods Pro 3 Drop to New $199 Low Price on Amazon
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 have hit a new record low price of $199.00 today on Amazon, down from $249.00. This deal beats the Black Friday price we saw last month by about $20. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Dueling Senate bills to address health care affordability fail to pass
The Senate today failed to pass legislation to address health care affordability. The chamber first voted on a Republican-backed bill that failed by a 51-48 vote. The bill would have disbursed $1,000 in health spending accounts for individuals age 18-49 and $1,500 for those age 50-64. A Democrat-led plan that would have extended the enhanced premium tax credits for three years also failed by a 51-48 tally. The bills needed 60 votes to pass.
AT&T’s new home security system is powered by Google Home and Abode
AT&T shut down its previous security system in 2022.
Nothing Phone (4a) allegedly adds new color and a big price hike, leaker claims
According to a leaker, Nothing Phone (4a) will launch with a new color variant, but also a much higher price point.
12 Days of Regulatory Insights: Day 6 – Sports Wagering, Player Proposition Bets, and Prediction Market Battles
In this episode of our special 12 Days of Regulatory Insights podcast series, Stephen Piepgrass is joined by Cole White from our RISE Practice Group's
There’s no room for hunger at UC Berkeley School of Public Health
In 2021 UCBPH launched a food pantry run by the Dream office, which quickly grew to encompass direct stipends, and personal and home care products.
Recent Trends in Commercial Health Insurance Market Concentration
Commercial health insurance markets remain highly concentrated across coverage types. However, the individual market, which consists mostly of the ACA Marketplaces, has attracted more insurers and witnessed greater insurer competition across a variety of measures since the implementation of the enhanced premium tax credits in 2021, according to a new Healthy System Tracker analysis.
Live updates: Dueling Senate health care plans come up for votes; US, Venezuela tensions rise
Senators will go on record Thursday on competing health care plans that try to address enhanced ObamaCare tax subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. A vote on the Democrats’ three-ye…
The Game Awards are losing their luster
A lot of flash concealing increasingly shrinking substance.
Entertainment this week: Tahoe Live, Holly Jolly Stroll, Blü Egyptian and more!
Friday, December 12 Friday Night Music at Cottonwood Restaurant – 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, 10142 Rue Hilltop. Join us each Friday at Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar in Truckee for a fun night of...
Brain science, social media and a modern moral panic
In brain scans, social media addiction looks the same as gaming and gambling addictions and substance abuse, says grad student Kylie Falcione at UCSB's Media Neuroscience Lab
FKHS Sports Schedule for the week of 15 December 2025
FKHS Sports Schedule for the week of 15 December 2025
Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Dylan Weaver
The College of Science is proud to recognize 10 outstanding seniors who went above and beyond during their time as Wildcats. Dylan Weaver is this semester's recipient from Chemistry & Biochemistry.
Sarah Wieghold prepares for nanoscale science with big impact at the Advanced Photon Source
Collaboration and impact are two values that guide her work at the APS.
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Wrestling
On the latest episode of Lehigh Sports Central, hear from Lehigh Women's Wrestling head coach Brazel Marquez and first year Genevieve An as they discuss the ...
Plan for new business jet hangars could boost revenue at underused Sikorsky Airport
The city's airport commission approved negotiations with Sky Harbour to build and manage business plane sites at the Stratford-based facility.
The EPA website got the basics of climate science right. Until last week.
The Trump administration purged 80 pages of facts about climate change — including that it's caused by humans.
From classroom to community: Student’s journey exemplifies ‘public health in action’
When Waveney Brooks transferred to the University of Kentucky as a sophomore, she never imagined that a classroom experience would open the door to real-world public heath practice across Kentucky. What started as a broad introduction to the many disciplines of well-being soon grew into a purposeful public health career path defined by mentorship, community engagement and purpose.
UK Sports Cardiology helps marathoner back to chasing 50-state goal
After a midrace cardiac arrest, Brian Rice was advised not to run again. But with help from UK HealthCare’s Sports Cardiology Program, Rice is back chasing his dream of running a marathon in every state.
Ask a doctor: Should I trust health advice on social media?
Not all health advice online is legit. Learn how to spot reliable info and make smart choices for your well-being.
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
Denver’s science museum sold out their Thanksgiving meal this year
We may or may not be responsible.
Chrome for iPhone rolling out built-in Gemini integration
After teasing in September, Google Chrome for iOS is now more widely rolling out a built-in Gemini experience.