SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " year " 54,249 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Denver’s science museum sold out their Thanksgiving meal this year
We may or may not be responsible.
Chiefs Travis Kelce Delivers Brutal Take on His Own Struggles
On the "New Heights" podcast with his brother Jason, Travis Kelce opened up about his struggles this year on the field.
Bargy named 2025 Michigan 4-H Animal Science Youth Sportsperson of the Year - 4-H Animal Science
Antrim County 4-H member Wyatt Bargy wins prestigious sportsmanship award for his involvement in 4-H animal science projects.
Red and Blue in review: Looking back at Penn sports in fall 2025
Before moving onto the new year, let’s see how Penn sports performed over the fall semester.
Lockheed Martin moving forward with $51M expansion project in Owego
Tioga County Industrial Development Agency says construction is slated to begin before the new year.
Trump officially launches 'gold card' immigration program
The price tag is $1 million for individuals and $2 million for companies on a foreigner's behalf, who would be eligible for citizenship in five years.
Sherrone Moore fired for cause by Michigan amid 'inappropriate relationship' with staffer
The Wolverines will undergo their second coaching change in three years, releasing Moore after eight years with the organization, including two as head coach
Supreme Court considers vastly expanding the president’s powers : The NPR Politics Podcast
The Supreme Court is considering whether President Trump should be able to fire the head of the Federal Trade Commission and other independent agencies without cause. We discuss why Congress created these independent agencies in the first place and the broader impact of the court eroding the 90-year-old precedent that protects them from presidential politics.This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, labor and workplace correspondent Andrea Hsu, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
'We need to come up with something': House Republicans struggle to agree on a health care plan
The House will vote on a health care plan before the end of the year. But a growing number of Republicans worry their party will pay the price for rising insurance premiums.
House takes key step toward advancing annual defense policy bill
The House on Wednesday cleared a critical procedural hurdle toward advancing the National Defense Authorization Act for the next fiscal year, setting the massive defense policy bill up for a floor vote in the chamber.
iPad 12 Rumored to Get iPhone 17's A19 Chip, Breaking Apple Tradition
The next-generation low-cost iPad will use Apple's A19 chip, according to a report from Macworld. Macworld claims to have seen an "internal Apple code document" with information about the 2026 iPad lineup. Prior documentation discovered by MacRumors suggested that the iPad 12 would be equipped with an A18 chip, not an A19 chip. The A19 chip was just released this year in the iPhone 17, and it would be unusual for Apple to use a current-generation chip in the low-cost iPad due to cost.
Last Year's Most Underrated JRPG Joins PS Plus In December
Stop sleeping on Granblue Fantasy: Relink
YouTube TV will offer new sports package to customers next year
The Google-owned service will offer 10 genre-specific packages in 2026.
Despite US tariff hikes, global trade remains surprisingly strong
Global trade is proving far more resilient than many economists expected in the face of escalating U.S. tariffs, The Wall Street Journal writes. Despite forecasts of a decline earlier this year, the U.N. now projects global trade in goods and services will reach $35 trillion in 2025—a 7% jump driven by both higher prices and […]
2025 SnakePit Awards: Single-game Performance of the Year nominations
Which of these five plays deserves to win?
YouTube TV to launch a new sports package next year
Early in 2026, YouTube TV will launch 10 genre-specific packages, including a YouTube TV Sports Plan.
Downtown St. Louis entertainment district to deploy mounted police force starting next year
Humans were making fire 350,000 years earlier than previously thought, study finds
LONDON (AP) — Scientists in Britain say ancient humans may have learned to make fire far earlier than previously believed, after uncovering evidence that deliberate fire-setting took place in what is now eastern England around 400,000 years ago. The findings, described in the journal Nature, push back the earliest known date for controlled fire-making by roughly 350,000 years. Until now, the oldest confirmed evidence had come from Neanderthal sites in what is now northern France
More big warning signs for the GOP after Trump ‘weaves’ on affordability
At some point, Republicans might want to ask themselves what happens if President Donald Trump simply refuses to help himself – and them – on affordability ahead of next year’s midterms.
Downtown St. Louis entertainment district to deploy mounted police force starting next year
Downtown St. Louis could get a permanent mounted police patrol and more mega-concerts as part of a new entertainment district launching in 2026.
'Can’t blame me for anything anymore': Joe Carollo's near 50-year stint in Miami politics ends
A regular fixture in local politics, Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo will soon leave city hall for what could be the last time following his mayoral election loss. From his start as the youngest commissioner ever elected in the City of Miami, his time in public office featured plenty of high profile moments — such as dealing with the Elián Gonzalez saga as mayor — and controversies.
Humans were lighting fires from scratch a lot earlier than previously thought
A 400,000-year-old tinderbox is found in eastern England
More mayhem incoming
Charge into more mounted mayhem! An onslaught of surprises awaits this week, so rally up for two community challenges, face giant mobs in a multiplayer adventure, snag a free add-on, and get more Minecraft for less in the Marketplace New Year’s Sale!
WTF? Embracing profanity is one thing both political parties seem to agree on
The language of politicians has become more vulgar in recent years
People made fire 350,000 years earlier than previously thought, scientists find
Stone Age site in English county of Suffolk shows evidence of crucial stage in human development
Which CFP teams have the most money? Breaking down field by NIL spending power
Elite spenders highlight this year's playoff bracket, but some teams are doing more with less
Man made fire 350,000 years earlier than previously thought, discovery in Suffolk suggests
Groundbreaking find makes compelling case that humans were lighting fires much earlier than originally believed
Danforth Plant Science Center to Lead Multi-Disciplinary Research to Enhance Stress Resilience in Bioenergy Sorghum
ST. LOUIS, MO., December 10, 2025 – Andrea Eveland, Ph.D., Principal Investigator and member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, will lead a multi-institutional project to deepen the understanding of sorghum, a versatile bioenergy crop, and its response to environmental challenges. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program supports the three-year $2.
Genre Bundles Coming to YouTube TV Next Year as Tech Giant Sets Cheaper and More Flexible Plans
Christian Oestilen, YouTube's subscription chief, says that more than 10 genre-specific packages are planned, including for sports and news.
Scientists discover oldest evidence of human-made fire in a 400,000-year-old hearth
A new archaeological find pushes back the timeline on when humans mastered the ability to make fires, a transformative technology.
Ancient Humans Were Making Fire 350,000 Years Earlier Than Scientists Realized
Making fire on demand was a milestone in the lives of our early ancestors. But the question of when that skill first arose has been difficult for scientists to pin down
Neanderthals harnessed fire 350,000 years earlier than previously thought
'This is the most remarkable discovery of my career.’
YouTube TV Is Adding 10 Genre-Specific Subscription Plans, Including A Sports Bundle
YouTube TV says it will begin offering cheaper, more targeted packages of programming like a sports bundle starting early next year.
Hartford: 10-Year Analysis Shows Shifts in Common, Expensive Small-Business Claims
Liability risks for small businesses have shifted over the last decade, with fire and slip-and-falls becoming more expensive while water and freezing
A Democrat wins Miami mayor’s race for the first time in nearly 30 years
Democrat Eileen Higgins won the Miami mayor’s race on Tuesday, defeating a Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump to end her party’s nearly three-decade losing streak and give Democrats a boost in one of the last electoral battles ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Netflix director takes the stand, recounts 5-week scramble to save sci-fi project at heart of his $11 million fraud trial
Carl Rinsch, the director behind "Ronin 47" with Keanu Reeves, took the stand in his own defense. He faces up to 90 years in prison if convicted.
Utah's landmark deal has officially brought private equity to college sports
In today's edition: Utah's landmark deal, Messi wins MVP (again), NFL power rankings, Teddy Bear Toss, A'ja Wilson named TIME's Athlete of the Year, and more.
ChatGPT is Apple's most downloaded app of 2025 in the US
This is ChatGPT's first year as the No. 1 app on the U.S. App Store by downloads.
CBS Sports' College Football All-America Team 2025: First-team picks from our experts
The complete 2025 College Football All-America Team, featuring first- and second-team selections and headlined by Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia, our Player of the Year
Launching this spring, a new graduate certificate will allow UF students to explore their passion for sports media
Last year, Jada Ross, a UF journalism major on the sports and media track, found herself on a coverage team for the 124th U.S Open. There, despite being the youngest reporter in attendance and the only woman in the group, she was given the opportunity to ask the first postgame interview question to Ludvig Åberg, a Swedish professional golfer.
Cyberpunk 2077 Celebrates Five Years Since Launch!
CD PROJEKT RED proudly marks five years in Night City with a special anniversary trailer, partnerships, and announcements — all in celebration of Cyberpunk 2077’s journey over the last half a decade! Snapshot: A fifth anniversary trailer
Billboard and Entertainment Weekly Reveal 2025 Top Song Picks
Billboard has revealed their No.1 album of 2025 and Entertainment Weekly is out with its own ranking of the year’s best songs including Olivia Dean’s earworm “Man I Need.”
Don't Wait for the iPhone 18, It's Fine to Buy the iPhone 17
Commentary: If you want a new iPhone within the next year, go ahead and buy the iPhone 17. Current iPhone 18 rumors don't provide enough compelling reasons to wait.
House to vote today on must-pass defense policy bill
The House is poised to vote Wednesday on a $900 billion defense policy bill as both chambers race to pass it before the end of the year.
Teleflex to sell trio of business lines in deals totalling over $2bn
Teleflex’s acute care, urology, and OEM selloffs reflect an ongoing strategic shift following plans announced earlier this year to split its business in two.
Healthworks: Empowering Penn State students through peer health education
Peer educators are trained student leaders who support their peers through workshops, one-on-one wellness services, and outreach events. First and second-year students from all academic majors who have a passion for health and wellness can apply now to become a peer educator for the 2026-27 academic year.
I founded a company while on maternity leave. In 2022, I hired my husband, and last year, we did more than $4.8 million in revenue.
Carinne Meyrignac founded her company while on maternity leave. She hired her husband in 2022, and last year, they did over $4M in revenue.
French Government Says Budget Talks Could Continue Into January
France’s efforts to adopt a budget could roll into next year as divisions remain among lawmakers and senators despite a breakthrough on the social security bill, the government said.
Governors cross aisle to call for ‘moral clarity’ amid political violence
Govs. Josh Shapiro (D) and Spencer Cox (R) join forces to denounce the rise in political violence in the past few years.
Finland Needs More Reforms to Pay for Health Care, Report Says
Finland needs to fine tune how it provides basic health-care services in the midst of deeper budget deficits, according to a report assessing an overhaul carried out two years ago.
Here's what's inside JP Morgan's 119-year-old personal library?
About 10 blocks south of JPMorgan's shiny, new, $3 billion fortress sits the 119-year-old library of the bank's founder.
I burned out from 2 years of job hunting, so I changed everything about how I apply. I won't let the job market break my spirit anymore.
A single mom spent two years searching for work before noticing her burnout. A moment with her son pushed her to change her routines and recover.
I went through early menopause at 29. It upended my work and life for nearly two decades — here's what finally helped.
After dealing with endometriosis since she was a teenager, Claudia Zimmerman had a hysterectomy at age 29. This was the start of a 17-year struggle.
Trump Administration Rules Threaten Nobel Prizes Won by Immigrants
As three immigrants claim Nobel Prizes in science for the United States this year, experts warn that immigration crackdowns could undo American innovation.
Small Business of the Year: Hercules Express Wash, Pinnacle Building Services win big
Hank Keller never dreamed of owning a car wash, but the unexpected path led him to what he now calls “the things we cherish most.”
Thursday’s health vote: GOP factions to watch
Senate Republicans are finally set to vote on a GOP health care plan Thursday — the same day that the Senate will vote on Democrats' proposal to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies by three years.
Leipzig appoint Haenni as first female CEO in Bundesliga
Tatjana Haenni has been appointed RB Leipzig CEO, making her the first woman to hold such a position at a German Bundesliga football club. Haenni, 59, will start on January 1 in the position that had been vacant since Oliver Mintzlaff's departure three years ago.
Paul Pogba partners with world’s first professional camel racing team
The 32-year-old Monaco midfielder, formerly of Manchester United and Juventus, has joined Al Haboob as an ambassador and shareholder.
Women at the top are exhausted and burned out, according to a McKinsey and Lean In report
Burnout among senior-level women is the highest it has been in the past five years, according to a report from McKinsey and LeanIn.org.
Synthetic chemicals in food system creating health burden of $2.2tn a year, report finds
Scientists issue urgent warning about chemicals, found to cause cancer and infertility as well as harming environment
MacKenzie Scott donated $7.1 billion to nonprofits in 2025, a major increase
The author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott revealed $7.1 billion in donations to nonprofits in 2025 Tuesday, marking a significant increase in her annual giving from recent years.
Johnson’s turn to deliver a health plan
All signs are pointing toward the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies by year's end.
Democrat wins Miami's mayoral race for the first time in almost 30 years
Democrat Eileen Higgins, a former county commissioner, defeated Republican Emilio González, NBC News projects.
Lawmakers spar over future of health insurance costs as subsidies are set to expire
Millions could see their health care costs double or lose benefits when Obamacare tax credits expire at the end of the year. NBC News’ Ryan Nobles details the latest in the fight over extending ACA premium tax credits.
I went on a monthlong nomad cruise. The travel disappointed, but the community onboard didn't.
After 15 years as a digital nomad, Kaisu Koskela went on her first cruise. She found it both exciting and overwhelming.
Rams Reacts Survey Week 15
Is confidence back up after the Rams thrashed the Arizona Cardinals? Post your answer to this week’s Rams Reacts question and then let us know in the comments why you voted like you did. Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most […]
Popular crime drama returns to Netflix after 8 years
A popular crime thriller is making its Netflix comeback
Pizza chain once backed by NBA star Kevin Durant hits bankruptcy court
A pizza chain once backed by NBA star Kevin Durant has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after years of shrinking locations and financial struggles.
iPhone Fold Expected to Claim 22% of Foldable Market, 34% of Revenue in First Year
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to spur strong growth in worldwide foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, according to new estimates shared by IDC. IDC believes the iPhone Fold will capture over 22 percent unit share and 34 percent of the foldables market value in its first year due to an expected $2,400 starting price point. Right now, the foldable market is dominated by Samsung and Google.
Senate to vote on GOP health care bill that does not extend expiring Obamacare tax credits
Majority Leader John Thune announced that the Senate will vote Thursday on a Republican-led alternative to Democrats’ three-year extension of soon-to-expire enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Senate to vote on GOP health care bill that does not extend expiring Obamacare tax credits
Majority Leader John Thune announced that the Senate will vote Thursday on a Republican-led alternative to Democrats’ three-year extension of soon-to-expire enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Centennial Yards' Entertainment District bags big Irish pub from NYC
In a recent interview, Centennial Yards Company president Brian McGowan predicted the downtown megaproject he’s overseeing will emerge in coming years as the “Times Square of the South.” Helping that cause, perhaps, is the rising district’s newest signing.
Sky Sports: Aston Villa considering move to sign 19-year-old forward
Aston Villa Eyeing Brazilian Talent in Bid to Sharpen January OptionsAston Villa’s recruitment strategy is beginning to take clearer shape ahead of the January window, with Sky Sports relaying claim...
Leveraging Momentum of the America First Global Health Strategy with the Signing of the United States–Liberia Bilateral Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding - United States Department of State
Today, the United States and Liberia have achieved a historic milestone in advancing the America First Global Health Strategy by signing a five-year, bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Over the next five years and working with Congress, the United States intends to provide up to $125 million in health assistance to Liberia, supporting […]
The Astros just made an intriguing minor league ownership decision
The Houston Astros have not been very active during this year’s winter meetings, at least in the major league side of things. However, change is coming quickly for their minor league clubs.
iPhone Fold called ‘game-changer’ for next year, big impact predicted
IDC projects huge 30% year-over-year foldable gains in 2026 driven by the “game-changer” entry of the iPhone Fold.
Earth's crust hides enough 'gold' hydrogen to power the world for tens of thousands of years, emerging research suggests
Reservoirs of hydrogen gas that form naturally in Earth's crust could help humans decarbonize. The challenge now is finding these accumulations and working out how best to mine them, experts say.
Prairie strips can rapidly improve soil health
Prairie strips can improve measures of soil health faster than expected, according to new research by Iowa State University scientists working in cooperation with the Soil Health Institute. Earlier studies have shown that prairie strips established in approximately 10% of a field can significantly increase biodiversity and pollinator habitat, reduce erosion and improve water quality. However, strips’ impacts on soil health have remained largely unexamined until now. Findings published recently in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation showed that prairie strips improved a number of soil health measures within 10-12 years.
PlayStation's 2025 Wrap-Up is here, so you can see how many hours you've sunk into Death Stranding 2
Sony just unveiled the PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up. This provides players with a digital card that chronicles their favorite games and genres from the year.
National Geographic unveiled its Pictures of the Year. Here are 7 of the most striking wildlife photos.
National Geographic's annual Pictures of the Year issue features stunning wildlife photos highlighting endangered species and fragile ecosystems.
Microsoft rounds off 2025 with one final Windows 11 feature update — here's what's new and fixed
The Windows 11 December 2025 Security Update is now rolling out, and alongside it comes a number of new features and changes to round off the year.
Silver prices just smashed a new record. What does this mean for the economy?
The precious metal has been under pressure for years as data centers and electric vehicles supercharge demand and as new tariffs loom.
Microsoft promises it will upgrade Windows 11 with better performance for gamers in 2026 — "we’re committed to making Windows the best place to play"
Windows 11 is set to gain a number of important improvements for gamers next year, all designed to allow games to run better and compete with SteamOS.
Matriarch's Death Prompts Mental Health Reckoning
When Cheryl Hill vanished around Thanksgiving and her late son’s birthday, her community rallied in a desperate search, ultimately uncovering the tragedy that the 69-year-old New Havener had taken her own life. Now, Hill's daughter plans to channel her grief into raising awareness around the importance of mental health.
Exxon CFO Kathy Mikells to Retire Feb. 1 Due to Health Condition
Kathy Mikells, the first outsider to join Exxon Mobil Corp.’s inner circle of top executives, will retire next year as she battles a serious but non-life threatening health condition.
PlayStation Wrap-Up 2025 Live Now, Get Your Gaming Stats for the Year
Track your playtime, Trophies, and more
2 best friends bought a house together before they turned 25. They're still happy with their decision 3 years later.
Sophie Harper and Madison White bought a home together in Austin in 2022. One has a boyfriend, but they wanted to be homeowners as friends.
Dodgers get richer, reportedly add closer Edwin Díaz on record-setting 3-year, $69 million deal
The top arm on the MLB free agent market has a new deal.
Google's first AI glasses expected next year
Google will compete with Meta with its own line of AI-powered smart glasses.
Kyle Schwarber re-signs with Phillies: Slugger returns on five-year, $150M contract
Schwarber hit a National League-leading 56 home runs in 2025
Tell us: What was your top live entertainment event of 2025?
We want to know what local concert, comedy show, or theater experience stands out from the last year.
A 600-year-old British estate, which has been visited by royalty, is on sale for $4.7 million. Take a look.
Maunsel House in Somerset has historic gardens, cottages, and legendary literary ties. It's the first time in centuries that the property has been on the market.
Political Shake-Up Hits Hedge-Fund Trade as Brazil Markets Swoon
As Brazil’s markets rallied, month after month, and global investors kept flooding in, the gains were big enough to overshadow the risks from a presidential election that’s still almost a year away.
NASA’s Webb Identifies Earliest Supernova to Date, Shows Host Galaxy
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has observed a supernova that exploded when the universe was only 730 million years old — the earliest detection of its kind
First rabies-positive bat of the year found in Barry County, health officials urge caution
A bat found in Barry County has tested positive for rabies.
Remembering the top moments in Philly sports this year
2025 marked a year of high highs and low lows in Philly sports. The Eagles won the Super Bowl and the Flyers lost a legend.
Pebble's founder introduces a $75 AI smart ring for recording brief notes with a press of a button
After rebooting the Pebble smartwatch, founder Eric Migicovsky is expanding his company's device lineup with a new smart wearable: an AI-powered smart ring known as Index 01. Named for the finger where the ring is meant to be worn, the new $75 ring is not meant to be a competitor to the always-on, always-listening AI devices, like the AI pendant Friend, but instead offers a way to record quick notes and reminders with a press of a button on the ring's side. AI only comes into play via the open source, speech-to-text, and AI models that run locally on your smartphone, via the open source Pebble mobile app. That is, if the Ring's button is not being pressed, it's not recording. (And this is a press-and-hold gesture, too, which means you can't start the ring's recording and then let go to surreptitiously record a conversation.) You can wear the stainless steel ring while in the shower, washing hands, doing dishes, or in the rain, but you would have to take it off for other water-related activities, like swimming. At launch, it's water-resistant to 1 meter. The ring is also not a fitness tracker or sleep monitor. It doesn't record details about your heart rate or health. And it's not there to be your AI friend. "I'm not trying to build some AI assistant thing," Migicovsky told TechCrunch in an interview. "I build things that solve one main problem, and they solve it really well," he explains. "I think of as external memory for my brain...that's what this is. It's always with you." Plus, the ring has been designed to be highly reliable and privacy-preserving, he says, as all your thoughts are stored on your phone, not in the cloud. There is no subscription. Migicovsky has been wearing the ring for three months now and says he cannot imagine going back to a world where he doesn't always have a memory device with him. "The problem is that, during the day, I get ideas or I remember something, and if I don't write it down that second, I forget it," he says. The ring solves this problem, he adds, without becoming another device you need to charge. "The battery lasts for years," Migicovsky claims. Technically, the ring is said to support roughly 12 to 14 hours of recording. On average, the founder says he uses it 10-20 times per day to record 3-6 second thoughts. At that rate, he'll get about two years of usage. When the ring's battery dies, you can ship it back to the company for recycling. When using Index, you can record up to five minutes of audio, which can be saved to the ring and synced to your phone later. This makes sense for recording briefer, personal thoughts and notes, even when you don't have your phone handy, but it wouldn't work for recording a longer chat, like a presentation, meeting, or in-person interview of some kind. The ring also supports 99+ languages and has a bit of on-device memory, in case you're not in Bluetooth range of your device, where the recording is ultimately saved and transcribed. (The raw audio is retained, too, in case the speech-to-text is garbled due to loud background noise). If you own a Pebble smartwatch or one from another brand, your recorded thought can even appear on the watch's screen so you can verify it's correct. The ring works with Pebble's mobile app, which offers notes and reminders, but can optionally integrate with your phone's calendaring system, too, or other apps, like Notion. And the ring's software is open source, which makes it hackable by the community, the founder points out. Because of its open nature, the ring's button is already programmable. In addition to the press-and-hold gesture, you can program the ring to do other things with a single or double press, like play or pause your music or control the shutter on your phone's camera. You could use it to send a message through the universal chat app Beeper, which Migicovsky also created, or you could add your own voice actions via MCP. A new approach to hardware Migicovsky acknowledges that hardware can be difficult to get right -- as the previous exit of Pebble to Fitbit showed. (Fitbit, too, was later acquired by Google in 2021). "I didn't earn any money during Pebble -- we exited, but it was not a great exit," Migicovsky admits. This year, however, he decided to reboot the Pebble project after Google open sourced the PebbleOS, which opened up the door to new hardware. With his new company, Core Devices, Migicovsky plans to do things differently. Still, the founder doesn't regret his previous choices, he clarifies. "I wouldn't have gone back and changed anything. I loved what we built. I loved what we did. I love the company that we built, but it's not the only way to build a company," he told TechCrunch. " And, speaking as an ex-YC partner, there are -- there's a time and a place for building a venture-backed startup. Some companies are phenomenal when they raise money and build a big team, and I tried that...I think what I'm doing now is trying an alternative path, which is start from profitability," he says. The new company is a small team of five, self-funded, and focused on sustainability. So far, Core Devices has shipped the Pebble 2 Duo smartwatch with a black-and-white display. Its first run sold out, and the company is now preparing to ship the upgraded version, the Pebble Time 2. The newer device, which has seen 25,000 pre-orders, is a stainless steel watch with a larger, color e-ink screen. As for the Index 01, the ring's pre-order offer ends in March 2026. After that, the price increases to $99. It currently comes in silver, polished gold, and matte black and works with iOS and Android devices. Customers can select from eight ring sizes and three colors.