SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " strain " 713 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Nordic Semiconductor introduces precise, adaptive battery health-monitoring to enable smarter, longer-lasting IoT devices
Nordic Semiconductor, a global leader in low-power wireless connectivity solutions, today announces Nordic Fuel Gauge v2.0, a major upgrade of its highly accurate software-based fuel gauge solution for the award-winning nPM1300, and nPM1304 Power Management ICS, at Embedded World 2026. The release adds sophisticated State-of-Health estimation, adaptive battery modeling, and long-term fleet analytics capabilities, extending advanced battery management to a wide range of power-constrained IoT prod
Surge in diesel prices could strain local businesses
A week ago, diesel in North Carolina was $3.56. The average now in North Carolina is 4.69 a gallon.
Pokémon Pokopia Physical Edition Price Raised to $80 on Amazon, Amid Reports of Stock Constraints
Amazon has unofficially made Pokémon Pokopia an $80 Nintendo Switch 2 game, after the retailer suddenly increased the price for the new life sim's physical edition amid supply constraints.
Death of North Kingstown police officer highlights mental health strains
Police departments across the region are mourning the loss of a North Kingstown officer whose career was cut short by tragedy just months after it began.
War with Iran means higher gas prices. How is that affecting your small business?
Rising oil prices tied to the conflict in the Middle East could add another strain for US small businesses already struggling under the weight of stubborn inflation and President Donald Trump’s hefty tariffs.
Is Donovan Mitchell playing tonight? Cavs vs. Pistons injury report
The latest NBA injury report lists Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell out with a right groin strain vs. the East-leading Pistons.
Patriot missiles fired in Iran war, stressing strained stockpile
US officials have expressed concerns on Patriot interceptor stockpiles as recent conflicts have seen reliance on the system.
Political questions: Not every issue can be resolved in federal court
Political question doctrine is best understood as one of jurisdiction and judicial restraint.
US burned through more of its limited Tomahawk arsenal against Iran
The US Navy's Tomahawk cruise missiles have been used heavily in recent conflicts, deepening the strain on its stockpile.
Democrats demand immediate vote to restrain Trump on Iran
Congress is expected to vote on two resolutions that seek to block further military action, the latest test of a long-shot strategy to reassert lawmakers’ war powers.
War powers debate intensifies after Trump orders attack on Iran without approval by Congress
Key members of Congress are demanding a swift vote on a war powers resolution that would restrain President Donald Trump’s military attack on Iran
Cricket in the Crossfire of Politics
As the 2026 World Cricket Cup unfolds under diplomatic strain, rising tensions between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh show that the sport is no longer just a game but a stage where politics, nationalism, and media capital collide.
Soaring cost of food and other staples squeezes Iranians as threat of U.S. attack looms
The mounting costs only further strain the population as they fear a possible war with the U.S. and wrestle with the aftermath of protests that swept the country last month.
WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and Pan American Health Organization sign agreement to strengthen hospital resilience
25 February 2026 (EMRO/PAHO)—WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have signed a Memorandum of Arrangement to strengthen collaboration on making hospitals safer and better prepared for health emergencies and disasters. At a time of growing instability and constrained resources, this collaboration positions hospitals as a dependable anchor for communities, ensuring they remain open, functional, and capable of delivering life-saving care when it matters most.
Google Antigravity falls to Earth under OpenClaw-fueled compute load
: Company tries to curb strain by banning customer accounts for 'malicious' usage
Genome Science Revolutionizes Wheat Stem Rust Battle
Key points Genome sequencing of several wheat stem rust strains shows some outbreaks arose independently, overturning assumptions and changing how
Business Lookahead: Nvidia earnings take center stage
STORY: As global markets react to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on President Trump's tariffs, Nvidia earnings head for center stage. These are the stories to watch in business and finance in the coming week. :: Nvidia's momentMarkets will be watching for Nvidia's quarterly results Wednesday...as investors worry about returns on AI spending and industry disruptions caused by the emerging tech.Nvidia shares have soared following the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022.But shares of the company and others in the "Magnificent Seven" have stalled so far in 2026.:: Anniversary angstTuesday marks the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.While the push for a ceasefire continues, getting one over the line remains difficult.Ukraine has faced sustained pressure to agree to a deal that could mean painful concessions, as Russian forces pound its power grid and slowly advance on the battlefield.The International Monetary Fund looks set to rubberstamp extended support, meaning Kyiv's bonds are flying high.:: Key Australia dataAustralia's consumer price reading Wednesday will be closely watched by investors, who are betting the central bank will hike rates at least once more this year.Earlier this month, Australia's central bank became the only one in the G10 outside Japan to tighten policy, as it struggles to bring inflation under control in a supply-constrained economy.:: British uneaseBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a reckoning Thursday in a Manchester special election.Investors will be watching the results closely. Friday could be another volatile day for British markets and Westminster.British gilts and the pound wobbled earlier this month as a crisis engulfed Starmer over what he knew of Peter Mandelson's links to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he appointed the former as U.S. ambassador.
Ancient bacteria found frozen in ice may help scientists in fight against superbugs
In a cave in Romania, scientists found a bacterial strain entombed in ice that is resistant to 10 modern antibiotics. But it may also help fight superbugs.
State Lawmakers Seek Restraints on Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt
At least eight states are considering legislation to curtail wage garnishment over unpaid medical bills, as health care costs rise and more people become underinsured.
Patients feel strain of Florida Blue fallout with Broward hospitals: ‘Just lunacy’
Broward residents say they’ve struggled to find new in-network doctors to continue treatment for cancer and other conditions.
Colorado’s Medicaid crisis was years in the making
By Greg D’Argonne As the Joint Budget Committee meets to finalize spending decisions for the coming fiscal year, one truth should guide the conversation: Colorado’s health care budget strain did not appear overnight — and it is not the fault of hospitals, doctors, or any medical provider. Health care spending itself is at the heart […]
Five Berkeley Lab Scientists Receive DOE Early Career Research Awards
Five scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have received Early Career Research Program (ECRP) awards from the Department of Energy. The ECRP program, now in its 16th year, was established to bolster the nation’s scientific workforce by supporting exceptional researchers at the outset of their careers, when many scientists do their most formative work. Recipients use the funding to pursue projects that have the potential to solve scientific challenges and advance the country’s STEM capabilities. To be eligible for the program, a researcher must be an untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professor at a U.S. academic institution, or a full-time employee at a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility, who is within 10 years of having earned their doctorate. Awards to an institution of higher education will be approximately $875,000 over five years, and awards to a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility will be approximately $2,750,000 over five years. This year’s Berkeley Lab awardees and their projects are listed below: Timon Heim: Better detectors for more powerful particle colliders Timon Heim is a staff scientist in the Physics Division. His ECRP project will develop a new type of detector that can track the particles generated by collisions in particle colliders with high spatial and temporal resolution. Current detectors in use at high-energy colliders, like the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, can track the trajectory and measure momentum of particles, but they can’t track a particle’s time of arrival with sufficient precision to discern from which of the many particle interactions they originate. Heim’s proposed technology — called a 4D tracking detector, because it captures data about particles’ positions in space and time — aims to solve this challenge, allowing researchers to glean more precise data from collision experiments to uncover new insights into fundamental forces and potentially discover new particles. The enhanced capabilities of 4D detectors will be a necessity for experiments at future colliders, such as the Muon Collider or Future Circular Collider. The project will develop custom microelectronics that process the signal of a pixelated silicon sensor that can register charged particles passing through it in an extreme radiation environment that these colliders produce during operation. The goal is to measure individual particles’ position with 50-micro-meter spatial and 50 pico-second (one trillionth of a second) temporal precision, for an incoming flux of around 1 billion particles per second per square centimeter. Harrison Lisabeth: Studying underground processes to unleash abundant energy Harrison Lisabeth is a research scientist in the Energy Geoscience Division focused on combining real-world experiments and AI to guide development of geothermal energy systems. His project will explore how deep underground rock formations – where geothermal wells are dug – are stressed by chemical reactions of the minerals and mechanical strain from movements in the Earth. A better understanding of subsurface stresses is essential to engineer safe and reliable geothermal wells that access the heat of deep rocks to produce electricity. It is estimated that the U.S. could generate ten times the amount of energy needed to power the grid using geothermal sources. Lisabeth plans to simulate how minerals grow, dissolve, and influence the behavior of surrounding rock in geothermal reservoirs by tracking chemical changes in rock samples under pressure in the lab. The project will also develop machine learning models to predict geologic strain based on field measurements and refine existing models that describe how common rock types deform under stress. Combining these approaches, Lisabeth hopes to develop a framework to predict stress to improve stability and longevity of geothermal wells. Daniel Carney: Pushing the quantum boundaries of particle measurement Daniel Carney is a staff scientist in the Physics Division who uses quantum information science to study particle physics and gravity. At very small scales, “quantum noise” — random fluctuations from the act of measurement — can drown out faint signals from rare processes. Carney’s ECRP project, “Fundamental Physics at the Quantum Limits of Measurement,” aims to build a new mechanical quantum sensor that can measure extremely small particle interactions below the limits of that quantum noise. The approach uses lasers to hold a tiny bead containing radioactive atoms; when one decays, the system measures the bead’s motion and the energy of any particles emitted. The experiment’s initial goal is to search for heavy sterile neutrinos, hypothetical particles predicted by some extensions of the Standard Model. The system could also help measure the mass of the neutrino, study the way particles interact through the electromagnetic and weak forces, and hunt for low-mass dark matter — all unsolved mysteries in particle physics. Callum Wilkinson: Using machine learning to demystify neutrinos Callum Wilkinson is a staff scientist in the Physics Division and part of the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. DUNE will create an intense beam of neutrinos that interact in detectors in Illinois and, after an 800-mile journey through the earth, in massive detectors in South Dakota. By precisely measuring neutrinos and how they change, researchers will get a better understanding of their fundamental properties and whether they are responsible for why there is so much more matter than antimatter in our universe. Wilkinson’s ECRP project will apply two machine learning techniques to improve the analysis of DUNE’s data and enhance the experiment’s precision. One approach will look for hidden patterns in how neutrinos interact and produce low-energy particles, while the other will help correct for distortions in what the detectors record. The methods will be tested on one of DUNE’s prototype detectors and could be used in other neutrino experiments, improving their measurements and helping scientists build better models. Aditi Krishnapriyan: Machine learning methods that scale as datasets grow Aditi Krishnapriyan is a faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Applied Mathematics and Computational Research Division (AMCR) and assistant professor at UC Berkeley. Her project, awarded through UC Berkeley, will develop machine learning methods that scale with dataset size for modeling complex, multi-scale phenomena. The resulting tools can be applied in a wide range of research, including the study of new electrolytes for batteries or the examination of molecular interactions. ### Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
Employer health coverage strains families in Kansas and Missouri
Kansas families spend nearly 10% of income on employer coverage, slightly more than Missouri households.
Rising employer-sponsored health insurance rates
Premiums for employer-sponsored insurance are rising faster than inflation, while deductibles are increasing even more rapidly. Because employer-sponsored insurance remains the primary source of health coverage in the U.S., these trends raise serious concerns about affordability and the growing financial strain on both workers and employers.
Is Sustainability a Supply Chain Bottleneck?
As fashion races to meet stricter environmental targets, brands are discovering that responsible sourcing brings new operational constraints — reshaping timelines, costs and supplier relationships across the global supply chain.
Macron urges calm after activist's death sparks political clash
French President Emmanuel Macron urged calm and restraint at the weekend after an activist died from injuries sustained during a beating, an incident that has become a political flashpoint.
GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek's family tops $2.3 million to help with 'financial strain' following star's death
The donations include $25,000 from Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, and a recurring monthly payment of $2,500 from actress Zoe Saldaña.
Alabama college pauses cuts to sports programs amid budget strain
Prior to the athletics report, the board voted to remove nine low-performing minors and seven concentrations.
Sun Life helping Canada and Canadian businesses diversify trade, CEO says
CEO Kevin Strain highlighted Hong Kong and Indonesia as 'standout markets' in the company’s Asia unit
As Market District businesses suffer, city speeding up construction
A year-long road closure for park construction in Tallahassee's Market District is causing significant financial strain for local businesses, leading to layoffs and reduced hours.
A bipartisan effort to save health subsidies failed. Will ICE reform be different?
A bipartisan effort in Congress to restrain immigration enforcement tactics is flailing despite a Friday deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The pattern is increasingly familiar.
A bipartisan effort to save health subsidies failed. Will ICE reform be different?
A bipartisan effort in Congress to restrain immigration enforcement tactics is flailing despite a Friday deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The pattern is increasingly familiar.
JJ Redick gives update on Luka Doncic
Lakers coach JJ Redick gave an update on when he thinks Luka Doncic will return from a hamstring strain.
GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek's family tops $2 million to help with 'financial strain' following star's death
The former teen heartthrob had been living with Stage 3 colorectal cancer since 2023.
GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek's family tops $1 million to help with 'financial strain' following star's death
The former teen heartthrob had been living with Stage 3 colorectal cancer since 2023.
James Van Der Beek's wife launches GoFundMe to help with 'financial strain' following the 'Dawson's Creek' star's death
The former teen heartthrob had been living with stage three colorectal cancer since 2023.
Talking politics with family: We won't make it if we don't 'put our hearts and heads together'
This episode of One Small Step reflects on how political polarization can strain family relationships and how trying to build connections across political lines can help repair that divide.
Sustain CFO Develops Financial Resilience Framework for Maryland Businesses Experiencing “Growth-Induced Cash Crunch”
Ellicott City, MD, Feb. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Many Maryland business owners are seeing revenue rise while feeling increasingly constrained by cash. To address the disconnect, Sustain CFO, a fractional CFO in Maryland, has developed a financial resilience framework to help growth-stage companies that want to scale without undermining liquidity. Fractional CFO Team Delivers Financial Clarity The framework is designed to help founders and executives understand a common but often misunderstoo
Grant Guidelines for Libraries and Museums Take “Chilling” Political Turn Under Trump
Former Institute of Museum and Library Services leaders from both political parties expressed concern that the new funding guidelines could encourage a more constrained or distorted view of American history.
As Olympics Open, Pope Leo Warns Against Using Sports for ‘Propaganda or National Supremacy’
The Milan-Cortina Games are overlapping with a moment of geopolitical turbulence as conflicts rage, national leaders issue threats and alliances are strained.
China Consumer Loyalty Business Report 2026: A $35.65 Billion Market by 2030 from $18.46 Billion in 2025 - 88VIP, JD.com, Meituan Black Card, and WeChat Infrastructure Anchor Platform-Led Models
The Chinese loyalty market presents prime opportunities in embedded, platform-driven loyalty models and membership-based systems across various sectors. Integration into super-app ecosystems, leveraging data-driven personalization within regulatory constraints, and blending offline-to-online experiences are key growth avenues. Chinese Loyalty Market Chinese Loyalty Market Dublin, Feb. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "China Loyalty Market Size & Forecast by Spend Value Across 100+ KPIs by Progra
US cuts ties with Polish parliament speaker over Trump Nobel row
The episode adds fresh strain to otherwise close US–Poland security ties
New Mexico solar firms hope tax credit hike will help boost business
With the expiration of a federal tax credit, installation companies are feeling the strain. Customers are relying more heavily on state aid.
Local business stopped receiving mail with no explanation. NBC10 investigated why
One South Jersey businesses felt the strain as mail delays cause payment and document issues. NBC10 looked into the issue.
How Cost Pressures And Loan Constraints Are Reshaping Small Business Decisions
Rising operating costs and tighter access to small business loans are reshaping how owners make decisions in 2025.
Opinion: Who really pays for business tax cuts in New Hampshire?
Discover the potential consequences of a proposed Business Enterprise Tax cut in New Hampshire, including budget strain and minimal benefits for businesses.
Paul Joyce: Liverpool Won’t Allow Jones Departure
Liverpool stance firm as Curtis Jones interest surfacesLiverpool’s January posture has been defined by restraint, and the reporting from Paul Joyce of The Times sharpens that picture. With days left...
Trump-appointed judges are letting his immigration enforcement blitz continue
As President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has whisked through major US cities, trial-level judges attempting to restrain the frenzied actions of federal agents have been repeatedly slapped down by higher courts – sometimes with the help of judges the president put on the bench in his first term.
Winter weather hits local businesses hard as snow forces closures
Local business owners are grappling with the financial strain of consecutive winter weather weekends, with closures significantly impacting service industry employees and small retailers.
China, U.K. vow to build long-term strategic partnership in bid to reset strained ties
U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he hopes to build "more sophisticated" ties with China as the two nations look to revive the bilateral relationships.
As college sports look more professional, sponsors turn to high school
High school sports, some marketers are finding, can provide brands with national reach and inroads with potential future star athletes.
How AI is transforming research: More papers, less quality, and a strained review system - Haas News
Mathijs De Vaan has long recognized the labor required to effectively communicate scientific findings. For the Netherlands native and UC Berkeley Haas associate professor of management, data and analyses are only half the battle; the rest is a time-intensive process of ensuring that complex, nuanced ideas are articulated with the precision that top-tier research demands. […]
Cardiologist provides heart health safety tips to keep in mind when shoveling snow
A cardiologist with Augusta Health said heavy snow plowing can put an extra strain on your heart.
Kentucky health officials warn people about health risks while shoveling snow
The combination of colder temperatures and an uptick in physical exertion can put a strain on the heart and can increase the risk of a heart attack.
How safe are spit hoods — and do they actually work?
Research on the use of spit hoods in real-world scenarios, like when someone is under arrest or being restrained in a medical setting, is virtually nonexistent.
Shoveling snow could pose dangerous health risk for one group, experts warn
Snow shoveling creates hidden heart strain similar to cardiac stress tests. Learn safer techniques and warning signs to protect your cardiovascular health.
U.S. severs ties with WHO, raising concerns about flu epidemics
Health officials haven't committed to an upcoming meeting with the World Health Organization that will select flu strains for next season's shots.
European corporate outlook dims slightly, still marred by global uncertainty
The outlook for European corporate health has slightly deteriorated, the latest forecasts showed on Thursday, as U.S. tariff respite is overshadowed by geopolitical tensions which are straining traditional Western alliances.
SBA chief touts gains as small businesses feel supply chain strain
“We know that Wall Street’s going to be fine,” said Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler.
Opinion | Trump’s Politics Are Not America First. They’re Me First.
Donald Trump is the most un-American president in our history. And in his second term, there is no one to constrain his un-American impulses.
White House, states plunge into power market politics
Eastern grid operator PJM didn't directly address a proposal from a coalition of governors and the Trump Cabinet to restrain escalating costs tied to data
Sky Sports: Crystal Palace stance clear on Glasner after weekend outburst
Glasner’s Outburst Lays Bare a Club Under StrainCrystal Palace find themselves at a crossroads, and Sky Sports’ reporting laid bare just how exposed that junction has become. Despite Oliver Glasne...
Rural Small Business Confidence Improves Heading into 2026
Rising rural business confidence supports local ag economies, but taxes and labor shortages remain key constraints.
Public Statement to Clarify Recent Reports Regarding the ASUS GeForce RTX™ 5070 Ti and RTX™ 5060 Ti 16 GB
ASUS clarifies reports on GeForce RTX 5070 Ti & RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB: Not discontinued! Supply fluctuations due to memory constraints. ASUS will continue support.
Canada’s Mark Carney seeks reset on pivotal trip to China
Canadian leader's visit comes after nearly a decade of strained ties between Ottawa and Beijing.
Saks Global files for bankruptcy protection amid luxury market strains
Saks Global, the parent company of luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, filed for bankruptcy protection late Tuesday, according to court documents filed in US Bankruptcy Court in Houston, Texas.
Classified legal memo argues Trump wasn’t constrained by US or international law for Maduro capture operation
A new classified legal opinion produced by the Justice Department argues that President Donald Trump was not limited by domestic law when approving the US operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro because of his constitutional authority as commander-in-chief and that he is not constrained by international law when it comes to carrying out law enforcement operations overseas, according to sources who have read the memo.
Sarah Jessica Parker On The Business Of Saying No
Sarah Jessica Parker talks exclusively about her new global partnership, her role as producer and entrepreneur, and why restraint has defined her four-decade career.
How Seaport’s Upgrade Amid Mixed Fundamentals At Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) Has Changed Its Investment Story
In recent days, Sphere Entertainment received an upgrade from Seaport Global from Neutral to Buy, following a series of earlier positive analyst views tied to venue performance, sponsorship activity, and attendance trends. At the same time, Sphere’s fundamentals remain mixed, with weak long-term sales growth and constrained free cash flow raising questions about how effectively it can reinvest behind its high-profile partnerships and expanding venue platform. We’ll now explore how Seaport...
Trump Says He Has No Issue With His Family’s Foreign Business Deals
The president, in an interview with The New York Times, said he showed restraint during his first term but got no credit for it, so he saw no reason to hold back now.
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
On topic after topic, President Trump made clear that he would be the arbiter of any limits to his authorities, not international law or treaties.
This brain trick makes exercise feel easier
Exercise doesn’t just challenge the body; it challenges how the brain interprets effort. Scientists discovered that vibrating tendons before cycling allowed people to push harder without feeling like they were working more. Their muscles and hearts worked overtime, but their sense of strain stayed the same. This brain-body mismatch could one day help make exercise feel less intimidating, especially for people who struggle to stay active.
Wondering if You Should Get a Flu Shot? Here’s What Science Says
Flu is making people miserable from coast to coast, thanks in large part to a new strain called subclade K.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Announces It Will Cease Operations
The family-owned company that operates the newspaper cited mounting losses and labor constraints. A final edition is expected on Sunday, May 3.
How new trade & investment corridors are reshaping business
With traditional multilateral trade frameworks under strain and global rules in flux, a more transactional style of international relations is taking hold.
Emergency rooms, clinics across Metro Detroit strained by flu surge, health leaders warn
Emergency rooms and community-based clinics across metro Detroit are seeing a sharp rise in flu cases, putting added pressure on local health systems and staff.
‘New phase’: India eyes Bangladesh thaw with BNP after years of mistrust
In advance of elections in Bangladesh, India and the BNP are trying to reset historically strained ties. Will it work?
Six Trends Reshaping Women’s Health Investing
Six trends are reshaping women’s health investing—from new funds and capital vehicles to rising demand and platform constraints shaping which innovations scale.
Flu cases are rising with a new strain that makes older people sicker
Flu season is ramping up in the U.S., marked by a new strain that could make vaccines less effective. Covid cases remain down.
Health advances marked 2025, even as wars and funding cuts strained systems
From eliminating deadly infections to expanding access to lifesaving vaccines, 2025 delivered meaningful progress for global health, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), offering cautious optimism at the close of a year marked by both breakthroughs and strain.
Midlands business owners raise concerns over new liquor liability law
A new law set to take effect this week aims to alleviate the financial strain on bars and restaurants in the state by allowing them to lower the $1 million liqu
Midlands business owners raise concerns over new liquor liability law
A new law set to take effect this week aims to alleviate the financial strain on bars and restaurants in the state by allowing them to lower the $1 million liqu
Report: Apple's AI Strategy Could Finally Pay Off in 2026
Apple's restrained artificial intelligence strategy may pay off in 2026 amid the arrival of a revamped Siri and concerns around the AI market "bubble" bursting, The Information argues. The speculative report notes that Apple has taken a restrained approach with AI innovations compared with peers such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta, which are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in data centers, chips, and large language model training.
New 'aggressive' flu strain emerging as health threat: Where it's spreading the most
A highly contagious and aggressive flu strain is sweeping the nation this season.
New 'aggressive' flu strain emerging as health threat: Where it's spreading the most
A highly contagious and aggressive flu strain is sweeping the nation this season.
How America’s Health Care System Broke in 2025
2025 exposed the consequences of political interference, rising costs, workforce strain, and unregulated AI.
Iryna’s Law aims to improve public safety — but it may deepen jail and health care strains
North Carolina sheriffs say stricter pretrial release rules could test capacity, staffing and county budgets.
Bucks' Antetokounmpo says his focus is on his health rather than rumors about his future
Giannis Antetokounmpo said Thursday he’s focused on getting healthy and helping the Milwaukee Bucks turn their season around, not on rumors about his future plans. Antetokounmpo spoke to reporters for the first time since a Dec. 3 ESPN report indicated that he and his agent, Alex Saratsis, were talking with Bucks officials about whether he’s best suited to stay in Milwaukee or get traded. Antetokounmpo strained his right calf in a victory over the Detroit Pistons that night and hasn’t played since.
New flu strain emerging as a severe health threat
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joins 'America's Newsroom' to warn of a new strain of the flu that is spiking hospitalizations across the country and newfound risks of medical marijuana's link to psychosis.
As flu season hits, new ‘K’ variant has health experts concerned and urging vaccinations
A new strain of influenza has become the most prevalent form of the virus this year.
RFK Jr., unconstrained by Congress, presses ahead to reshape health care
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., unconstrained by Congress, is pressing ahead in his mission to reshape health care.
You Might Soon See 8GB Laptops Everywhere, as Manufacturers Are Likely to Make High-RAM Configurations Unaffordable
Memory shortages are anticipated to pose constraints on laptop manufacturers, as a new report states that 8GB memory will become common.
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.
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.
Higher cost, worse coverage: Affordable Care Act enrollees say expiring subsidies will hit them hard
Americans are feeling the strain already with less than three weeks to go until the expiration of COVID-era tax credits that have helped many people pay for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs
Strains on the system could grow with the elimination of as many as 35,000 mostly unfilled health care positions, including doctors, nurses and support staff.
Doctor reveals why health care costs are so high
Health care costs are financially straining Americans, rising faster than inflation.
The Hidden Toll of Holiday Stress on Women’s Health
A recent survey suggests a widening gut-health gap, with women—often the default planners and hosts—bearing the brunt of holiday strain.
Social media and ADHD diagnosis, new mpox strain in England and early firestarters
Science editor Ian Sample sits down with co-host Madeleine Finlay to discuss three eye-catching stories from the week
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