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Pazdur warns that politics, ‘chaos’ are damaging FDA
At a STAT event, veteran drug regulator Richard Pazdur, who left the FDA last month after 26 years, said that politics and 'chaos' were damaging the agency.
Retired Marine commander lectures Minnesota politicians on 'first and foremost' responsibility
Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., discusses Minnesota Democrats suing the Department of Homeland Security over I.C.E. agent surge on 'The Evening Edit.'
ICYMI: Smucker Applauds New Dietary Guidelines for Americans to Improve Health
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), co-chair of the Congressional Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Caucus, joined Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy to announce the release of the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), which focuses on a simple message: eat real food – a diet consisting of whole foods, including protein-rich foods, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.
Dittrich Furs to close after 132 years in Detroit
The Dittrich family announced plans to close Saturday.
What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Jan. 12, 2026: Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley to square off
Yes, there is kind of an important professional football game taking place in the region, but a busy schedule of WPIAL girls high school basketball games are still on tap Monday.
Opinion - Richard Nelson: Raising state's sports gambling age to 21 should be a 'no-brainer'
Sports gambling has gone mainstream, sweeping the country. Today, 39 states have legalized it, including Kentucky. Unlike most states, Kentucky allows 18-year-olds to gamble on sporting events — 32 of the 39 states set the minimum age at 21. Perhaps the state legislature overlooked this detail when mainstreaming sports gambling in 2023. But considering the...
Richard Codey, a giant in New Jersey politics, dead at 79
Codey, former governor who spent decades in NJ politics, dies at 79
Serving 50 years in NJ politics, Codey was the state’s longest-serving legislator
Merz Eyes India Business, Defense Deals in His First Asia Trip
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will seek to expand business and defense ties with India in his first trip to Asia, aiming to bolster Europe’s biggest economy as tensions with its main trading partners China and US grow.
Persistent political giant Codey gone at 79
Family members of former governor Richard J. “Dick” Codey announced his passing in Roseland at the age of 79.
Richard Codey, Long-Serving New Jersey Politician, Dies at 79
He was the longest serving legislator in New Jersey, while also running an insurance company and funeral home and coaching youth basketball.
CAA Women’s Basketball Recap
RICHMOND, Va. (January 11, 2026) – Record-setting defensive performances and offensive explosions were key for six teams adding another conference win to their tallies.
Game On: the Swiss sports brand using hi-tech and chutzpah to challenge Nike and Adidas
Zurich-based firm taps into latest robot tech to ‘fibre-spray’ high-end sports shoes worn by the likes of Roger Federer
Dittrich Furs announces closure after 132 years in business in Detroit
After more than a century serving Detroit, Dittrich Furs announced it is closing this spring as the family has made the decision to retire.
STARTO ENTERTAINMENT RINGS IN 2026 WITH 'COUNTDOWN CONCERT' GLOBAL STREAMING ON NETFLIX
Following a spectacular sold-out performance at Tokyo Dome, STARTO ENTERTAINMENT’s annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza, 'COUNTDOWN CONCERT 2025–2026 STARTO to MOVE,' is now available for global audiences to stream on Netflix. Featuring a powerhouse lineup of J-pop’s most influential artists, the showcase serves as a vibrant celebration of the agency's rich musical legacy and its promising future on the world stage.
Trump has 'greenlit' sanctions bill punishing Russia for war in Ukraine, Sen. Graham says
The bill, co-written by Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, allows tariffs and secondary sanctions on countries buying Russia's oil, gas, and other exports.
Sergey Brin, Larry Page moved LLC from California before wealth tax
The LLC moved as California's ultrarich weigh leaving ahead of a proposed tax on billionaires that would take effect retroactively starting January 1.
#CAAHoops Fast Break
RICHMOND, Va. – With one week of league action in the books, CAA men’s basketball insider Dr. John Giannini and host Griffin Della Penna discussed standout performances and upcoming matchups on the second edition of the CAA Fast Break.
Why connecting with nature shouldn't mean disconnecting from science
There is a growing trend to see our relationship with nature as a spiritual thing. This is a mistake, argues Richard Smyth
Optimism reigns for central Ohio economy as recession unlikely in 2026
A panel of experts including economist Bill Lafayette will speak at the Columbus Metropolitan Club's Annual Blue Chip Economic Forecast.
Colorado chose politics over public safety and now our communities pay the price
By Chris Richardson and Max Brooks This week, federal authorities arrested Jose Barrera-Bolanos in Denver. He is an illegal immigrant who had already been convicted of sexually assaulting a child. That fact alone should stop every parent, grandparent and lawmaker in Colorado in their tracks. This was not a minor offense. This was not a […]
$4.5M alumni gift establishes major science scholarship at St. John Fisher
St. John Fisher University receives a $4.5 million alumni gift—the largest in its history—establishing the Christopher G. ’72 and Betsy C. Ullrich Endowed Scholarship for science students with financial need.
Stana Katic, Elisha Cuthbert, Denise Richards & C. Thomas Howell Movies On New Slate From Horizon Line & March On Entertainment
Stana Katic, Elisha Cuthbert, Denise Richards films are lined up to film early this year.
Zurich + Players Health offer injury insurance for NIL era of college sports
In a new era for college sports, Zurich North America and Players Health, a leading provider of athlete safety and insurance solutions, have teamed up to introduce a first-of-its-kind Critical Injury Protection Insurance solution for colleges, universities, collectives and their student athletes who receive name, image and likeness (NIL) payments. The new insurance protects these institutions' financial investments in top student-athletes in the event the athlete suffers a season-disrupting inju
Eating these 5 fruits in 2026 could transform your gut health
The Fox News Lifestyle Newsletter brings you trending stories on family, travel, food, neighbors helping neighbors, pets, autos, military veterans, heroes, faith and American values.
Trump Family Businesses Rake in $4 Billion After His Reelection with Focus on AI, Crypto & Nuclear
Ventures launched by the Trump family since Donald Trump’s reelection have generated at least $4 billion in proceeds and paper wealth for the Trump family. With investments across sectors like real estate, hospitality, media, cryptocurrency and more, the Trumps are “increasingly integrating their business empire” into the wider U.S. economy, says David Uberti, who has been reporting on the family’s self-enrichment for The Wall Street Journal. The coupling of Trump’s economic and political influence is raising major questions about conflicts of interest. “You have all of these different business interests in different areas in which the government regulates,” and this “proximity to power may help along some of these deals and the valuations at which they’re made.” We look at the Trumps’ cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial and the Trump Organization’s planned $6 billion merger with a firm hoping to build a nuclear fusion plant to power AI data centers with Uberti, who says such “very speculative, highly risky corners of financial markets” are key to the family’s investment strategy.
Quantum structured light could transform secure communication and computing
Scientists are learning to engineer light in rich, multidimensional ways that dramatically increase how much information a single photon can carry. This leap could make quantum communication more secure, quantum computers more efficient, and sensors far more sensitive. Recent advances have turned what was once an experimental curiosity into compact, chip-based technologies with real-world potential. Researchers say the field is hitting a turning point where impact may soon follow discovery.
NASA's Hubble Examines Cloud-9, First of New Type of Object
A team using Hubble uncovered a new type of astronomical object — a starless, gas-rich, dark-matter cloud, a remnant of early galaxy formation.
Supreme Court Increasingly Favors the Rich, Economists Say
A new study found that the court’s Republican appointees voted for the wealthier side in cases 70 percent of the time in 2022, up from 45 percent in 1953.
Samsung Unveils New Supersized, Color-Rich TVs With More AI
Samsung Electronics Co. unveiled its 2026 home theater lineup, aiming to cement its position as the leading TV maker amid intensifying competition and what it described as a shift toward jumbo televisions.
CAA Women’s Basketball Recap
RICHMOND, Va. (January 4, 2025) – Twenty point performances all around and an overtime thriller made up a very exciting day of women’s CAA hoops.
Another power outage in SF's Richmond District has residents, businesses losing faith in PG&E
"It's not if, but when it happens again." Another power failure was reported in San Francisco's Richmond District on Friday afternoon, days after PG&E apologized for repeated outages in the neighborhood. Residents say they are losing confidence in the utility.
Basketball box scores, other sports results for Friday, January 2, 2026; Saturday's schedule
FRIDAY’S RESULTS Boys Basketball WPIAL CLASS 6A SECTION 1 Pine-Richland 57, North Allegheny 48 Pine-Richland 12 16 17 12 — 57 North Allegheny...
Some businesses in Henrico incorrectly charging plastic bag tax after Richmond adopts ordinance
Multiple chain stores in Henrico County are incorrectly charging customers a 5-cent plastic bag tax, despite the county having no such ordinance in place.
Introducing the Yankees Birthday Series
Every new day, a future big leaguer is born somewhere. In 2026, we’ll discuss one such past Yankee from their rich history.
NASA’s Webb telescope just discovered one of the weirdest planets ever
A newly discovered exoplanet is rewriting the rules of what planets can be. Orbiting a city-sized neutron star, this Jupiter-mass world has a bizarre carbon-rich atmosphere filled with soot clouds and possibly diamonds at its core. Its extreme gravity stretches it into a lemon shape, and it completes a full orbit in under eight hours. Scientists are stunned — no known theory explains how such a planet could exist.
The Many-Sprites Interpretation Of Amiga Mechanics
The invention of sprites triggered a major shift in video game design, enabling games with independent moving objects and richer graphics despite the limitations of early video gaming hardware. As …
Man charged with allegedly threatening Kennedy Center president
The Justice Department charged a Virginia man on Tuesday for allegedly sending a threatening text message to presidential envoy and Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell.
Indiana football projected to land a transfer portal running back
Turbo Richard, a transfer out of Boston College, could be a good fit in Indiana’s backfield next season.
Scientists stunned by a massive hydrothermal field off Greece
Scientists have uncovered an extensive underwater vent system near Milos, Greece, hidden along active fault lines beneath the seafloor. These geological fractures act as pathways for hot, gas-rich fluids to escape, forming clusters of vents with striking visual diversity. The discovery surprised researchers, who observed boiling fluids and vibrant microbial mats during deep-sea dives. Milos now stands out as one of the Mediterranean’s most important sites for studying Earth’s dynamic interior.
Healthcare recap for 2025: Hospitals vie for new spots in Chesterfield, MOBs and other facilities spread across region
The region’s three major health systems spent 2025 trying to better position themselves to serve patients in Chesterfield. And amid the competition to bring a new hospital to the fast-growing locality, a handful of medical office projects broke ground, and new ERs were announced or opened across the region.
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Jedi vs Richards?
Follow along with all the USMNT action this week.
The best of Indiana sports history: stars, teams, and moments
From the "Hoosiers" to Fernando Mendoza, Indiana has a rich sports legacy. Check out historical highlights in football, basketball, and more.
The best of Indiana sports history: stars, teams, and moments
From the "Hoosiers" to Fernando Mendoza, Indiana has a rich sports legacy. Check out historical highlights in football, basketball, and more.
Science history: Richard Feynman gives a fun little lecture — and dreams up an entirely new field of physics
In a short talk at Caltech, physicist Richard Feynman laid out a vision of manipulating and controlling atoms at the tiniest scale. It would precede the field of nanotechnology by decades.
Kennedy Center president demands $1 million from artist who canceled Christmas Eve concert amid Trump changes
Trump's Kennedy Center president is slamming jazz artist Chuck Redd for pulling out of the annual Christmas Eve concert in the wake of the venue's controversial renaming: 'We will seek $1 million in damages.'
Partnership will bring Bio-Med STEM school to Kent State campus
Children from Bio-Med Science Academy locations in Shalersville and Ravenna will relocate to Kent State University building.
Partnership will bring Bio-Med STEM school to Kent State campus
Children from Bio-Med Science Academy locations in Shalersville and Ravenna will relocate to Kent State University building.
I'm an 83-year-old yoga instructor. I'm not your typical grandma — I still work to feel fulfilled and supplement my Social Security.
Barbara Brown, 83, works as a yoga instructor at nursing homes in Richmond, Virginia. She said her work has been fulfilling, though she needs to work.
Miss Manners: Wealthy business owners too cheap to cater their own company barbecue
Too rich to be cheap
Leam Richardson Highlights Reading’s ‘Excellent’ Start In Plymouth Win
The Royals essentially had the game won 20 minutes in, thanks to a red card and flurry of goals.
Kennedy Center president rebukes performer who called off Christmas Eve show over addition of Trump’s name
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell lambasted a performer’s decision to cancel an annual Christmas Eve jazz concert, following the addition of President Donald Trump’s name to the Washington, DC, arts venue.
Two-day experience brings nonprofit and small business leaders to Western Mass
Mission-Rich Academy will host its first live leadership intensive Feb. 12–13 in Springfield, offering nonprofit and micro-business leaders hands-on training.
Gavin Newsom’s big dilemma: Tax the rich or defy the left
Gavin Newsom has spent his tenure resisting tax increases — but in his final year in office, that could get harder.
What are asteroids really made of? New analysis brings space mining closer to reality
Scientists are digging into the hidden makeup of carbon-rich asteroids to see whether they could one day fuel space exploration—or even be mined for valuable resources. By analyzing rare meteorites that naturally fall to Earth, researchers have uncovered clues about the chemistry, history, and potential usefulness of these ancient space rocks. While large-scale asteroid mining is still far off, the study highlights specific asteroid types that may be promising targets, especially for water extraction.
Richmond Buzz: An 'absolutely brutal' blackout weekend
“Richmond Buzz” will be a recurring column on the neighborhood. This edition: Businesses are devastated after the weekend blackout.
Richmond startup Ohm Health launches first product: a humming, glowing "breathing lamp"
The company, founded by Temperpack cofounder James McGoff, recently began taking pre-orders for its “breathing lamp,” which allows customers to practice breathing in rhythm with the hum and glow of the light.
Samsung Electronics unit Harman to acquire ZF Group's ADAS business for $1.8 billion
Samsung Electronics announced on Tuesday a $1.8 billion deal to acquire Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen's autonomous driving technology unit to combine it with its audio business and offer next-generation in-car platforms.
From CIA officer to Governor: Abigail Spanberger on intelligence and politics : Sources & Methods
Virginia governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will be the first woman and the first former CIA officer to lead the commonwealth.Host Mary Louise Kelly talks to Spanberger about her unconventional career path that took her from Langley to D.C. and now to Richmond, and how some of her skills from gathering intelligence come in handy in politics. Email the show at sourcesandmethods@npr.orgNPR+ supporters hear every episode without sponsor messages and unlock access to our complete archive. Sign up at plus.npr.org.
The Metadata Mission: How the ARC Project's Legacy Enriches Earth Science Data
The Analysis and Review of the Common Metadata Repository (ARC) project is transitioning to ESDIS management and will continue to ensure that NASA’s Earth observation metadata records are correct, complete, and consistent.
These 5 Oklahoma politics stories were popular in 2025
Each story we brought you in 2025 is important. However, these five are among the most popular of the year and display the rich breadth of what KOSU offers in Oklahoma political news.
Federal legislation to hurt area healthcare, warn Neal, Baystate CEO
Baystate Health CEO Peter Banko and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal sat on either side of a low table in front of about 150 officials, health industry leaders and community organizers.
Executive ghostwriter gives LinkedIn makeovers to execs. Here are 4 ways to brag more effectively on your profile.
Jillian Richardson offers professional LinkedIn makeovers, and she has 4 tips on how to brag more on your profile.
Death of Elon sports legend Rich McGeorge
Richard “Rich” McGeorge ’72, one of Elon University’s most distinguished athletes and a cherished figure in both collegiate and professional football, died December 20 at the age of 77. He...
Global warming could trigger the next ice age
Scientists have uncovered a missing feedback in Earth’s carbon cycle that could cause global warming to overshoot into an ice age. As the planet warms, nutrient-rich runoff fuels plankton blooms that bury huge amounts of carbon in the ocean. In low-oxygen conditions, this process can spiral out of control, cooling Earth far beyond its original state. While this won’t save us from modern climate change, it may explain Earth’s most extreme ancient ice ages.
German business welcomes pending return of UK to Erasmus Programme
German business has welcomed the United Kingdom's re-entry into the European Union's Erasmus youth education programme from 2027 and hopes that it will lead to an easing of visa requirements. Ulrich Hoppe, head of the German-British Chamber of Commerce (AHK) described the decision as "a very significant step" in remarks made to dpa days after Brussels and London agreed on the step.
Saturday’s Powerball drawing could bring someone a $1.5 billion holiday windfall
Someone could become $1.5 billion richer after this evening — if they pick the winning numbers in the latest Powerball jackpot.
The Risks of Democrats Embracing Eat-the-Rich Populism
The more President Donald Trump stumbles while trying to talk about affordability — Wednesday night’s bizarre speech was just the latest example — the more Democrats believe they have a winning issue in next year’s midterm elections. And why not? Trump’s approval rating on the economy is the lowest it has ever been, and a string of polls show many Americans are angry and worried about stubbornly high prices for groceries, housing and utilities.
Trump says he will haul in 'rich' health insurance CEOs to force them...
Crystal City Restaurant sold to adult entertainment chain after 62 years in business
An institution in the D.C. area adult entertainment scene is changing hands to a regional chain. Crystal City Restaurant and Gentlemen's Club (422 23rd Street S.) has been sold to Paper Moon, which operates other gentlemen's clubs in Richmond, Northern Virginia and D.C. It's only the second time the family-owned business has transferred ownership in
Ancient oceans were ruled by super predators unlike anything today
Long before whales and sharks, enormous marine reptiles dominated the oceans with unmatched power. Scientists have reconstructed a 130-million-year-old marine ecosystem from Colombia and found predators operating at a food-chain level higher than any seen today. The ancient seas were bursting with life, from giant reptiles to rich invertebrate communities. This extreme complexity reveals how intense competition helped drive the evolution of modern marine ecosystems.
Safey Holiday Travel Tips - Richmond City Health Department
As you and your family prepare to travel during the holiday season, Richmond and Henrico Health District (RHHD) remind you to take important steps now to keep you and your […]
LaRee Sugg Named to 2026 Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame Class - University of Richmond Athletics
Chesterfield, Va.— University of Richmond Deputy Athletics Director, LaRee Sugg, will join the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2...
21-year-old business calling it quits in Richland
A Central Richland shop offering locally popped varieties of kettle corn, as well as its associated businesses, will close Dec. 31.
The ironic case for Tom Brady as my sports media person of the year: Deitsch
Richard Deitsch started the year predicting Tom Brady wouldn't last. He ends it making the case Brady is the Sports Media Person of 2025.
The family business: President Papps follows in dad's footsteps as education leader
Davenport President Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. discussed his views on education and other issues during his appearance on a recent episode of "CEO Thought Leadership Series on LinkedIn Live," hosted by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR). The series is produced in conjunction with the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For and Corp!
Musk said he’d pull back from politics. He’s donating again
The world’s richest man has reportedly donated to Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms, as his relationship with President Donald Trump improves
He built JPMorgan's coast-to-coast banker network. Now exec John Richert says the middle market's moment is coming.
JPMorgan's mid-cap chief explains how investment banking works beyond Wall Street, and why the middle market has become a billion-dollar opportunity.
Three international companies get tax incentives for jobs in central Ohio
The Ohio Tax Credit Authority projects may result in more than $148 million in new payroll and generate over $1.1 billion in Ohio investments.
Chicago small business advocate pushes for less red tape
(The Center Square) – Small Business Advocacy Council President Elliott Richardson prides himself on tirelessly pushing the envelope when it comes to making life more bearable for Chicago small business owners. “Small businesses really could use a point person at City Hall to help them through the process,” Richardson told The Center Square.
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
Penn State animal science major earns rare All-American Livestock Judging honor
Megan Zipprich, an animal science major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, was among the 10 recipients of the All-American Livestock Judging Award during the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest, held in November in Louisville, Kentucky.
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
Richmond's library book supplier is going out of business, but RPL has a plan
Digital books are popular, but are more expensive because they come with checkout limitations.
Sunday holiday entertainment events canceled in Prichard due to cold weather forecast
All scheduled entertainment performances and the Christmas Extravaganza Movie Night planned for Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Old Historic Whistler Bike Trail have been canceled due to the forecast of extreme cold weather, officials announced.
Sunday holiday entertainment events canceled in Prichard due to cold weather forecast
All scheduled entertainment performances and the Christmas Extravaganza Movie Night planned for Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Old Historic Whistler Bike Trail have been canceled due to the forecast of extreme cold weather, officials announced.
On 23rd Street, ethnic restaurants are losing a lot of business, as ICE fears keep diners home
On 23rd Street in Richmond, ethnic restaurants are losing a lot of business, as ICE fears keep diners home.
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.
Scientists Detect Huge Rotating Structure in Space
An international team of researchers says it has spotted the largest rotating structure of dark matter and gas-rich galaxies.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Receives $1 Million in Advanced Surgical Microscope Equipment Funded by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards - NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the acquisition of three new state-of-the-art Leica surgical
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
The Search for Life Tops NASA's Science Goals for the First Human Mars Mission
A new report identifies searching for life as the top science priority for humanity's first landing on Mars, ranking it above understanding water cycles, mapping geology, or even studying how the Martian environment affects astronaut health. The report outlines four possible exploration campaigns, with the highest ranked approach calling for missions totalling 330 sols at a single scientifically rich site where crews could investigate everything from ancient lava flows to active dust storms. By placing the search for extraterrestrial life at the centre of human Mars exploration, the report reimagines the first crewed mission not just as a milestone for spaceflight but as humanity's best chance to answer whether we're alone in the universe.
Doogan, O’Neil, Roussell, Men Lacrosse Named Finalists for the 2026 RVA Sports Awards - University of Richmond Athletics
RICHMOND, Va. – Maggie Doogan , Aidan O'Neil , Aaron Roussell and the Richmond men's lacrosse program have been named finalists for the 2026 RVA Sports Award...
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.
Stand Against Mephisto: Pre-Purchase Lord of Hatred
Make your final stand against the Prime Evil Mephisto in a rich new campaign, master two new classes, and discover the ancient region of Skovos.
Walton family fortune: How American's richest family manages their wealth
America's richest family uses a model pioneered by the Rockefellers to manage their wealth.
Global Politics Meet the Classroom
Dr. Gabriel de Arruda Castro, a former Brazilian political journalist, joins Cedarville University as assistant professor of international relations, enriching...
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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