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Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado visits Rochester diner to listen to talk with voters
Delgado is challenging Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary for governor.
KY Politics Insider: Rogers endorsed by opponent’s mentor & Rand Paul on Rogan
Also in the Insider: An early look at US Senate finances and why a primary opponent for Rep. Thomas Massie dropped out.
‘Flawed,’ ‘inaccurate,’ ‘biased’: Influential Oregonians say state’s lawyers wrote shoddy explanations for proposed ballot measure
The biggest flaw, they say, is that the draft explanations completely omit the proposed measures' biggest impact: 1.1 million more Oregonians would be able to take part in government funded primary elections for the most important offices.
Trump steps up pressure campaign to avoid rare Congress reprimand on war powers
President Donald Trump is working to tighten his grip on his party this week as he faces an unusual threat from Congress: an embarrassing rebuke of his military actions overseas.
What most caused Packers' playoff demise? Here's what readers said
We polled readers to find out what they primarily blamed for the Packers' early exit, and here's what they told us.
Scientists Develop Spray-On Powder That Instantly Seals Life-Threatening Wounds
KAIST scientists have created a fast-acting, stable powder hemostat that stops bleeding in one second and could significantly improve survival in combat and emergency medicine. Severe blood loss remains the primary cause of death from combat injuries. To address this challenge, a research team at
Judge rejects fired Rockstar staff's request for interim relief
The employment tribunal found it unlikely that workers were primarily fired for their union activity
OpenAI acquires health-care technology startup Torch
Torch CEO Ilya Abyzov previously co-founded Forward, a direct-to-consumer primary care business that did patient visits with tech-enabled "CarePods."
What questions do you have for Illinois political candidates this primary election season?
Our journalists will pose some of your questions to the people running for office in 2026.
Local nonprofit health center launches flat-rate membership program
A new direct primary care membership program has launched at Elevated Community Health, adding more options for health care to local mountain communities. This innovative model, called Elevated Essentials, offers the opportunity to pay a...
AI Pushback: Governments Eye Action on Political Ads, Deepfakes
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to ban AI-generated images from state politics. Canada may restrict “deepfakes” after the uproar over Grok “undressing” photos. New Jersey restricts phone use in schools. Vermont beer-makers are struggling. As we mention here regularly, Decision Points primarily ...
Legend Biotech Highlights Recent Business Updates at 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
Exceeded 10,000 patients treated to date with CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel)Increased CARVYKTI® manufacturing capacity with the physical expansion of the Raritan facility, now the largest cell therapy manufacturing facility in the U.S.Profitability expected in 2026, driven by continued CARVYKTI® revenue growth and operating margin expansion Treated first patient with in vivo pipeline candidate in investigator-initiated trial Preclinical data from primates provided early validat
Galaxy S27 Ultra camera details surface for the first time
The Galaxy S27 Ultra will reportedly bring an upgrade to the primary camera by using a newer ISOCELL sensor with newer technologies.
Trump threatened GOP senators who voted for War Powers resolution in 'angry' calls
After the vote, Trump threatened the senators with primary challenges, according to people with knowledge of the calls.
Monkey business: Multiple primates on the loose in St. Louis park
It is not clear where the monkeys came from, officials said.
CNN’s guide to the most important elections of 2026
This year’s midterms will serve as a referendum on the first two years of President Donald Trump’s second term and will shape his final two years in office.
Your next primary care doctor could be online only, accessed through an AI tool
The shortage of primary care doctors is a national problem. To cope, a large health system in Massachusetts is using an AI tool to screen patients and refer them to other care.
Your next primary care doctor could be online only, accessed through an AI tool
The shortage of primary care doctors is a national problem. To cope, a large health system in Massachusetts is using an AI tool to screen patients and refer them to other care.
Paul Miller: Will 2026 be the year Illinois GOP primary voters learn politics?
Republicans will continue to be powerless in Illinois until they can win in the Chicago suburbs.
How Venezuela Is Already Rattling Republican Thomas Massie’s Primary Race
Most Republicans are on board with Trump’s aggression. Not Thomas Massie.
Campaigning under threat: How political violence is already shaping the next Democratic primary
After a year in which the assassinations of Charlie Kirk and former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman were just among the highest-profile horrors, managing the fear of violence has become a central feature of political campaigns. That fear is part of the conversations many Democrats who could be competitors for the White House are having with each other, comparing notes and anxieties, according to several people familiar with the conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity.
George Conway, critical of Trump, enters crowded Democratic House primary
In an interview, the newly registered Democrat emphasized his opposition to the president, as he seeks to stand out in a packed open race in New York.
Military action in Venezuela emerges as an issue in a closely watched GOP primary in Kentucky
President Donald Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela has emerged as a flash point in a closely watched Republican primary campaign in Kentucky
Gov. Josh Stein endorses Charlotte NC Rep. Carla Cunningham’s challenger
Cunningham will face two challengers in the Democratic primary March 3.
2026 sports calendar: A month-by-month guide to the biggest events of the year
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 takes centre stage in February, followed by other major events including the FIFA World Cup and Commonwealth Games
Perriello returns to politics, hoping to win the seat he once held in Congress
Democrats hoping to represent a Virginia district stretching from liberal Charlottesville to conservative Southside were preparing for what could have been an expensive and damaging primary. Now three candidates are out, and momentum is building for a man who has served in Congress before. Sandy Hausman has that story.
The Business Strategies That Make Walmart A Ghoul And Costco A Mensch
Superficially, Walmart Inc. and Costco Wholesale are very similar. Both are large, international, for-profit corporations whose primary activity centers around selling discounted goods to the public from enormous ”big box” stores that resemble...
Get up to speed on what you missed in NC politics over the holidays
We’ve got updates on property tax reform, lawsuits against the Trump administration, new challengers in Republican primaries and more.
Family pleads for release of ICE detainee as disabled son’s health declines
Maher Tarabishi's family has been fighting to have him released from ICE custody on humanitarian grounds, calling him the primary caregiver for his disabled adult son.
Minimum wage increase brings mixed reactions from workers, business owners
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - The new year is here with a pay raise for minimum wage workers in California. The state's minimum wage has increased by 40 cents to $16.90 per hour. The annual increase is primarily due to a state law requiring annual adjustments for inflation, ensuring wages keep pace with the rising cost
The Clown-Car Congressional Race That Could Show Where Democrats Are Heading
The crowded NY-12 primary is already full of competing visions for the party's future.
New Year opens signature-collection window for Maine political candidates
Party candidates running for federal, state and county offices will have to obtain a set number of signatures to qualify for the June primary elections. The thresholds vary by office and it will be easier to make the March 16 deadline for those who have built organizational and volunteer networks.
Youngsters learn about positive mental health in Independence
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Children at Independence Primary School enjoyed a special day focused on developing positive mental health.
Business corridor in Jersey Shore town to get $960,000 makeover
The proposed improvements in Ventnor target a corridor that serves as a primary gateway for visitors into the city, according to the city’s statement on Monday.
Impact of Microplastic Exposure on Human Health: A Systematic Review of Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Clinical Outcomes
Microplastics (≤5 mm) are increasingly recognized as pervasive environmental pollutants with potential implications for human health. Human exposure occurs primarily through ingestion and inhala...
Memorial Health System welcomes Dr. Joan Allman to ranks
PARKERSBURG – Memorial Health System has welcomed longtime Mid-Ohio Valley provider Dr. Joan Allman, D.O., to the Department of Primary Care in Parkersburg. With over two decades of experience serving patients in the local community, Allman brings to Memorial Health System the compassion and skill that patients have come to know and trust while under […]
Google Now Allows Users to Change Your @gmail.com Email Address
For years, one of the most persistent frustrations for Google users has been the inability to alter their primary email address without creating an entirely new account.
Black men's mental health explored in Pulitzer-winning Detroit Rep play
Through the power of friendship, we are able to see the power in ourselves. This is the message of playwright Eboni Booth’s lovely “Primary Trust.”
Texas comptroller GOP primary attracts big money from donors with business before the agency
One candidate received about $1 million within an eight-day span from the head of a Dallas tax firm — and 72 of his employees — that helps corporations secure tax breaks under comptroller-run programs.
Georgia health officials map out $1.4 billion plan for new federal rural health funds
State officials have introduced a $1.4 billion plan to improve rural health outcomes over the next five years under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program created as part of this summer’s budget reconciliation bill. In a 96-page application, officials from the state’s Department of Community Health requested funds to improve access to primary and specialty […]
New reactor produces clean energy and carbon nanotubes from natural gas
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed a new reactor that converts natural gas (a common energy source primarily composed of methane) into two highly valuable resources: clean hydrogen ...
UW Medicine program helps primary care providers treat mental health
A new UW Medicine program helps train primary care providers like doctors and nurse practitioners to help with patients' mental health needs.
Family nurse practitioner offers membership health care services
Hayden resident Brandon Lehman said the Love Wellness Ltd. subscription medical model of direct primary care that includes unlimited visits for a monthly membership fee is a good fit for his needs and is “efficient...
The disunity of science is a feature, not a bug
Mathematical models wield miraculous power, but mistaking them for reality has trapped science in a destructive quest for a “Theory of Everything.” Physicist and philosopher Ragner Fjelland argues that this leads to bloated, Frankenstein theories kept alive by clumsy, ad-hoc amendments, which reduce rather than boost science’s power. Fjelland calls for a radical shift in our attitude: we must reorientate towards creating entirely new theories, celebrating rather than lamenting disunity and diversity in science. Science, from the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day, has more or less developed in a “reductionist” way. The fundamental assumption is that all sciences may be ordered in a hierarchy that can be represented as an upside-down pyramid. At the top we find the human sciences, and at the bottom physics. Strong (or “ontological”) reductionism maintains that all theories at one level can be completely reduced to the lower level, all the way down to theories of atoms and elementary particles, or whatever is “at the bottom.” In the end, all diversity in the world can be unified in one fundamental theory. Hence it is called a final theory, or a Theory of Everything.One of the central figures in developing the idea of a Theory of Everything is the Dutch theoretical physicist Gerard 't Hooft, who received a Nobel Prize in physics in 1999 for his work. He emphasizes the non-empirical status of the theory:There exists no closely resembling alternative theory. This means that any slight change brought about in the rules would make the theory unlikely or inelegant. The theory will be a "package deal": take it, or leave it. This should hold both for the local laws and for the boundary conditions.This endeavor is not new. On the contrary, it goes all the way back to the birth of Western philosophy 2,500 years ago. The Babylonians made regular astronomical observations during a period of 600 years, from 747 BCE until 150 ACE. They developed mathematical techniques to predict astronomical phenomena, but they made no attempts at explaining them. However, the Greeks developed models, both material and theoretical, to explain the observed phenomena.The best example is Plato’s late dialogue Timaeus. Here he introduces a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, who has constructed the universe according to an original plan. Plato seems to have thought that the original plan is what is actually real, while the material world is merely an imperfect realization of it. He therefore does not, in the Timaeus, reconstruct the material universe, but the original plan, which can then be used to explain the material universe.Plato’s aim in producing a theoretical model is to reconstruct the original plan. That is what he carries out in Timaeus—and some modern physicists have embarked on the same project. For example, Einstein’s basic attitude is reflected in the title of Abraham Pais’ biography: “Subtle is the Lord...,” echoing Einstein’s comment, “Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not.” In an interview Einstein compared our situation to a child who enters a huge library. The child knows that someone has written the books, but he does not know the languages in which they are written. He suspects that there is a mysterious order, but he does not know what it is.___“We have all been working in what Husserl called the Galilean style; that is, we have all been making abstract mathematical models of the universe to which at least the physicists give a higher degree of reality than they accord the ordinary world of sensation.”Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)___This Platonist view is contrary to a widespread impression of science, symbolized by the picture of the “father” of modern science, Galileo Galilei, with his telescope. According to this impression, Galileo liberated himself from the dominating metaphysics of his day—basically Aristotelian philosophy—and constructed a telescope that he directed towards the sky, showing that Jupiter has four moons. He also performed experiments with bronze balls rolling down inclined planes and found the law of freely falling bodies.However, in other cases Galileo emphasized the unreliability of our senses. It is easy to see why. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, we are not at rest at the center of the universe, but moving at a tremendous speed through space. Why don’t we observe this motion? Galileo praises Copernicus because “with reason as his guide he resolutely continued to affirm what sensible experience seemed to contradict.” In other places he directly refers to Plato. SUGGESTED VIEWING The quest for a final theory With Michio Kaku Galileo’s Platonism goes back to his early writings. In The Assayer, published as early as 1623, Galileo compared the universe to a grand book that is written in the language of mathematics, and “its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it.” Therefore, things that cannot be described by mathematics—for example, colors, smells and odors—are not real. They are merely subjective.This division into subjective and objective, advocated by Galileo and his younger contemporary René Descartes, is normally associated with a mechanistic world view, which is regarded as the opposite of Platonism. When we reduce something to, for example, molecules and atoms, we move “downwards.” In contrast, the Platonist moves “upwards,” to abstract entities. However, it only shows that when we address fundamental questions, we should be careful in applying everyday spatial metaphors like “up” and “down.”___Nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world.___The endeavor of finding a Theory of Everything has been heavily criticized. In 2006, the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin published “The Crisis in Fundamental Physics.” He argued that one of the most fundamental principles of science is that we should only regard theories as scientific if we have the possibility to show that they are false by experiments. Although he did not refer to Karl Popper, other critics have referred to Popper and argued that a theory is not scientific if it cannot be falsified (see for example Ellis & Silk 2014).These were not the first physicists to be anti-reductionists. In 1972, the journal Science published an article by the physicist Philip Anderson with the title “More Is Different.” This is the kind of article a scientist would normally write only after he has won a Nobel Prize. However, Anderson won the Nobel Prize for physics five years later, in 1977. The article is amazing, not primarily because it argues in favor of anti-reductionism in general, but because it argues for anti-reductionism within physics itself. Anderson’s conclusion was:At each stage entirely new laws, concepts, and generalizations are necessary, requiring inspiration and creativity to just as great a degree as in the previous one. Psychology is not applied biology, nor is biology applied chemistry.We may say that Plato started the “unity of science movement,” based on Euclidean geometry as the model of all knowledge. A distinguishing mark of geometry is that all possible constructions can be reduced to a few fundamental principles. We have to acknowledge that this approach has limitations. In general, we can easily model technological systems. In addition, we may construct simplified and idealized models that capture important aspects of systems, from various perspectives and for various purposes. But nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world. In a complex system, each level has its distinct, emergent, properties that are characteristic of this level. Therefore, a complex system should be investigated at different levels and from different perspectives. Instead of exclusively pursuing a scientific ideal based on the unity of science, we should acknowledge the diversity—or even the disunity—of science.
New trial at UC Davis Health shows promising results for rare liver disease
A new monoclonal antibody for a rare liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, showed promising efficacy in a recent multicenter study led by UC Davis Health.
Pearl of the Week: Behavioral health integration pays off
Learn how integrating behavioral health into primary care improves access, outcomes, and value-based performance.
Samsung releases One UI 8.5 Beta 2, but it's mostly bug fixes
Samsung just released One UI 8.5 Beta 2, but it's primarily full of bug fixes and some additional regional rollouts.
Spotify says ‘anti-copyright extremists’ scraped its library
This is not the Christmas present that Spotify would have been hoping for: a huge chunk of its metadata being released on filesharing.
Rep. Moulton goes 'On the Record' about US Senate race, health care
U.S. Representative Seth Moulton joined "On the Record" to discuss his primary challenge against Sen. Ed Markey, the future of Affordable Care Act tax credits and more.
Trump endorses Bruce Blakeman in New York governor race after Elise Stefanik drops bid
Blakeman became Stefanik's first notable challenger after entering the primary earlier this month.
Stefanik exits New York governor's race after Trump stays neutral and worries flare about a bitter primary
Butler, Northwestern seek resume-building win in Indy Classic opener
Pairs of courtside seats for Saturday's Indy Classic doubleheader are going for as much as $1,400 on StubHub -- primarily due to the nightcap clash between No. 6 Purdue and No. 21 Auburn.
Rep. Stefanik ends her campaign for New York governor, won't seek reelection to House
Stefanik, a Republican ally of President Donald Trump, said in a statement that she was confident of her chances in the primary against Bruce Blakeman, a Republican county official in New York City’s suburbs. But she said, “It is not an effective use of our time” to stay in the race.
Bitter fight over health care hits Democratic Senate primaries
One senator said Democrats' "next step is to stop tinkering with a broken system."
Governor awards $20 million to expand rural primary care - 32 health care organizations to strengthen services statewide - Office of the Governor
SANTA FE — Thirty-two rural health care organizations will share $20 million in Rural Health Care Delivery Fund awards to expand primary care services across New Mexico. The fiscal year 2026 awards support projects that strengthen local health care capacity and improve access to coordinated, person-centered care in underserved areas — from tribal communities in […]
The Trevor Project Condemns Federal Government Efforts to Restrict Health Care for Transgender Youth
Your Support Saves LGBTQ+Youth's Lives Every DayDonateResearch shows that access to transition-related care is associated with significantly lower rates of […]
Hot Springs gets 2nd $25,000 check from business for Helene recovery
For the second straight year, Dental Advocacy Group gifted Hot Springs $25,000, which will primarily be used to help repair 14 Hot Springs area homes.
Insmed Provides Clinical and Business Update
Insmed Incorporated (Nasdaq:INSM), a people-first global biopharmaceutical company striving to deliver first- and best-in-class therapies to transform the lives of patients facing serious diseases, announced today that the Phase 2b BiRCh study of brensocatib in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) did not meet its primary or secondary efficacy endpoints in either the 10 mg or 40 mg treatment arms. Brensocatib was well tolerated, with no new safety signals identified
GOP seizes on Dem civil war as progressives jump into key 2026 Senate races: ‘They're in shambles’
Progressive Democrats enter competitive Senate primaries amid party divisions, with Rep. Jasmine Crockett's Texas campaign highlighting ideological rifts.
Young Democrat launches primary challenge against U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson in Mississippi
A 33-year-old antitrust lawyer with ties to major Democratic politicians is challenging U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson to represent Mississippi's 2nd congressional district.
Florida Realtors PAC throws its weight behind Bill Poteet in HD 82 GOP Primary
'He would be an outstanding addition to the Florida House of Representatives.'
ECU Health Bertie Hospital recognized with 2025 Performance Leadership Award by The Chartis Center for Rural Health
Award recognizes high-quality care provided to community
Jane Goodall Earth medal to recognise people working to improve the world
Organisers of award in honour of late primatologist hope it will inspire and encourage people to take action
On Politics: Republicans are giving Kathy Hochul a re-election gift
It was already going to be hard for Elise Stefanik, the Republican congresswoman, to beat Gov. Kathy Hochul next year.Now she’ll have to contend with Bruce Blakeman, who recently announced his plans to run for governor and will, at the minimum, make life more difficult for her in the Republican primary. Stefanik has come out swinging against the Nassau County executive, attacking him as a perennial candidate who is too liberal for Republican primary voters.Stefanik should win. A large chunk of the GOP primary vote is concentrated north of the New York City suburbs, where she is strongest. She has the support of the state party chair, Ed Cox, and a wide array of politicians and local organizations. She is a loyal ally of Donald Trump and a frequent presence on cable TV.
Why Dan Crenshaw, a celebrity in Congress, is fighting for his job
Redistricting has made Dan Crenshaw's district more conservative and teed up competitive challengers in the March 2026 primary.
How Jasmine Crockett, chaotic end to candidate filing period changed North Texas politics
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett's eleventh hour decision to run for Senate highlighted a chaotic end to the candidate filing period for the March 3 primaries. It...
Harris County Democratic Party reprimands Houston Mayor John Whitmire, withholds future endorsement
A progressive group pushed through a measure to bar Whitmire from receiving the party’s endorsement. It came nearly eight months after he attended a fundraiser for a Republican congressman.
Democrats want to win back Congress. First they need to weather their primary battles
At least a dozen US House Democrats are already facing primary challenges, as progressives seek to transform a party regaining its footing after 2024 by tapping into voters’ frustration with its leaders ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
Trump targets Indiana GOP Senate leader after defeat of redistricting plan
President Trump said he hopes the top Republican in the Indiana state Senate loses his next primary after Indiana rejected a redistricting plan.
WATCH: Trump criticizes Indiana Senate Republicans' rejection of redistricting effort
After Republican legislators in Indiana joined with Democrats to vote down a plan to redraw the state's congressional map on Thursday, President Donald Trump said he would support a primary against a GOP state Senate leader.
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.'
In a setback for Trump, Indiana lawmakers defeat redistricting plan
Republicans resisted the call by President Trump for redistricting. He and the state's Republican governor threatened to back primary challenges against Senators who wouldn't get on board.
Goldman on Lander challenge: ‘Politics will have to wait ’til 2026′
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday declined to comment on New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s (D) decision to challenge him in the party primary, instead homing in on legislative tasks to c…
Reimbursement expected to drive implementation of CCTA, coronary plaque analysis
For years, imaging experts have predicted that CCTA may become the primary imaging modality for coronary artery disease and eliminate the need for invasive diagnostic catheterizations. That prediction is now coming true.
NJ senator declares war on Dem ‘machine,’ pledges primary battles against old-guard power brokers
Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., breaks with the Democratic Party establishment, citing corruption concerns after state Sen. James Beach allegedly dismissed a constituent at a hearing.
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
Brad Lander, a Mamdani ally, challenges Rep. Dan Goldman in Democratic primary with mayor-elect’s backing
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander launched his bid for New York’s 10th congressional district Wednesday, challenging Rep. Dan Goldman in what is expected to be a heated primary in one of the city’s most left-leaning districts.
'We Can Get There': Scientists Make the Case for Mars in 200-Page Report
Primarily they want to search for life, but geological and resource exploration are also discussed.
IRS Issues Guidance For Expanded Health Savings Accounts Under New Tax Law
The IRS has issued guidance on HSAs, answering questions about telehealth services, bronze and catastrophic plans under the ACA, and direct primary care arrangements.
Just how monogamous are humans? Scientists break down how we compare with other animals
Humans are far more monogamous than our primate cousins, but less so than beavers, a new study suggests.
Lakers, Spurs square off in NBA Cup West semifinal
A pair of Western Conference powers, vying to become the primary threat to the defending NBA champions, will meet in an NBA Cup West semifinal Wednesday when the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the San Antonio Spurs.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A 2.0.0 update out today, patch notes
A new version 2.0.0 update has been announced for Pokemon Legends: Z-A. The patch will soon be live on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch. As expected, the update is primarily focused on support for the Mega Dimension DLC. As part of that, new Pokemon that have been added can be accessed by everyone – though if you don’t have...
Long Island's Bruce Blakeman is running for governor, will challenge Elise Stefanik in Republican primary
Blakeman, who has cast himself as a bulwark against the liberal policies of urban Democrats, criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul as a “failure" in an appearance on the Fox News “Fox and Friends” show.
Grotmas Calendar Day 9 – The new Emperor’s Children Detachment puts Fulgrim on his rightful pedestal
Join the Daemon Primarch in battle.
Democratic firebrand Jasmine Crockett enters US Senate race in Texas
The Dallas-area lawmaker announced her U.S. Senate run Dec. 8. She's expected to face off in a competitive Democratic primary with James Talarico.
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett announces run for U.S. Senate in Texas
Texas is critical to Democrats' long-shot hopes of reclaiming a Senate majority in next year's elections, and GOP incumbent John Cornyn is facing the toughest primary race of his 24-year Senate career.
Jasmine Crockett jumps into the Democratic primary for US Senate
The two-term congresswoman from Dallas will face off against state Rep. James Talarico in a primary battle to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
Ohio State football: Sports information director Jerry Emig through years
Jerry Emig has been with Ohio State for 23 years, serving as the primary football spokesman since 2011. He is retiring after the 2025 season
How much sense would a David Jolly-Gwen Graham ticket make for Governor?
The Democratic candidate says he’ll name his running mate before the August Primary.
Allred drops Senate bid in Texas, will instead run for redrawn House seat
The former Democratic congressman, who lost his 2024 Senate bid to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), says a bruising Senate primary could threaten party unity.
Former Rep. Colin Allred ends Texas Senate campaign and runs for new House seat
Allred said in a statement that "a bruising Senate Democratic primary and runoff" would endanger the party's chances of winning the Senate race.
Colin Allred drops out of Senate race, will run for House instead
With a U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett Senate candidacy looming, Democrat Colin Allred opts against running in the Senate primary. He's now campaigning to return...
Weird Science: Citizen science and monkey sweat help NC researcher determine whether current obsession with skincare routines may be doing more harm than good
Dr. Julie Horvath is the head of the Genomics & Microbiology Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and also an Associate Research Professor at North Carolina Central University. She’s studying personal hygiene and its effects on the microbes on our skin – by taking samples from people's arm pits and from the underarms of other primates.
UNM Office for Community Health Wins $2.5 million Federal Grant to Train Residents in Street Medicine
The University of New Mexico Office for Community Health (OCH) has received a five-year $2.5 million federal grant to train primary care residents in Street Medicine at the Indian Health Service Family Medicine residency in Shiprock, N.M., and the UNM...
Man arrested after assault at local business in Canton, Missouri
David Christopher Arch Jr. was determined to be the primary physical aggressor and placed under arrest, according to CPD.
Jasmine Crockett scrambles Democrats as she weighs a last-minute Texas Senate run
Jasmine Crockett has two cashier’s checks made out to use on Monday: one to submit if she files for reelection for her US House seat, the other to jump into the already competitive Texas Democratic primary for US Senate.
Charlie Kirk PAC to spend millions targeting Indiana's redistricting opponents
Turning Point Action and other PACs plan to spend "eight figures" to primary Indiana Republicans who vote no on redistricting.
Santa Barbara County Health Pauses Transition of Immigrant Patients to Other Care Providers
The County of Santa Barbara Health Department paused its planned transition of immigrant patients other primary care providers.
SEA Games 2025: Preview, schedule and how to watch Southeast Asian sporting action live
Discover the key details of the 33rd edition of the Southeast Asian Games, taking place in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand.
Primary health care
Primary health care is an approach to health and wellbeing centred on the needs and circumstances of individuals, families and communities. It addresses comprehensive and interrelated physical, mental and social health and wellbeing.