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Michigan Science Center unveils brand new planetarium with 8K projection
Guests experience a demonstration of the Michigan Science Center's newly renovated planetarium during a VIP preview event on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Detroit.
Roof to rise soon on Mobile Entertainment Arena; hockey rink moves forward
Steel beams now outline the massive structure, and concrete is being poured across multiple levels.
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.
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.
Harvard Replaces Leader of Health Center Said to Have Focused on Palestinians
The center at the university’s public health school was also a focus of the Trump administration after having been examined in a Harvard antisemitism report earlier this year.
Female athletes protesting transgender competition in sports drop lawsuit against OSAA
Two female athletes dropped a lawsuit they had filed alleging that the OSAA discriminated against them for protesting transgender competition in women's sports.
Arizona city unanimously rejects AI data center after residents' outcry
The Chandler, Arizona, city council unanimously voted against clearing the way to allow for construction of an artificial intelligence data center
ECU Health Medical Center earns breast cancer care reaccreditation
The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers has again granted accredited status to ECU Health Medical Center.
New sprawling restaurant, entertainment complex opening in Surf City
This 40,000-square-foot space includes something for everyone, and a full bar and restaurant, in Pender County.
Valley Post dining and entertainment complex in Chelsea
Valley Post dining and entertainment complex in Chelsea
Stephen Colbert asks why “The Late Show” was canceled if Paramount can offer Warner Bros. $108 billion
"Wow. I gotta say, if my company's got that kind of green, I'm sure they can afford to uncancel one of their best shows," the host said.
Phil Ruffin on his Park City entertainment mecca: ‘It’s gonna blow your mind’
The new Gilley’s entertainment complex in Park City will have pari-mutuel betting, games, a variety of live music and other events.
Merlin Entertainment is looking for Junior Galaxy Explorers!
Merlin Entertainment is looking for Junior Galaxy Explorers!
Jacobs Entertainment to demolish Bonanza Inn
Jacobs Entertainment has elected to demolish Bonanza Inn rather than renovate it as part of their redevelopment efforts near the J Resort.
News | School signs one of biggest office deals in Los Angeles entertainment hub
Concorde Career Colleges brings hundreds of students and staff to Burbank
SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: How the Nintendo Entertainment System Changed Gaming Forever - Stuff You Should Know
Longtime state representative from Des Moines will not seek reelection
State Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, who was first elected in 2010, will retire when her term ends in 2026.
Award of Merit, Sports/Entertainment: New Alamein City Tourist Promenade
Located along the Mediterranean coast, the $36.6-million project transforms the waterfront into a vibrant public promenade.
NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health Recognized for Highest Quality Stroke Care by the Joint Commission - NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospital’s/South Brooklyn Health announced its designation as a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. This
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.
Democrats Release New Epstein Photos Documenting Ties to Trump, Clinton and Others
The images, released without context by Democrats on the Oversight Committee, reveal little new about the deceased sex offender’s ties to prominent men in politics, entertainment and finance.
Powerful men in politics and media shown in new Epstein estate images
Newly released photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's estate do not reveal wrongdoing, but do show Epstein in the company of powerful men from the worlds of politics, business and entertainment.
Gameday Entertainment: Saints vs. Panthers | 2025 NFL Week 15
The New Orleans Saints host the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3:25 p.m. CT.
Who Really Won 2025? The Top-Earning Black Women In Entertainment This Year
From billion-dollar empires to history-making tours, these are the Black women who generated the biggest earnings in entertainment this year.
Whether Netflix or Paramount buys Warner Bros., entertainment oligopolies are back – bigger and more anticompetitive than ever
Hollywood has seen this movie before.
New mental health crisis center planned for Lewiston
Spurwink, which opened Maine's first Crisis Receiving Center in 2022, has been awarded a grant to open the new facility
Plans for outdoor entertainment center along I-40 move forward
Pacific Elm Properties drafts a term sheet for an entertainment center on 136 acres near RDU Airport, shaped by public feedback despite controversy.
Netflix, Warner, Paramount and antitrust: Entertainment megadeal’s outcome must follow the evidence, not politics or fear of integration
Even President Trump is concerned about this situation. But the answers aren’t obvious.
Netflix, Warner, Paramount and antitrust: Entertainment megadeal’s outcome must follow the evidence, not politics or fear of integration
Even President Trump is concerned about this situation. But the answers aren’t obvious.
Netflix, Warner, Paramount and antitrust: Entertainment megadeal’s outcome must follow the evidence, not politics or fear of integration
Even President Trump is concerned about this situation. But the answers aren’t obvious.
Is a Netflix-Warner Bros. merger bad for the entertainment industry?
The deal could mean Netflix would own valuable DC Comics and HBO assets.
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…
Kids Start Up Business Fair
Enjoy an exciting evening of creativity, innovation, and fun as young entrepreneurs showcase their products, inventions, and creative services!
Netflix launches second entertainment venue in Dallas
Netflix House immerses guests in their favourite Netflix brands
Flandrau Planetarium and Science Center celebrates 50 years of curiosity
The building now hosts exhibits ranging from space satellites to great white sharks.
Essentia Health hosts local lawmakers at St. Joseph’s Medical Center ahead of legislative session
Sandy Zutz-Wiczek, vice president of operations at Essentia, led a tour of the hospital and discussed how lawmakers can help ensure rural communities preserve access to high-quality care
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.
Mid-Michigan entertainment for the weekend of Dec. 12-14 and beyond
Check out what’s going on around the region.
Pittsburgh's Kamin Science Center opens new permanent sports exhibit
The new exhibit Sports360 is the largest permanent exhibit at the Kamin Science Center.
'Entertaining' or 'irresponsible'? The rise of bare-knuckle boxing
As Derby's Vaillant Live arena prepares to host a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) event, BBC Sport looks at the debate around the controversial combat sport.
Theater Review: "Stereophonic" Tour Offers Sharp Music, Uneven Storytelling
Kevin Taft reviews the theatrical production of the Tony-nominated Stereophonic, which he nevertheless feels never comes together in a dramatically satisfying way.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Flandrau Planetarium and Science Center celebrates 50 years of curiosity
The building now hosts exhibits ranging from space satellites to great white sharks.
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 …
Bandai Namco Entertainment CEO on A24’s ‘Elden Ring’ Movie, Big ‘Ace Combat 8’ Reveal and Hitting a Quicker Game Output Strategy (EXCLUSIVE)
Bandai Namco Entertainment CEO on new "Ace Combat 8" game and A24's "Elden Ring" movie.
Netflix Unveils Second Immersive Entertainment Venue in This Popular City—Here's an Inside Look
It's a dream come true!
‘Control’ Sequel Game ‘Resonant’ Set for 2026 Release From Remedy Entertainment
The sequel to the video game "Control" will be available in 2026 according to developer Remedy Entertainment.
Control: Resonant Announced by Remedy for 2026 Release | The Game Awards 2025
Remedy Entertainment has announced Control: Resonant, the follow-up to IGN’s 2019 Game of the Year, Control at the 2025 Game Awards. It’s due out in 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S, and it aims to be anything but a straightforward sequel.
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
iOS 26 Code Leak Reveals Apple Smart Home Hub Details
Apple is working on a smart home hub that will rely heavily on the more capable version of Siri that's coming next year. We've heard quite a bit about the hub over the last two years, but a recent iOS 26 code leak provides additional insight into what we can expect and confirms rumored features. Macworld claims to have access to an internal version of iOS 26 that references several upcoming Apple devices, including the home hub.
Our California Health Plans Honored With Top Ratings
Kaiser Permanente receives 5 out of 5 stars for overall quality of care from the California Center for Data Insights and Innovation and from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Public Health Faculty Slam Harvard’s Removal of FXB Center Director Mary Bassett | News
Public Health Faculty Slam Harvard’s Removal of FXB Center Director Mary Bassett | News | The Harvard Crimson
Employers join forces at career fair to boost local business hires post-Helene
Employers gathered at the Valley Hope Church in Swannanoa on Thursday, Dec. 11, to take part in the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber Foundation career fair.
Trump Confronts His Political Reality
The president has entered the lame-duck era of his career.
Google spinout proposes Oakland County data center nearly as large as Oracle megaproject
While controversy stirs around OpenAI’s Stargate data center project in Saline Township, another data center complex nearly as big is being quietly planned 45 miles northeast in Lyon Township.Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, a spinout of Google parent company Alphabet Inc., has submitted plans to…
Anderson Hay CEO says company isn’t closing after Ellensburg business files for bankruptcy
Anderson Hay Enterprise, Inc. of Ellensburg has filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington.
Jacobs to demolish Bonanza Inn, submit permits for soccer field
Jacobs Entertainment has decided to demolish the Bonanza Inn, citing the high cost of renovating the blighted property.
'We're not just going to want to be fed AI slop for 16 hours a day': Analyst sees Disney/OpenAI deal as a dividing line in entertainment history
"I think the reason this bidding is approaching $100 billion-plus is the content library and the potential to do a Disney-OpenAI type of deal."
New children's facility aims to close mental health care gaps in Hennepin County
The Hennepin County Youth Stabilization Center opens after increased attention on gaps in children’s mental health services.
Sugar23 Reorganizes Amid Evolution Into Next-Generation Branded Entertainment Studio, Six Managers Expected To Depart
Sugar23 has announced a comprehensive reorg amid its transition into a next-gen branded entertainment studio.
RFK Jr.’s Health Department Is Pondering a National Men’s Health Initiative
At an FDA discussion of testosterone replacement therapy, a top official called for special health centers to address a “men’s health crisis.” Others called to ease men’s access to hormones.
When people see themselves in science, they trust it more
A new study led by URochester finds that the demographics of scientists influence public trust and the fate of science-based public policy.
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…
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Announces Results of Its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
LEAWOOD, Kan., December 11, 2025--AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) ("AMC" or "the Company"), announced today the results of its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on December 10, 2025.
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Acupuncturist Cailey Halloran talks about her duties and responsibilities in the oncology department at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Thursday, December 11, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La.
Comcast and Amazon Bring Amazon Luna Cloud Gaming to Xfinity’s Entertainment Devices
Comcast and Amazon announced the launch of Amazon Luna, a cloud gaming service, on millions of Xfinity TV and streaming devices across the U.S.
AETH Entertainment and Kartoon Studios Partner to Launch TaleSphere Studios
New Live-Action Banner to Produce Family and Youth Entertainment; First Project, “Real Santa”...
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
West Palm Beach is at the 'epicenter’ of Florida’s business growth, leaders say
Related Ross Executive Vice President Jordan Rathlev and health-tech firm Visium CEO John Rajchert speak to Fox News Digital about the influx of businesses and employees moving to West Palm Beach and how their companies are leading the charge.
Des Moines entertainment in January: 'SIX,' tribute bands, Charlie Berens and more
Big Play Entertainment opens Dunwoody center in time for holiday break
Brandon and Ray Wooldridge, the father and son who own Big Play Entertainment Atlanta, picked a spot in Dunwoody after a tornado demolished the family’s business outside of Nashville.
AETH Entertainment and Kartoon Studios Partner To Launch TaleSphere Studios; Will Focus On Live-Action With ‘Real Santa’ As Debut Film
TaleSphere Studios, a joint venture of Kartoon Studios and AETH Entertainment, has launched with 'Real Santa' as its first project.
Gaza’s maternal and newborn health system ‘decimated’, UN warns
Gaza’s health system for mothers and newborns has been “decimated”, the UN said on Thursday, with Israeli attacks destroying almost all hospitals, cutting off medical supplies and driving sharp rises in maternal deaths, miscarriages and newborn fatalities amid mass displacement and hunger.
Disney CEO Bob Iger Says OpenAI Deal Gives Entertainment Giant 'A Way In' to AI
The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI announced a deal Thursday that will make Disney characters available through the ChatGPT maker's image and video generation tools, and see Disney invest $1 billion in OpenAI.
Weekend Entertainment | Holiday Spirit at Stage Left’s ‘Trailer Park’
The annual onslaught of holiday shows has overtaken local stages, and they’re a cherished part of the season for many folks.
Sports360, the newest immersive exhibition at the Science Center, opens this weekend
The 9,500-square-foot Sports360 exhibition is designed to immerse visitors in the science of athletic performance.
Ole Miss issues RFP for Vaught-Hemingway Stadium mixed-use development project
Ole Miss issued an RFP for a Vaught-Hemingway Stadium mixed-use development project on Dec. 10, 2025. The project would enhance the entrance from The Grove to the university's football stadium and include an entertainment district and condotel.
Entertainment: Holiday Drone Show Saturday Night
Plus: Plenty of indoor events to celebrate the holidays.
Universal Orlando’s New Year’s Eve celebrations feature live entertainment, characters, countdowns
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Announces Results of Its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) (“AMC” or “the Company”), announced today the results of…...
Ayaneo Pocket Play is a reincarnation of the Xperia Play
Ayaneo’s first smartphone is set to launch soon. Ayaneo is entering the smartphone market, and its first device will take a different approach from the...
Cleveland’s Independent Music and Comedy Venues Drive $742.5 Million in Economic Impact, New Study Finds
A kernel from the study: The city’s venues account for nearly 50 percent of the indie live entertainment GDP of the Buckeye State, more than 28 states.
Penske Entertainment establishes formal Independent Officiating Board for IndyCar
Comprised of three members tasked with presiding over the IndyCar Series and its Indy NXT development series, the IOB reports to a new non-profit entity, IndyCar Officiating, Inc, created by Penske Entertainment.
Chico's big fashion and entertainment show on Dec. 13 benefits FUR's cat rescue work • Chico News & Review
We are a group of award-winning free alternative weekly newspapers published by Chico Community Publishing, Inc. We publish the Chico News & Review in Chico, California, the Sacramento News & Review in Sacramento, California and the Reno News & Review in Reno, Nevada. In addition to the 3 weeklies, we also have a Custom Publication division dedicated to producing high quality publications for government agencies, nonprofits and more.
Entergy Texas earns J.D. Power award
The recognition underscores the company’s commitment to exceptional service and affordable power
Pittsburgh’s Strength as Business Center Fuels Aer Lingus Entry into Market
With today’s announcement that Aer Lingus is introducing nonstop flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to Dublin Airport, Pittsburgh and Ireland have the opportunity to build on the powerful business and cultural connection that drives economic development in both regions. Flights on Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier, start on May 25, 2026, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
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...
Q&A: What does the Netflix-Paramount bidding war mean for your streaming future?
Netflix and Paramount, entertainment companies known for promoting drama within the shows and movies on their platforms, are now caught up in their own theatrics. What’s it all mean? And how could the result affect how you consume your favorite movies and shows? We asked the University of Virginia’s Anthony Palomba, an assistant professor of business administration at the Darden School of Business and an expert in the media and entertainment industry, to share his insights.
Superbet Group becomes Super Technologies, shaping the future of digital entertainment ecosystems
BUCHAREST, Romania, Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superbet Group, a leading company in the global technology and entertainment space, announces its rebrand as Super Technologies. The new identity, which will be simply known as Super, reflects the company’s evolution, its expanded vision for the future, and its commitment to building innovative solutions for a rapidly changing world. At the same time, the company will continue to operate its commercial brands across existing territories, with
Data center boom creates political conundrum for the GOP
President Donald Trump is all in on the artificial intelligence build-out. Other Republicans are being more cautious.
ETV Win Brings Telugu Entertainment to Life with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
Over 20 titles are now available in Dolby on ETV Win.
A SWFL holiday entertainment preview
Whether you are a fan of musical theatre, improv or a classic symphony, Southwest Florida is home to some of the best holiday performances around.
RWS Global entertains over 7.5 million guests at worldwide attractions this winter
The company has created more than 150 custom holiday experiences, including concept, decor, show production, casting and operations
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
The Herald's weekly entertainment picks
Looking to be entertained from Thursday, Dec. 11, through Wednesday, Dec. 17? Check out the Skagit Valley Herald’s weekly recommendations.
Deadly shooting near Horseshoe Casino raises safety concerns in entertainment hub
A deadly shooting outside a Royal Farms store near the Horseshoe Casino in south Baltimore has left residents concerned about safety.
Korea's entertainment industry struggles as celebrity scandals derail productions
A string of personal scandals involving high-profile Korean entertainers is once again leaving broadcasters and production companies to absorb heav...
At the Intersection of Science and Faith: Institute for Water and Health and 12 community leaders unite to protect Brunswick’s waterways
In a remarkable collaboration, residents of Brunswick, Georgia, have joined forces with scientists and faith leaders to address critical water quality issues. Their innovative approach, centered on community involvement, is not only protecting local waterways but also setting a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges.