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SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION (NYSE: FUN) DEADLINE ALERT: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reminds Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Investors of Upcoming Deadline
Six Flags Entertainment Shareholder Lawsuit Filed - Contact Bernstein Liebhard For More Information...
Director Rob Reiner and his wife found dead in their Los Angeles home
Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned, according to police sources
The US-China science race that isn't a race
Science’s center of gravity is moving—but the real story isn’t who “wins.” Rather, it’s how the global research network is being rewired and what that
Rob Reiner's life in photos
Rob Reiner, one of the preeminent filmmakers of his generation who directed movies such as “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally …” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” died Sunday
Rob Reiner used his fame to advocate for progressive causes. 'Just a really special man. A terrible day'
The Hollywood director known for 'Stand by Me' and 'When Harry Met Sally' was also a political force and an outspoken voice for same-sex marriage and early childhood education.
Rob Reiner, director of 'The Princess Bride,' is dead at 78
Reiner and his wife, Michelle Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on Sunday.
2 people found dead in home owned by director Rob Reiner
An investigation is ongoing, according to the LAFD spokesperson
LAPD at Rob Reiner-linked home in Brentwood, two people found dead: Live updates
Two people, a 78 year-old man and 68-year-old woman, have been found dead a home linked to Hollywood director Rob Reiner, officials said.
Homicide detectives investigating at address connected with Hollywood director Rob Reiner
Homicide detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department are on scene and conducting an investigation at an address associated with Hollywood director Rob Reiner, a law enforcement source tells CNN.
Apple’s iPhone 20 To Feature A ‘Four-Sided Bending Design’ And Fully Bezel-Less Display; LG Reportedly Investing Nearly $300 Million As Production Line Requires Overhaul
A new report states that the iPhone 20 is already being prepared as the 20th-anniversary release, and will sport a new ‘four-sided bending display’
Inside California Politics: Dec. 13, 2025
(Inside California Politics) — Tech entrepreneur Jon Slavet has announced his candidacy for the 2026 California gubernatorial race, running as a Republican after previously being a Democrat. Slavet…
NBA Total Health Fair offers free screenings and groceries in Las Vegas
The inaugural NBA Total Health Fair, presented by Evernorth Health Services, took place at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA on Sunday, providing no-cost health s
Mom says viral video shows her being booted from Georgia restaurant for breastfeeding her baby
Heated exchange at Georgia restaurant caught on camera as nursing mother says she was confronted by the owner, adding to the venue’s controversial history with families.
Inside the Clintons’ Fight to Avoid Testifying in the House Epstein Inquiry
Bill and Hillary Clinton have repeatedly offered to provide sworn statements, but Representative James R. Comer has threatened to hold them in contempt of Congress if they fail to appear.
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s Stance on Epstein Testimony Dec. 10
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s lawyer writes a letter on Dec. 10 to the House Oversight Committee opposing their live testimony regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Staying safe in the cold: How to protect older adults from health risks and loneliness
Taking these steps can help ensure the safety and well-being of older loved ones during the cold winter months.
Warning: Apple’s iOS 26.2 Update Is Quietly Changing A Key iPhone Feature For Some Users
The latest iPhone update is here, and it’s already proving controversial, with some users finding an unrequested change being made. Here’s what to do.
Data center boom creates political conundrum for the GOP
President Donald Trump is all in on the artificial intelligence build-out. Other Republicans are being more cautious.
FamFS Hopes To Go Upstream In 2026
The FamFS file-system being developed by Micron hopes to go upstream for Linux in 'early-ish 2026'.
Celebrity News | Ella McCay Release + Dick Van Dyke’s Centennial: Revisiting Three Entertainment Giants
James L. Brooks, Dick Van Dyke & Carl Reiner: Three Great Talents
Latest on the Trump administration: Health care deadline looms, US-Venezuela tensions deepen
It’s the start of a consequential new week for President Donald Trump, with deadlines looming for the release of the Epstein files and addressing key health care subsidies. Follow for live updates.
Latest on the Trump administration: Health care deadline looms, US-Venezuela tensions deepen
It’s the start of a consequential new week for President Donald Trump, with deadlines looming for the release of the Epstein files and addressing key health care subsidies. Follow for live updates.
Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS
Despite being in control of the White House and Congress, Republicans have been unable to pass their health care agenda. We look at why that's the case, as well as a new lawsuit against the president.
Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS
Despite being in control of the White House and Congress, Republicans have been unable to pass their health care agenda. We look at why that's the case, as well as a new lawsuit against the president.
Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS
Despite being in control of the White House and Congress, Republicans have been unable to pass their health care agenda. We look at why that's the case, as well as a new lawsuit against the president.
iOS 26.2—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users
Apple has released iOS 26.2, fixing 26 iPhone flaws, two of which are already being used in real-life attacks. Here's what you need to know.
Florida's Latino families being squeezed financially by high health care, child care costs
The findings, released by Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors and UnidosUS, the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights group, paint a portrait of a rapidly growing electorate that is highly engaged on economic and social issues but increasingly strained by the rising cost of living in the Sunshine State.
A grad student’s wild idea triggers a major aging breakthrough
Senescent “zombie” cells are linked to aging and multiple diseases, but spotting them in living tissue has been notoriously difficult. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have now taken an inventive leap by using aptamers—tiny, shape-shifting DNA molecules—to selectively tag these elusive cells. The project began as an offbeat conversation between two graduate students and quickly evolved into a collaborative, cross-lab effort that uncovered aptamers capable of binding to unique surface proteins on senescent cells.
Small Business Technology News This Week: Does Microsoft Have “Shoddy” Products?
Also: Agents are increasingly being used in the enterprise and some think AI could replace seasonal workers.
After 3 tech layoffs, I knew I had to lean into being a founder
After going through multiple layoffs as a UX designer, Kelly Withers used her savings to fund her startup, Carmu, which sells yoga mats.
Florida's Latino families being squeezed financially by high health care, child care costs
The findings, released by Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors and UnidosUS, the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights group, paint a portrait of a rapidly growing electorate that is highly engaged on economic and social issues but increasingly strained by the rising cost of living in the Sunshine State.
Small business owners seeing effect of paid parking in Wichita
Owners say the parking is making a difference in sales during the holidays.
‘Adapt when we need to adapt.’ Mitch Barnhart talks NIL, revenue sharing, more
Mitch Barnhart spoke about Kentucky’s NIL and revenue sharing outlook, among other topics, during an appearance on UK’s radio network.
Netflix Is Reinventing Its Business Again. Could the Stock Be Heading Higher?
The streaming wars have escalated as tensions rise in the industry.
Denfeld senior talks mental health in mom-daughter podcast
Through a grant from the Ann Bancroft Foundation, Ileini and Ashley Hirt share their journey of navigating mental health via shared podcast.
I'll never forget my roots, says Angry Ginge
The content creator is back coaching at his football club after being crowned King of the Jungle.
Universal Health Services (UHS): Reassessing Valuation After Strong Q3 Earnings Beat and Revenue Growth
Q3 earnings power recent move in UHS shares Universal Health Services (UHS) recently delivered an upbeat Q3 earnings report, with revenue jumping about 13% year on year and topping expectations. This reinforced confidence in its operations during a tough backdrop for hospital operators. See our latest analysis for Universal Health Services. The strong Q3 print has helped Universal Health Services hold on to a solid uptrend, with the 90 day share price return of 16.1% and one year total...
Is Fresno on an entertainment hot streak? Here are bands, comedians with new shows
Spring tours are being announced now. Could another big stadium show be coming, too?
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.
As Epstein releases near, Americans think Trump knew about Epstein’s alleged crimes
Friday featured yet another drop in the drip-drip-drip of new information from the Jeffrey Epstein files. This time: new pictures released by House Democrats that feature Donald Trump and other powerful people like Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon and Richard Branson, culled from tens of thousands of photos from Epstein’s estate.
iOS 26.2—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users
Apple has released iOS 26.2, fixing 26 iPhone flaws, two of which are already being used in real-life attacks. Here's what you need to know.
Roof to rise soon on Mobile Entertainment Arena; hockey rink moves forward
Steel beams now outline the massive structure, and concrete is being poured across multiple levels.
Tunisia sentences opposition leader Abir Moussi to 12 years in jail
Dozens of opposition figures being targeted in nation once seen as beacon for democracy after sparking the Arab Spring.
Einstein's right again! Scientists catch a feasting black hole dragging the very fabric of spacetime
"This is a real gift for physicists as we confirm predictions made more than a century ago."
Amazon Pulls AI Recap Video After 'Fallout' Mess
Amazon is being forced to repeatedly learn a lesson: use AI slop, and get people yelling at you until you don't.
Space Force officials fear program delays from small business fund fight
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office already is seeing an impact from the congressional impasse on reauthorizing Pentagon use of Small Business Innovation Program grants, Director Kelly Hammett said.
Steve Adelstein: PFAS water contamination has met its match
PFAS-free drinking water is finally achievable through fast, scalable, lab-verified technology.
New Epstein photos released showing Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Donald Trump, and more
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Friday released never-before-seen images from the estate of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
Exposed: the business linked to baby deaths across the world
A year-long investigation into the Free Birth Society reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors.Lucy Hough talks to the investigative correspondent Lucy Osborne about her reporting.
Award of Merit, Sports/Entertainment: New Alamein City Tourist Promenade
Located along the Mediterranean coast, the $36.6-million project transforms the waterfront into a vibrant public promenade.
Want To Know What The Last 2 Minutes Before Being Swallowed By A Volcanic Eruption Look Like? Now You Can
RIP Camera V3.
Democrats Release New Epstein Photos Documenting Ties to Trump, Clinton and Others
The images, released without context by Democrats on the Oversight Committee, reveal little new about the deceased sex offender’s ties to prominent men in politics, entertainment and finance.
The $2,400 Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold sold out in minutes
It went on sale today in South Korea, which is the only country where it's being sold. The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, announced last week, went on sale in...
Powerful men in politics and media shown in new Epstein estate images
Newly released photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's estate do not reveal wrongdoing, but do show Epstein in the company of powerful men from the worlds of politics, business and entertainment.
New photos from Epstein’s personal collection show Trump, Clinton and much more
The undated photographs are from Epstein’s email account and computer, according to Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, who published the photographs on Friday.
New photos released from Epstein’s estate showing Trump, Bannon, Bill Clinton and other high-profile people
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate Friday showing the many powerful figures in the late sex trafficker’s orbit, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Richard Branson and others.
Scientists Created Hydrogel ‘Micromachines’ That Could Revolutionize Medicine
The extracellular matrix, a complex 3D structure made of proteins and sugars, is essential for healing wounds and homeostasis.
‘Pig butchering’ cryptocurrency scam cheats Minnesota business owner out of $500K
The scam’s target went to law enforcement after being asked for another $240,000, according to a court filing.
Da'Realyst Clark named Hero Sports G5 All-American - Kent State Golden Flashes
KENT, Ohio – Da'Realyst Clark continued to earn national recognition, being named to the HERO Sports Group of Five All-American Third Team.
I visited an underrated city in Sweden before heading to Copenhagen, and it ended up being a highlight of my Europe trip
Malmö, Sweden, is just 20 minutes from Copenhagen, Denmark, via train. Affordable and fun, it's totally worth adding to your trip to Scandinavia.
Owls Receive HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Honors - Kennesaw State University Athletics
KENNESAW, Ga. – Highlighted head coach Jerry Mack being named HERO Sports Group of Five Coach of the Year, Kennesaw State football received two All-America honors on Friday.
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
The federal government is blurring the lines between politics and medicine
As a family physician, I work every day to earn the trust of my patients. I see lines being blurred between politics and medicine and, despite the high trust the public has in their own physician, it is becoming harder to separate medical and scientific information from misinformation. I hear this concern from my patients, […]
The year-end Obamacare crunch is yet another failure of America’s political system
Americans are being failed by their government.
Theresa May and the Brutality of Politics
Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May speaks with Francine Lacqua about Vladimir Putin and her approach to leadership in a world seeing a rise in "strongmen." (Source: Bloomberg)
Warlock: Dungeons and Dragons Is a New Single-Player RPG That Leans Into 'Expressive Magic' | The Game Awards 2025
The Dungeons & Dragons franchise has been steadily making more attempts to expand into video games, and we're seeing that next effort with Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, a new open-world single-player action-RPG that's all about wielding dark magic to battle foes.
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.
Science sleuths raise concerns about scores of bioengineering papers
Nature - Prominent bioengineer Ali Khademhosseini has so far corrected more than 40 of the papers in question, but critics say some should have been retracted.
Google spinout proposes Oakland County data center nearly as large as Oracle megaproject
While controversy stirs around OpenAI’s Stargate data center project in Saline Township, another data center complex nearly as big is being quietly planned 45 miles northeast in Lyon Township.Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, a spinout of Google parent company Alphabet Inc., has submitted plans to…
Hochul signs several bills into law on artificial intelligence regulations
One piece of legislation aims to stop artificial intelligence from being used to essentially recreate people who have died.
Justice Department again fails to reindict N.Y. AG James, AP source says
A judge threw out the original indictment against James and Comey in November.
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.
Local business offers free career pivot programs for Black women this holiday season
A local business is helping women reinvent themselves and pivot to a new career for free this holiday season.
It abandoned DEI but it's still accused of being 'woke.' Here's why.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is accused of protecting “woke political goals" because of its support for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Harger: Washington's floods don't care about your politics
Governor Ferguson declared a statewide emergency yesterday. And you know what I'm seeing online? People attacking him. Viciously.
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.
WhatsApp is trying to reinvent voicemail
It’s now easier to send a voice or video message when someone doesn’t answer their phone.
How prioritizing wellbeing can boost retention, innovation, and your business's bottom line
Workplace wellbeing, energy, and belonging drive retention, innovation, and higher profits, as revealed by Indeed's employee happiness survey.
IOC urges sports bodies to let Russian youth teams and athletes compete again with flag and anthem
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The IOC took a big step toward reintegrating Russia and Belarus into world sports Thursday by advising governing bodies to let the countries’ youth teams and athletes…
IOC urges sports bodies to let Russian youth teams and athletes compete again with flag and anthem
The IOC has taken a big step toward reintegrating Russia and Belarus into world sports. It’s advising governing bodies of Olympic sports to let youth teams and athletes compete with their full identity of national flag and anthem.
Ayaneo Pocket Play is a reincarnation of the Xperia Play
Ayaneo’s first smartphone is set to launch soon. Ayaneo is entering the smartphone market, and its first device will take a different approach from the...
HR's big challenge with AI will force HR people to reinvent themselves
Workers fear AI, so one of HR's biggest challenges is getting workers to trust and adopt it by building credibility and addressing employee concerns.
The New Orleans businesses we lost — and gained
Farewell to Langenstein's. Hello to Delacroix.
Data center boom creates political conundrum for the GOP
President Donald Trump is all in on the artificial intelligence build-out. Other Republicans are being more cautious.
One Critical Factor Predicts Longevity Better Than Diet or Exercise, Study Says
It's vital for almost every aspect of our well-being.
I stopped dyeing my hair and was suddenly treated differently. One recruiter told me I was too mature for a role.
A recruiter told Jillian Bowman, 52, that her maturity wasn't a fit for the team she would be working with.
Republicans struggle to unite on health care as Obamacare subsidies expire
Recent weeks have showcased a free-for-all of competing GOP ideas and reinforced deep partisan divisions over the issue.
Poppin' Tags Free Store owner extends mission with funds, new business
Sonya Dembowski remembers the moment she decided to begin her Poppin’ Tags Free Store in West Deer. She was driving through Coraopolis in the height of the pandemic shutdown. She remembers seeing piles of donations left outside a closed store. Dembowski later saw on the news that because the donations
From classroom to community: Student’s journey exemplifies ‘public health in action’
When Waveney Brooks transferred to the University of Kentucky as a sophomore, she never imagined that a classroom experience would open the door to real-world public heath practice across Kentucky. What started as a broad introduction to the many disciplines of well-being soon grew into a purposeful public health career path defined by mentorship, community engagement and purpose.
Ask a doctor: Should I trust health advice on social media?
Not all health advice online is legit. Learn how to spot reliable info and make smart choices for your well-being.
After 'Disagreeing With <i>Dhurandhar's</i> Politics', Hrithik Roshan Says "I Cant Wait For Part 2"
In his first post, though Hrithik Roshan lauded the storytelling, he admitted that he might disagree with the "politics" of the film
Ukrainian 'Droid' lay in wait on a road at night and ambushed Russians with an M2 Browning
The ground drone is seen blasting a Russian MT-LB with .50 caliber rounds, in a rare extended look at how fighting robots are being used in the war.
Social media and ADHD diagnosis, new mpox strain in England and early firestarters
Science editor Ian Sample sits down with co-host Madeleine Finlay to discuss three eye-catching stories from the week
No one is safe from the world’s next superbugs. Is this new science the solution?
Old antibiotics are losing effectiveness — and new ones aren’t being discovered fast enough. Our best hope to save lives may be AI.
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
Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore in custody amid assault investigation after being fired for 'inappropriate relationship'
AppleInsider.com
A new pick-your-package setup is on the way as YouTube TV readies genre-specific plans for early 2026.