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'It’s just been a nightmare': Friday's planned power outages cause worry for Boulder business owners
Starting at 5 a.m. Friday, Xcel Energy said it would turned off power for about 69,000 customers as part of planned power outages to reduce wildfire risk amid strong winds.
How U.S. sports tickets got so expensive – and why it shocks the rest of the world
World Cup ticket prices are symptomatic of a greater issue across sports in America, where enough people have proven they'll pay in excess
Why Astronomers Are Excited About Comet 3I/Atlas’ Close Approach
Comet 3I/Atlas is just the third known object to visit us from outside our solar system. So yes... we'll be talking about aliens.
Trump not ruling out war with Venezuela
In an exclusive phone interview with NBC News, Trump talked about his offensive against Venezuela, his plan for health care and his outlook for the midterm elections.
Mental health ratings hit new low, 5 years after pandemic turning point
A new Gallup survey showed just 29% of people rated their mental health or emotional well-being as "excellent," a new low in Gallup tracking.
Exclusive: Frustration mounts at Justice Department as it races to redact some Epstein files, sources say
Frustration is mounting inside the Justice Department as it races to redact thousands of pages of files related to Jeffrey Epstein before they must be released Friday, multiple sources familiar with the process told CNN.
Spears Business HTM students excel at ICHRIE competitions testing hotel management skills
Students in OSU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management excelled in two recent International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education competitions. Mel Gelnar won the ICHRIE Hotel Challenge, while Carrie Bailey placed second in the ICHRIE Hotel Challenge and the LEVEL UP competition.
Trump Mobile's T1 still doesn't exist, but the company is now selling refurbished phones
The T1 smartphone from Trump Mobile remains non-existent vaporware, but the company is still finding new ways to take people's money.
Jessica Jones first look in 'Daredevil: Born Again' previews war for New York (exclusive)
'Daredevil: Born Again' season 2 first look reveals Krysten Ritter's Jessica Jones, Matthew Lillard's Mr. Charles, and more players in the war for New York City.
Texas Rangers award winners named
The local BBWAA chapter has named their Rangers award winners
Sky Sports remains exclusive home of The Masters Tournament with more live coverage than ever before
Sky Sports will remain the exclusive home of the Masters tournament in a new multi-year extension with Augusta National Golf Club; the 2026 Masters will take place from April 6-12 as Rory McIlroy returns as defending champion after completing the career Grand Slam in 2025
Banijay Entertainment Expands Creator Push With Breakout Format ‘All Star Hide and Seek’ From Finnish YouTuber Roni Bäck (EXCLUSIVE)
Banijay has picked up the breakout streaming format 'All Star Hide and Seek,' underscoring a broader push into creator-led entertainment.
A Filmmaker Made a Sam Altman Deepfake—and Got Unexpectedly Attached
The director of “Deepfaking Sam Altman” created a “Sam Bot” when he couldn’t get an interview with the OpenAI CEO. Watch an exclusive trailer for the documentary, which comes out in January.
Using science to uncover mysteries of the Mesa archaeological site in Alaska | Bureau of Land Management
Prior excavation and ongoing interpretation of archaeological resources at the Bureau of Land Management's Mesa site in Alaska showcase the BLM’s multiple-use land management mission in action.
Season’s Greetings 2025 from Amer Sports
As we wrap up another remarkable year, we’re excited to share a special Season’s Greetings video featuring team members from across Amer Sports. In this short film, they reflect on memorable moments…
Nome students fish for science
Last Friday, a group of Nome-Beltz high school students decked out in their winter gear stood in two rows, fishing for tomcod in the Nome Inner Harbor.
100 Years Ago, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Changed Black
The fact that the meeting was even happening was enough to produce an air of subversive excitement. One hundred years ago on August 25, 1925, Black sleeping car porters, hoping to form a union at the
LG's First Dolby FlexConnect Soundbar Lets You Place Speakers Anywhere
The company unveiled its surround system which lets you add speakers to any TV if you buy the soundbar.
U.S. Mental Health Ratings Continue to Worsen
Twenty-nine percent of U.S. adults describe their mental health as excellent, down 14 points from 2019 and the first reading below 30%.
Trans athlete restrictions proposed again to high school sports rulemaking body
Proposal from several Whatcom districts still in conflict with state law, WIAA says
Exclusive: Liverpool considering January move to sign La Liga defender
Exclusive: Liverpool Eyeing January Move to Sign 26-year-old DefenderWith the January transfer window fast approaching, Liverpool fans will be hoping to see some movement in terms of incomings.It has ...
Netflix and Barstool Sports Strike Exclusive Video Podcast Deal
Pardon My Take, The Ryen Russillo Podcast, and Spittin’ Chiclets will stream exclusively on Netflix in 2026.
Netflix Signs Deal With Dave Portnoy’s Barstool Sports for Exclusive Video Rights to Three Podcasts
Netflix clinched a multiyear pact with Dave Portnoy's Barstool Sports giving the streaming giant exclusive rights to video versions of a trio of its popular podcasts.
RELEASE: DELAWARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM HIRES ADMINISTRATOR - State of Delaware News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Media Contact: Alexis Wrease Email: alexis.wrease@delaware.gov Phone: (302) 622-2677 Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium Hires Administrator Wilmington — The Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium (BHC) is excited to welcome Katie Leibel-Marin as its Administrator. With extensive experience in strategic development, budget management, community engagement, and board management, Leibel-Marin […]
Faith-based entertainment sees a revival in Hollywood. Defining what it is can be a challenge
Faith-based films are gaining traction in Hollywood, with recent successes sparking renewed interest. Angel Studios' animated biblical film "David" has already exceeded $14 million in pre-sale tickets. "The Chosen," a popular drama about Jesus, has grossed over $116 million domestically since Fat...
Beloved Superhero Comedy Dispatch Is Seemingly Flying Onto Switch 2 Next Year
Mecha excited
Bitdefender Achieves Exceptional Results in Latest AV-Comparatives Business Security Test
BUCHAREST, Romania & SAN ANTONIO, December 17, 2025--Bitdefender announced outstanding results in the AV-Comparatives Business Security Test.
Exclusive: Clinical automation startup Drive Health gets $15M
Vitalis Ventures led the round.
Fort Belvoir Nationally Recognized for Excellence in Youth Sports
Exercise and physical activity play key roles in quality of life, health and mental fitness, according to the World Health Organization, and Fort Belvoir Families have been reaping the benefits of an innovative Fort Belvoir program that has recently been awarded by the National Alliance of Youth Sports (NAYS).
Game Preview #34: New Jersey Devils @ Vegas Golden Knights
Tonight the Devils face the Knights in their 2nd and final matchup this season.
Beachy Head Woman may be ‘local girl from Eastbourne’, say scientists
Exclusive: DNA advances show Roman-era skeleton, once hailed as first black Briton, came from southern England
K-Shaped US Economy Leaves Small Businesses Playing Catch-Up
Bankruptcies and loan delinquencies among small businesses are heading higher, and layoffs are mounting.
Ancient burrowing bees made their nests in the tooth cavities and vertebrae of dead rodents, scientists discover
Scientists made a unique discovery in a cave on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola: dozens of fossilized bee nests inside rodent bones that were deposited by owls thousands of years ago.
"MicroProse and Geoff Crammond Reunite to Revive a Racing Legend"
MicroProse is excited to announce its renewed partnership with legendary game developer Geoff Crammond, creator of some of the most influential racing simulation games of the 1990s and early 2000s. Together, we are bringing back his groundbreaking racing game engine in a re-release of the original game technology, enhanced with updates, new tools, and Steam Workshop support, through the upcoming Geoff Crammond Racing series: GCR1, GCR2, GCR3, and GCR4, scheduled to release in 2026. These titles are being reintroduced under new names to reflect our independent direction and to ensure full separation from any official motorsport licensing. While the names are new, the core simulation engine, physics systems, and pioneering gameplay features developed by Geoff Crammond remain at the heart of each release. Geoff Crammond’s original work helped define the foundations of modern racing games, introducing innovations such as advanced real-time physics, highly configurable driving assists (including the ideal racing line, steering help and auto braking), realistic AI driver behaviour, deep telemetry analysis, comprehensive car setup systems, extensive wet weather system, and the list goes on. The GCR series proudly carries this legacy forward. Steam Workshop support will enable the community to create and share custom tracks, cars, liveries, teams, drivers and more. This reunion marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between MicroProse and Geoff Crammond, with further announcements in the series to come. MicroProse is officially back on the track at full speed. GCR1 Steam Page GCR2 Steam Page GCR3 Steam Page GCR4 Steam Page -- MicroProse, founded in 1982, is a world-famous simulation software company known for developing groundbreaking classics and new blockbuster titles such as Falcon, HighFleet, B-17 The Mighty Eighth, Ground Branch, Gunship and many more! Today, MicroProse is not only remaking select classics from its past but also paving the road to next-generation, state of the art games that will create the memories and experiences of new generations of gamers.
House Speaker Johnson rebuffs efforts to extend health care subsidies, pushing ahead with GOP plan
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republican leaders are determined to push ahead with a GOP health care bill that excludes efforts to address the soaring monthly premiums millions of Americans will soon endure…
House Speaker Johnson rebuffs efforts to extend health care subsidies, pushing ahead with GOP plan
House Republican leaders are determined to push ahead with a health care bill that excludes efforts to address the soaring monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act recipients.
Impact Awards Commend UT Health Science Excellence Across State
"'The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is,'" said Vice Chancellor Cindy Russell, PhD, quoting Jim Carrey.
Exclusive: House Judiciary Committee expands Jack Smith probe
The House Judiciary Committee is demanding interviews with four current and former Department of Justice officials who were involved in subpoenaing phone records for several members of Congress around the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, the day before Republicans interview former special counsel Jack Smith.
Apple’s next iPhone 17 model could fix predecessor’s biggest flaw
A new report from The Information included an exciting detail about the forthcoming iPhone 17e: MagSafe support is coming.
Netflix has done its second big podcast deal as it prepares to launch a slate of shows in early 2026
Netflix's podcast deal with iHeartMedia brings exclusive video podcasts like "The Breakfast Club" and "My Favorite Murder" to the streamer in 2026.
Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland are a family divided in new 'The Odyssey' images (exclusive)
New exclusive images of Christopher Nolan's next movie, The Odyssey, show stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, and Himesh Patel, in adaptation of Homer's epic.
Hugh Jackman transforms into a rugged Robin Hood in first look at new A24 film (exclusive)
Hugh Jackman looks grizzled and intense with wild hair and a long bear in first look at 'The Death of Robin Hood,' the new project from writer-director Michael Sarnsoki and A24.
Check out the exclusive pitch deck Valerie Health used to raise $30 million from Redpoint Ventures to automate healthcare faxes
The startup aims to fully automate front-office healthcare tasks for independent provider groups with AI.
Veterinarian and Animal Science Graduate James F. Dougherty Named to Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni
The Class of 2026 inductees into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni have excelled in a varied range of fields—obstetrics and gynecology, addiction prevention and treatment, veterinary medicine, football and entrepreneurship, and government and insurance industry leadership—but they all share a uniquely Scarlet bond: A significant, unwavering devotion to supporting the university where they began […]
Diversity and representation of women on streaming TV series in sharp decline, UCLA study shows
The latest edition of the Hollywood Diversity Report released Tuesday determined that the top shows in 2024 were less culturally diverse than the previous year.
CA hires former CDC officials to lead new public health org
Two high-profile former CDC officials have been hired to helm the Public Health Network Innovation Exchange, a new organization about which little is known.
Jackpot Digital to Deploy Electronic Poker Tables at Two PENN Entertainment Properties in Mississippi
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 16, 2025) - Jackpot Digital Inc. (TSXV: JJ) (OTCQB: JPOTF) (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: LVH3) (the "Company" or "Jackpot Digital")Jackpot Digital, the world's leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, is pleased to announce that it has finalized installation agreements to deploy its Jackpot Blitz® dealerless poker electronic table games ("ETGs") at Boomtown Casino Biloxi and Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast in...
Health Care Meets Mission at GMHC
Cedarville University equips future medical professionals to combine clinical excellence with gospel-centered compassion. Students recently attended the Global...
Jackpot Digital to Deploy Electronic Poker Tables at Two PENN Entertainment Properties in Mississippi
Jackpot Digital Inc. (TSXV: JJ,OTC:JPOTF) (OTCQB: JPOTF) (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: LVH3) (the "Company" or "Jackpot Digital")Jackpot Digital, the world's leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, is pleased to announce that it has finalized installation agreements...
Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day Event Set for February 7
WASHINGTON - American University Athletics is excited to once again celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) with a free postgame clinic on Saturday, February 7, following the 1 p.m. women's basketball game against Navy.
Starmer’s communications chief to address cabinet on media strategy overhaul
Exclusive: David Dinsmore to advise ministers as they step up efforts to combat far-right rhetoric online
Mears: Life in the asylum hotels generating 'excessive profit'
Asylum accommodation provider Mears has had to return £13.8m to the Home Office after making more profit than its contracts allow.
Dark matter ‘nuggets’ could explain the Milky Way’s mysterious glow
A mysterious excess of far-ultraviolet light seen across the Milky Way could come from the annihilation of clumpy dark matter.
Prison health workers are among the best-paid public employees. Why are so many jobs vacant?
California spent hundreds of millions on high-paying prison and hospital healthcare jobs, auditors found -- but vacancy rates rose since 2019, exceeding 30% at three facilities despite bonuses and pay raises.
Health insurance costs rising in 2026: What to know
Whether you have insurance through work, Medicare, or the exchange, you are likely paying more next year.
Mom says viral video shows her being booted from Georgia restaurant for breastfeeding her baby
Heated exchange at Georgia restaurant caught on camera as nursing mother says she was confronted by the owner, adding to the venue’s controversial history with families.
Early Linux 6.19 Benchmarks On AMD EPYC 9965 2P Excelling For AI & HPC Performance
As the Linux 6.19 merge window winded down this weekend, I began running this development kernel on more systems.
🚨 Ligue 1’s autumn champions revealed...
The Big Surprise!That's it, except for Monaco and Marseille who play tonight at 8:45 PM, all the top French teams have started their winter break. We now know who the autumn champion in Ligue 1 is, an...
The 7 political stories Jews will be watching in 2026
The 2026 political stories to watch — from Zohran Mamdani’s first year as NYC mayor to Jewish governors preparing for 2028.
Exclusive: Is America ready for a woman president? Nancy Pelosi's surprising take.
Exit interview: After four decades, the most powerful woman in the history of the United States heads home. She's still defiant.
Mikaelian beats Jack to regain WBC title
Noel Mikaelian beats Badou Jack by a unanimous points decision in Los Angeles to regain the WBC cruiserweight title.
Galaxy S26 series' trump card has finally leaked
The best AI features might be exclusive to the Galaxy S26.
Wisconsin offers wide receiver in the transfer portal
The Badgers are looking into transfer portal wide receivers.
Josh O'Connor felt 'punked' filming 'Knives Out': Always 'raining on me, never on Daniel Craig'
Josh O'Connor says he felt 'punked' while filming 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' totally soaked and covered in mud for most of production: 'Always seemed to be raining on me and never on Daniel Craig.'
Dallas Cowboys: Reading between the lines (defense)
Looking at the Cowboys d-line versus the Vikings
Slab is the first MIDI controller built exclusively for Serato Studio
Slab gives Serato Studio users an MPC-like hands-on controller for chopping samples and building beats
Starmer to pick new US ambassador as relations with Trump tested
Exclusive: a trio of candidates have been interviewed by the PM, but he could still decide to directly appoint someone else
Nine science-backed ways to prevent overeating this Christmas
Flavour perception and food presentation can affect our brain and make us feel fuller earlier, so we eat fewer calories
Science news this week: Neanderthals made fire, orcas and dolphins team up, and the 'Star of Bethlehem' explored
Dec. 13, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
Bulls 129, Hornets 126: Losing streak ends at seven games
With four days off to get back in the lab, the Bulls finally ended their seven-game losing streak with a 129-126 win against the Charlotte Hornets. Injuries aren’t an excuse for...
EXCLUSIVE: Inside Trump’s private schedule as media fixates on his health
Fox News obtained President Donald Trump's December schedule revealing back-to-back meetings and calls extending into evening hours throughout the month.
Explore powerful narratives of marathon runners at Health and Fitness Expo
Discover the stories and excitement as runners gather at Health and Fitness Expo for the marathon weekend.
Five Bold Moves for the Astros This Offseason
The MLB offseason is always overflowing with rumors and ideas, major national voices saying where players could sign or who could be traded. It makes for a lot of fun in the winter keeping the hot stove burning. In keeping with this tradition, here are 5 bold moves the Astros could make this offseason that […]
Fintech, AI Very Strong in UK: British Business Bank CEO
The UK economy is at risk of its first quarterly contraction since Labour returned to power, after growth disappointed again by shrinking ahead of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' tax-raising budget. Can the UK's tech sector come to the rescue? British Business Bank CEO Louis Taylor weighs in with Ed Ludlow and Caroline Hyde to discuss on "Bloomberg Tech." (Source: Bloomberg)
Kevin Stefanski Press Conference: "Be about our business"
Kevin Stefanski speaks to the media following practice.
Divinity Isn't Just Going To Fill Baldur's Gate 3’s Shoes, It's Going To Outgrow Them
Larian Studios has announced the game that will follow in the footsteps of Baldur's Gate 3.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sweeps The Game Awards — analysis and full winners list
Independent video game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept the Game Awards last night. The L.A. ceremony draws millions of views for its industry honors and exclusive previews of upcoming games.
Alexis Ohanian: ‘I can market excellence all day long’
The Reddit cofounder and sports investor shares why women’s sports are poised for massive growth—and how marketing excellence is driving the momentum.
Kids Start Up Business Fair
Enjoy an exciting evening of creativity, innovation, and fun as young entrepreneurs showcase their products, inventions, and creative services!
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026 on Wednesday.
Germany news: More people lack health care, aid group says
An aid charity says access to health care in Germany is failing the most vulnerable, with many excluded from medical care. Meanwhile, most Germans don't want the US to meddle in Europe's politics. DW has more.
Germany news: More people lack healthcare, aid group says
An aid charity says access to healthcare in Germany is failing the most vulnerable, with many excluded from healthcare. Meanwhile, most Germans don't want the US to meddle in Europe's politics. DW has more.
Boston hospital cafeteria addresses health code violations after inspection
A December health inspection found multiple violations, including temperature control problems and poor sanitation practices.
Health and safety rules holding UK infrastructure back, says writer of government report
Exclusive: John Fingleton says regulators need to change their attitude to risk to end the country’s economic stagnation
Bandai Namco Entertainment CEO on A24’s ‘Elden Ring’ Movie, Big ‘Ace Combat 8’ Reveal and Hitting a Quicker Game Output Strategy (EXCLUSIVE)
Bandai Namco Entertainment CEO on new "Ace Combat 8" game and A24's "Elden Ring" movie.
Orbitals announced exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2
During The Game Awards 2025 tonight, was announced exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2. The title launches sometime in 2026. Orbitals, a co-op space adventure game, comes from Kepler and Shapefarm. The goal of the game involves going on a search for the crumbling station home of Maki and Omura. Here’s a bit of additional information: Grab a friend and launch...
Sharon Osbourne says Ozzy's infidelity didn't faze her until he brought another woman into their home
Sharon Osbourne was both aware of and largely unbothered by the indiscretions of her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne — with one notable exception.
Exciting spectacle awaits enthusiasts at science city | Lucknow News - The Times of India
Lucknow: If you're in Lucknow and eager to experience vibrant underwater world of Australia's coral reefs, nature and history, like ‘Journey to Space,.
Entergy Texas earns J.D. Power award
The recognition underscores the company’s commitment to exceptional service and affordable power
PSA: My Nintendo Store's Merch Range Has Been Updated With Some Pop-Up Shop Exclusives
Metroid ice trays, Pikmin terrariums and more
EXCLUSIVE: Prediction markets launch coalition amid sports betting fight
Several major prediction markets are forming a coalition to promote and defend their political interests amid a growing fight over sports betting, Axios has learned.
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
OU football eager to face Alabama under 'Friday night lights' in College Football Playoffs
The Sooners are prepping to host a playoff game in Norman with excitement building.
James Uthmeier: More than 900 Starbucks locations in Florida engaged in hiring discrimination
The lawsuit says DEI hiring practices by coffee giant excluded nonminority workers.
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.
Health experts criticise NHS chief’s remarks that people with flu symptoms ‘must wear face masks’
Exclusive: Experts warn mixed messaging from Daniel Elkeles causes confusion and could undermine public faith in official guidance
Paxton cites fraud in trans health care lawsuits against Dallas doctors
The Texas attorney general adds health care fraud claims to lawsuits against Dallas doctors who allegedly provided gender-affirming care to minors.