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Book prepares K-12 leaders for the next public health crisis
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a new book, a team of experts in educational policy, epidemiology and public health chronicles the challenges faced by educators, public health authorities and school officials during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers a guide to some of the lessons learned as K-12 schools weathered that crisis. One key message: Collaboration between […]
Three Student-Athletes Earn College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Honors
CHICAGO - Three DePaul volleyball student-athletes received Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Communicators (previously CoSIDA), Tuesday a...
Governor DeWine Announces Science of Reading Audit Results for Ohio Colleges and Universities
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Mike Duffey today to announce the results of a recent audit into educator preparation programs (EPPs) at colleges and universities across the state.
College of Science recognizes 10 outstanding seniors for fall 2025 semester
Ten exemplary graduating seniors in the College of Science were nominated by their home departments in recognition of their outstanding academic work, research participation, community engagement, extracurricular activities, leadership qualities, and more.
Business leaders agree AI is the future. They just wish it worked right now
By Deepa Seetharaman, Supantha Mukherjee and Krystal Hu SAN FRANCISCO/STOCKHOLM, Dec 16 - Last spring, CellarTracker, a wine-collection app, built an AI-powered sommelier to make unvarnished wine
Mount Athletics Announces Partnership With Accelerate Sports Ventures - Mount St. Mary's University
EMMITSBURG, Md. (December 16, 2025) - Mount St. Mary's University has officially partnered with Accelerate Sports Ventures to serve as the department's Revenue Sharing and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) consultancy. As the college athletics landscape continues to evolve, Accelerate will play a pivotal role in advising the administration, head coaches, student-athletes, and staff to best navigate this new era of college sports.
Long-awaited jobs report to give snapshot of labor market strength
The Labor Department’s jobs report will provide insight into the labor market’s direction, amid concerns of a potential downturn.
Rams prepare for pivotal NFC West showdown with Seattle Seahawks
The Los Angeles Rams open Week 16 in Seattle, aiming to complete the sweep of the division-rival Seahawks and take control of the NFC West.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has surgery to repair torn ACL after second opinion, coach Andy Reid optimistic about quick return
WHO highlights health risks and opportunities in the global waste crisis
A new World Health Organization (WHO) report, Throwing away our health: the impacts of solid waste on human health – evidence, knowledge gaps and health sector responses, warns that poorly managed solid waste is driving a public health crisis and calls for urgent action to protect people and the environments they live in.Globally, the volume of municipal solid waste is growing at an unprecedented rate. Yet, many countries still lack the systems and resources to manage this waste safely. “Solid waste reflects how our societies produce and consume, and how we treat people and the environment in the process,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, Director a.i., Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health & Migration at the World Health Organization. “If we continue to treat waste as an afterthought, we will lock in avoidable disease, climate pollution and deep social inequities. This report is a clear call to put health and equity at the centre of how we design, manage and ultimately reduce waste.”The report summarizes evidence on how solid waste – especially municipal solid waste – affects health through polluted air, water, soil and food. When waste is not collected, or is dumped, burned or not poorly treated, it can release hazardous chemicals, contaminate drinking-water sources and create breeding grounds for insects and rodents.Communities underserved by waste management services, those living near dumpsites and poorly managed landfills and incinerators, children and pregnant women, as well as waste workers – particularly those working informally – face the greatest risks. For the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) community, the report underlines that safe management of municipal and health care waste is integral to safely managed, climate-resilient systems.A large share of municipal solid waste is still not collected or is disposed of in uncontrolled conditions, including open dumpsites and open burning. These practices damage ecosystems, contribute to climate change and undermine efforts to build healthy cities. When waste is properly managed, however, it can become a resource – generating energy and creating green jobs. The report calls for a coordinated, multisectoral response grounded in the waste hierarchy: preventing waste where possible, then reducing, reusing and recycling, with safe recovery and disposal.Key actions for governments and partners include reducing waste generation at source; expanding affordable and reliable waste collection services, especially in underserved communities; improving control at recovery and disposal facilities; and eliminating open dumping and burning, including hazardous waste. The new report identifies a central role for the health sector in addressing solid waste as a public health threat. The health sector can prevent and minimize health-care waste at source, improve segregation and safe treatment, invest in cleaner climate-resilient technologies, and advocate for health-protective policies and standards. The report also encourages more surveillance, research and biomonitoring to strengthen the evidence base, and promotes social protection and inclusion of informal waste workers.“This report gives countries and health authorities a very practical agenda,” said Mr Bruce Gordon, Head, Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health Unit, WHO. “Health ministries can start now by ensuring safe management of health-care waste, developing strong occupational health programmes for waste workers, and working with municipalities to reduce health risks from solid waste by closing open dumps and burn sites and gradually improving towards safe services. These concrete steps save lives today and will make cities cleaner and healthier in the future.
Will Congressional Inaction Force Farmers to Choose Between Health Insurance and Their Farm Budget?
Farmers likely need to prepare for substantially higher premiums and healthcare costs for 2026, unless Congress acts now to address the problem.
5 Michigan health systems continue hepatitis B vaccines for newborns
Resetting the QB transfer portal market after busy day of high-profile departures
The portal does not officially open until January, but the dominoes have already begun to fall
PayPal Deepens Small Business Lending Push With PayPal Bank
PayPal said it is ready to venture deeper into small business lending. The company applied to the Utah Department of Financial Institutions and the
iOS 26.3 beta shows how Apple will handle notification forwarding
iOS 26.3 beta 1 includes a new UI in preparation for the rule that will require Apple to allow 3rd-party devices to access notifications.
Marjorie Taylor Greene blasts Trump, Reiner's death 'not about politics'
'This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,' Greene, a Republican and long-time Trump ally, wrote in a separate post on X.
How Roots Chicken Shak is Building a Radical New Business Model for Restaurant Franchises
The company is choosing franchisees based on shared values, then giving hands-on training to prepare them for success.
Clinical services at Chatham Co. Health Dept. Suspended Until 1pm on Dec. 16 - Georgia Coastal Health District
Due to loss of heat in both locations, clinical services at the Chatham County Health Department are suspended until 1pm on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
California Department Of Public Health Issues Health Advisory For Consumption Of Foraged Wild Mushrooms
The California Department of Public Health issued an urgent advisory following a recent outbreak of amatoxin poisoning linked to the consumption of wild, foraged mushrooms.
The Google Search homepage adds a ‘plus’ menu
After adding an AI Mode shortcut earlier this year, there’s now a ‘plus’ menu on the Google Search homepage.
How smart small business owners are planning for a successful 2026 — even on a tight budget
Affordable small business internet, strategic spending, and investing in people help owners like Amanda Hofman and Sara McCarthy prepare for success.
Playing to Lorwyn, Part 2
Mark discusses the mechanics of the Lorwyn block, their reception, and prepares the audience for Lorwyn Eclipsed.
Arc Raiders is getting festive tomorrow, as new environmental effects liven up outdoor maps
A new map condition is coming to Arc Raiders tomorrow, plus a new community event and departure window for expeditions.
Kinesiology and Health Sciences Program: Preparing Students for Dynamic Careers in Human Movement
Alma College’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences (KHS) is evolving — building on decades of expertise while expanding opportunities for students to engage deeply with human movement, clinical practice,
Kinesiology and Health Sciences Program: Preparing Students for Dynamic Careers in Human Movement
Alma College’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences (KHS) is evolving — building on decades of expertise while expanding opportunities for students to engage deeply with human movement, clinical practice,
Creating an Informatics Job Classification Series for Health Departments
Learn why public health informatics jobs are critical for health departments in this brief.
Public health officials warn about dangers of extreme cold
Officials are urging anyone who has to go out in the cold to be prepared and take frequent breaks.
James Madison Leads Vic Bubas Cup Standings Through Fall Semester
NEW ORLEANS – James Madison University leads the Sun Belt Conference’s Vic Bubas Cup standings through the 2025 fall sports season. The Bubas Cup is the Sun Belt’s all-sports championship, awarded to the top athletics department in the conference based on a points system.
Germany warns rejecting Ukraine loan would harm EU countries' finances
Krichbaum's claim is the opposite of Belgian PM Bart De Wever's, who argues the 'reparations loan' would actually increase EU government borrowing costs
FDA commissioner on public's growing mistrust in the government's health advice
NPR's Steve Inskeep asks FDA Commissioner Marty Makary about recent controversies around the COVID and Hepatitis B vaccines, and the lack of trust in the government's medical advice.
Marathon Health opens private healthcare clinic in Vestal. Who it serves
Maine-Endwell and Owego-Apalachin are offering "a departure from status quo healthcare."
Meta's AI restructuring and policy changes spark employee departures and morale concerns in 2025
Meta's AI overhaul, culture shifts, layoffs, and performance crackdowns have sparked internal clashes, employee exits, and morale concerns in 2025.
Banking and Finance Quarterly: BMO Cementing its role - Los Angeles Business Journal
As we prepare to bid adieu to 2025 – a year defined by economic uncertainty, high interest rates and fear of a possible recession – mark your calendars
Whatcom's new health leader settles in after tumultuous year for department
Champ Thomaskutty says it’s important for the department to continue its work amid wider public health uncertainty
Full-length Replay: Big East Women's: Michigan St. at DePaul
The No. 25 Spartans (8-1) try to bounce back as they visit the Blue Demons (3-8).
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’
Miami-Dade, Broward schools get federal boost for mental health services
The combined $5.2 million in funding was provided through the Department of Education's Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program.
Takeaways and observations from Eagles 31-0 win over Raiders
With preparation for a Saturday afternoon matchup against Washington looming, we're looking at takeaways and observations from the win.
Santa Maria Police catch suspected burglar behind closed business
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, around 5:28 p.m., a Santa Maria Police Department officer spotted a man trying to leave a secured parking lot next to a closed business.
Top 25 And 1: Small margin separates No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Arizona
There is very little separating the Wolverines and the Wildcats in the Top 25 And 1
Campbell County health and food inspections (12/5/25–12/11/25)
GILLETTE, Wyo. — The Consumer Health Services Division of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture conducts inspections of retail food establishments throughout Wyoming (where there is not a local health department that does inspections) to help ensure safety of Wyoming residents. Campbell County establishments are inspected at least once a year by the WDA. All of […]
The 7 political stories Jews will be watching in 2026
The 2026 political stories to watch — from Zohran Mamdani’s first year as NYC mayor to Jewish governors preparing for 2028.
UNC Brewing Science Program Goes Down the Drain
The University of Northern Colorado has canceled its Brewing Laboratory Science program as part of 50 total staff layoffs implemented due to a projected $14 million budget shortfall, causing dismay among enrolled students. Sean Johnson, the program manager for eight years, who helped forge local commercial partnerships, has been laid off with his remaining classes moving online. Students praised the program's practical science and networking opportunities. Affected students expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, the university's prioritization of larger programs, and the sudden loss of learning opportunities and mentorship. UNC's Chemistry department stated the decision was part of university-wide budget cuts and is focused on supporting affected students.
5 Michigan health systems defy federal vaccine panel's advice
Controversy erupted when a CDC panel changed recommendations for hepatitis B vaccines. These Michigan health systems say they won't follow it.
Tri-state people in business: New hires, promotions, recognitions
Ryan Hermsen joined Medical Associates Clinic of Dubuque’s physical therapy department as a physical therapist.
Repairs needed after business hit-and-run
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A family-owned business in Scranton is reeling after a hit-and-run crash that badly damaged their property. The owners are now looking for answers, hoping someone will come forward. The family told 28/22 News while there have been instances when someone sideswiped their fence, they’ve never seen anything quite like this […]
Massive OR 229 landslide sparks ODOT funding debate among Oregon politicians
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A massive landslide on OR 229 has reignited a debate over the funding of the Oregon Department of Transportation among state politicians. Estimated to be among the largest l…
Wisconsin's cold weather means business heats up for some
"We know it’s going to be a busy day, but we prepare for it, and it’s always a good time."
Health Care Subsidies, Flooding In Washington, DOJ Under President Trump : Up First from NPR
Health care subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. Millions of Americans face price hikes but can Congress reach a deal to alleviate the pain? Historic flooding hits part of the Pacific Northwest, we’ll have the latest from Washington. Plus, a look at the U.S. Justice Department under President Trump.
Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Saturday, Dec. 13
Vermont high school sports scores and results as reported to the Burlington Free Press sports department.
Ukraine's drone schools are rewriting their lessons constantly, sometimes every other week as front-line fighting evolves
Ukraine's drone schools are preparing soldiers to take on Russia and working to keep pace with an ever-changing fight.
U.S. Veterans Affairs agency plans as many as 35,000 health-care job cuts this month, Washington Post reports
The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to eliminate as many as 35,000 health-care positions this month, the Washington Post reported, citing an internal memo.
Sherrone Moore’s firing and its shocking aftermath raises tough questions about the culture of Michigan’s athletic department
A series of scandals over the last several years begs a simple, yet critical question: Is what happened with Sherrone Moore a serious, but isolated, incident or a symbol of a broader, cultural problem within the walls of Michigan athletics?
Michigan authorizes probe into athletic department after Sherrone Moore firing
Michigan is looking inward in the aftermath of firing Sherrone Moore as a law firm investigates the athletic department's handling of the situation
Amtrak's unionized workers are getting $900 holiday bonuses after their managers gave up half of theirs
Amtrak's unionized workers are getting $900 holiday bonuses after executives agreed to give up half of theirs, the Department of Transportation said.
Polk County Health Department shares tips for avoiding norovirus
A new report shows that Iowa has "medium" levels of infection.
This Stellantis Brand Is Quietly Preparing Its Most Radical Steering Wheel Yet for Production
The Hypersquare steering wheel and steer-by-wire technology are headed for a production car soon, as Peugeot begins early prototype testing
Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Friday, Dec. 12
Vermont high school sports scores and results as reported to the Burlington Free Press sports department.
Justice Department sues Fulton County, Georgia, for 2020 ballot stubs and other election records
The Justice Department sued Fulton County, Georgia, on Friday, seeking records related to the 2020 election as efforts continue to prove President Donald Trump’s false claims that the election was stolen from him.
Scientists built an AI co-pilot for prosthetic bionic hands
Managing each finger separately can, with the right sensors, ease control issues.
Doctors: Florida plan to repeal vaccine rules a 'direct threat' to health
Florida’s medical community came out in force on Friday at a Department of Health workshop in Panama City on vaccine requirements in Florida.
Small Business Administration offices in Palisades, Eaton fire zones to close next week
The Small Business Administration is preparing to close its two Los Angeles area offices, but those impacted by the January wildfires can still get help.
Trump's plan to limit student loans for nurses is facing bipartisan backlash
Over 140 bipartisan lawmakers wrote to oppose the Education Department's plan to place new student-loan limits on nursing programs.
Supporting Breakthrough Health Advancements in Eswatini Under the America First Global Health Strategy - United States Department of State
Today, the United States and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on global health cooperation that includes strategic investments to strengthen national health efforts, leverage American technology, and facilitate the long-term sustainability of Eswatini’s health system. The Department of State, working with Congress, intends to provide up […]
Ghost particles slip through Earth and spark a hidden atomic reaction
Scientists have managed to observe solar neutrinos carrying out a rare atomic transformation deep underground, converting carbon-13 into nitrogen-13 inside the SNO+ detector. By tracking two faint flashes of light separated by several minutes, researchers confirmed one of the lowest-energy neutrino interactions ever detected.
2026 Flathead Valley Winter Sports Preview
The snow has fallen and the sun is officially on hiatus, which means Flathead Valley athletes are trading in their cleats and knee pads for goggles, headgear and basketball shoes. Area teams and athletes over the last few weeks have been amping up their preparation ahead of the start of the high school winter sports […]
After more than a year in business, this Morton restaurant has closed
The Tazewell County Health Department learned of the permanent closure in late November.
COGE report recommends New Hampshire split apart health department, embrace AI
It was one of Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s earliest priorities this year: A “Commission on Government Efficiency” that would review ways to reduce cost and waste in the New Hampshire government and whose acronym, COGE, bore a striking resemblance to DOGE, the controversial federal effort led by Elon Musk.
'Entertaining' or 'irresponsible'? The rise of bare-knuckle boxing
As Derby's Vaillant Live arena prepares to host a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) event, BBC Sport looks at the debate around the controversial combat sport.
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, […]
Auto repair business heavily damaged by fire in Cicero
A Chicago-area auto repair business was heavily damaged after a fire broke out Thursday.
Sugar23 Reorganizes Amid Evolution Into Next-Generation Branded Entertainment Studio, Six Managers Expected To Depart
Sugar23 has announced a comprehensive reorg amid its transition into a next-gen branded entertainment studio.
RFK Jr.’s Health Department Is Pondering a National Men’s Health Initiative
At an FDA discussion of testosterone replacement therapy, a top official called for special health centers to address a “men’s health crisis.” Others called to ease men’s access to hormones.
DOJ sues Colorado Secretary of State for refusing to release voter information
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold after she refused to provide the agency with voter information. Last week, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division asked Griswold’s office to provide unredacted voter data, including full names, dates of birth, residential addresses, and driver’s license numbers. Federal authorities […]
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Acupuncturist Cailey Halloran talks about her duties and responsibilities in the oncology department at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Thursday, December 11, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La.
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.
‘I didn’t want to tear it down.’ Michael Jordan, Jim France see a new day in NASCAR
Michael Jordan and Jim France stood opposed for over a year. On Thursday, they were united, “moving forward instead of moving separately.”
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.
Nothing Phone (4a) series leaks with surprising processor details
Nothing’s new mid-range devices may be more prepared to clash with the likes of the iPhone 17e, Pixel 10a, and Galaxy A57.
A Philly restaurant came clean about its Health Department shutdown. Was that the right call?
Cafe Michelangelo’s management chose to explain, point by point, the issues that led the city to close it temporarily. The restaurant also has vowed to improve its sanitation practices.
Live updates: Indiana Senate prepares for a final vote on redistricting
The vote may come down to the wire as on-the-fence lawmakers hear final arguments.
Libstar divests fresh mushroom business but keeps Denny brand
The South African company is retaining the Denny brand but licensing it to the buyer of the mushroom operations.
Sarah Wieghold prepares for nanoscale science with big impact at the Advanced Photon Source
Collaboration and impact are two values that guide her work at the APS.
'Best player in the Channel Islands' prepares for landmark game
'The best player in the Channel Islands' - Charlton Gauvain - prepares for his 200th game for Guernsey FC.
Mamdani and top New York rabbis will meet privately, but their core divide remains unresolved
The Friday after Zohran Mamdani won, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch gave a sermon saying that he believed the incoming New York mayor’s criticisms of Israel aligned with Hamas and that critics of Israel wanted to separate “good Jews” from “bad Jews” in a way that endangers the city’s Jewish community.
The EPA website got the basics of climate science right. Until last week.
The Trump administration purged 80 pages of facts about climate change — including that it's caused by humans.
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
Connecticut Department of Public Health reports case of measles
The Connecticut Department of Public Health announced on Wednesday it has confirmed a case of measles in a child.
Danforth Plant Science Center to Lead Multi-Disciplinary Research to Enhance Stress Resilience in Bioenergy Sorghum
ST. LOUIS, MO., December 10, 2025 – Andrea Eveland, Ph.D., Principal Investigator and member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, will lead a multi-institutional project to deepen the understanding of sorghum, a versatile bioenergy crop, and its response to environmental challenges. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program supports the three-year $2.
Montana State’s Halie Smith ready to graduate, teach middle school science
Smith’s professors call her a leader in the classroom who truly embraced all that MSU’s education department offered.
Science Center of Iowa prepares to reopen popular exhibit
"Small Discoveries" is a play space for kids to explore.
Austin Public Health warns of uptick in foodborne illness reports
Austin Public Health has seen an increase in cases of salmonella and norovirus across central Texas, and the CDC recommends following a four-step process to ensure food safety: clean, separate, coo…
DePaul hosts UMass Lowell after Larsson's 22-point outing
UMass Lowell visits the DePaul Blue Demons after Sabrina Larsson scored 22 points in the River Hawks' 60-43 win against the New Haven Chargers
Leipzig appoint Haenni as first female CEO in Bundesliga
Tatjana Haenni has been appointed RB Leipzig CEO, making her the first woman to hold such a position at a German Bundesliga football club. Haenni, 59, will start on January 1 in the position that had been vacant since Oliver Mintzlaff's departure three years ago.
3 separate US strikes on alleged drug boats have initially left survivors. Each time they’ve been treated differently
As the US military has undertaken a campaign of attacks against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, at least five people have survived initial strikes ending up in the water after explosions killed fellow crew members and disabled their ships.
Chan Discusses China’s Politics of Inequality
Associate Professor of Government Alexsia Chan recently discussed the research that went into her book Beyond Coercion: The Politics of Inequality in China, in a talk sponsored by the Asian Studies Program and the Political Science Department at Clark Uni
Rubio Deletes Calibri as the State Department’s Official Typeface
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Biden-era move to the sans serif typeface “wasteful,” casting the return to Times New Roman as part of a push to stamp out diversity efforts.
Mamdani keeps the focus on housing, and defends homeless encampment policy
Mayor-elect Mamdani met separately with real estate leaders and with homeless advocates to talk about housing solutions.
Florida lawmakers prepare to discuss AI policy ahead of legislative session
It comes as state leaders and Washington clash over who should write the rules.