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No. 5 UConn stumbles at home late in bad loss to Creighton as hopes for No. 1 seed in NCAA tournament dwindle
UConn is likely going to have to be close to perfect now the rest of the way to claim a top seed in the tournament.
Women’s basketball bracketology: A No. 1 seed belongs to Texas, for now
While UConn, UCLA and South Carolina seem like locks on the one-line, the fourth No. 1 seed in the NCAA Women's Tournament remains up for grabs.
A senior's overtime goal in Willow vs. Ben Franklin decided a thrilling quarterfinal match
The higher seed of Ben Franklin and Willow was able to survive and advance to the semifinals.
Mystery seed deliveries prompt warning from agriculture officials: ‘This is serious business’
The mysterious packages, first seen in 2020, have resurfaced in Texas, Ohio, and New Mexico, posing potential risks of invasive species.
Ed Crane, Who Built a Libertarian Stronghold, Dies at 81
Starting with $500,000 in seed money from Charles Koch, Mr. Crane made the Cato Institute the nation’s pre-eminent libertarian think tank.
Boomerang Ventures Leads Strategic Investment in IMPOWER HEALTH, Appoints Trent McCracken as CEO
Standardizing the 6th Vital Sign: Bringing Lab-grade Mobility Diagnostics to Everyday Clinics INDIANAPOLIS, IN / ACCESS Newswire / February 17, 2026 / Boomerang Ventures , a leading digital health tech-focused venture studio and fund, leads the pre-seed ...
ByteDance says it's cracking down on AI copyright misuse after Seedance videos go viral
ByteDance is facing scrutiny over Seedance 2.0, an AI video tool creating Hollywood star deepfakes and sparking copyright concerns.
U.S. stays unbeaten, is No. 2 seed for knockouts
Auston Matthews scored twice and set up Zach Werenski's goal with a textbook pass, Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 of the 24 shots he faced and the U.S. defeated Germany 5-1 on Sunday night to finish group play at the Olympics unbeaten.
Hollywood groups condemn ByteDance's AI video generator
Seedance 2.0 is only available in China
Hollywood groups condemn ByteDance's AI video generator
Seedance 2.0 is only available in China
Bracketology: MArizona stays a No. 1 seed; Iowa State, Texas Tech both rise
Here is the latest NCAA Tournament projection from the CBS Sports Bracketology model
Prep talk: Derrick Taylor continues his coaching magic at Blair
Blair upset top-seeded Bonita on Friday night to advance in Southern Section Division 4 boys' basketball playoffs.
'Bracketology': Spartans remain a top seed despite recent inconsistent play
See where the Spartans landed in the latest NCAA Tournament bracket projection from Joe Lunardi of ESPN
Blackstone Folds Hedge Fund Seeding Into $60 Billion Business
Blackstone Inc. is moving its unit that backs startup hedge funds into the $60 billion Absolute Return business, giving itself scale to compete with the multistrategy industry giants writing ever-bigger checks to attract trading talent.
Bracketology: Purdue rises to a No. 2 seed, Illinois falls off top line
Two overtime games in the Big Ten brought a shakeup in the CBS Sports Bracketology model
Cloud seeding in New Mexico: What science says about boosting water supply
Lawmakers advanced a cloud-seeding pilot program in 2024, but it stalled in the Senate, sparking renewed interest in the technology.
Bracketology's revolving door of No. 1 seeds continues after Illinois loss
Houston's late-night win at BYU was rewarded by the CBS Sports Bracketology model
Why has food become another joyless way to self-optimise?
Women of my age are told we neglect protein at our peril – but you can’t cheat death with chia seeds alone. So, could we rein back on the self-optimisation – and ramp up the joy, writes Emma Beddington
Bracketology: Why Illinois is a No. 1 seed and UConn falls off the top line
Diving in on why the race for No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament -- including No. 1 overall -- is so tight
Y Combinator startup Orange Slice secures $5.3M seed funding
Michigan grads Vihaar Nandigala and Kishan Sripada's startup Orange Slice raises $5.3M for AI-driven sales tools, backed by Y Combinator.
Can chia seeds and bone broth really 'heal' your gut?
Many trending foods contain a "small seed of truth" but are often oversold as miracle products.
Through the years with Downtown Peoria institution Kelly Seed Co.
Kelly Seed Co. is an institution in Peoria, part of the downtown landscape for more than a century.
Top 25 And 1: UConn's NCAA Tournament seeding could be hurt by weak Big East schedule
The Huskies are 22-1 but only have five wins vs. Quadrant 1 opponents so far this season
Read AI dating app Ditto's pitch deck: $9.2 million seed
Ditto, an AI matchmaking service for college students, raised millions as it expand to more college campuses.
The science of why chia seeds are a superfood
Chia seeds are full of fiber and protein. Here’s how to make them easier on your digestive tract.
Over the years, this Peoria business has changed, but its appeal is a constant
Nancee Vespa was married for 56 years, had two children and was well known for her welcoming presence at Kelly Seed and Hardware.
Exclusive: Climatic inhales $10M for respiratory wellness
Lerer Hippeau led the consumer health startup's seed round.
UNC basketball projected a Top-5 Seed in USA TODAY Sports bracketology
UNC is playing NCAA Tournament-caliber basketball right now. USA TODAY Sports gives the Tar Heels a Top 5 Regional seed in its latest bracketology.
Bracketology: Michigan vs. Nebraska is rare battle between No. 1 seeds
All four of the No. 1 seeds in the latest CBS Sports Bracketology are facing huge tests early this week
(Rescheduled from Jan 26) Behind the Science: Herbivores That Chewed Through Time: How Insects and Pathogens Responded to Earth’s Biggest Events
Announcing a new After-Hours series at the National Museum of Natural History: Behind the Science A monthly after-hours series featuring NMNH scientists and researchers Each month, join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. Come learn what’s happening behind the scenes and how science shapes our understanding of the natural world. Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Topics and speakers announced on a rolling basis, but save the dates now! February 10 (RESCHEDULED FROM JAN 26): Conrad Labandeira, Paleobiology The leaves of plants are everywhere. They provide the primary documentation of insect and pathogen feeding styles – or herbivory – on plants in the modern and fossil records. Leaves also are the most abundant, macroscopic item in the fossil record during the past 400 or so million years. During the past 25 years, studies of insect and pathogen damage on fossil and modern leaves have addressed the response of herbivores to major events of the fossil record. These events include, in chronological order, the origin of herbivory itself, the appearance of seed plants, the profound ecological crisis at the end of the Paleozoic, the appearance of flowering plants, the profound ecological crisis at the end of the Mesozoic, and a major change in the global climate 56 million years ago. Let’s put damaged, fossil leaves to work in helping us to understand how insect and pathogen herbivores have historically transformed the world we live in. Upcoming Dates: Jan. 26: Feb. 10: Conrad Labandeira, Paleobiologist Mar. 10: Briana Pobiner, Anthropologist Apr. 14 May 11 Jun. 9 Jul. 14 Aug. 11 Sep. 15 Oct. 13 Nov. 10 Dec. 8
Bracketology: No. 2 seeds Houston, UConn ready to move up to top line
The Big Ten has two teams on the No. 1 seed line for now, but there are many worthy challengers
2026 Men's NCAA Tournament Projections: Duke Jumps to No. 1 Seed, Texas Tech Rises
FOX Sports bracket forecaster Mike DeCourcy delivers his latest men's NCAA Tournament bracket predictions.
L.A.'s defense industry is booming. Federal funding crunch could change that
A dispute over reforms to an SBA program that funds startups has cut the flow of seed money to Southern California's defense tech firms.
Zverev and Hanfmann into second round of the Australian Open
Third seed Alexander Zverev overcame early trouble against Canadian Gabriel Diallo to advance to the second round of the Australian Open. The last year's finalist rebounded from a below-par performance in the first set to start the first Grand Slam of the year with a 6-7 (7-1), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory after claiming six service breaks.
Patriots’ Potential Next Playoff Opponent Revealed After Bills-Broncos Thriller
The New England Patriots still need to win in their divisional round matchup with the Houston Texans on Sunday. It’ll be quite intriguing if they can take care of business, however… New England is just one victory away from visiting the one-seed Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in the 2026 AFC Championship […]
Bon Secours expands East End small-business grant program to Shockoe Bottom
The health system's Supporting East End Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) program, which provides grants to East End-based small businesses, was recently expanded to include the Shockoe Bottom area and also includes the Nine Mile Road and 25th Street corridor in Church Hill and the Fulton area.
Are Seed Oils Bad for You? Debunking a Viral Social Media Myth
A food scientist debunks the vilification of seed oils on social media and explains what research says about them.
2026 Men's NCAA Tournament Projections: Nebraska Jumps to No. 1 Seed, Michigan Falls
FOX Sports bracket forecaster Mike DeCourcy delivers his latest men's NCAA tournament bracket predictions.
Bracketology: Wisconsin in field of 68; Vanderbilt jumps to a No. 1 seed
Stunning weekend upsets shook up the projected NCAA Tournament bracket
NFL divisional round preview: 4 marquee matchups including No. 1 seeds Broncos and Seahawks joining in
Former Google, Apple Researchers Raising $50 Million for New Visual AI Startup
Andrew Dai, a veteran AI researcher who recently left Google DeepMind after 14 years, is launching a new startup focused on AI models that understand and process text, images, video and audio simultaneously, Dai said. The new startup, Elorian, is in talks with investors to raise a seed round of ...
Rams postseason push starts with redemption in Carolina
In Week 18, the Los Angeles Rams were able to pick up a win, 37-20 over the Arizona Cardinals, to lock up the five seed and travel to play the fourth-seeded Carolina Panthers.
2025-26 Mountain West Bracketology: January 9
Happy Friday, everyone! As we continue forward with the Mountain West men’s basketball season, we will be updating the conference’s bracketology outlook as we approach the big dance in March! Let’s dive into this week’s update! At Large Candidates: Utah State: NET: 16 KenPom: 26 Lunardi: No. 7 seed Bracket Matrix (out of 58 brackets; Jan. 7): […]
Who plays NFL football tonight? NFL games, playoff, Wild Card schedule
NFL Wild Card Weekend is here! Who plays football tonight? Here's when NFL playoffs kick off, print your bracket, seeding, times, more to know.
Seedy K’s GameCap: Duke
It was a Dickensian nightmare. The best of times. The worst of times. A Tale of Two Halves. So, the answer to the question I’ve been asked over and over again for the last several weeks is . . . . . . “No it is apparent we are not ready to beat Duke.” * […]
Seahawks finish with best defense since 2018 in 1 stat
The Seahawks clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the team's dominant defense has fans anticipating a Super Bowl run.
Sorrell College students claims top prize in the Business IDEA Competition for 'Trojan Tailgate'
The largest prize pot in the Business IDEA Competition’s history provided $8,000 in seed funding for student-pitched entrepreneurial concepts, thanks to a partnership with MAX Credit Union.
Seedy K’s Postseason Pigskin Punditry & Prognostications: Portal & Picks
Like the whole fraternity house full of signal callers who’ve matriculated through the revolving door of Jeff Brohm’s QB Room at the Schnell Complex then left, two more have bid the Cardinals their fond(?) adieu. Deuce Adams and Brady Allen have gone veni vidi splitski. Sayonara, ye former future Johnny U wannabes. As for who’s […]
NFL playoffs: How one team's seeding proposal changes wild‑card hosts
Under a proposed rule, better records would outrank division titles for home field. Here's how this postseason's AFC and NFC seeding -- and matchups -- would change
NFL playoff bracket explained, seeding, potential divisional round games for AFC, NFC
The NFL playoff bracket has a wrinkle other tournaments don't have. How does that impact the NFC and AFC postseason divisional round games this week?
NFL Week 18 scores, live updates: Broncos look to clinch AFC's No. 1 seed with win over Chargers; Patriots and Jaguars still in play
NFL Week 18 scenarios: Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars vie for AFC No. 1 seed while NFC teams jockey for position
NFL Week 18 inactives, scores, live updates: Broncos look to clinch AFC's No. 1 seed with win over Chargers, Patriots and Jaguars still in play
Leave it to the Seahawks to pick off 49ers’ unlikely top-seed dreams
The San Francisco 49ers had a shot at earning the NFC’s No. 1 seed. And until Brock Purdy’s interception, it was believable. Now the Niners must take the long way to reach the Super Bowl.
Seahawks vs. 49ers: Seattle dominates San Francisco 13-3, clinches No. 1 seed in NFC and NFC West title
The 49ers were the NFL’s hottest offense, and they got almost nothing against the Seahawks in a massive regular-season matchup. Now the 49ers have to go on the road next week while the Seahawks rest up.
WCG Predicts: Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions
Hello, Chicago Bears fans! Well, after the thrilling game against the Niners that, unfortunately, ended in disappointment, the 1st overall seed and bye in the first round of the NFL playoffs is off the table for the Beloved. However, there is still something to play for, as a win against the Detroit Lions (or an […]
Buccaneers hold off Panthers in rain, will win NFC South if Falcons lose Sunday
Tampa Bay halted its tailspin over the second half of the season when it mattered most, but the NFC South and No. 4 seed won't be decided until Sunday's Falcons-Saints game.
5 for Good: Suffolk SEED program helps local small businesses
When Manny Gonzalez and Alvis Objio opened Crown Legends in Boston’s South End in 2022, it was a dream come true.
Week 18 game preview: Bears vs. Detroit Lions
Chicago hosts Detroit in the season finale Sunday with playoff seeding at stake. @SamHouseholder previews the Lions.
Seedy K’s Punditry/ Prognostications: CFP Quarters
The CAS is growing faster than July kudzu in Yoknapatawpha County. Talking about the Cignetti Adoration Society. It’s not just round here. Checking in with my NYC pal Courthouse the other night to preplan for our annual sojourn to New Orleans for JazzFest, he told me to be sure to root for Indiana. His son, […]
Editors Pick: Sense, Nonsense and Science Columns
Seed World Europe features the columns of Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, for readers who appreciate science with clarity, curiosity, and wit. Known for demystifying chemistry and challenging misinformation, Joe brings an engaging, no-nonsense voice to topics spanning food, biotechnology, health claims, and the science behind everyday phenomena. Each column helps readers separate evidence from hype while exploring how science shapes our world—and the seed sector.
2026 NCAA Tournament Projections: UConn, Arizona Among Mike DeCourcy’s No. 1 Seeds
Which schools are poised for March Madness? FOX Sports expert Mike DeCourcy is here walk you through it all.
Denver Broncos power rankings around the web for Week 18
Here is how the number one-seeded Denver Broncos are positioned in the NFL Power Rankings for Week 18.
NFL Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios: Division titles and seeding chaos
Only one team is locked into its playoff seed entering the final week of the regular season.
Stats what needs to happen
The Denver Broncos are one win away from the #1 seed in the AFC. They only need to beat the Los Angeles Chargers who will be resting some starters since the game will not have much of an effect on their playoff seeding. They will be the 5th, 6th or 7th seed depending on the […]
NFL playoff picture: Falcons force Rams to sweat out securing No. 5 seed, improve Panthers' shot at NFC South crown
In a tumultuous year, US health policy has been dramatically reshaped under RFK Jr.
In the whirlwind first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, some of the most polarizing changes have taken place within the Department of Health and Human Services, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has openly rebuffed the medical establishment as he converts the ideas of his Make America Healthy Again movement into public policy. Since entering office in February, the health secretary has overseen a dramatic reshaping of the agencies he oversees, including eliminating thousands of jobs and freezing or canceling billions of dollars for scientific research. As part of his campaign against chronic disease, he has redrawn the government's position on topics such as seed oils, fluoride and Tylenol.
Monday Night Football Week 17: Rams at Falcons
The Los Angeles Rams had their one seed hopes dashed with the San Francisco 49ers winning on Sunday. The 49ers have the superior division record, while the Seattle Seahawks have the superior record overall. It doesn’t matter to the Rams which of them wins next week. They are fairly locked into the sixth seed, though […]
Sunday Aftermath: Seeding madness, strong fantasy finishes and more
Eagles remain alive in quest for No. 2 seed, thanks to wild 49ers win over Bears
The Eagles’ hopes for the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff bracket remain alive after the 49ers came back in the final minutes to beat the Bears Sunday.
Bears vs. 49ers: San Francisco outlasts Chicago in high-stakes thriller to keep No. 1 seed hopes afloat
The 49ers' win sets up a Week 18 matchup against the Seahawks with the No. 1 seed on the line.
Buffalo Bills vs. Philadelphia Eagles game chat
Buffalo can solidify its playoff position while keeping hopes of higher seeding alive with a win over Philadelphia today
Micah's expectations for Bears vs 49ers in Week 17
Caleb Williams will try to deliver a complete game to help the Bears clinch the NFC North and maybe get the top seed in the NFC playoffs
What seed will the 49ers be heading into the playoffs?
The 49ers could earn the bye with the No. 1 seed, or be the No. 7 seed. The outcomes are all over for this team.
49ers vs. Bears prediction, odds, pick, where to watch 'Sunday Night Football'
Both the Niners and Bears have a chance at the No. 1 seed if they win out
The seed vaults that could save humanity
These genetic libraries plan for worse-case scenarios.
Week 17 Preview: Bears vs. 49ers headline race for NFC’s No. 1 seed
NFL playoff picture: Broncos still control division and seeding fate
The Broncos can still win the AFC West and clinch the No. 1 seed in the conference.
NFL power rankings Week 17: Are 49ers or Seahawks No. 1 after Rams' latest loss?
LA's NFC team tumbled down the conference's projected playoff seeding ladder. Now, what is Rams' fate after long run atop our power poll?
With two games to go, 49ers keep bid to win NFC West, top playoff seed alive
Bruised, battered yet bouncing back, the 49ers did more than beat the Colts — they improved their shot at winning the division and the NFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Re-seeding the CFP bracket: Miami over Alabama, shift in New Year's Day bowl games
Reshuffling the eight remaining teams in the CFP bracket as we enter the quarterfinals
The Packers’ playoff seeding paths are becoming very clear
There’s a 75 percent chance that the Green Bay Packers will be the 7th seed in the NFC in the playoffs.
Aggies win school's first NCAA volleyball title
Texas A&M won its first NCAA volleyball championship after sweeping Kentucky, one of three No. 1 seeds the Aggies beat in the tournament,.
Beau Greaves - how far can darts' rising star go?
Rising darts star Beau Greaves begins her World Championship campaign against 22nd seed Daryl Gurney on Friday.
Broncos vs Jaguars Week 15: Keys to victory
Who would’ve thought that at the beginning of the season we’d be able to say that with a win and certain losses on Sunday, the Broncos can secure the top seed in the AFC? Honestly I was hoping we’d be able to clinch a playoff spot, but there is so much more at stake here. […]
‘14 strong.’ Gritty Kentucky volleyball faces program’s second-ever Final Four
No. 1 seed Kentucky volleyball is two wins away from becoming the most-decorated team in program history.
Apple Seeds First Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Developers
Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming just a few days after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.
CFP power rankings: Ohio State is No. 1, Texas A&M better than its No. 7 seed
SportsLine college football betting expert Thomas Casale ranks the 12 College Football Playoff teams
Mirelo raises $41M from Index and a16z to solve AI video's silent problem
Mirelo, a German startup that is building AI to add synced sound effects to videos, has raised a $41 million seed round led by Index Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz.
NFL Week 15 INSTANT reactions: what's next for Chiefs, AFC dark horse contenders, Broncos take 1-seed
What Rams need to keep #1 seed
How the Rams could either stranglehold the 1-seed or nearly fall out of the playoffs entirely
KSL.com Sports' Pro Football Pick'em Week 15 preview
With four weeks left in the NFL regular season, the playoff picture is starting to look clearer but many teams still control their path and the seeding is still up for grabs.
NFC playoff standings, Philadelphia Eagles' rooting guide for Week 15
With the Sunday and Monday night Week 15 games set to begin in just hours, here is who fans should root for with the Eagles looking to move back into the No. 1 seed
iOS 26.2 Coming Soon With These 8 New Features on Your iPhone
Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon. Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week. iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more.
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
Tulare County Economic Forecast: Cities sprouting business seeds
Editor’s note: The Business Journal published its 2026 Regional Economic Forecast issue on Nov. 28. This is one of those stories. From the grand opening of mom-and-pop shops in the revitalized downtown Tulare region to
Broncos vs Packers preview: Denver hunts for statement win
The Broncos enter their Week 15 game against Green Bay on a 10-game winning streak. A Denver win against one of the top NFC teams could solidify the top seed.
Seed funding | Latest US politics news from The Economist
The latest news in US politics, with coverage of Donald Trump’s second term.
Thoughts on Notre Dame and the CFP after Championship Saturday
Notre Dame football will find out its fate later today with the College Football Playoff and here are three thoughts ahead of the seedings.