SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " sec " 15,679 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Doctors, health care services contribute billions to Idaho’s economy, new report shows
The report on the economic impact of Idaho doctors and the health care sector comes weeks before the Idaho Legislature meets in 2026.
Which team has sports’ ultimate front office? Take this 30-second poll
You've seen how the most powerful and influential executives have ranked their leagues' front offices. Now it's your turn.
O’Neill Institute’s Center for Health and Human Rights and Ríos host High Court Justices for Second Annual Judicial Dialogues on Health and the Law in Latin America and the Caribbean
The O’Neill Institute’s Center for Health and Human Rights at Georgetown Law and Ríos Strategic Lawyering for Social Justice held the second annual Judicial Dialogues on Health and the Law in Latin America and the Caribbean event.
Microsoft: December security updates cause Message Queuing failures
Microsoft has confirmed that the December 2025 security updates are breaking Message Queuing (MSMQ) functionality, affecting enterprise applications and Internet Information Services (IIS) websites.
Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Vulnerability Enables Arbitrary Code Execution
A critical security issue involving the Windows Remote Access Connection Manager (RasMan) that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code with System privileges.
Trumpism’s racial turn: From civilisation to whiteness
In its second phase, Trumpism has evolved into a racialised political project — a 21st century reinterpretation of Aryanism — redefining American identity not through ideological conflict, as in the Cold War, but through a rigid racial ordering, argues academic Ma Haiyun.
Brice Turang Could Be .300 Hitter For Brewers Next Season
Milwaukee second baseman has shown marked improvement at plate in his three MLB seasons. Hitting .300 might not be that much out of range for Turang.
New Galaxy S23 update makes it more secure
Samsung has released a software update to the Galaxy S23 series in Korea. It offers the December 2025 security patch.
4 Takeaways From the Vikings' Win Over the Cowboys
The Cowboys dropped a second straight game against the Vikings on Sunday night. Here are the takeaways.
“The Bus” Keeps Rolling – Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2
The Carolina Hurricanes won their third straight shootout game as they outlasted the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2 on Sunday night at the Lenovo Center. The win allowed Carolina to sweep the back-to-back and home-and-home series. The Canes now have a 21-9-2 record as they sit three points ahead of the second place New York Islanders in […]
West Virginia Secretary of State warns business owners about third-party annual report solicitations
West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner is warning business owners about third-party solicitations that resemble official government forms but are private advertisements. He urges businesses to file directly through Business4.WV.gov and notes the 2026 Annual Report filing period runs from January 1 to June 30, 2026.
Instant reaction: Broncos deliver monumental victory over Packers
The Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-26 to secure their twelfth victory of the season.
How NIH-Funded Science Supports US Biopharmaceutical Innovation
NIH-funded research supports the foundation for industry to develop vaccines and therapies, exemplifying deep public-private R&D complementarity. As global competition intensifies, expanding NIH funding will be key to protecting American health, supporting U.S. biopharmaceutical competitiveness, and ensuring national power and security.
Broncos vs. Packers third quarter recap
Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers were unstoppable in the first half completing 17/22 for 215 yards and and touchdown, though they only took a two-point lead into halftime. They would get the ball to start the second half too with the Denver Broncos looking to finally make a stop that wouldn’t end in […]
Broncos vs. Packers second quarter recap
The Green Bay Packers began the second quarter with a second down inside the 15. After a short completion to bring up third and six, Jordan Love’s pass was broken up at the goal line by Riley Moss to bring out Brandon McManus for another field goal. Packers 6, Broncos 0. The Denver Broncos offense […]
What went wrong for Patriots in second half against Bills
The Patriots blew a 17-point halftime lead to their AFC East rivals.
Santa Maria Police catch suspected burglar behind closed business
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, around 5:28 p.m., a Santa Maria Police Department officer spotted a man trying to leave a secured parking lot next to a closed business.
Franklin County's 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment prioritizes food security
The 2025 Baystate Franklin Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment identified food security, maternal and infant health, behavioral health and substance use disorders as priority health concerns in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region, with the assessment highlighting the need for increased attention to and resources for food insecurity, mental health and substance use prevention.
Obamacare expiration will have ‘death spiral’ effect on US healthcare
End of subsidies after failed legislation will have serious and damaging impact on entire sector, policy experts say
Sen. Bill Cassidy says "there's a deal to be had" on health care after failed Senate votes
Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, said "there's a deal to be had" on a plan to address health care costs after a pair of bills failed to secure enough support to advance in the Senate last week.
Trump Shares Russia’s Twisted Vision of ‘Peace’ in New National Security Strategy
The Donald Trump administration's new National Security Strategy codifies the United States' alignment with the world's autocracies, including Russia.
Want job security in the age of AI? Get a state license
The coming tech boom is about to launch a boom in people who do things with their hands and minds
iOS 26.2 Or iOS 18.7.3—Here’s Which New iPhone Update To Choose
Apple has released iOS 26.2 and iOS 18.7.3, fixing iPhone security holes that have been used to perform real-life attacks. So, which iPhone update should you choose?
Apple Releases Emergency Patch For Two Zero-Day Flaws Used In Highly Targeted Attacks
Apple has issued urgent security updates to address two critical zero-day vulnerabilities that have been exploited in sophisticated real-world attacks targeting specific individuals, the company confirmed this week. The patches are part of a broader emergency update that spans iOS, iPadOS, macOS, wa
Scientists finally sequence the vampire squid's huge genome, revealing secrets of the 'living fossil'
The genetic link between squids and octopuses may just be found in the vampire squid genome.
Shabana Mahmood dismisses White House’s ‘civilisational erasure’ claims
Home secretary says UK has managed the challenges of multiculturalism ‘very well’
This Week in Gaming (Week 51)
Welcome to the second to last full week of 2025 and most likely the last week of any kind of interesting new game releases. This week's major release is a first person MMO set in a post Soviet-era universe. If that's not your ginger bread flavour, how about a top-down mix between a MOBA and an RPG, ...
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur – Match Preview and Team News
Tottenham Hotspur travel to the City Ground on Sunday afternoon, aiming to secure three consecutive wins in all competitions for the first time under Thomas Frank.They face a Nottingham Forest side lo...
NBA Cup: Spurs hand Thunder second loss in Victor Wembanyama's return, will face Knicks in championship
Washington snags five picks, pummels Boise State in L.A. Bowl
Boise State and Washington were scoreless early, but a deep touchdown pass in the second quarter sparked the Huskies en route to a 38-10 win over the Broncos.
NBA Cup: Spurs hand Thunder their second loss in Victor Wembanyama's return, will face Knicks in championship
The Thunder are now 24-2, while the Spurs are headed to championship game in Las Vegas.
Knicks reach NBA Cup final as Brunson sinks Magic
Jalen Brunson powered the New York Knicks to their first NBA Cup final with a 132-120 win over the Orlando Magic in Las Vegas Saturday.The reigning NBA champions Thunder will face Victor Wembanyama's Spurs in the second semi-final later Saturday, before the tournament concludes Tuesday.
Column | More money, more corruption requires more attention, nonprofit says
OpenSecrets, which started four decades ago, is renewing its drive to help voters follow the money between special interests and government officials.
Police respond to reported ICE raid at Brooklyn Park business
Brooklyn Park police verified that Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested one staff member on Friday at a business on the 8500 block of Zane Avenue North.
Round 15: Juventus vs. Bologna match preview
Juventus play their second straight away fixture in Serie A where they’ll line up against a direct rival for the top four.
Fox News Entertainment Newsletter: Dick Van Dyke's secrets to a long life, Mila Kunis is head of her HOA
The Fox News Entertainment Newsletter brings you the latest Hollywood headlines, celebrity interviews and stories from Los Angeles and beyond.
ENTERTAINMENT: Repertory Theatre celebrates Christmas season
Little Rock's Arkansas Repertory Theatre celebrates the Christmas season with "Holiday Radio, Live at The Rep" and the Second North American tour production of the musical "Mrs. Doubtfire" sweeps the Baum Walker Hall stage at Fayetteville's Walton Arts Center.
Teen’s video a ‘Breakthrough’ in science communication
Seventeen-year-old Grace Lee from Chula Vista is gaining national attention as a finalist in the global Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual competition that invites students to create original videos explaining complex scientific ideas in creative and engaging ways. Founded in 2015, the contest encourages young people to break down advanced scientific theories using imagination and storytelling— “Steven Spielberg meets Albert Einstein,” as organizers describe it. Lee’s submission centers on the principle of least time in physics, a concept that explains why light always travels the path that takes the least amount of time. To bring the idea to life, she used intricate origami characters and stop-motion animation, along with simple at-home experiments, she said. “The fact that light always travels via the path that takes the least amount of time sounds simple at first, but nature is full of surprises,” she said. “This principle is actually very profound and underlies many different fields in physics that seem completely unrelated, from optics to Newton’s laws to Einstein’s theory of relativity.” Also, origami has long been one of her passions and integrating it into her project felt natural. She often makes origami gifts for friends and teaches origami in her school clubs. “A single 10-second scene would take hours to craft,” she said, noting the mixture of stop-motion and post-production editing required to animate expressions and movement. To ensure the science remained accurate and accessible, she spent time reading books and online resources, writing a script, creating a storyboard, and filming and editing repeatedly until the visuals worked.The experiments were among the biggest challenges. To demonstrate water waves, she used everyday household items — “a spatula and an electric toothbrush to vibrate the waves, glass in a baking pan for different depths, and an iPhone flashlight so the waves would be visible.” She also put careful thought into explaining the principle through analogies, including a gingerbread man and a fox. “Analogies and visuals are incredibly important,” she said. “Visual demonstrations allow viewers to see how the science actually works.” Beyond the competition, Lee is deeply involved in science leadership and advocacy. She serves as International President of miRcore, the world’s largest student computational biology organization, with 136 chapters across five countries. She leads a 20-member executive board, organizes outreach connecting schools worldwide, and has helped run workshops at locations including Scripps Research Institute and the University of Michigan. “I used to be intimidated,” she said, but she gradually grew her skills and confidence. “Now I am no longer afraid to use my voice and enthusiasm to bring out the best in others.” Her research experience includes two peer-reviewed papers on asthma and vaping. Misconceptions around vaping, she said, show why clear science communication matters. “Our research shows that there is long-term harm to your lungs on the cellular level that isn’t obvious unless you come down with an illness like the flu,” she said. Lee also founded Full Hearts at Eastlake High School, transforming the small club into one of the school’s largest, with hands-on service projects in partnership with local nonprofits. She continues mentoring younger students to sustain the mission. If she wins the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Grace hopes the $100,000 science lab prize for her school will expand opportunities for students who have limited access to equipment and hands-on science outside the classroom.
BMA warns of flu 'scaremongering' ahead of doctor strikes
The health secretary should focus on offering a deal instead of "scaremongering the public", the BMA says.
Section III high school sports schedule for Dec. 13
See which Section III teams are scheduled to compete.
I work in AI security at Google. There are some things I would never tell chatbots.
Harsh Varshney, who works on Chrome AI security at Google, shares four tips for protecting your data and identity when you talk to AI chatbots.
The Trump Effect: How One Man’s Politics Rewired Europe
From defense to trade to climate policy, Trump’s second term has shaken Europe’s foundations and forced leaders across the continent to adapt to a new transatlantic reality.
K-pop events in China disrupted as Beijing-Tokyo tensions affect entertainment sector
Growing tensions between China and Japan are apparently affecting Korea's K-pop industry, with recent events involving groups with Japanese singers...
Apple Issues Security Updates After Two WebKit Flaws Found Exploited in the Wild
Apple fixes two exploited WebKit bugs targeting specific users, issuing security updates across iOS, macOS, and Safari.
St. Charles wins state title over Shaw with winning field goal after unsportsmanlike penalty
There were just 5 seconds remaining.
Opponent Defensive Preview: Boise State Broncos, LA Bowl Edition
The Washington Huskies (8–4, 5–4 Big Ten) meet the Boise State Broncos (9–4, 6-2 Mountain West champions) in the LA Bowl. The Huskies are coming off a solid second season under Jedd Fisch where key underclassmen established themselves for a 2026 season with high expectations. On the other side, the Broncos won their third straight […]
DHS rule could limit international student visas
As immigration advocates warn a proposed rule could dissuade international students from studying in the United States, enrollment has already dropped 17% from last year
Washington State to hire Missouri OC Kirby Moore as next coach
Moore has been one of the SEC's top offensive assistants in recent seasons
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)
Google and Apple roll out emergency security updates after zero-day attacks
Apple released patches for all of its flagship devices to fix security flaws under attack. Google also updated Chrome to remediate one vulnerabilty exploited in the attacks.
Universities Try to Maintain Secrecy on How They Pay Athletes
Bloomberg asked more than four dozen public universities to disclose details of their spending on student athletes and got little back.
Apple Releases iOS 26.2 With Alarms for Reminders, Lock Screen Changes, Enhanced Safety Alerts and More
Apple today released iOS 26.2, the second major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.2 comes a little over a month after iOS 26.1 launched. iOS 26.2 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
Fake Windows update pushes malware in new ClickFix attack
The ClickFix campaign disguises malware as legitimate Windows updates, using steganography to hide shellcode in PNG files and bypass security detection systems.
Julianne Murray steps down as Delaware U.S. Attorney, citing politics
Delaware's top federal prosecutor for the past six months submits her resignation, and has a lot to say about it.
Trump’s Security Strategy Provides Another Shock for Canadian Business
Also this week: CEOs and the books they love
Resident Evil Requiem is "like jumping into a cold bath after sitting in a hot sauna"
Resident Evil: Requiem is "like jumping into a cold bath after sitting in a hot sauna" in terms of how it splits Leon and Grace's sections, Capcom say.
A Seized Oil Tanker Off Venezuela and the Big Business of Dark Fleet Smuggling
The U.S. seizure of a vessel off Venezuela is likely to squeeze the country’s government, but do little to counter the tankers that secretively move oil from sanctioned countries.
Doom Studio id Software Unionizes To Secure AI Protections, Benefits: ‘We See The Direction The Industry Is Headed’
"People decided that it was time that we took our future into our own hands"
Netflix launches second entertainment venue in Dallas
Netflix House immerses guests in their favourite Netflix brands
| Latest US politics news from The Economist
The latest news in US politics, with coverage of Donald Trump’s second term.
Innovation Requires Striking The Right Balance
Innovation takes time. It requires a sustained commitment to trying — and often failing — to forge breakthroughs.
Trump calls affordability a "hoax"; Democrats take note
In the first year of his second term, President Donald Trump has focused his attention on foreign policy and made numerous trips abroad – with an eye toward the Nobel Peace Prize. But as he discusses peace deals with foreign leaders, his ratings domestically have fallen. Critics say that he isn’t doing enough to ease American’s economic concerns. So, this week, Trump returned his attention stateside and kicked off his affordability tour in Pennsylvania, while simultaneously branding “affordability” as a democratic “hoax.” Today on the politics roundtable, we discuss why Trump’s tour signals the administration’s concerns about the politics of affordability, and how some Democrats could use this as a way to gain an edge during the 2026 midterms. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Dan Merica, the co-anchor of our politics newsletter, The Early Brief, and White House Bureau Chief Matt Viser.
The politics of being pro-Israel
Last week, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore stood before a crowded room of Jewish attendees just outside the nation’s capital, and proclaimed: “Today, I want to be loud and clear, that Maryland stands with the Israeli people and we support their right to exist in the region with the same sense of safety and security that... Read More
Utah State’s Noah Avinger Named HERO Sports All-American - Utah State University Athletics
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State senior cornerback Noah Avinger has been named to the HERO Sports Group of Five All-American second team it was announced on Friday.
Lampard wins second manager of the month award
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard is named the Championship's manager of the month for November with striker Ellis Simms winning the player award.
Celtic: 'Wilfried Nancy exposed to brutal life as manager as Hampden beckons'
BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter, Tom English, dissects Wilfried Nancy's start as Celtic manager with the Premier Sports Cup final looming.
The real reason behind Trump’s nasty breakup with Europe
Jonathan Freedland speaks to the US military scholar Joseph Stieb about the Trump administration’s national security strategy
Basketball box scores, other sports results for Thursday, December 11, 2025; Friday's schedule
THURSDAY’S RESULTS Boys Basketball WPIAL CLASS 5A Section 1 Gateway 63, Latrobe 50 Gateway 15 16 14 18 — 63 Latrobe 8 13 8 21 — 50 High...
Total War: Warhammer 40,000 Announced From Creative Assembly | The Game Awards 2025
Creative Assembly has finally confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in video games: Total War: Warhammer 40,000.
Get Ready to Ride the Light: Diablo 4's Next Expansion Adds Paladin Class, Revamps the Endgame
A second new class will also be included in the expansion, which focuses on the fight against Mephisto.
Netflix Unveils Second Immersive Entertainment Venue in This Popular City—Here's an Inside Look
It's a dream come true!
Riverside outlasts Ascension Catholic and secures second LHSAA state title
Riverside took possession for the final time knowing that it needed only to kneel out the remaining minute and 15 seconds before it could secure a football state championship.
Packers-Broncos Preview
DENVER (AP) For the first time in a decade, Denver Broncos (11-2) stand atop the AFC playoff race heading into the holidays. They're the league's only unbeaten team at home. They've won 10 consecutive games and they've saddled their last 11 visitors with a loss going back 14 months.
Fairfax Co. middle school eyeing 14th straight Science Olympiad state title
Longfellow Middle School’s team has won 13 consecutive state Science Olympiad titles, and is eyeing a 14th. The school has won the state championship 19 times.
Man arrested in deadly shooting outside Tampa sports bar, police say
Police say a man is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection to a shooting dispute that left a man dead outside a Tampa sports bar in September.
FBI official says antifa is top domestic concern. He couldn’t say why.
Michael Glasheen, operations director of the National Security Branch at the FBI, called antifa the agency’s 'primary concern right now.'
Revived Patriots face Bills test in hunt for playoffs
High-flying New England face a mouth-watering test against Josh Allen's Buffalo Bills Sunday, seeking a win over their AFC East rivals that would secure the Patriots a playoff berth and the divisional title.They face a mountain to climb against their divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers, who sit three wins ahead in the AFC West.
DOJ sues Colorado Secretary of State for refusing to release voter information
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold after she refused to provide the agency with voter information. Last week, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division asked Griswold’s office to provide unredacted voter data, including full names, dates of birth, residential addresses, and driver’s license numbers. Federal authorities […]
Ben Davis' Mr. Football headed back to familiar sport for Notre Dame basketball
The reigning Mr. Football played for Marcus Freeman and the Irish football team, and will pull double duty this winter - and he won't have to introduce himself to many teammates.
Justice Department fails to reindict Letitia James for a second time
A grand jury, for a second time, declined to bring a new indictment against Letitia James, the New York attorney general who defeated President Donald Trump and his company in court, according to multiple sources.
Feeling Champagne fatigue? A sommelier recommends 5 swaps that taste more expensive than they are
A wine expert shared the best sparkling wines under $30, from brut prosecco to Lambrusco, for those seeking cheaper alternatives to Champagne.
Senate rejects ACA funding and a Republican alternative with premiums set to spike
Two bills failed to secure the necessary 60 votes to break a filibuster and advance Thursday. Congress has no deal ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline to avoid premium hikes under Obamacare.
Einstein was right: Time ticks faster on Mars, posing new challenges for future missions
Clocks on Mars tick faster by about 477 microseconds each Earth day, a new study suggests. This difference is significantly more than that for our moon, posing potential challenges for future crewed missions.
Senate GOP health care plan fails on mostly party-line vote
LIVE coverage: Senate votes on second health care proposal, defense funding A Republican-drafted proposal to set up health savings accounts for people who buy their health insurance on the Affordab…
Jury convicts Netflix director Carl Rinsch in $11 million fraud case
Prosecutors accused Carl Rinsch, who directed the Keanu Reeves-starring "47 Ronin," of fraud after an ambitious sci-fi Netflix project collapsed.
The fact-checking mandate evolves from politics to personal security
"Online scams, phishing attempts, and fraudulent schemes have grown in both volume and sophistication, creating a new front in the war on falsehoods."
Mayor Adams weighs in on his legacy, achievements
He will leave as New York City’s second Black mayor, and the first one-term mayor in more than three decades.
Asked about The Donald’s national security strategy, the Commons was remarkable for its absences
You’d think MPs would be lining up to decry the US president’s threat to destabilise Europe. Instead, only backbenchers and a few junior ministers bothered to turn up
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.
AT&T’s new home security system is powered by Google Home and Abode
AT&T shut down its previous security system in 2022.
Section III high school sports schedule for Dec. 11
See which Section III teams are scheduled to compete.
Healthy disagreement | Latest US politics news from The Economist
The latest news in US politics, with coverage of Donald Trump’s second term.
High school basketball: Boys' and girls' scores from Wednesday
CIF City and Southern Section boys' and girls' basketball results from Wednesday.
Tiny tracker following monarch butterflies during California migration
When this monarch butterfly hits the sky it won't be traveling alone. In fact, an energetic team of researchers will be following along with a revolutionary technology that's already unlocking secrets that could help the entire species survive.
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
At the Intersection of Science and Faith: Institute for Water and Health and 12 community leaders unite to protect Brunswick’s waterways
In a remarkable collaboration, residents of Brunswick, Georgia, have joined forces with scientists and faith leaders to address critical water quality issues. Their innovative approach, centered on community involvement, is not only protecting local waterways but also setting a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges.
Google DeepMind to build materials science lab after signing deal with UK
Big Tech group will work with Sir Keir Starmer’s government to enhance AI use across public sector
AI to accelerate national renewal and growth as Google DeepMind backs UK tech and science sectors
A new partnership with Google DeepMind will help to turn cutting-edge AI into real benefits for working people.
These plants can heat themselves up—scientists finally know why
Since the time of the dinosaurs, cycad plants may have attracted insects using infrared light. It may be the world's oldest form of pollination.
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