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ESF artist creates comic book bringing Adirondack science to life
An artist from SUNY ESF created a comic book highlighting ecology by showing how water travels from the Adirondacks to the Hudson.
RSM US Middle Market Business Index Improves on Rising Revenues and Earnings
The RSM US Middle Market Business Index (MMBI), presented by RSM US LLP ("RSM") in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, rose to 131.5 in the fourth quarter from 123.3 in the prior period on a seasonally adjusted basis. The survey results are supported by rising revenues and earnings and reflect growing optimism among middle market firms, even as attitudes on the general economy remain sour.
Casino smoking battle faces fresh scrutiny as judges cite new science, new realities
Dealers and other gaming employees argue New Jersey's exemption allowing smoking in casinos contradicts constitutional protections
Why 2026 could be the year of anti-AI marketing
It’s getting harder to escape AI slop. But a growing backlash could put a premium on “human-made” content.
Why 2026 could be the year of anti-AI marketing
It’s getting harder to escape AI slop. But a growing backlash could put a premium on “human-made” content.
Bluetooth 6.0: What You Need to Know About the Future of Wireless Headphones
Bluetooth got a major upgrade, and it's already showing up in phones and headphones. Here's what to expect and what we're still waiting for.
Worlds apart in water politics, Denver and Phoenix seek similar solutions to a drier Colorado River Basin
Western cities are stuck planning for potential cuts, without knowing what the cuts might be, as they wait for news about future Colorado River management.
Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day Event Set for February 7
WASHINGTON - American University Athletics is excited to once again celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) with a free postgame clinic on Saturday, February 7, following the 1 p.m. women's basketball game against Navy.
Trump administration takes its economic message to Pennsylvania again as Vance heads to swing state
President Donald Trump bragged to Pennsylvanians last week that he’d delivered an “unbelievable” economy. Now, it’s up to Vice President JD Vance to explain why they’re not yet feeling the benefits.
🗞️Today's front pages: Florentino on the attack again
The Negreira case and a new attack from Florentino on Barcelona are the most repeated topics in the sports press this Tuesday.When Florentino speaks, the press listens. Following Laporta's comments on...
Sharks place wingers Will Smith, Philipp Kurashev on injured reserve; no timetable for return given
The San Jose Sharks recalled wingers Igor Chernyshov and Ethan Cardwell in corresponding moves on Monday.
Major San Marcos businesses that closed for good in 2025
From wings to vinyl, these spots said farewell.
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.
Southwestern Middle School Holds Inaugural Science Fair
Students at Southwestern Middle School recently had the chance to show off their creative sides in a science fair for students in the Living Environment class. Students collaborated with each other to devise, research, and present the findings for various studies following organisms and living creatures. Students’ interest in their particular projects gave them enough […]
Public safety issues in St. Johns continue to hurt business
The owner of StormBreaking brewing says safety issues in the St. Johns area hurting their bottom line.
National poll shows broad support for family-first K-12 education policies
64% of respondents support allowing students to attend any public school in their state.
The Emerging Science of Being Hangry
The Emerging Science of Being Hangry: Your ability to tune into your body’s internal signals shapes hunger-driven mood swings.
Netflix executives seek to calm fears over multibillion-dollar Warner Bros. deal
Netflix co-chief executives Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters say the streamer will only see a slight increase in share of TV viewing with their proposal.
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.
FDA commissioner on growing public mistrust of government health advice
FDA Commissioner Martin Makary discusses vaccine policy, COVID-era decisions and the erosion of trust in government health guidance.
Local business surprised with order for ornaments that ended up on the White House Christmas Tree
A small 3D printing shop in Miami unknowingly helped to decorate the White House for this year’s holiday season.
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.
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.
LG Quietly Installs Microsoft Copilot on Its Smart TVs—And You Can't Delete It
LG TV owners are not happy about the AI app showing up unannounced, becoming a permanent fixture on their homescreen.
Poll shows Americans’ growing concern over influence of sports gambling
Overall, 36 percent of Americans say the increasing number of states allowing people to bet on sports is “a bad thing” — up from 23 percent in 2022.
’60 Minutes’: Scott Pelley Gives Blunt Verdict on New CBS Owners
The longtime news anchor admits they were 'concerns' following Paramount-Skydance merger.
Growing GLP‑1 drug costs squeeze Minnesota employers and health plans
The Metropolitan Airports Commission recently moved to cut coverage for weight loss medications, citing cost concerns.
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
Marathon Launches Next March As Bungie Shares An Updated Look At The Game In Action
Bungie shows off Marathon's changes following its playable alpha.
Opinion | The hunting tradition that explains Pennsylvania’s wild politics
To understand this critical swing state, you must understand bear camp.
Colorado’s unaffiliated voters say they’re intentionally not joining a political party. Here’s why.
The results of a new poll erode the assumption that the growing share of unaffiliated voters in the state in recent years — who as of Dec. 1 made up half of active, registered voters — has been caused by automatic voter registration
MedX Health 2025 YEAR REVIEW
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, December 15, 2025--MedX Health Corp. (TSXV: MDX) ("MedX" or the "Company") is a data-driven health analytics business underpinned by proprietary intellectual property and regulated medical technologies. MedX’s platform generates and analyses high-fidelity skin health data using patented imaging, Teledermatology, and Photobiomodulation systems, creating a growing, defensible data asset and IP moat. MedX operates as an ISO 13485–certified medical device manufacturer and maint
Horse Tracks: Broncos are the ‘overdogs’
Immediately following the Broncos’ playoff-clinching win over the Packers, CBS’ lead sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson asked Bo Nix what the “underdog Broncos team showed against a really difficult Packers team?” “That we’re the overdogs,” the quarterback said without skipping a beat. Yeah. Take that, sports pundits. The Denver Broncos are the overdogs. “Every unit played […]
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.
Brian Kemp’s lame-duck dilemma: Swing big or play it safe?
The two-term Georgia governor enters his last legislative session next month.
OPINION: Colleges too often drop the ball on student-athlete mental health
Despite changes at the NCAA, conference and institutional levels to improve access to, education about and training for mental health services, they remain insufficient to meet the growing mental-health needs of student-athletes.
Refugee and migrant health system review in Lithuania
Lithuania has experienced a substantial increase in the number of refugees and migrants, particularly following the 2021 Belarus border situation and the mass displacement from Ukraine in 2022. By late 2024, over 91,000 Ukrainians had been cumulatively registered in Lithuania, with about 47,000 holding valid temporary protection status. This increase, alongside sizeable communities of Belarusian nationals, Russian citizens and other regular migrants covered under compulsory health insurance contributions, has brought new challenges for Lithuania’s health system, especially related to continuity of care, interpretation support and equitable access across municipalities. This report presents the findings of a joint review of the health system in Lithuania, conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Lithuania, and other partners. The review examines the capacity of Lithuania’s health system to provide services for refugees and migrants. It focuses on the health challenges facing refugees and migrants, the policies and systems in place to address these challenges, and the opportunities to strengthen long-term health system capacity. Furthermore, the report offers practical recommendations for addressing the barriers refugees and migrants face in accessing health services.
LIST: School, business closings and delays for Dec. 15, 2025
Wintry weather is impacting most of our viewing area and with that comes delays and closings.
NFL scores: Kansas City Chiefs eliminated from playoff contention as Buffalo Bills beat New England Patriots in thriller
Kansas City Chiefs to miss NFL playoffs for first time since 2014 season following defeat to Los Angeles Chargers; Patrick Mahomes exits the game injured in the fourth quarter; Buffalo Bills meanwhile come from behind to beat New England Patriots to keep division title hopes alive
Grok Is Glitching And Spewing Misinformation About The Bondi Beach Shooting
Among other problems, the chatbot is spewing misinformation about the horrific Bondi Beach shooting in Australia.
Thomas Frank reaction — What did Spurs boss say after heavy defeat to Nottingham Forest?
Thomas Frank's reprieve from harsh, intense criticism following Tottenham Hotspur's recent poor performances was rather brief, as Spurs were wayward once again in a 3-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
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.
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.
Five fighters transported to the hospital following UFC Vegas 112
Better to be safe than sorry … Following UFC Vegas 112 last night (Sat., Dec. 13, 2025) inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, company officials confirmed to MMAmania.com that five fighters were transported to a local “Sin City” hospital for precautionary reasons after their violent bouts. The fighters were Giga Chikadze, Kennedy Nzechukwu, Marcus […]
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.
Without quantum physics, you wouldn't be reading this. Scientist explains the mind-blowing concept that underpins all our lives | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Paul Davies, a prominent British scientist and one of the biggest authorities on quantum physics, reveals how it affects all our lives.
Belfast throws down Ireland's first sumo wrestling club
Belfast-based Sumo Na hÉireann is Ireland's first sumo club, capitalising on the sports growing popularity.
‘Loopholes have won the day’: Cap? What cap? Spending on players growing even after NCAA settlement
Schools are promising coaches millions to build their rosters, far above the revenue-sharing limits put into place this year. Can anything stop the rising salaries?
Column | More money, more corruption requires more attention, nonprofit says
OpenSecrets, which started four decades ago, is renewing its drive to help voters follow the money between special interests and government officials.
Paradise Coast shooting suspect identified as North Carolina man
William Wharton of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been charged with aggravated battery following a shooting at Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
Packers vs Broncos Props & Best Bets for Week 15
Bo Nix has started throwing more frequently for Denver in recent weeks, and we expect that trend to continue in Sunday’s showdown against Green Bay.
LG Update Installs Unremovable Microsoft Copilot on Smart TVs, Ignites Backlash
LG's recent software update has forcibly installed Microsoft Copilot, an AI assistant, on smart TVs without removal options, sparking widespread user backlash over privacy, bloatware, and loss of control. This highlights growing tensions in smart devices, where monetization often overrides user preferences.
MLB free agency: Mets, Jorge Polanco reportedly agree on two-year, $40M deal
Polanco is expected to split his time between first base and DH in New York following a breakout season with the Mariners.
Affable comedy acting legend Dick Van Dyke turns 100 years old
As part of the celebration this weekend, theaters around the country are showing a new documentary about his life
Speaker Johnson unveils health care plan as divided Republicans scramble for alternative
The Senate failed to get anywhere on health care this week. Now it’s the House’s turn. Speaker Mike Johnson late Friday released a package of proposal to address growing health care costs.
Business notes: Tommy’s Dutch Lunch reopens following renovations
The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday at 1203 W. Pine St.
Chiefs EVP Lara Krug discusses the team's popularity internationally
During her chat with @EdEastonJr, Kansas City Chiefs Executive Vice President Lara Krug discussed the team's growing popularity internationally
The Roots of Dementia Trace Back All The Way to Childhood, Experts Find
The evidence is growing.
Houston Museum of Natural Science's Foucault Pendulum has stopped after decades of swinging. Here's what happened.
Houston Museum of Natural Science's Foucault Pendulum has stopped after decades, and here's why.
As Sudan burns, the NBA’s embrace of the UAE shows how sport enables atrocity
The NBA’s growing ties with the UAE come as the Gulf state faces mounting evidence of complicity in atrocities in Sudan – and silence from sport
Your College Basketball Saturday Viewing Guide: December 13
College football has vacated TV for the week, so there are THIRTY-FOUR college basketball games to watch today!
K-pop events in China disrupted as Beijing-Tokyo tensions affect entertainment sector
Growing tensions between China and Japan are apparently affecting Korea's K-pop industry, with recent events involving groups with Japanese singers...
Five Bold Moves for the Astros This Offseason
The MLB offseason is always overflowing with rumors and ideas, major national voices saying where players could sign or who could be traded. It makes for a lot of fun in the winter keeping the hot stove burning. In keeping with this tradition, here are 5 bold moves the Astros could make this offseason that […]
Speaker Johnson scrambles to find a health care plan as Republicans remain divided
The Senate failed to get anywhere on health care this week. Now it’s the House’s turn. Speaker Mike Johnson is rushing to compile a package of bills to address growing health care costs.
FDA approves first new antibiotics to treat gonorrhea in decades, with hope to combat drug resistance
For the first time in decades, the US Food and Drug Administration has signed off on new antibiotics to fight gonorrhea. The approvals come at a critical moment: The sexually transmitted infection is growing harder to treat, and cases continue to climb nationwide.
Kevin Stefanski Press Conference: "Be about our business"
Kevin Stefanski speaks to the media following practice.
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
Why reliable internet is a must-have for a growing Brooklyn retail business
Spectrum Business helps Brooklyn retail businesses like Rider Gifts grow, enabling seamless e-commerce and team collaboration.
1 injured, 1 in custody following shooting at Paradise Sports Complex in Golden Gate Estates
According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, the shooting was reported at 10:30 a.m. Deputies responded to the scene and quickly took a suspect into custody.
1 in custody, 1 injured following shooting at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Collier County
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is responding to a shooting that occurred at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples.
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.
Kirby Air Riders team is disbanding soon, but game could get another balance patch
According to director Masahiro Sakurai, the team behind Kirby Air Riders will be disbanding soon. At this point there largely isn’t a reason to keep everyone together. Development is finished, and as previously announced, the game isn’t getting DLC. However, we’re likely to get one more balance patch. Sakurai shared the following on social media: “As discussed in Air Riders...
Broadcom's AI Business Is Growing Fast. Here's Why the Stock Is Tanking Anyway.
Broadcom on Thursday said its AI revenue will double in the current quarter, but shares slumped as investors focused on narrowing margins after a major run-up in the stock price.
Dickens Named to HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Team
Following a stellar season on the field for the Flames, Liberty running back Evan Dickens has been named to the 2025 HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Te...
GOP defectors raise the heat on Republicans over health vote subsidies
GOP leaders in both chambers of Congress are under growing pressure from rank-and-file Republicans to address health insurance premiums that are expected to soar next year, fueling concerns the nat…
How Political Alignment Between Cities and Governors Shapes Municipal Borrowing Costs
In new research, Ramona Dagostino and Anya Nakhmurina discuss how political misalignment between state governors and city leadership can affect how cities access financing, particularly in municipal bond pricing and crisis prevention investment.
Distrust of Trump, fear of China propel new political force in Taiwan
The Kuomintang party’s new leader, Cheng Li-wun, is pushing much closer ties with China, reflecting growing fears Washington would not help in a war over Taiwan.
Sports quiz of the week: big climbs, unlikely comebacks and elite camels
Have you been following the big stories in cricket, football, motor racing, darts, climbing, athletics and the NFL?
New laws to be considered after ‘harrowing stories’ from ex-Vodafone franchisees
Concerns about power imbalance in franchise agreements amid claims over firm’s treatment of small-business owners
By the Numbers: Winter sports fall into swing and history on ice
This week in By the Numbers, track & field and swim & dive set new program records and hockey had a historic weekend.
Yup, That Weird Statue Was Teasing a New Divinity Game | The Game Awards 2025
After some unusual teases and a trademark inadvertently showing Larian Studios' hand, the Baldur's Gate 3 developer's next game has been officially revealed at The Game Awards with one heck of a disturbing trailer. It's Divinity. Just Divinity.
Riverside outlasts Ascension Catholic and secures second LHSAA state title
Riverside took possession for the final time knowing that it needed only to kneel out the remaining minute and 15 seconds before it could secure a football state championship.
After a year of Trump-inspired inaction, some Republicans in Congress are growing restless
A year after President Donald Trump’s election and with next year’s midterms looming, congressional deference to the White House is showing signs of wearing on some Republicans.
Palantir says its 'Neurodivergent Fellowship' has received 2,000 applications and counting
Palantir's new fellowship for neurodivergent talent draws 2,000 applications, showing demand for merit-based, unconventional hiring in tech and AI.
Trump takes steps toward demolishing four federal buildings, preservationist alleges
After demolishing the White House’s East Wing, President Donald Trump is now eying four federal buildings for the same treatment and is circumventing a key government agency with his plans, according to a historic preservationist raising the alarm.
Red Wings take lessons learned into encounter vs. Oilers
Red Wings take lessons learned into encounter vs. Oilers
This Week in Sports Trivia: December 11, 2025
How closely were you following the sports news this week? Find out and test your knowledge by taking The Athletic's weekly quiz.
EXCLUSIVE: Prediction markets launch coalition amid sports betting fight
Several major prediction markets are forming a coalition to promote and defend their political interests amid a growing fight over sports betting, Axios has learned.
Tiny tracker following monarch butterflies during California migration
When this monarch butterfly hits the sky it won't be traveling alone. In fact, an energetic team of researchers will be following along with a revolutionary technology that's already unlocking secrets that could help the entire species survive.
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mets showing interest in Cardinals' Willson Contreras: reports
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