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Universal Orlando theme park coaster death ruled accidental
Universal Orlando roller coaster death ruled accidental after investigation into Kevin Rodriquez-Zavala's fatal Epic Universe incident on Stardust Racers.
Dell increasing prices on surging demand for memory units, Business Insider says
Starting December 17, Dell Technologies (DELL) is set to hike prices across its commercial product lines, according to an internal list of upcoming price changes sent to staff on December 9 and seen by Business Insider. The list outlines price hikes for Dell’s commercial business – meaning its sales to corporate clients rather than individual consumers, Business Insider’s Polly Thompson. The commercial business accounts for about 85% of Dell’s annual revenue in the Client Solutions Group, the di
From Taylor Swift to Star Wars, shop USA TODAY's top entertainment books
Discover USA TODAY’s top entertainment books of 2025 for pop culture fans and music lovers.
Teen’s video a ‘Breakthrough’ in science communication
Seventeen-year-old Grace Lee from Chula Vista is gaining national attention as a finalist in the global Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual competition that invites students to create original videos explaining complex scientific ideas in creative and engaging ways. Founded in 2015, the contest encourages young people to break down advanced scientific theories using imagination and storytelling— “Steven Spielberg meets Albert Einstein,” as organizers describe it. Lee’s submission centers on the principle of least time in physics, a concept that explains why light always travels the path that takes the least amount of time. To bring the idea to life, she used intricate origami characters and stop-motion animation, along with simple at-home experiments, she said. “The fact that light always travels via the path that takes the least amount of time sounds simple at first, but nature is full of surprises,” she said. “This principle is actually very profound and underlies many different fields in physics that seem completely unrelated, from optics to Newton’s laws to Einstein’s theory of relativity.” Also, origami has long been one of her passions and integrating it into her project felt natural. She often makes origami gifts for friends and teaches origami in her school clubs. “A single 10-second scene would take hours to craft,” she said, noting the mixture of stop-motion and post-production editing required to animate expressions and movement. To ensure the science remained accurate and accessible, she spent time reading books and online resources, writing a script, creating a storyboard, and filming and editing repeatedly until the visuals worked.The experiments were among the biggest challenges. To demonstrate water waves, she used everyday household items — “a spatula and an electric toothbrush to vibrate the waves, glass in a baking pan for different depths, and an iPhone flashlight so the waves would be visible.” She also put careful thought into explaining the principle through analogies, including a gingerbread man and a fox. “Analogies and visuals are incredibly important,” she said. “Visual demonstrations allow viewers to see how the science actually works.” Beyond the competition, Lee is deeply involved in science leadership and advocacy. She serves as International President of miRcore, the world’s largest student computational biology organization, with 136 chapters across five countries. She leads a 20-member executive board, organizes outreach connecting schools worldwide, and has helped run workshops at locations including Scripps Research Institute and the University of Michigan. “I used to be intimidated,” she said, but she gradually grew her skills and confidence. “Now I am no longer afraid to use my voice and enthusiasm to bring out the best in others.” Her research experience includes two peer-reviewed papers on asthma and vaping. Misconceptions around vaping, she said, show why clear science communication matters. “Our research shows that there is long-term harm to your lungs on the cellular level that isn’t obvious unless you come down with an illness like the flu,” she said. Lee also founded Full Hearts at Eastlake High School, transforming the small club into one of the school’s largest, with hands-on service projects in partnership with local nonprofits. She continues mentoring younger students to sustain the mission. If she wins the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Grace hopes the $100,000 science lab prize for her school will expand opportunities for students who have limited access to equipment and hands-on science outside the classroom.
What we're hearing: Philip Rivers' comeback, Burrow and more
Philip Rivers is expected to start an NFL game at 44 years old after a 1,800-day layoff, Joe Burrow's comments raised eyebrows across the league, and sources weigh in on what it all actually means.
How ICE raids and tariffs can hurt Hispanic business in South Florida
“Support your local businesses because they contribute to the community as well as give back to the community.”
Cows forgotten on an island survived alone for 130 years — their story fascinates scientists - Futura-Sciences
In the late 19th century, a small group of cattle was left behind on Amsterdam Island, a remote spot in the subantarctic region. Against the odds, the herd survived and adapted to the island’s harsh ... Read more
Why love of the game beats cheating and ambition in sports
“Pouting prevents you from playing well, and a cheater’s medal is a tarnished reminder of misbehavior.”
We’re running out of good ideas. AI might be how we find new ones.
What if the best use of AI is restarting the world’s idea machine?
Commentary: What the Dodgers are doing isn't normal in pro sports. Be sure to appreciate it
The Dodgers are perfectly fine with spending more money than anyone else to win championships, and fans should appreciate it considering what's happening in Anaheim.
BMA warns of flu 'scaremongering' ahead of doctor strikes
The health secretary should focus on offering a deal instead of "scaremongering the public", the BMA says.
Burcum: Watch out for risky health plans as sticker shock sets in
When your monthly premium goes from $500 to $1,000, even the savviest consumers may be willing to consider riskier alternatives to save money — including plans that might be scams, Jill Burcum writes.
Salinas elementary students showcase computer science skills
Salinas Elementary School District holds its first ever Computer Science Showcase for students and their families.
Trump attacks on political opponents spur a surge of threats, NBC News review finds
In recent weeks, nearly two dozen elected officials on both sides of the aisle said they were targeted after getting caught in the president's crosshairs.
Starmer to pick new US ambassador as relations with Trump tested
Exclusive: a trio of candidates have been interviewed by the PM, but he could still decide to directly appoint someone else
Findlay wants permanent Hearts move
Hearts defender wants longer-term say, Rangers' sporting director target leaves door open and panel backs controversial Rugby Park calls.
Stuart Findlay wants permanent Hearts move
Hearts defender wants longer-term say, Rangers' sporting director target leaves door open and panel backs controversial Rugby Park calls.
From Eleanor the Great to Emily in Paris: your complete entertainment guide to the week ahead
Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut stars the 96-year-old June Squibb, while Netflix’s lovable tweefest sees its heroine move to Rome
Apple Issues Security Updates After Two WebKit Flaws Found Exploited in the Wild
Apple fixes two exploited WebKit bugs targeting specific users, issuing security updates across iOS, macOS, and Safari.
Science news this week: Neanderthals made fire, orcas and dolphins team up, and the 'Star of Bethlehem' explored
Dec. 13, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
Michigan Science Center debuts "moonshot" planetarium renovation
After a year-long renovation, the Michigan Science Center reopened its planetarium Friday, showcasing technology upgrades and a new flagship show.
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.
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 […]
Political power and profitable trades in the US Congress
The debate over whether US members of Congress should be allowed to trade individual stocks has become a mainstream policy concern. This column uses data on every US congressional stock trade from 1995 to 2021 to reveal that while rank-and-file members do not systematically beat the market, once some of them assume leadership positions their portfolios start to look very different and outperform those of regular members. The pattern raises uncomfortable questions about how political power, corporate access, and personal wealth interact.
Tunisia sentences opposition leader Abir Moussi to 12 years in jail
Dozens of opposition figures being targeted in nation once seen as beacon for democracy after sparking the Arab Spring.
This military training camp team almost won a national championship
On Nov. 20, 1943, the eyes of a weary nation focused, just for a moment, on a battle playing out stateside.
From troubled youth to NFL star: Garett Bolles' journey
His first career Pro Bowl nod is tantalizingly within reach for nine-year NFL veteran Garett Bolles, whose renaissance on the gridiron mirrors his awakening off the field. The Broncos' left tackle has polished the rough edges of his game over the years to go from a raw latecomer to football (he was a lacrosse star as a kid) to one of the league's best blindside protectors. Early on, he was derided by Broncos fans for his propensity for penalties.
NASA’s TRACERS Spacecraft Begin Preliminary Science Data Collection
NASA’s TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) mission has started collecting preliminary science data,
Indiana was the only red state to defy Trump on redistricting. Why?
A majority of Indiana Republican senators said no to President Donald Trump on redistricting. What makes Hoosiers different?
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.
News | School signs one of biggest office deals in Los Angeles entertainment hub
Concorde Career Colleges brings hundreds of students and staff to Burbank
U.S. could owe businesses $168 billion if Supreme Court rules against Trump tariffs, analysis finds
'Necessary for the future of humankind': Who was honored at the first-ever Global Space Awards?
The winners of the inaugural Global Space Awards were recently announced at a star-studded ceremony at London's Natural History Museum. The event championed innovation and sustainability, while also celebrating the life of a late NASA astronaut.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Ensemble? Forme Science
Taylor Swift was seen in her latest Eras Tour documentary wearing Forme Science's Power Bra. We're debreifing on the bra and where you can buy it now.
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Week 15 lineup picks (and benches) from Justin Boone
Meet Landon Robinson: How Navy star NG emerged as Midshipmen's soft-spoken 'freak'
Robinson can do it all for Navy, from disrupting plays in the backfield to providing sparks on special teams
Hochul: N.Y. schools served 150M free meals since start of universal program
The program has been estimated to save families $165 per child in grocery spending each month.
‘Pig butchering’ cryptocurrency scam cheats Minnesota business owner out of $500K
The scam’s target went to law enforcement after being asked for another $240,000, according to a court filing.
Kids Start Up Business Fair
Enjoy an exciting evening of creativity, innovation, and fun as young entrepreneurs showcase their products, inventions, and creative services!
Former Notre Dame starter who transferred declares for the NFL
Former Notre Dame offensive line starter Rocco Spindler spend the last season at Nebraska, has declared for the NFL.
Flandrau Planetarium and Science Center celebrates 50 years of curiosity
The building now hosts exhibits ranging from space satellites to great white sharks.
Roper: Want to revive Uptown? Grab a ‘passport’ and show Hennepin Avenue businesses some holiday cheer
The “Holidays on Hennepin” program aims to draw traffic to the street after a lengthy road reconstruction.
2026 Flathead Valley Winter Sports Preview
The snow has fallen and the sun is officially on hiatus, which means Flathead Valley athletes are trading in their cleats and knee pads for goggles, headgear and basketball shoes. Area teams and athletes over the last few weeks have been amping up their preparation ahead of the start of the high school winter sports […]
Review: 'Stereophonic' at the Pantages can't hit Broadway's high notes
The Hollywood Pantages presents the L.A. premiere of David Adjmi's Tony-winning play 'Stereophonic.' The work, which includes original music by Will Butler, exposes the behind-the-scenes drama of a 1970s rock band recording a new album while on the brink of massive superstardom.
Real estate's rising stars: 18 top young realtors, architects, and executives to watch
From making real estate investing more attainable to developing 500-square-foot homes to fit in your backyard, here's why these rising stars of real estate are the ones to watch in 2025.
First look at One UI 8.5 on Galaxy S23 Ultra: What’s new and what’s missing
Samsung has started working on One UI 8.5 for Galaxy S23 Ultra, which was confirmed through the software server’s listing. The update will bring plenty of new features to the device, and the first hands-on video has just arrived. Folks over at SamMobile gained access to internal One UI 8.5 and installed the firmware on […]
After more than a year in business, this Morton restaurant has closed
The Tazewell County Health Department learned of the permanent closure in late November.
When do the playoffs for Michigan high school winter sports start?
Here's a timeline on when each winter sport's playoff tournament is expected to begin.
Scientists have been studying the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 e. Could it harbor alien life? : Short Wave
Want to be a top notch candidate for hosting alien life? Then there's a few key requirements you should be aware of: Ideally, you're a large object like a moon or a planet; scientists suspect you also have an atmosphere and water; plus, you should orbit your star from a nice mid-range distance — in the "Goldilocks Zone" of habitability. Until recently, you would be competing against TRAPPIST-1 e. It's a planet outside of our solar system. TRAPPIST-1 e is also only 40 light years away, rocky and the same size as Earth, which prompted researchers to investigate whether it also has an atmosphere — and the potential for alien life. A team of researchers has been investigating TRAPPIST-1 e to learn more about its potential. Their answers, recently published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, say a lot not just about this exoplanet, but about how scientists should refocus their hunt for alien life.Interested in more space science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Celtic: 'Wilfried Nancy exposed to brutal life as manager as Hampden beckons'
BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter, Tom English, dissects Wilfried Nancy's start as Celtic manager with the Premier Sports Cup final looming.
CEOs are feeling slightly more confident about the economy — but that doesn't mean more hiring
Labor and tariffs remain a pressure point, and Q4 marked the third straight quarter in which top executives expect more job cuts than hiring.
The real reason behind Trump’s nasty breakup with Europe
Jonathan Freedland speaks to the US military scholar Joseph Stieb about the Trump administration’s national security strategy
Flandrau Planetarium and Science Center celebrates 50 years of curiosity
The building now hosts exhibits ranging from space satellites to great white sharks.
Trump targets Indiana GOP Senate leader after defeat of redistricting plan
President Trump said he hopes the top Republican in the Indiana state Senate loses his next primary after Indiana rejected a redistricting plan.
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:
The Witness and Braid Creator Jonathan Blow Announces New 250-Hour Puzzle Game, Order of the Sinking Star | The Game Awards 2025
Order of the Sinking Star is an upcoming puzzle game that features 1,000 puzzles that can take up to 500 hours to complete, and we saw it in a live demo.
Jonathan Blow has spent the past decade designing 1,400 puzzles for you
Preview: Order of the Sinking Star started small but became a “combinatoric explosion.”…
China's new 'condom tax' draws skepticism and worries over health risks
China will soon start collecting a value-added tax on contraceptive drugs and products for the first time in over 30 years.
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.
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…
DOJ sues Colorado Secretary of State for refusing to release voter information
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold after she refused to provide the agency with voter information. Last week, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division asked Griswold’s office to provide unredacted voter data, including full names, dates of birth, residential addresses, and driver’s license numbers. Federal authorities […]
Evommune Reports Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
PALO ALTO, Calif., December 11, 2025--Evommune, Inc. (NYSE: EVMN) (the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapies that target key drivers of chronic inflammatory diseases, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, and provided a business update.
Ben Davis' Mr. Football headed back to familiar sport for Notre Dame basketball
The reigning Mr. Football played for Marcus Freeman and the Irish football team, and will pull double duty this winter - and he won't have to introduce himself to many teammates.
James Webb telescope spots 'monster stars' leaking nitrogen in the early universe — and they could help solve a major mystery
Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope spotted huge stars leaking nitrogen in an early galaxy, hinting that such 'monster stars' might have been the source of ancient supermassive black holes.
MLB rumors: Tarik Skubal trade talks continue, Braves sign reliever Robert Suarez
Here are your hot stove rumors for Thursday, Dec. 11
Jury convicts Netflix director Carl Rinsch in $11 million fraud case
Prosecutors accused Carl Rinsch, who directed the Keanu Reeves-starring "47 Ronin," of fraud after an ambitious sci-fi Netflix project collapsed.
The fact-checking mandate evolves from politics to personal security
"Online scams, phishing attempts, and fraudulent schemes have grown in both volume and sophistication, creating a new front in the war on falsehoods."
Runway releases its first world model, adds native audio to latest video model
Runway debuts a physics-aware world model that simulates reality to train agents and power video, robotics and avatar applications.
Cursor Launches an AI Coding Tool For Designers
The 300-person startup hopes bringing designers aboard will give it an edge in an increasingly competitive AI software market.
'Heated Rivalry' stars talk overnight success, butt tweets, and viral moments
'Heated Rivalry's Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams are still processing those fans tweeting about their butts. The actors get into the spicy drama's runaway success and go behind the scenes of viral moments.
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...
Live updates: Indiana Senate prepares for a final vote on redistricting
The vote may come down to the wire as on-the-fence lawmakers hear final arguments.
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
Burton entrepreneur delivers salt to area businesses
Christina Berry started a new winter business delivering buckets of sidewalk salt to businesses in the Burton area.
Major Tomb Raider announcement leaks ahead of The Game Awards
A number of Tomb Raider leaks have started circulating ahead of tonight's The Game Awards show.
Libstar divests fresh mushroom business but keeps Denny brand
The South African company is retaining the Denny brand but licensing it to the buyer of the mushroom operations.
Lawmakers move to phase out health-specific retirement benefit
Lawmakers may instead bulk up Hoosier START, the state's defined benefit plans. They say that would offer retirees and current staff greater flexibility.
This startup is launching an AI personal health assistant that'll face off with Big Tech from Verily to OpenAI
The startup's new tech could compete with Big Tech's health AI projects from heavyweights like Alphabet and OpenAI.
Penn State College of Ag Sciences to offer food science short courses
In 2026, food inspectors and sanitarians, quality assurance managers, food plant managers and food engineers can learn the latest developments in food science with short courses offered by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Could Georgia’s 2026 statewide races be runoff free?
The Libertarian Party of Georgia is having trouble qualifying for the ballot. Without their candidates, statewide races would likely be settled on Election Day.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Character Referenced In New GTA Online Update
Rockstar Games have seemingly referenced Red Dead Redemption 2 once again inside of GTA Online. We've seen Rockstar previously include screenshots from Red Dead Redemption 2 inside the game, the cash notes in GTA 6 contain the presidents of the game and much more.
When does winter start? Your guide to the 2025 winter solstice.
Astronomical winter begins Sunday, Dec. 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. Here's how the solstice works.
Commentary: The U.S. Senate is a mess. He wants to fix it, from the inside
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkeley is waging a largely one-man crusade to reform the Senate filibuster. He sees it as a way to help end obstructionism and address the Senate's increasing dysfunction.
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.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year: England stars and 2025 champions nominated
England teammates Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton are up against one another for BBC Sports Personality of the Year on a shortlist that also includes Lando Norris and Rory McIlroy.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year: England stars and 2025 champions nominated
England teammates Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton are up against one another for BBC Sports Personality of the Year on a shortlist that also includes Lando Norris and Rory McIlroy.
🎧 Bournemouth 'will be hurt' if Semenyo leaves
Jordan Clarke was joined by former AFC Bournemouth defender Joe Partington on the Cherries: Unpicked podcast. Bournemouth's star attacker Antoine Semenyo has received interest from six Premier League clubs over a January move.
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
Analysis: What Trump’s latest dramatic Venezuela move means
The Trump administration’s seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela is one of the most dramatic twists yet in a military pressure campaign against Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
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.
Social media and ADHD diagnosis, new mpox strain in England and early firestarters
Science editor Ian Sample sits down with co-host Madeleine Finlay to discuss three eye-catching stories from the week
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
Mets showing interest in Cardinals' Willson Contreras: reports
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