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Trump administration takes its economic message to Pennsylvania again as Vance heads to swing state
President Donald Trump bragged to Pennsylvanians last week that he’d delivered an “unbelievable” economy. Now, it’s up to Vice President JD Vance to explain why they’re not yet feeling the benefits.
Starmer urged to stand up for BBC against Trump’s ‘outrageous’ $10bn lawsuit
Ed Davey says prime minister must make it clear lawsuit is ‘unacceptable’ as US president quotes Badenoch to back ‘fake news’ claim
Innovation, evolution, revolution - golf's new faces championing change
With an influx of new people at the head of the sport's most important bodies, the groundwork is being laid for rapid change, writes Iain Carter.
Claude Code's creator explains the limits of vibe coding
The engineer behind Claude Code says vibe coding works for prototypes, but today's AI models still fall short for maintainable software.
What’s worse for us, sugar or sweeteners?
We all know eating too much sugar is bad for our health – but would we be better off replacing it with artificial sweetener? It’s a question Science Weekly listener Marion posed recently and, as Madeleine Finlay tells Ian Sample, the answer is complicated. She explains what the science says about sugar v sweeteners with the help of Prof Havovi Chichger, from Anglia Ruskin University, and Prof Jim Krieger, from the University of Washington’s school of public health
Taiwan Reels From Political Faceoff Between President, Opponents
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has escalated his rhetoric against opposition parties by accusing them of abusing their legislative power, as the island descends into partisan strife after a clash over fiscal spending.
Conflating politics and fitness is weird: Michelle Tafoya
‘Gutfeld!’ panelists weigh in on a Washington Post piece claiming pull-ups have become a new symbol of American masculinity.
Erika Kirk and Candace Owens meet amid an escalating feud over Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, met Monday with podcaster Candace Owens amid an intensifying public feud over Owens’ promotion of conspiracy theories surrounding Kirk’s death.
Washington claims first NCAA men's soccer title
Harrison Bertos scored 1:54 into overtime after Washington let a two-goal lead slip against North Carolina State to earn their first-ever Men's College Cup national championship.
Science has always been marketed, from 18th-century coffeehouse demos of Newton's ideas to today's TikTok explainers
People often see science as a world apart: cool, rational and untouched by persuasion or performance. In this view, scientists simply discover truth, and truth speaks for itself.
Ravens finally found 'formula' vs. Bengals claims analyst
This is the version of Baltimore we've been waiting to see.
Rob Reiner was more than a Hollywood legend. He helped shape California politics
The slain actor and director’s impact on California is felt far beyond Hollywood. Here’s how he helped shaped politics
Chicago business owner sues city and mayor, claims Riverwalk license revoked due to racial bias
Beat Kitchen owner Robert Gomez is suing the city, alleging his Riverwalk license was not renewed due to racial discrimination, despite being the most qualified applicant under city rules.
All 1,600 Kentucky battery plant employees laid off as Ford pivots away from EV business
All 1,600 employees of the brand new electric vehicle battery plant in Kentucky will be laid off before Ford converts it to manufacture batteries for data centers and other utilities.
The Game Awards Gave Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 A Massive Boost
Winning Game of the Year and eight additional Game Awards really paid off for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Oklahoma doctor explains health risks of processed meats
Health experts warn processed meats like bacon and hot dogs are linked to higher risks of cancer, heart disease, stroke and obesity, while unprocessed meats are healthier choices.
Jimmy Lai's daughter says he'd focus on family, not activism, if he's freed in Hong Kong
Pro-democracy former Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai would devote himself to God and his family rather than political activism if he were released
Trump’s ugly Rob Reiner post undercuts the GOP’s post-Charlie Kirk claims to civility
One of the downsides of serving in President Donald Trump’s movement is that the moral high ground is extremely unsteady terrain.
Expedition 33's Game Awards sweep fuels online drama and conspiracy theories
No amount of snarky posts or memes can undo the sincerity that helped Clair Obscur sweep in the first place.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots Week 15 snap counts
The Buffalo Bills regrouped at halftime to claim a key win over the New England Patriots in Week 15.
$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.
Trump sustains political attack on Rob Reiner in inflammatory post after his killing
President Donald Trump on Monday blamed Rob Reiner's outspoken opposition to the president for the actor-director’s killing, delivering the unsubstantiated claim in a shocking post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy.
Amherst astronomers to explain winter solstice science at campus Sunwheel
Astronomer Stephen Schneider will lead the morning session and Grant Wilson will join the evening event. T
Trump sustains political attack on Rob Reiner in inflammatory post after his killing
President Donald Trump is blaming Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the actor-director’s killing, delivering the unsubstantiated claim in a shocking post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy
Clair Obscur's new Endless Tower bosses are providing quite the challenge for returning players
Whether it's rust or because the bosses are just artificially hard, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 players are reeling at the free DLC's difficulty.
Science has always been marketed, from 18th-century coffeehouse demos of Newton’s ideas to today’s TikTok explainers
Science has always been part of a marketplace of ideas, where claims vie for audiences, resources and belief, and where power, persuasion and status shape which ideas are heard, trusted or forgotten.
Dark matter ‘nuggets’ could explain the Milky Way’s mysterious glow
A mysterious excess of far-ultraviolet light seen across the Milky Way could come from the annihilation of clumpy dark matter.
Science has always been marketed, from 18th-century coffeehouse demos of Newton’s ideas to today’s TikTok explainers
Science has always been part of a marketplace of ideas, where claims vie for audiences, resources and belief, and where power, persuasion and status shape which ideas are heard, trusted or forgotten.
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
In the Wake of Divinity's Gruesome Reveal Trailer, Larian Publishing Director Says It's Not Trying to Shock the Audience, Rather Treat Them 'With a Level of Intellectual Respect'
Larian publishing director Michael Douse has explained the studio’s thinking in the wake of the gruesome reveal trailer for Divinity, the Baldur’s Gate 3 studio’s next big role-playing game.
LG webOS TVs are now installing Microsoft Copilot automatically with no option to remove it
Reddit users say LG webOS update added Microsoft Copilot and locked it in place An owner of an LG TV has started a Reddit thread claiming that a recent
Opinion | The hunting tradition that explains Pennsylvania’s wild politics
To understand this critical swing state, you must understand bear camp.
French President Emmanuel Macron Is Back on Instagram Celebrating Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, This Time for Winning Game of the Year
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's record-breaking performance at last week's The Game Awards has caught the eye of French president Emmanuel Macron, who celebrated the news of its Game of the Year award on Instagram over the weekend.
Monday ‘Dawg Bites Is Kickin’ It During Awards Season
Good morning, Bulldog Nation! Here’s hoping you enjoyed a fantastic weekend in which your coach didn’t appear for an arraignment and your Athletic Director isn’t trying to explain why this sort of thing keeps happening on his watch. Sadly University of Georgia athletics has t been completely immune from crime and punishment news as word […]
Staff complaints, financial pressures roil Planned Parenthood in Minnesota
Planned Parenthood faces external pressures from federal budget cuts and hostile state governments. But current and former employees at the organization’s Minnesota-based Midwest affiliate complain that management is making matters worse.
What's behind the wellness claims for the synthetic dye methylene blue?
Taking drops of a medical dye is trending in wellness and biohacking circles. Some influencers claim it boosts longevity and brain health. Scientists say the hype has gotten ahead of the research.
NFL legend Fran Tarkenton explains why he invested millions in Apple — and is bullish on Tim Cook
NFL Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton holds hundreds of thousands of Apple shares. He told Business Insider why he's bullish on the tech giant's future.
Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Releases Its Acclaimed Previous Game On Switch 2, PS5, And Xbox Series X|S
Divinity: Original Sin II gets a free Upgrade Pack for previous owners.
Quantum science research is full of promises. When will they happen? : Short Wave
This year, quantum science and computing came up a lot. There have been broad claims that quantum science and engineering could one day help cure diseases, design new materials, optimize supply chains -- or help in other ways not yet fathomable. And, while the Trump administration has made strides to cut scientific funding, quantum research is one of two things they’ve pledged to continue investing in – along with artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, scientists have been hard at work, pushing the research to move quantum engineering from sci-fi to real-world usefulness. All of this got science correspondent Katia Riddle wondering: When will all of this effort actually pay off? She talked to a lot of scientists to figure it out -- and to figure out how much scientist really understand about quantum science. She brings everything she learned onto the show today. To hear more Short Wave reporting on quantum clocks, check out this episode: Quantum Mechanics For BeginnersInterested in more quantum science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
The mystery of the Seneca Drums persists
Researchers are plumbing the depths of the largest and deepest of New York’s Finger Lakes to explain the source of its famous booming sounds.
New York City's Congestion Pricing Is Increasing Foot Traffic And Helping Businesses
EDC claims a 4.8% increase in foot traffic throughout areas of lower Manhattan, compared to a 1% increase for business areas not affected by congestion pricing.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 fans can't get over just how difficult the Update's new bosses and challenges are now
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's new patch shadow-dropped earlier this week, and Sandfall Interactive sure wasn't kidding …
Press Pass Sports 2025 Volleyball Team
The Texas High School Volleyball season has come to an end, and it was another unbelievable year for the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Here's a look at the 2025 Press Pass Sports Volleyball Team. SUPERLATIVE HONORS Coach of the Year Jason Culpepper, Bushland For the fourth time in six years, Bushland head volleyball coach
Missouri sportsbook promos: Score nearly $3,000 in welcome bonuses with Missouri sports betting promo codes
The best Missouri sportsbook promos are available now that sports betting is legal in the state. Get the latest Missouri sports betting promo codes and claim up to $3,000 in bonuses
How does salt help melt snow on the roads?
Did you know that not all roads are treated with the same salt? Ryan Miller explains the different types and how it can harm the environment.
Health insurance under Affordable Care Act to skyrocket after Senate fails to extend tax credits
Health care advocates and progressive groups across Florida said the U.S. Senate's failure to extend premium subsidies for the Affordable Care Act was a "disheartening setback" that will significantly raise the cost of health insurance for nearly 5 million Floridians, including hundreds of thousands of people in South Florida.
Town acts to reduce quarry truck traffic by 75%. Attorney says move may kill local business.
Harmony Sand and Gravel faces new restrictions limiting daily truck traffic to 25 vehicles after township officials responded to resident complaints about safety hazards and property damage.
Shabana Mahmood dismisses White House’s ‘civilisational erasure’ claims
Home secretary says UK has managed the challenges of multiculturalism ‘very well’
ASUS claims No. 1 OLED monitor market share at 21.9%, citing TrendForce
ASUS surpasses samsung to take top OLED monitor share in Q3 2025 ASUS says it has reached the No. 1 position in global OLED monitor market share after a
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.
Without quantum physics, you wouldn't be reading this. Scientist explains the mind-blowing concept that underpins all our lives | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Paul Davies, a prominent British scientist and one of the biggest authorities on quantum physics, reveals how it affects all our lives.
Aspyr explains how it approached the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, patches planned
In a recent interview with Nintendo Everything, Aspyr explained how it approached the recently-released Nintendo Switch 2 version of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. There’s been a lot of talk about the port since the launch last month. Especially given that there’s also a version for the original Nintendo Switch, some have speculated that the Switch 2 version is based on...
Elon Musk just hit Sam Altman with an $800 billion counterpunch
OpenAI overtook SpaceX as the most valuable private company. SpaceX could soon reclaim the title. It's the latest in the rivalry between Musk and Altman.
OTT@MIN: Merilainen with a great save against Danila Yurov
Kindle’s New AI Feature Can Answer Questions About Your Books (Whether Authors Want It or Not)
The Kindle app's new feature will provide AI-generated tips to explain your book's plot or how the characters relate to one another, though it's currently only available on the iOS version.
French President publicly congratulates Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, calling the Game of The Year win "a historic first"
French President Emmanuel Macron has once again publicly congratulated Sandfall Interactive for Clair Obscur: Expeditio…
Teen’s video a ‘Breakthrough’ in science communication
Seventeen-year-old Grace Lee from Chula Vista is gaining national attention as a finalist in the global Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual competition that invites students to create original videos explaining complex scientific ideas in creative and engaging ways. Founded in 2015, the contest encourages young people to break down advanced scientific theories using imagination and storytelling— “Steven Spielberg meets Albert Einstein,” as organizers describe it. Lee’s submission centers on the principle of least time in physics, a concept that explains why light always travels the path that takes the least amount of time. To bring the idea to life, she used intricate origami characters and stop-motion animation, along with simple at-home experiments, she said. “The fact that light always travels via the path that takes the least amount of time sounds simple at first, but nature is full of surprises,” she said. “This principle is actually very profound and underlies many different fields in physics that seem completely unrelated, from optics to Newton’s laws to Einstein’s theory of relativity.” Also, origami has long been one of her passions and integrating it into her project felt natural. She often makes origami gifts for friends and teaches origami in her school clubs. “A single 10-second scene would take hours to craft,” she said, noting the mixture of stop-motion and post-production editing required to animate expressions and movement. To ensure the science remained accurate and accessible, she spent time reading books and online resources, writing a script, creating a storyboard, and filming and editing repeatedly until the visuals worked.The experiments were among the biggest challenges. To demonstrate water waves, she used everyday household items — “a spatula and an electric toothbrush to vibrate the waves, glass in a baking pan for different depths, and an iPhone flashlight so the waves would be visible.” She also put careful thought into explaining the principle through analogies, including a gingerbread man and a fox. “Analogies and visuals are incredibly important,” she said. “Visual demonstrations allow viewers to see how the science actually works.” Beyond the competition, Lee is deeply involved in science leadership and advocacy. She serves as International President of miRcore, the world’s largest student computational biology organization, with 136 chapters across five countries. She leads a 20-member executive board, organizes outreach connecting schools worldwide, and has helped run workshops at locations including Scripps Research Institute and the University of Michigan. “I used to be intimidated,” she said, but she gradually grew her skills and confidence. “Now I am no longer afraid to use my voice and enthusiasm to bring out the best in others.” Her research experience includes two peer-reviewed papers on asthma and vaping. Misconceptions around vaping, she said, show why clear science communication matters. “Our research shows that there is long-term harm to your lungs on the cellular level that isn’t obvious unless you come down with an illness like the flu,” she said. Lee also founded Full Hearts at Eastlake High School, transforming the small club into one of the school’s largest, with hands-on service projects in partnership with local nonprofits. She continues mentoring younger students to sustain the mission. If she wins the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Grace hopes the $100,000 science lab prize for her school will expand opportunities for students who have limited access to equipment and hands-on science outside the classroom.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gets "Thank You" Update That Makes It Steam Deck Verified
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's "Thank You" update brought it the Steam Deck Verified badge, so we take a look to see what has been improved.
An international relations expert explains U.S.-Europe political split over Ukraine war
There are tensions between the U.S. and Europe over how to end the Ukraine war. NPR's Rob Schmitz talks to Nathalie Tocci from Johns Hopkins University about what's fueling these political divisions.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is fundraising off of charges she stole $5M from FEMA
Democratic lawmaker fundraises off indictment, claiming political retaliation amid serious federal charges.
Justice Department sues Fulton County, Georgia, for 2020 ballot stubs and other election records
The Justice Department sued Fulton County, Georgia, on Friday, seeking records related to the 2020 election as efforts continue to prove President Donald Trump’s false claims that the election was stolen from him.
Unlike Taylor Swift, I argue with my partner every day. We've been together for 30 years.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's claim they never argue. I've been married for 30 years and I fight daily with my partner. It's healthier this way.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs dropped a big update after sweeping The Game Awards
The game hauled in a record-breaking nine wins at The Game Awards.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sweeps The Game Awards — analysis and full winners list
Independent video game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept the Game Awards last night. The L.A. ceremony draws millions of views for its industry honors and exclusive previews of upcoming games.
Amazon pulls AI recap from Fallout TV show after it made several mistakes
The errors included getting dialogue wrong and incorrectly claiming a scene was set 100 years earlier than it was.
Giant structure discovered deep beneath Bermuda is unlike anything else on Earth
A thick layer of more than 12 miles of rock may explain why Bermuda seems to float above the surrounding ocean.
Amazon Offering Free Outfit For Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis When Linking Xbox Account
Available to claim ahead of release
How religious extremists have influenced science curriculum in Texas and beyond
AU Youth Organizing Fellow Ishan Kanaskar explains how religious extremists have tried to influence science curriculum in Texas.
'There's a fear': How Bills fans are reacting to Patriots' resurgence with Maye
Has the AFC East's balance of power already shifted back to the Patriots? NFL insider Tyler Dunne explains how Bills fans are feeling about New England's rise.
Scientists reveal the real benefits and hidden risks of medical cannabis
A sweeping review of more than 2,500 studies reveals that despite booming public enthusiasm, cannabis has strong scientific support for only a few medical uses, leaving most popular claims—like relief for chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia—on shaky ground. The findings spotlight a persistent gap between what people believe cannabis can do and what clinical evidence actually shows.
3 theories that explain Trump’s collapsing support
How Trump’s winning coalition is unraveling in real time.
The politics of being pro-Israel
Last week, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore stood before a crowded room of Jewish attendees just outside the nation’s capital, and proclaimed: “Today, I want to be loud and clear, that Maryland stands with the Israeli people and we support their right to exist in the region with the same sense of safety and security that... Read More
Rachel Reeves to blame for economy shrinking before budget, Tories claim
Shadow chancellor says unexpected contraction is ‘direct result of Labour’s economic mismanagement’
New laws to be considered after ‘harrowing stories’ from ex-Vodafone franchisees
Concerns about power imbalance in franchise agreements amid claims over firm’s treatment of small-business owners
Awards season is back: Acclaimed actors dish on their buzzy roles in roundtable
Jacob Elordi and more join the discussion
‘You won’t understand unless you chew on it’: Hideo Kojima wants you to remember his games for decades
With narrative storytelling, multimillion-dollar budgets and A-list casts, Hideo Kojima’s arthouse games — including the critically acclaimed “Metal Gear Solid” and “Death Stranding” franchises — are as cinematic as, well, cinema.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Storms The Game Awards 2025, Wins Coveted Game of the Year
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stormed The Game Awards 2025, winning all but one category it was nominated in, including the main prize: Game of the Year.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's expansion is available right now, adding a photo mode and vibrant new world
The previously revealed expansion to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has finally been properly unveiled, plus the game is heading to Switch 2.
Game Awards Declares ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ Game Of The Year
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, No Man's Sky take home wins from 2026 Game Awards. Amazon Games announces new Tomb Raider games
iOS 26 Code Leak Reveals Apple Smart Home Hub Details
Apple is working on a smart home hub that will rely heavily on the more capable version of Siri that's coming next year. We've heard quite a bit about the hub over the last two years, but a recent iOS 26 code leak provides additional insight into what we can expect and confirms rumored features. Macworld claims to have access to an internal version of iOS 26 that references several upcoming Apple devices, including the home hub.
Why Biya's victory damages Cameroon's electoral integrity
Cameroon looks calm — but the disputed election has shaken citizen's faith in the electoral system. Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the only female presidential candidate, joins us Under the Baobab, explains why there were no winners in Cameroon's election, and reveals surprising ways Cameroon's political elite can try to rebuild trust with the electorate.
Video: Opinion | The Duality in Conservative Politics
Andrew Kolvet of Turning Point USA explains why he endorses a tough-love approach to politics on this episode of “Interesting Times.”
Google is building an experimental new browser and a new kind of web app
Meet the GenTab, nothing like the plain ol’ browser tab.
A Philly restaurant came clean about its Health Department shutdown. Was that the right call?
Cafe Michelangelo’s management chose to explain, point by point, the issues that led the city to close it temporarily. The restaurant also has vowed to improve its sanitation practices.
Billings contractor receives “F” rating from Better Business Bureau over unfinished work
The Better Business Bureau has given Greenhaw Buildings LLC an "F" rating due to numerous customer complaints of incomplete or shoddy work, lack of communication, and failure to provide refunds.
Clair Obscur Wasn’t Just Good, It Was Also Cheap To Develop
Sandfall Interactive made a GOTY contender for a fraction of what most companies spend
Disney Fires Off Cease-And-Desist Letter To Google Claiming Its AI Services Infringe On Copyright On A “Massive Scale”
The letter comes as Disney struck a deal with OpenAI.
Nothing Phone (4a) allegedly adds new color and a big price hike, leaker claims
According to a leaker, Nothing Phone (4a) will launch with a new color variant, but also a much higher price point.
Water damage tops small business insurance claims, Hartford insurer finds
Water leaks and frozen pipes tied with burglary and slip-and-fall incidents as the most common small business insurance claims in 2025, each accounting for 20% of filings with The Hartford, […]
Devlin playing 'best football of his life'
With rival fans and a few pundits claiming the air had been seeping out of Hearts' bubble after a few dropped points, the victory over champions Celtic may make them reconsider their opinion. While the spotlight has been on Hearts' new recruits this season - the likes of Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis have claimed much of the attention - the standout player is now in his fifth season at Tynecastle. Few people had heard of Cammy Devlin when he joined the club in summer 2021.
The health care affordability wars
The Senate will vote on competing health care bills today, and both Democrats and Republicans claim their plans are the more affordable option for tens of millions of enrollees.
Mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can't be ignored
William Skipworth’s three-part investigation in the New Hampshire Bulletin has laid bare the ongoing traumas experienced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The community’s response has been swift — shock, grief, and a collective demand for action to prevent future harm. As the dust settles, pressing questions are emerging about oversight and accountability: Which […]
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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