SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " mirror " 398 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
UConn Health to take over DCF-run psychiatric facility
The UConn Health board approved a plan to take over adolescent psychiatric services at DCF-run Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center.
Sports and art come together for 2026 SWISH Arts & Culture Festival
The citywide fest will take place April 3-6 alongside the NCAA Men’s Final Four.
Hingham Schools Eye Business Curriculum Expansion as Class Size Concerns Mount
HINGHAM - March 23, 2026 - The Hingham School Committee moved to modernize its high school offerings Monday night, reviewing a comprehensive plan to expand the “small but mighty” Business Department while simultaneously grappling with data that places Hingham as an outlier in elementary class sizes. Director of Social Studies Andy Hoey presented a two-year program review that highlighted the department’s success in community partnerships but warned that high student demand is testing current staffing limits. Meanwhile, committee Chair Jen Benham presented independent research showing Hingham is the only benchmark district with second-grade classes hitting a 25-student cap, sparking a directive for the Policy Subcommittee to review class-size standards. Editors note: South Shore News is going paid in April, subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss a story. Reach out for group or organizational pricing. Subscribe The Full Story The meeting opened with a look into the future of Hingham High School’s (HHS) curriculum. Andy Hoey, who oversees the Business Department, presented the first formal program review for the department since 2009. [15:09] Hoey characterized the department as a vital elective hub that currently serves between 14% and 27% of the HHS student body in any given year. [31:31] “We are very proud of our business department here at Hingham High School... while we’re very proud of it, we are always striving to make improvements and enhancements.” [15:55] — Andy Hoey, Director of Social Studies A key highlight of the presentation was the announcement of a new AP Business with Personal Finance course launching next year, pending enrollment. [20:08] The review team found that while the program is “well-aligned” to national standards, it remains a high-school-only offering. Hoey outlined an action plan to explore “vertical articulation,” potentially introducing business or financial literacy units at the middle school level to fill a “gap” identified between fifth and eighth grade. [41:48] However, the department faces “smoke and mirrors” regarding student GPA, according to Hoey. Currently, most business courses are “unleveled” and do not count toward a student’s GPA, which survey data suggests may deter some students from enrolling. [28:15] The committee discussed the possibility of offering Honors or College Prep (CP) credit for advanced courses, such as investing or marketing, to better reflect their academic rigor. [38:27] The discussion took a sharp turn toward elementary education during an enrollment update. Superintendent Dr. Katie Roberts noted a net gain of four students mid-year, but it was Jen Benham’s “rabbit hole” data analysis that caught the committee’s attention. [50:35] Benham researched 13 benchmark towns—representing 34 elementary schools—and found that Hingham was the only district with a second-grade section reaching 25 students this year. [51:36] Benham’s findings suggested that while many districts lack formal class-size policies, Hingham’s current cap of 25 for second grade may be too high. “I think if we could at least have 23 at a cap for grade two,” Benham suggested, noting the importance of that grade level for literacy development. [53:09], [54:55] Dr. Roberts cautioned that smaller classes require more staff, which is a significant hurdle following a budget season where nine general education positions were cut across the district. [55:56] The committee also finalized the 2025 Town Report, which was updated to be more “student-centered” and highlight staff early in the document. [11:12] Additionally, a series of food service policies were approved to align with Massachusetts’ universal free school meal mandate, including new protocols for meal modifications due to allergies or religious needs. [59:23] Share Why It Matters The meeting underscored a tension between Hingham’s desire to offer elite, specialized programming and the foundational pressure of class sizes. The expansion of the Business Department—including potential Microsoft certifications and AP courses—aims to prepare students for a “real world” where credit scores and financial literacy are paramount. [46:20] However, the revelation that Hingham’s second-grade classes are larger than those in all neighboring benchmark towns suggests a potential strain on early education that could impact long-term student performance if not addressed by the Policy Subcommittee. Official Minutes & Data Key Motions & Votes Motion: To approve the Hingham Public Schools 2025 Town Report. [13:16] Vote: Unanimous (7-0) ([01:13:28]) Motion: To approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for summer counselor work regarding course placement. [57:33] Vote: Unanimous (7-0) ([57:50]) Motion: To approve Policy EFBA (School Food and Nutrition/Meal Modifications). [01:00:32] Vote: Unanimous (7-0) ([01:00:44]) Motion: To approve Policy EFC (Universal Free School Meals). [01:00:54] Vote: Unanimous (7-0) ([01:01:07]) Public Comment No members of the public spoke during the meeting or via the remote link. [01:02:30] What’s Next The Policy Subcommittee will take up the review of elementary class-size caps over the next year to determine if the Grade 2 limit should be lowered from 25 to 23. [52:18] The Business Department will monitor enrollment for the new AP Business course and continue exploring dual-enrollment partnerships with Quincy College. [38:13] Source Video: Harbor Media South Shore News is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Classic clash
Blair County’s Makenna Weimert makes a pass over Central Pa.’s Zayona Thomas during the girls game of the 19th annual Altoona Mirror Basketball Classic. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Ganim reelection, DECD study, nursing home spending: CT politics news
Plus: The House OKs two PURA nominees, a new Department of Children and Families head gains committee approval and overdoses decline.
Long Covid vs UConn’s GA health insurance
UConn’s proposed increases to the health insurance premiums would contribute to health disparities, and make healthcare even less accessible than it is now.
Scientists discover mirror of our solar system in 2 exoplanets forming around a star
Astronomers have spotted two planets forming around a distant infant star, offering a time capsule into see what the solar system looked like billions of years ago.
‘The Comeback’ took on Hollywood long before ‘The Studio.’ Now, Valerie Cherish will have her curtain call
“The Comeback” was by no means the first series to hold a funhouse mirror up to the entertainment industry, but the comedy starring co-creator Lisa Kudrow, which returns for its final season on Sunday, has certainly always done it in its own navel-gazing yet endearing way.
Eviction reform, Aquarion, towing laws: CT politics news
Plus: DeLauro wants to fund DHS but not ICE, and bills increasing the ECS formula and offering tax credits for paid internships advance.
A company wants to launch space mirrors. All to the head-shaking chagrin of scientists.
A sky full of mirrors
Senate Dems propose their own $200M ‘CT option’ health care bill
The Senate Dems’ “CT option” builds on Gov. Ned Lamont's actions and own proposal to create a state health care option, but goes further.
Lawmakers consider changes to health care, nutrition in CT prisons
HB 5567 was developed following reports of problems with medication distribution, staffing, food quality and medical care in DOC facilities.
Plan to light Earth at night with space mirrors angers scientists
A US start-up wants to ‘sell sunlight after dark’ using satellites with giant mirrors, but astronomers warn of disastrous consequences
Folcarelli to retire after 65 years in the family business
A longtime Altoona businessman is planning to move on after 65 years in his family business. James D. “Jim” Folcarelli, 84, plans to retire near the first of April upon the sale of Folcarelli Sheet Metal Fabrication Inc. The family business was founded by his parents Jim and Bess Folcarelli in the basement of their […]
Guns in schools, rent increases, ICE: CT politics news
Plus: Proposed hospital provider tax changes, a pitch for three-year bachelor's degrees, and a family caregiver tax credit bill advances.
Scientists 'Re-Watch' Videos Seen by Mice by Studying Their Brains
A free episode idea for Black Mirror.
More than ever, Broadway is 'reflecting who we are' as Americans
The theater has long been a place where the nation goes to work through social tensions of the moment. Here's how Broadway holds a mirror to America.
Diamantis scandal, ‘superfund’ bill, DHS: CT politics news
Plus: Proposals for overdose prevention centers, private equity protections in health care, and a 'Golden Girls Bill.'
The Brains of Ultra-Powerful People Experience an Altered State of Reality, Research Suggests
“The neuroscience is pretty uncomfortable. People in positions of power show reduced activity in mirror neuron systems, the circuitry responsible for empathy and perspective-taking.” –Shonna Waters, PhD
CT small businesses hope their latest R&D tax credit push pays off
Lawmakers are again considering expanding the state’s R&D tax credit to small businesses. Advocates are hopeful it will pass this session.
CT’s chance to align juvenile sentencing with science
The United States remains the only country in the world that still permits children to be sentenced to life in prison.
Neutrinos could explain why matter survived the Big Bang
An international team combining two major neutrino experiments has uncovered stronger evidence that neutrinos and antimatter don’t behave as perfect mirror images. That subtle difference may hold the key to why the universe didn’t vanish in a flash of self-destruction after the Big Bang.
What to know about Lamont’s “CT option” plan for health care
Gov. Ned Lamont wants a bill passed to study the feasibility of a “Connecticut option” — a new health plan for universal, affordable care.
Caregiver tax credit, athlete exemption from PE: CT politics news
Plus: Proposals for a bigger Correction Ombuds office, a life jacket requirement for children and more Office of the Child Advocate staff.
Youth sports in CT create stress, inequality and distrust
Youth sports are not just becoming more expensive, they are more stressful, unequal, and tougher on kids' mental health.
Simple blood test can forecast Alzheimer’s years before memory loss
Scientists have created a blood test that can estimate when Alzheimer’s symptoms are likely to begin. By measuring a protein called p-tau217, the model predicts symptom onset within roughly three to four years. The protein mirrors the silent buildup of amyloid and tau in the brain long before memory loss appears. This advance could speed up preventive drug trials and eventually guide personalized care.
Lawmakers talk zoning changes, homeschooling: CT politics news
Plus: Talk of bans on non-disclosure agreements and sale-leasebacks of hospitals, Medicaid reimbursement rates and more.
Christopher Bell hoping for another big boost at Atlanta
Now that Speedweeks is in the rear-view mirror and Tyler Reddick completed a last-ditch move to capture his first Daytona 500 victory, the NASCAR Cup Series will visit EchoPark Speedway
Report: CT’s Black businesses need support to thrive and grow
The first 'State of Black Business' found that navigating CT's business support network and securing funding can be overly complicated.
PAID POST: Gov. Lamont Promised Mental Health Parity Enforcement. Here’s Why It’s Time to Deliver.
Connecticut passed landmark mental health parity legislation with bipartisan support. Now, as other states levy millions in fines, the question is whether Connecticut will enforce its laws.
Assad healthy and prepared to balance Cubs camp, Classic with Mexico
MESA – Last year’s adversity is already in Javier Assad’s rearview mirror. The last thing he needed in 2026 was more.
Open CT House seat, Eversource’s doubled earnings: CT politics news
Plus: An evictions bill, 'Healthcare Cabinet' recommendations, questions about mental health staff at correctional facilities and more.
The dropout crisis in youth sports
Youth sports should allow kids to be active, have fun and build friendships, but intense pressure to succeed is causing burnout.
Community health workers deserve their promised reimbursement
More than two years after it was promised, Connecticut’s Medicaid program still does not cover community health worker services.
Sony confirms new WH-1000XM6 release in official teaser
Sony has confirmed that it will be releasing a new version of the WH-1000XM6. Coinciding with the arrival of the WF-1000XM6, the new WH-1000XM6 release will mirror an equivalent refresh of the older WH-1000XM5, too.
A Grip on Sports: Now that the NFL season is in the rearview mirror (though there is still one massive party to attend) it's time to shift the focus a bit
A GRIP ON SPORTS • It’s transition time. And we are not referring to the weather, despite the presence of Gatorade showers Sunday night.
PODCAST: How a proposed natural gas pipeline in CT cuts across typical partisan politics
WSHU's Ebong Udoma and CT Mirror's John Moritz discussed his article about a natural gas pipeline project that seems to buck partisan trends.
Afraid of getting older? A study links health worries to faster epigenetic aging
Having anxiety about aging—particularly fears about declining health—may manifest on a cellular level and contribute to accelerated aging among women, according to a study by researchers at NYU School ...
A Psychologist Shares The ‘Anti-Hero’ Test—A Science-Inspired Quiz That Matches Your Dark Side To A Fictional Character
Discover which iconic antagonist mirrors your hidden traits.
Gubernatorial candidates refute Lamont’s speech: CT politics news
Plus: Proposals on towing laws, AI discrimination, expedited health care approvals; updates on the Committee on Children and Aging Committee.
Congress rebuffs Trump’s $33B in cuts to health, human services
Congress approved the first public health funding bill in Trump's second term. In it, lawmakers largely rejected his proposed spending cuts.
Medicaid cost, DCF oversight among CT lawmakers’ 2026 priorities
Connecticut legislators have lofty ambitions to tackle major health and human services challenges during the 2026 legislative session.
How Marty Looney shapes CT politics: Patience and persistence
Sen. Martin Looney plays the long game in the CT Capitol, thanking Gov. Ned Lamont for some things while pressing him to do more, much more.
Northwestern-Washington tale of teams walking down similar paths
The men's basketball seasons for Washington and Northwestern have been nearly mirror images of each other.
Scanlon’s campaign, Bronin endorsement: CT Politics news
Plus: Updates on the Connecticut Education Issues Summit, the Council of Small Towns, and the Planning and Development Committee.
CBIA spotlights affordability, workforce ahead of legislative session
Connecticut’s largest business association laid out a policy agenda Thursday that addresses the needs of the state’s small businesses.
Immigration enforcement drives health concerns in CT
CT residents who fear they or a loved one could be deported say they are facing mounting mental and physical health problems.
Finding spiritual grounding in an unstable political climate
Four out of five first-year college students now report having an interest in spirituality, as modern day politics fail to provide stability.
Meet the founder of this company that uses AI-powered gamification for incident response
IR Game mirrors tabletop training but compresses it into a high-intensity, guided simulation.
The Gen Z gender divide in politics
I fear as Gen Z becomes older, there will be less social cohesion and greater risks to democratic consensus.
The invisible skin struggle women face as they transition into mid-life
Midlife skin problems leave women feeling "too young for wrinkles, too old for pimples." Discover proven acne solutions and treatments from a leading expert.
CT health plan subsidies set to be available beginning Feb. 1
Access Health CT said it will launch an enrollment period Feb. 1 for eligible customers to enroll in coverage with the new state subsidy.
Now is not the time for risky health care experiments
Single-payer or government-run health insurance programs consistently underdeliver, bringing higher costs, fewer choices, and market instability.
Everton add Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor to extensive striker shortlist
Everton have added Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor to their extensive striker shortlist.According to the Mirror’s Ryan Taylor, the Toffees have made an ‘informal enquiry’ about the Frenchman’s av...
How to get involved in local politics this year
It may be easier than you think to get civically engaged.
This mirror sees your future health
Technology is impacting healthcare in a big way. Here are a few of the more notable health tech products I saw at CES 2026. First up is Eyebot, a kiosk that can do automated eye tests. The proces…
CT officials voice concerns about Trump health care plan
Connecticut health officials and lawmakers on Thursday expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s new health care policy framework.
Samsung reportedly ‘rushing’ Galaxy S26+ that’s virtually unchanged
New reports have surfaced, indicating that the Galaxy S26+ will come with a 6.66-inch display – the mirror image of...
‘In the Room’ with Ritter and Candelora, it’s political, not personal
House Speaker Matt Ritter and Minority Leader Vincent Candelora discussed their differences and similarities at CT Mirror's 'In the Room.'
PAID POST: 2025 Marked Real Mental Health Progress in Connecticut. But Access Gaps Are Still Widening.
After a landmark year for Connecticut mental health reform, families still report widespread insurance and access barriers. New data highlights the urgent need for parity enforcement and stronger networks.
Logan legend: Jim Lane left mark on Mirror, area sports
A cornerstone of the Mirror who helped lay the foundation for local sports coverage is being fondly remembered. Jim Lane passed away at Homewood at Martinsburg on Monday. He was 85. His impact on the area sports scene dates back to 1960, when his career at the Mirror began. “When growing up in the Mirror […]
Scientists warn of a new biological risk and call for an international summit
Paris summit warns about “mirror life.” Scientists call for early limits on mirror bacteria that could evade defenses and disrupt ecosystems.
Williamsburg Blue Pirates get best of rival Juniata Valley Hornets
WILLIAMSBURG — Juniata Valley boasted a very significant individual accomplishment, but Williamsburg earned the overall bragging rights by ruling the Inter-County Conference North Division boys basketball showdown between the two schools Friday night at the Williamsburg High School gymnasium. Juniata Valley senior Jett Rand eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career, but the Blue Pirates […]
Royal Caribbean's Singapore season highlights food, entertainment
Ovation of the Seas mirrors the tastes, comfort foods and culinary curiosity of Singapore – Royal Caribbean International’s Southeast Asia homeport.
A Toilet That Tests Your Urine, a Longevity Mirror and Other Standout Health Tech at CES 2026
At CES 2026, we saw the newest health tech that we may one day wear on our bodies and use in our homes.
The Nikon 24-105mm f/4-7.1 Is a New Kit Zoom to Pair with the Z5 II
Nikon has announced the Nikkor Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 zoom lens for Nikon full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Harbaugh fired by Ravens after 18 seasons
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — John Harbaugh was fired after 18 seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ coach. Owner Steve Bisciotti said Tuesday he relieved Harbaugh of his duties after the Ravens were one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season. They went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after entering Week 1 as one of the […]
Chiefs' final power rankings spot perfectly encapsulates horrific 2025 season
The 2025 season is now firmly in the rearview mirror.
CT Mirror hires new education reporter, business team members
CT Mirror is starting 2026 with three new staff members — an education reporter, director of leadership giving and manager of membership.
(Video) What is it Like to Reopen a Business in Post-Wildfire Pacific Palisades?
From temporary lumber yards to new customer bases, local businesses are navigating life after disaster. https://youtube.com/shorts/zS74DdcLyoQ
This smart mirror was a menace at CES 2026
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s gonna live the longest of ‘em all?
How McCrory probe derailed a program to help Hartford businesses
The program was to help minority-owned businesses in Hartford’s north end with training and grants up to $15,000. Then everything changed.
CT to get $154M through federal rural health grant for 2026
CT will receive federal assistance to improve health care and access in rural parts of the state ahead of anticipated cuts to Medicaid.
PSU coaching change among top sports stories
There is no doubt that life can be extremely unpredictable and never holds any guarantees. The Penn State football program provided a glaring example of that over the last 12 months. Penn State went from reaching the semifinal round of the College Football Playoffs at the beginning of the 2025 calendar year, to starting the […]
US commits $480m in health funding to Ivory Coast, the latest to sign 'America First' health deals
The United States and Ivory Coast signed a health deal Tuesday requiring the U.S. to commit $480 million to the West African nation’s health sector as part of “America First” global health funding pacts that mirror the Trump administration’s foreign policy. It is the latest agreement the U.S. has entered with more than a dozen African countries, most of them hit by U.S. aid cuts, including Ivory Coast.
US Commits $480m in Health Funding to Ivory Coast, the Latest to Sign 'America First' Health Deals
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — The United States and Ivory Coast signed a health deal Tuesday requiring the U.S. to commit $480 million to the West African nation’s health sector as part of “America First” global health funding pacts that mirror the Trump administration’s foreign policy. The signing in ...
The Guardian view on the new space race: humanity risks exporting its old politics to the moon
Editorial: Over the holiday period, the Guardian leader column is looking ahead at the themes of 2026. Today we look skyward, where a new lunar contest mirrors humanity’s struggle to live within planetary limits
Texans-Chargers Preview
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers are practically mirror images this season, teams with elite defenses and erratic offenses still trying to stay alive in their respective AFC divisional races.
The Rearview Mirror: Arts, culture and entertainment in and around Ogden shined in 2025
Editor’s note: As 2025 winds down, the Ogden Standard-Examiner is taking a look back at the year that was for the region. Today we present the fourth of four stories recounting the Top 5 stories in Major Events, Entertainment & Culture, Government and Local First Responders recounting some of the greatest highs and most devastating […]
Who did more harm to public health in 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio did more lasting damage to global public health by dismantling USAID than RFK jr. did at HHS and the CDC.
Dear Mirror Flower for Switch launches April 30, 2026 in Japan
The Switch version of Japanese-style fantasy visual novel Dear Mirror Flower will launch on April 30, 2026, developer Kogado Studio announced.
Brand Innovators Outlook 2026: Entertainment
The entertainment industry faces a year of change and adjustment in 2026. New technologies and merger activity will keep movies, TV and live events in play. With the limitations of the COVID pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, the sector anticipates consumers will indulge in movies and live events, and brands will find new ways […]
U.S. signs new health deals with 9 African countries that mirror Trump's priorities
Annual U.S. health funding to the nine countries has dropped 49% compared with 2024, while the nations must increase domestic spending and meet political conditions.
A Year of Health Science Under Siege
When leaders mirror Stalin by promoting false dogma, we must defend evidence-based reason. Lives depend on it.
US signs new health deals with 9 African countries that mirror Trump's priorities
The U.S. government has signed health deals with at least nine African countries. These new deals reflect the Trump administration's priorities and its focus on mutual benefits.
US Signs New Health Deals With 9 African Countries That Mirror Trump's Priorities
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The U.S. government has signed health deals with at least nine African countries, part of its new approach to global health funding, with agreements that reflect the Trump administration’s interests and priorities and are geared toward providing less aid and more mutual ...
You can now lock Windows 11 from Android remotely, send files to PC, share clipboard, mirror screen, and more
You can now remotely lock your computer, send files between the phone and Windows 11, and even share the clipboard.
Blindsided: Iconic Gainesville businesses included in 49 ADA lawsuits
Owners forced to settle or spend after dozens of mirror suits.
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.
Lamont pledges $70M for health care after US Senate deadlocks
CT will spend $70 million of the emergency surplus funds it set aside to partly offset the looming loss of millions in ACA subsidies.
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
A billion-dollar plan to bolster rural health in CT
DSS requested the funds for its 5-year plan from the Rural Health Transformation Program, which is part of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
CT small business owners turn to TikTok
At CBIA event, business owners joined local and state officials to talk about how TikTok is transforming business activity.
Special education needs embedded mental health support
As schools struggle to manage emotional and behavioral challenges, a mental health crisis among children in special education grows.
Sony's much-anticipated A7 V is here with a faster 33MP sensor and 4K 120p video
Sony has launched its mid-range flagship mirrorless camera, the A7 V, with a strong emphasis on speed but a bit less on video than some may have hoped.
Science at the statehouse: experts will embed at the legislature to help lawmakers craft informed policies
The new program mirrors efforts in other states to bring nonpartisan scientific input to lawmaking
CFOs Speed Time to Cash™ and Redefine Business Resilience
The role of the finance function is being re-written as companies increasingly are no longer satisfied with observing cash flow in the rearview mirror.
Best Cyber Monday Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More
Now that Black Friday is in the rearview mirror, Cyber Monday discounts have begun appearing online, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors.