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U.K. politicians demand human rights activist be stripped of citizenship for past tweets
The leaders of the Conservative and Reform parties also demanded the deportation of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a dual national who returned to Britain after years in Egyptian prisons.
Working Families bet on 2026 as the right time for a third US party after a wave of wins
The progressive party is now active in 18 states and much of its expansion happened in the past five years
Battle Creek Enquirer's top stories in local sports in 2025
2025 year in sports in Battle Creek was memorable in a lot of ways. We look back at the top moments, stories in the Enquirer the past 12 months.
Starmer v Starmer: why is the former human rights lawyer so cautious about defending human rights? – from The Audio Long Read
Many of his supporters hoped the prime minister would restore the UK’s commitment to international law. Yet Labour’s record over the past year has been curiously mixedBy Daniel Trilling. Read by Simon Darwen
Three things we learned – Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester City
A late Rayan Cherki goal helped Manchester City squeak past Nottingham Forest at the City Ground and keep up the pressure at the top of the Premier League table. The French international applied the finishing touch to a well worked set piece routine, thrashing the ball in at the near post with his right foot […]
Charleston's top business stories of 2025
A $9 billion AI investment from Google, a snapback at Boeing South Carolina and the final year-round Carnival cruise from downtown Charleston were among the biggest headlines of the past year.
A Grip on Sports: Off the sick list, sort of, and ready to try to catch up as the world of sports, in this area at least, evolves once more
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Where were we? Oh, yes. Thinking about the past. And hoping we still had a future.
Flu ‘increased notably’ in Alaska in last month, AK Dept. of Health says
Flu cases in Alaska spiked last week, reaching the second largest spike in December over the past five years, data from the Alaska Department of Health published Dec. 20 shows.
Blender 5.0 Benchmarks Since Blender 3.0 For CPU Rendering Performance
As part of the many different year-end benchmarks on Phoronix, over the holidays I was curious about how far the Blender 3D modeling software's performance has evolved over the past few years
Growing Wizards go for back-to-back wins vs. Grizzlies
The Washington Wizards own the NBA's second-worst record at 6-23, but there have been some encouraging signs the past few weeks.
Forest analysis: Still progressing under Dyche
The feeling around the City Ground should be one of pride, and the belief Nottingham Forest are continuing to move in the right direction. The chaos of the start of the season - when Ange Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo and barely lasted six weeks - has been replaced by the almost serene nature of the past two months under Sean Dyche. Defeat meant it is successive losses for the first time under Dyche, a testament to how quickly he got to grips with a floundering team, but Forest cannot afford to allow it to become a habit.
Top Stories: iPhone Fold Mockup, Where's the New Apple TV?, and More
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from MacRumors! News in the Apple world has unsurprisingly been relatively slow over the past week, but Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone managed to make its way back into the news, while we also shared updates on current and future Apple TV news.
Conversations bridge Public Health and MAHA
Leaders in public health and MAHA have different views on how to improve Americans' health and often talk past each other. A new podcast helps them talk directly.
Fighting a health insurance denial? Here are some tips to help.
Denials can be appealed, but nearly half of insured adults who received a prior authorization denial in the past two years reported the appeals process was either somewhat or very difficult.
Health care advocates ready to leave 2025 behind, but many issues will reemerge in 2026
Health care advocates and state officials called the past year “stressful,” “frustrating” and “crazy” -- from jarring shifts in federal policies to ongoing budget problems. They're ready to leave 2025 behind, but fear 2026 may be more of the same.
A look back at a year of gardening in Cincinnati, from cicadas to snow
It's time to reflect on the gardening events from the past year: An early winter arrival, Brood XIV cicadas and a box tree moth invasion.
Lincoln boys basketball cruises past Cumberland Friday, 58-47
Lincoln remained undefeated Friday with a 58-47 victory against Cumberland in their opening game of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island Holiday Tournament.
Level-5 CEO Wants People To Stop Demonizing Generative AI
Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino has shared further thoughts on AI after a past interview of his went viral online
NFL Week 17 picks, odds, best bets, predictions: Packers run past Ravens
Jordan Dajani gives his picks for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season
Reflecting on a year of attacks on climate science (and three other stories)
One of the defining themes of the past 11 months, and certainly one most pertinent to the climate beat, was “attacks on science and expertise,” which seem likely to continue into 2026.
Clean energy is surging despite political attacks. But a slowdown may be looming
Over the past year, the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans have waged a sweeping campaign against America's renewable energy industry. At least for now, though, clean energy is still booming in the United States.
A nutritionist cut out ultra-processed foods 2 years ago. Here are the habits he kept, and the ones he ditched.
Over the past year, the nutritionist Rob Hobson has made two helpful tweaks to the way he plans and prepares his meals to work better with his busy schedule.
Mexico’s year in review: The 10 biggest news and politics stories of 2025
As we did at the end of 2023 and 2024, Mexico News Daily looked back at the past 12 months and selected 10 news and politics stories that we believe were among the biggest of 2025.
Politics, violence, creeping authoritarianism and those who opposed it: 2025 year in review
I joined the Minnesota Reformer in April in a more regular capacity, as a photographer and social media runner, thanks to a grant from the Bush Foundation. I’ve been a freelancer for the past five years, and this is my first time belonging in some way to a newsroom since internship-hopping in college. It was […]
Oceans are supercharging hurricanes past Category 5
Deep ocean hot spots packed with heat are making the strongest hurricanes and typhoons more likely—and more dangerous. These regions, especially near the Philippines and the Caribbean, are expanding as climate change warms ocean waters far below the surface. As a result, storms powerful enough to exceed Category 5 are appearing more often, with over half occurring in just the past decade. Researchers say recognizing a new “Category 6” could improve public awareness and disaster planning.
Has the 2025 Rally in MSG Entertainment Already Gone Too Far?
If you are wondering whether Madison Square Garden Entertainment is still a bargain after its recent run, or if the easy money has already been made, this breakdown is for you. The stock has climbed 5.7% over the last week, 15.4% over the past month, and 52.6% year to date, with a 64.1% gain over the past year reshaping how the market is viewing its potential. Investors have been reacting to a stream of venue and live-event related headlines, including ongoing buzz around premium experiences...
Hidden Gems 2025: The Best New Games You Might Never Have Heard Of
With more games than ever being released, it's easy for terrific games to slip past many people. Here are a bunch of our favorites from 2025.
Our favorite golf memories from 2025
GolfDigest.com writers share what they'll remember in golf from the past year
The nation’s cartoonists look back on the year that was.
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's a look back on the past year through the eyes of the cartoonists. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
AlphaFold Changed Science. After 5 Years, It’s Still Evolving
WIRED spoke with DeepMind’s Pushmeet Kohli about the recent past—and promising future—of the Nobel Prize-winning research project that changed biology and chemistry forever.
AlphaFold Changed Science. After 5 Years, It’s Still Evolving
WIRED spoke with DeepMind’s Pushmeet Kohli about the recent past—and promising future—of the Nobel Prize-winning research project that changed biology and chemistry forever.
6 charts to show your family when they ask why you don't have a new job
From the highest unemployment in years to job switchers seeing more modest raises than years past, charts show how the job market fared in 2025.
Vikings claim former Colts backup QB off waivers
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings have claimed recently waived Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Brett Rypien off waivers, with starter J.J. McCarthy (hand) already out this week: Before this past Monday’s primetime game, the Colts waived Rypien, who had previously been signed to the active roster a week prior to serve as […]
East Peoria edges Manual in pre-Christmas showdown
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Cole Dubois scored 15 of his game-high 19 points in the second half to lead East Peoria past host Manual, 63-55, on Tuesday afternoon. Quinton Kitt scored 16 for the Raiders (8-0), who extended their season-opening win streak to eight games. Tahj Tolliver scored 14 and Reggie Postelwaite added 12 for […]
Spurs cruise past Thunder ahead of Christmas rematch, now account for 2 of OKC's 4 losses on the season
The now 26-4 Thunder have lost twice to the Spurs. And they'll run it back again on Christmas.
Has Fox’s 2025 Surge and Sports Focus Already Been Priced In?
Wondering if Fox is still a buy after its big run, or if the easy money has already been made? You are not alone, and that is exactly what we are going to unpack here. The stock has been on a tear, climbing 4.8% over the last week, 12.2% over the past month, and 50.5% year to date, with multi year returns of 150.6% over 3 years and 171.1% over 5 years reshaping investor expectations. Behind those gains, investors have been reacting to Fox's strategic push into live sports and news...
<i>D CEO</i> Editors’ Picks: Our Favorite Business Stories of 2025
From investigative reports to surprising profiles of under-the-radar innovators, these are the stories that stood out in the past year.
Year in Review 2025: Several national rankings recognize Vanderbilt Health
During the past year, Vanderbilt Health placed highly in several national rankings and was honored with numerous awards.
In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week
A selection of some of the most striking sports photographs taken around the world over the past seven days.
2025: Wealthtech that Helps Advisors Expand Their Business
Startups develop advanced AI and tech solutions for financial advisors, moving past simple automation to enhance business capabilities
Scientists Extract Metabolic Molecules From Million-Year-Old Fossils for the First Time
Fossils can reveal far more than the shapes of ancient creatures. Molecules preserved inside old animal bones provide clues about past diseases, what those animals ate, and the climates they lived in. For the first time, researchers have examined metabolism-related molecules preserved in fossiliz
Nominate UT Health San Antonio in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards - UT Health San Antonio
The YourSA San Antonio Express-News’ Readers’ Choice Awards give the San Antonio community the opportunity to recognize the healthcare organizations they trust most. Thanks to the continued support of patients, faculty, staff and the San Antonio community, UT Health San Antonio has earned top honors in multiple categories in past years, reflecting its commitment […]
Revealed: how big businesses are rolling back public support for Pride
Guardian analysis of 20 major companies in UK and US shows mentions of Pride on social media have fallen substantially in past two years
Top Blue Water Area high school performers of the past week, Dec. 15-20
Here are the top performances from local high school athletes for the week of Dec. 15-20.
Cincinnati police investigating after Westwood businesses report string of break-ins
A small business owner in Westwood says that four different local businesses have been broken into over the past week.
Martin, Diaz officially signed
Two relievers were officially added to the 40 man roster this past week
Fact-checking Trump’s plaques for past presidents at the White House 'Walk of Fame'
In a break from tradition, President Donald Trump decorated a White House walkway with bronze plaques for each U.S. president. In an even sharper break with tradition, the plaques were written in a style echoing Trump’s Truth Social posts, with misleading or false descriptions of recent Democratic presidents.
Readers respond: Get past politics; connect with humans
Letters to the Editor can be submitted to letters@oregonian.com with full name and place of residence.
Faith-based entertainment sees a revival in Hollywood. Defining what it is can be a challenge
At the movies this fall, Josh O’Connor plays a hot priest with a complicated past, Keanu Reeves is an angel who lost his wings and Elizabeth Olsen has a romantic
Faith-based entertainment sees a revival in Hollywood. Defining what it is can be a challenge
LOS ANGELES – At the movies this fall, Josh O’Connor plays a hot priest with a complicated past, Keanu Reeves is an angel who lost his wings, and Elizabeth Olsen has a romantic dilemma in the afterlif...
Graves scores 17 as Creighton takes down Marquette 84-63
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Nik Graves scored 17 points off of the bench to help lead Creighton past Marquette 84-63 on Saturday.
Carroll's 22 lead Xavier past Georgetown 80-77
WASHINGTON (AP) Tre Carroll scored 22 points as Xavier beat Georgetown 80-77 on Saturday.
America's new top health diplomat has strong opinions on abortion and gender
Bethany Kozma leads a key global health office at the Department of Health and Human Services. In past experience in the public eye, she's campaigned against abortion and gender-affirming care.
Where to Find Lorwyn Eclipsed Previews
Our return to the plane of Lorwyn-Shadowmoor is here! Prepare for a pastoral preview season when Lorwyn Eclipsed debuts on January 5, 2026.
Nkrumah's 23 lead Tennessee State past UT Martin 78-71
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Aaron Nkrumah had 23 points in Tennessee State's 78-71 victory against UT Martin on Thursday night in an Ohio Valley Conference opener.
King's 16 lead Murray State past Drake 81-72
MURRAY, Ky. (AP) Fredrick King scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Murray State beat Drake 81-72 on Thursday night in a Missouri Valley Conference opener.
Jets-Saints Preview
NEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Saints and New York Jets have gone through major staff and roster changes in the past year, the result being seven victories between them 15 weeks into the season.
Buccaneers-Panthers Preview
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Baker Mayfield has spent the past two seasons making the Carolina Panthers think twice about releasing him.
The best games of 2025: The ballots
Find out how The A.V. Club's games editors and writers fit the overwhelming deluge of games released this year into a single top 25 list.
Global Business Travel Group (GBTG): Reassessing Valuation After Recent Share Price Rebound and CWT Acquisition Progress
Global Business Travel Group (GBTG) has been quietly reshaping its business travel platform, and the stock’s recent mix of gains over the past month and weakness year to date has investors reassessing its trajectory. See our latest analysis for Global Business Travel Group. Despite the year to date share price return sitting in negative territory, the recent 1 month share price rebound and a solid three year total shareholder return suggest sentiment may be stabilising around Global Business...
Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in Texas look to expand the electorate
State Rep. James Talarico and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett are looking to turn out voters who sat at home in past elections.
State-County Mental Health Talks Blow Past Deadlines
“Let’s be real. If all we are doing is restoring somebody—which, to be blunt, is forced medication and flash cards on basic court procedures like ‘Who is a judge?’ ‘What does your lawyer do?’—it is not treatment.”
Susie Wiles offered unflattering assessments of her colleagues to Vanity Fair. In return, they showered her with praise
Of all the blunt assessments White House chief of staff Susie Wiles shared with Vanity Fair over the past year, perhaps her sharpest words were aimed at Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Faith-based entertainment sees a revival in Hollywood. Defining what it is can be a challenge
LOS ANGELES — At the movies this fall, Josh O’Connor plays a hot priest with a complicated past, Keanu Reeves is an angel who lost his wings, and Elizabeth Olsen has a romantic dilemma in the afterlife. Hollywood, it seems, has found God. But it’s not just starry big-budget Netflix
Brown's 21 points help Sooners past Kansas City 89-67
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Xzayvier Brown scored 21 points as the Sooners rolled past Kansas City 89-67 on Tuesday, opening a four-game homestand with a convincing win.
State health agency issues first-ever report on alcohol use in Illinois
Among the findings of a statewide study of alcohol use: Nearly 23% of high school students reported drinking at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days; binge drinking was reported by 15% of female students and 8% of male students.
The Google app is intentionally replacing Pixel Launcher search
In the past few days, tapping the Pixel Launcher search bar opens a different screen powered by the Google app. This is not a bug...
"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.
Is Becton Dickinson Now an Opportunity After Diagnostics Expansion and 2026 Business Separation Plans?
If you have been wondering whether Becton Dickinson is quietly turning into a value opportunity or just a value trap, you are not alone. This breakdown is designed to give you a clear, no jargon view of where the stock really stands. The share price has bounced 5.6% over the last week and 3.7% over the past month, even though it is still down 11.7% year to date and 10.2% over the last year. This mix often signals shifting expectations around growth and risk. Recent headlines have focused on...
Digging up Shreveport’s past, one small find at a time in privy pits and beyond
History isn’t just taught — it’s unearthed. Meet the curator who finds Shreveport’s past in drawers, dirt and old outhouse pits.
Why xAI Has an Uphill Battle Selling Grok to Businesses
Elon Musk’s xAI wants companies around the world to buy its Grok AI models as it tries to build a moneymaking business. To get there, xAI has created an enterprise AI sales group over the past half-year that has expanded to more than a dozen people. But xAI’s lack of experience in selling to big ...
Morgan Stanley says buy this health tech platform after 30% correction in the past month
Morgan Stanley sees shares of Doximity rising 48% from here.
World Cup 2026 ticket prices blow past original projections as FIFA embraces variable pricing
The cheapest ticket to attend the USA's opening 2026 World Cup match against Paraguay is $1,120 — a steep jump from initial estimates shared in 2018.
A Hidden Difference Between Dinosaurs and Mammals Is Changing Science’s View of the Past
New University of Maryland research suggests that dinosaur parenting strategies helped transform the Mesozoic world, as “latchkey kid dinosaurs” spread into ecological niches their parents left untouched. Imagine a young Brachiosaurus no bigger than a golden retriever, foraging alongside its sibl
Anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies intensify across Europe
In the past year, tens of thousands hostile to immigrants marched through London chanting “send them home!”
Friday Night Roundup: High school basketball across the state line
TRI-CITIES, Tenn. (WJHL) – A full slate of Friday night hoops brought tight battles and milestone moments across the region. Science Hill boys’ basketball picked up a hard-fought win at home, edging Jefferson County 56–50 in a defensive battle. Unicoi County boys’ basketball delivered one of the most dominant performances of the evening, rolling past Johnson County 76–43 behind […]
Samsung's new camera sensor could make motion blur issues a thing of the past
Samsung is working on a new camera sensor, and once it finds its way into a next-gen Galaxy S-series device,...
Quantum Nexus to Power California’s Research Regime
On October 3, proud alums were celebrating UC Berkeley’s past and present at Homecoming. Five floors up, campus and state leaders were hailing its future.Governor Gavin Newsom, UC President James
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.
December 12, 2025
Over the past century, most cancer research has focused on the tumor itself. Rakesh Jain focused on the tumor’s environment instead. Plus, a glacier’s edge can be a dangerous place to do research. One team is using robots and sound samples to monitor the melting ice. And, when cases of plague pop up in the US, it can feel straight up medieval. It’s treatable, but how and why does it persist?
Business school grad 'rebuilt' himself throughout ASU journey
W. P. Carey School of Business graduate David De Sousa wants future students to know that his ASU journey is proof that your past does not define your future.
15 Big Ten sports scandals (including Rutgers) from the last 15 years
In the past decade and a half alone, the Big Ten has been marred by massive scandals at its most renowned institutions.
Past Ulster disappointments driving Kilcoo
With 13 Down titles over the past 14 years, one may get the impression that success can be taken for granted in Kilcoo, but current manager Martin Corey insists there is a sense they "have left a lot behind them" beyond their county boundary.
Jonathan Blow has spent the past decade designing 1,400 puzzles for you
Preview: Order of the Sinking Star started small but became a “combinatoric explosion.”…
Taking Stock of Elevance Health (ELV)’s Valuation After Digital Health Push and Board Refresh
Elevance Health (ELV) just paired a broader rollout of its AI powered Virtual Assistant with the appointment of veteran healthcare deal maker and governance expert Amy Schulman to its board, a combination investors should parse carefully. See our latest analysis for Elevance Health. Those digital health moves and the Schulman appointment are landing against a clear shift in sentiment, with the share price up 14.3 percent over the past month but a three year total shareholder return still...
Bills-Patriots Preview
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) There was a time in the not-too-distant past when it was a yearly occurrence for the New England Patriots to win the AFC East and go to the playoffs.
Report identifies science objectives of human Mars exploration
The search for past or present life should be the top science objective of future human missions to Mars, a new National Academies report concludes.
Crooks: 11-0 ISU 'battle-tested' after win vs. Iowa
Audi Crooks had another huge game in leading No. 10 Iowa State past in-state rival and No. 11 Iowa on Wednesday. After the win, which kept the Cyclones undefeated at 11-0, Crooks said, "I feel like now we're officially battle-tested."
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
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