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Sony and Tencent settle lawsuit over "slavish clone" of Horizon: Zero Dawn
The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed but the case has been dismissed with prejudice
Inside the murky future of college walk-on athletes
College walk-on athletes remain a fixture of Americana, but a recent settlement has put that storyline in doubt.
Inside the murky future of college walk-on athletes
College walk-on athletes remain a fixture of Americana, but a recent settlement has put that storyline in doubt.
What Can U.S. Employers Do About Rising Healthcare Costs?
U.S. employers are grappling with surging healthcare costs as healthcare prices and service volumes rise. Provider consolidation, high drug prices, labor shortages, and growing chronic disease are fueling the cost increases. Employer have largely responded by shifting expenses to workers. Their track record in pursuing aggressive options—including collective purchasing, tiered plans, value-based care, and advocating for changes in government policies—is poor. The big question is whether they have the will to become more aggressive in pursuing remedies. The outlook is not promising. The reasons include the complexity of the problem, employee resistance to some solutions, and the fact that most employers just don’t have sufficient “skin in the game” to take on the disruption and risk that would be required to bend the healthcare cost curve significantly or sustainably.
Sony settles with Tencent over 'slavish' Horizon clone
Sony and Tencent have reached a "confidential settlement" over Tencent's Light of Motiram, which Sony called a 'slavish clone' of Horizon Zero Dawn.
The Best Steam Winter Sale Discounts On 2025 Games
Here are some of the best deals we've found during the Steam Winter Sale.
Federal Officials Testify on the Implementation of the CHIPS & Science Act
Officials from NASA, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy testify to the implementation of the CHIPS & Science Act before a House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee.
Trans athlete restrictions proposed again to high school sports rulemaking body
Proposal from several Whatcom districts still in conflict with state law, WIAA says
A moderate mutiny adds to the GOP’s Obamacare woes
By now, it’s become conventional wisdom about Congress: “Moderates always cave.” The more extreme elements sometimes force leadership’s hand, but those near the political center have a tendency to lose their nerve.
Riddle of nuclear science professor shot dead at home
Tributes pour in as murder hunt launched after three gunshots heard
Water pollution puts Floridians at risk of severe health problems
Chemicals foul wells used for drinking water and fuel harmful algae that can make people sick, a Times investigation shows.
Faith-based entertainment sees a revival in Hollywood. Defining what it is can be a challenge
LOS ANGELES — At the movies this fall, Josh O’Connor plays a hot priest with a complicated past, Keanu Reeves is an angel who lost his wings, and Elizabeth Olsen has a romantic dilemma in the afterlife. Hollywood, it seems, has found God. But it’s not just starry big-budget Netflix
Data centers have a political problem — and Big Tech wants to fix it
A growth engine for the economy is becoming a political albatross. Can messaging change that?
Science Center of Iowa reopens "Small Discoveries" exhibit
The Science Center of Iowa is reopening its "Small Discoveries" exhibit, featuring new interactive elements for children, after months of renovation.
"MicroProse and Geoff Crammond Reunite to Revive a Racing Legend"
MicroProse is excited to announce its renewed partnership with legendary game developer Geoff Crammond, creator of some of the most influential racing simulation games of the 1990s and early 2000s. Together, we are bringing back his groundbreaking racing game engine in a re-release of the original game technology, enhanced with updates, new tools, and Steam Workshop support, through the upcoming Geoff Crammond Racing series: GCR1, GCR2, GCR3, and GCR4, scheduled to release in 2026. These titles are being reintroduced under new names to reflect our independent direction and to ensure full separation from any official motorsport licensing. While the names are new, the core simulation engine, physics systems, and pioneering gameplay features developed by Geoff Crammond remain at the heart of each release. Geoff Crammond’s original work helped define the foundations of modern racing games, introducing innovations such as advanced real-time physics, highly configurable driving assists (including the ideal racing line, steering help and auto braking), realistic AI driver behaviour, deep telemetry analysis, comprehensive car setup systems, extensive wet weather system, and the list goes on. The GCR series proudly carries this legacy forward. Steam Workshop support will enable the community to create and share custom tracks, cars, liveries, teams, drivers and more. This reunion marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between MicroProse and Geoff Crammond, with further announcements in the series to come. MicroProse is officially back on the track at full speed. GCR1 Steam Page GCR2 Steam Page GCR3 Steam Page GCR4 Steam Page -- MicroProse, founded in 1982, is a world-famous simulation software company known for developing groundbreaking classics and new blockbuster titles such as Falcon, HighFleet, B-17 The Mighty Eighth, Ground Branch, Gunship and many more! Today, MicroProse is not only remaking select classics from its past but also paving the road to next-generation, state of the art games that will create the memories and experiences of new generations of gamers.
Students apply their knowledge at Britton Science Fair | Morgan Hill Times | Morgan Hill, San Martin, CA
Eighth-graders at Britton Middle School transformed their gymnasium into a showcase of scientific inquiry Dec. 11, presenting projects ranging from lemon-powered batteries to studies on caffeine’s effects on heart rate.
SC measles outbreak could soon reach Charlotte, health director warns
More than 1 in 10 elementary school students in Mecklenburg County are vaccinated, but that’s still below the threshold needed for immunity.
Nuno Loureiro, professor and director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, dies at 47
Nuno Loureiro, an MIT professor of nuclear science and engineering and of physics, has died at 47. A theoretical physicist and fusion scientist, and director of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Loureiro studied complex problems at the center of fusion vacuum chambers and at the edges of the universe.
Nuno Loureiro, professor and director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, dies at 47
Nuno Loureiro, an MIT professor of nuclear science and engineering and of physics, has died at 47. A theoretical physicist and fusion scientist, and director of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Loureiro studied complex problems at the center of fusion vacuum chambers and at the edges of the universe.
Difference in kidney function tests predicts health risks
Use of two different blood tests may help clinicians better track kidney health and risk for future health problems than either alone.
Being a Huge Asshole Is Not Good Politics
It would be one thing if Trump was delivering for the average person. But when he isn't, his complete lack of human virtue becomes a bigger problem.
Sucker Punch Productions Co-Founder Brian Fleming Passes the Reins to the Next Chapter of Creative Leadership
Starting January 1, Sucker Punch's Jason Connell and Adrian Bentley will step into new roles as studio heads to lead the team into the future
Beidas Elected Co-Editor-in-Chief of Implementation Science
Rinad Beidas, PhD, the chair and Ralph Seal Paffenbarger professor of Medical Social Sciences, has been elected the next co-editor-in-chief of Implementation Science, the field’s flagship journal, effective January 1, 2026.
Business leaders agree AI is the future. They just wish it worked right now
Last spring, CellarTracker, a wine-collection app, built an AI-powered sommelier to make unvarnished wine recommendations based on a person’s palate. The problem was the chatbot was too nice. “It's just very polite, instead of just saying, ‘It's really unlikely you'll like the wine,’” CellarTracker CEO Eric LeVine said.
Rangers Reach Contract Deals With Danny Jansen, Tyler Alexander
Jansen will help shore up Texas' catching situation; Alexander brings left-handed pitching element to Rangers' staff.
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.
Fire Emblem Shadows Makes Metacritic's "Worst Games Of 2025" List
It can't quite make the top, though
$1.57M Alliance Entertainment and DirectToU class action settlement
DirectToU and Alliance Entertainment have agreed to pay $1.57 million to resolve claims they violated the Video Privacy Protection Act by sharing consumer information.
Mirelo raises $41M from Index and a16z to solve AI video's silent problem
Mirelo, a German startup that is building AI to add synced sound effects to videos, has raised a $41 million seed round led by Index Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz.
Marcus Lemonis is retiring from Camping World
Before becoming host of the TV show “The Profit," he built the largest RV retailer and took investors for a bumpy ride.
The Week Ahead: Republicans face a health care dilemma
Republicans are staring down a major health care challenge as Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are set to expire at the end of the month. With a two-week recess beginning Dec. 22, they only have…
Adelanto City Council’s gift makes science camp possible for local kids
Students at Gus Franklin Jr. Elementary School will attend science camp thanks to a generous contribution by the Adelanto City Council.
Brian Kemp’s lame-duck dilemma: Swing big or play it safe?
The two-term Georgia governor enters his last legislative session next month.
Bills seek to promote telemedicine and regulate AI in New Hampshire’s health insurance industry
A Nashua lawmaker has filed two bills related to New Hampshire’s health insurance industry: one would prohibit health insurers from using artificial intelligence to overrule doctors while the other would prevent insurers from reimbursing providers less money for equivalent services provided via telemedicine.
Nearly 1 in 4 Americans say the U.S. health care system is in crisis
A new Gallup poll found that about eight in 10 Democrats, and 64 percent of Republicans, say the system is in crisis or has “major problems.”
How NIH-Funded Science Supports US Biopharmaceutical Innovation
NIH-funded research supports the foundation for industry to develop vaccines and therapies, exemplifying deep public-private R&D complementarity. As global competition intensifies, expanding NIH funding will be key to protecting American health, supporting U.S. biopharmaceutical competitiveness, and ensuring national power and security.
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.
'Knives Out 4'? Director Rian Johnson shares update on his next Benoit Blanc mystery
'Knives Out' filmmaker Rian Johnson has already thought about another Benoit Blanc mystery after 'Wake Up Dead Man': 'I have some basic, elemental, conceptual ideas.'
Microsoft Copilot AI Comes to LG TVs, and Can't Be Deleted
Microsoft's Copilot AI chatbot is arguably one of the most controversial add-ons ever implemented in the Windows 11 operating system. However, the controversy doesn't stop at PC operating systems. It seems to extend to TVs as well. According to Reddit user u/defjam16, his LG TV webOS received an upd...
Nutrient deficiency linked to heart disease risk for millions, new study warns
Global omega-3 deficiency affects 76% of people worldwide, significantly increasing risks for heart disease, cognitive decline and chronic inflammation.
My kids went to an outdoor elementary school with no art, music, or library. They loved it, but adjusting to public school was hard.
My kids loved their private elementary school because they got to learn in small groups outside. They missed out on a lot, but it was worth it.
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.
Google Messages has a major problem, and I'm sick of it
Google Messages has improved in recent years, but it's missing something that all rival messaging platforms offer.
A Trump-touted drug for autism is now in demand, but doctors see a dilemma
Pediatricians debate leucovorin for autism treatment after Trump’s endorsement of the drug.
‘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?
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.
Video How Gen Z is turning business trips into dream getaways
Psycho Bunny’s Sarah LeMoine and IPMI’s Emily Nasser discuss how some members of Gen Z are embracing the perks of business travel.
Salinas elementary students showcase computer science skills
Salinas Elementary School District holds its first ever Computer Science Showcase for students and their families.
Dear Abby: Sensor light illuminates more than one problem
Their rear deck is within 20 feet of our property line.
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?
Nine science-backed ways to prevent overeating this Christmas
Flavour perception and food presentation can affect our brain and make us feel fuller earlier, so we eat fewer calories
Southwick business reaches agreement over loan fraud
As part of the settlement, Comark admitted to receiving a PPP loan in January 2021, meant to be used as financial assistance during the covid pandemic.
Chemical Bonding: COSI demonstration, donated science kits get a big reaction at Marietta Elementary School
MARIETTA — Fifth and sixth grade students at Marietta Elementary School were paid a visit from COSI with a science experiment demonstration Friday morning. As part of the event, students also received the COSI Connects American Innovation Kits, which will arrive at the school Monday. COSI, in partnership with AT&T, selected Marietta for the opportunity […]
Science kits are donated along with a demonstration by COSI at Marietta Elementary School
Fifth and sixth grade students at Marietta Elementary School were paid a visit from COSI with a science experiment demonstration Friday morning. As part of the event, students also received the COSI Connects American Innovation Kits, which will arrive at the school Monday. COSI, in partnership with AT&T, selected Marietta for the opportunity which was […]
For Republicans, Trump’s Hands-Off Approach to Health Care Is a Problem
The prospect of soaring health care costs could exacerbate Americans’ feelings about affordability, an issue that President Trump has tried to downplay. But Democrats plan to keep the issue front and center.
Cigna & UNC Health reach agreement to end healthcare standoff
UNC Health and Cigna had been in a contract stalemate for weeks leading up to an expiring contract, which ended on Nov. 30.
Clemson has five players invited to the upcoming Senior Bowl
Five Clemson players have earned the right to attend the Senior Bowl and make their case for NFL scouts.
Carville: Crockett broke ‘first rule of politics’ with Senate campaign launch
Democratic strategist James Carville mapped out on Thursday what he sees are possible problems with Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s (D-Texas) announcement to run for Senate, saying she broke the R…
League Cup final victory would 'validate' Celtic process
Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy says victory in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren would "validate" what he is trying to implement at his new club.
Using your superpower: Language and International Business alumna shares her journey from humanities student to business owner
Michelle Wiltse graduated from Clemson in 2018 with degrees in Language and International Business and Economics. Today she owns her own animal wellness company: CompanAIn. Michelle Wiltse graduated from Clemson in 2018 with degrees in Language and International Business and Economics. Today she owns her own animal wellness company: CompanAIn.
Does Sleeping On A Problem Actually Help? Yes
That old adage is rooted in some surprisingly up-to-date research.
Embracing Entrepreneurship: Zoë Tsoukalas - Mays Business School News
From Lemonade Stands to Ledgers “I’ve always had the mindset of entrepreneurship. At a very early age, I began my journey towards entrepreneurship with the typical lemonade and snow cone stands. In high school, I launched a clothing and jewelry business, where everything I sold was handmade and one of a kind. I continued with
SFA students blend pop culture, business innovation at Swift-Mas Showcase
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Students in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business stepped into the spotlight during finals week for the Swift-Mas Showcase, an event supported by SFA’s Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship that highlighted student innovation and creative problem-solving throughout the fall semester.
AMD launches FSR SDK 2.1.0 to speed up adoption of FSR Redstone
Implementation-ready Software Development Kit for FSR Redstone now available AMD has released FSR SDK 2.1.0, the first public package that lines up with
Boston hospital cafeteria addresses health code violations after inspection
A December health inspection found multiple violations, including temperature control problems and poor sanitation practices.
Lululemon is dialing back the in-store clutter
The athleisure giant is finally making changes to its overcrowded, inventory-packed stores.
Michael Jordan was already a basketball legend. Now, he’s one in NASCAR too
Thursday's settlement was that significant for NASCAR's teams that Jordan just made himself a transformative figure in yet another sport.
Alabama board of education approves mandatory computer science courses
Schools have 18 months to implement the digital literacy and computer science course.
Long: As NASCAR antitrust lawsuit reaches settlement, a win for fans who get their sport back
23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan credited "level heads" in reaching an agreement.
A controversial Democratic message makes a return: From the Politics Desk
Plus, Trump's political dilemma on the economy.
Reimbursement expected to drive implementation of CCTA, coronary plaque analysis
For years, imaging experts have predicted that CCTA may become the primary imaging modality for coronary artery disease and eliminate the need for invasive diagnostic catheterizations. That prediction is now coming true.
Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing Settles Lawsuit with NASCAR: 'Going to Grow the Sport'
Michael Jordan’s race team will continue to compete in NASCAR after Thursday's settlement. Here's what to know.
Michael Jordan prevails in settlement of antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR
Jordan's 23XI Racing team, along with Front Row Motorsports, reached a deal with NASCAR on the ninth day of their federal trial.
Recent Trends in Commercial Health Insurance Market Concentration
Commercial health insurance markets remain highly concentrated across coverage types. However, the individual market, which consists mostly of the ACA Marketplaces, has attracted more insurers and witnessed greater insurer competition across a variety of measures since the implementation of the enhanced premium tax credits in 2021, according to a new Healthy System Tracker analysis.
Thirty Years of Onion Politics: Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement
The Dayton Peace Agreement ended the Bosnian War, establishing the constitutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It achieved its immediate aim of ending direct violence, yet ended up creating a state apparatus that obstructs social equality and economic sovereignty. This Spotlight argues that the evaluation of its success must take two problems into account: the cementation of ethnic categories as foundational levels of governance and the resulting failure to address or transform war legacies; and the institutionalized international involvement undermining democratic self-determination.
Health insurers ask GOP to fix their fraud problem — and extend Obamacare subsidies
In a last-minute plea, insurers are urging Republicans to crack down on fraud in their industry.
From Our President: Health Advice You Can Trust via @ConsumerReports
Consumer Reports CEO Phil Radford highlights CR's efforts to provide consumers with trusted, science-based health information, such as its guide to supplements.
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
Neighboring businesses react to Roanoke strip club returning
A controversial business is returning to Roanoke under new management and a new name. A developer plans to reopen Gold and Silver Gentleman’s Club as Lust Gentleman’s Club.
New group seeks to improve local business environment through work with government
A new business initiative led by Salem attorney Mark Hoyt was unveiled during a Salem Area Chamber of Commerce event on Monday. The group hopes to benefit the community by working with government on behalf of local businesses.
Unfinished business (part 2): fixing the “biggest problem” in physics
Our podcast on science and technology. This week, physicist Vlatko Vedral on how to bridge the quantum and classical worlds
Pre-Business Program Overview at Clemson
Discover the foundational Pre-Business curriculum at Clemson University, designed to guide students toward successful majors in business fields.
Minnesota survey shows post-pandemic gains in student mental health
The 2025 statewide survey was first to ask in detail about social media usage, and many students think they have a problem with it.
Scientists discover a new state of matter at Earth’s center
New research reveals that Earth’s solid inner core is actually in a superionic state, where carbon atoms flow freely through a solid iron lattice. This unusual behavior makes the core soft, matching seismic observations that have puzzled scientists for decades. The mobility of these light elements may also contribute energy to Earth’s magnetic field. The findings reshape models of Earth’s interior and could apply to other rocky planets.
The One UI 8.5 beta turned my Samsung phone into an iPhone
Samsung's One UI 8.5 beta is here, and there's a problem with it: It's made my Galaxy S25 feel just like an iPhone.
A new threat to affordability – just in time for winter
A new problem is threatening to worsen the affordability squeeze this winter: Natural gas prices have raced back up just as extreme cold forces Americans to crank up the heat.
Encampment threatens West LA business as city makes new push to fight homelessness
The move comes as Los Angeles businesses continue to deal with the problems associated with homeless encampments.
The U.S. Needs a Better Strategy for Sports Diplomacy
The U.S. has never had a cohesive approach to sports diplomacy — which could be a problem while hosting the World Cup and the Olympics over the next decade.
University of Utah approves groundbreaking athletics plan to pursue private equity
While other schools like Clemson and Kentucky have spun off similar entities, Utah would be the first to include outside investors.
Goldman Sachs exec says banker talent 'competition remains intense' as Wall Street battles for dealmakers amid M&A cycle
Goldman CFO Denis Coleman says a hot M&A pipeline is fueling fierce competition for talent as Wall Street heads into 2026.
Pebble's founder introduces a $75 AI smart ring for recording brief notes with a press of a button
After rebooting the Pebble smartwatch, founder Eric Migicovsky is expanding his company's device lineup with a new smart wearable: an AI-powered smart ring known as Index 01. Named for the finger where the ring is meant to be worn, the new $75 ring is not meant to be a competitor to the always-on, always-listening AI devices, like the AI pendant Friend, but instead offers a way to record quick notes and reminders with a press of a button on the ring's side. AI only comes into play via the open source, speech-to-text, and AI models that run locally on your smartphone, via the open source Pebble mobile app. That is, if the Ring's button is not being pressed, it's not recording. (And this is a press-and-hold gesture, too, which means you can't start the ring's recording and then let go to surreptitiously record a conversation.) You can wear the stainless steel ring while in the shower, washing hands, doing dishes, or in the rain, but you would have to take it off for other water-related activities, like swimming. At launch, it's water-resistant to 1 meter. The ring is also not a fitness tracker or sleep monitor. It doesn't record details about your heart rate or health. And it's not there to be your AI friend. "I'm not trying to build some AI assistant thing," Migicovsky told TechCrunch in an interview. "I build things that solve one main problem, and they solve it really well," he explains. "I think of as external memory for my brain...that's what this is. It's always with you." Plus, the ring has been designed to be highly reliable and privacy-preserving, he says, as all your thoughts are stored on your phone, not in the cloud. There is no subscription. Migicovsky has been wearing the ring for three months now and says he cannot imagine going back to a world where he doesn't always have a memory device with him. "The problem is that, during the day, I get ideas or I remember something, and if I don't write it down that second, I forget it," he says. The ring solves this problem, he adds, without becoming another device you need to charge. "The battery lasts for years," Migicovsky claims. Technically, the ring is said to support roughly 12 to 14 hours of recording. On average, the founder says he uses it 10-20 times per day to record 3-6 second thoughts. At that rate, he'll get about two years of usage. When the ring's battery dies, you can ship it back to the company for recycling. When using Index, you can record up to five minutes of audio, which can be saved to the ring and synced to your phone later. This makes sense for recording briefer, personal thoughts and notes, even when you don't have your phone handy, but it wouldn't work for recording a longer chat, like a presentation, meeting, or in-person interview of some kind. The ring also supports 99+ languages and has a bit of on-device memory, in case you're not in Bluetooth range of your device, where the recording is ultimately saved and transcribed. (The raw audio is retained, too, in case the speech-to-text is garbled due to loud background noise). If you own a Pebble smartwatch or one from another brand, your recorded thought can even appear on the watch's screen so you can verify it's correct. The ring works with Pebble's mobile app, which offers notes and reminders, but can optionally integrate with your phone's calendaring system, too, or other apps, like Notion. And the ring's software is open source, which makes it hackable by the community, the founder points out. Because of its open nature, the ring's button is already programmable. In addition to the press-and-hold gesture, you can program the ring to do other things with a single or double press, like play or pause your music or control the shutter on your phone's camera. You could use it to send a message through the universal chat app Beeper, which Migicovsky also created, or you could add your own voice actions via MCP. A new approach to hardware Migicovsky acknowledges that hardware can be difficult to get right -- as the previous exit of Pebble to Fitbit showed. (Fitbit, too, was later acquired by Google in 2021). "I didn't earn any money during Pebble -- we exited, but it was not a great exit," Migicovsky admits. This year, however, he decided to reboot the Pebble project after Google open sourced the PebbleOS, which opened up the door to new hardware. With his new company, Core Devices, Migicovsky plans to do things differently. Still, the founder doesn't regret his previous choices, he clarifies. "I wouldn't have gone back and changed anything. I loved what we built. I loved what we did. I love the company that we built, but it's not the only way to build a company," he told TechCrunch. " And, speaking as an ex-YC partner, there are -- there's a time and a place for building a venture-backed startup. Some companies are phenomenal when they raise money and build a big team, and I tried that...I think what I'm doing now is trying an alternative path, which is start from profitability," he says. The new company is a small team of five, self-funded, and focused on sustainability. So far, Core Devices has shipped the Pebble 2 Duo smartwatch with a black-and-white display. Its first run sold out, and the company is now preparing to ship the upgraded version, the Pebble Time 2. The newer device, which has seen 25,000 pre-orders, is a stainless steel watch with a larger, color e-ink screen. As for the Index 01, the ring's pre-order offer ends in March 2026. After that, the price increases to $99. It currently comes in silver, polished gold, and matte black and works with iOS and Android devices. Customers can select from eight ring sizes and three colors.
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