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Most Baltimore County teachers are ready to teach science of reading. What about yours?
The phonics-forward method backed by brain science is what education leaders hope will bring Maryland back to its heyday.
Oliver Bateman: Conor Lamb shares hard-won lessons about modern politics
In March 2018, Democrat Conor Lamb defeated Republican Rick Saccone by 627 votes in a special election for Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District,...
January 30, 2026
A flu variant called subclade K emerged too late to be fully covered by this year’s vaccine. But the flu shot can still help protect you. Plus, a new study suggests dogs began to diversify about 11,000 years earlier than we thought. And, in turbulent times, it helps to hear stories of resilience. What can we learn from 3.5 billion-year-old bacteria that eat light?
AHA Committee on Behavioral Health names 2026 officers, new members
The AHA’s Committee on Behavioral Health today announced its officers and new members for 2026.
Elora Cordier’s passion for unified sports shines on and off the court
Elora Cordier's dedication to unified sports shines as she wins the Falcon Award for basketball. Her passion and efforts have made a difference.
Doctors warn frostbite risk rising as dangerous cold grips the DC region
As extreme cold hits the D.C. area, experts explain how frostbite affects blood flow, early warning signs and what to do to prevent serious injury.
Patrick Reed leaving LIV Golf, will return to PGA Tour this year
The 2018 Masters champion follows Brooks Koepka back to the PGA Tour.
UCA to launch Innovation Campus - Talk Business & Politics
The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees voted Tuesday (Jan. 27) to move forward with the development of a new “Innovation Campus,” an interdisciplinary initiative designed to strengthen workforce...
UCA to launch Innovation Campus - Talk Business & Politics
The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees voted Tuesday (Jan. 27) to move forward with the development of a new “Innovation Campus,” an interdisciplinary initiative designed to strengthen workforce...
NAU AD Farkas resigns to focus on health, family
Uri Farkas resigned as Northern Arizona's athletic director on Tuesday, saying he wanted to focus on his "physical and mental health, as well as the overall well-being of my family."
Keir Starmer flies to China for three-day visit
He is the first British prime minister to travel to Beijing since Theresa May in 2018.
Clawdbot sheds skin to become Moltbot, can't slough off security issues
: The massively hyped agentic personal assistant has security experts wondering why anyone would install it
Social media's mental health reckoning
Meta and YouTube face a landmark trial in Los Angeles over claims their platforms deliberately addict and harm young people.
Guides offer strategies on preparing for public health emergencies, cybersecurity incidents
Two AHA guides offer strategies for hospitals and health systems in preparing for public health emergencies and disasters and managing cybersecurity incidents.
My internship mapping toxic microbes: The power of community in coastal health monitoring
Hello! I’m Taylor Hart, a 2024 NOAA Hollings scholar studying earth system science with a minor in biological sciences at the University of California, Irvine. This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to intern at the National Coastal Centers for Ocean Science Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina! My research was focused on mapping the dis
Apple updates iOS 12 to extend support on older devices
Apple has released iOS 12.5.8 for a small group of older devices, to make sure they can continue using FaceTime and iMessage.
January 23, 2026
An epidemiology study finds that variations in one gene play a major role in determining the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Plus, X’s Grok AI is undressing users, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg with fake imagery online. What can we do about deepfakes? And, Louisiana communities continue collecting data on industrial pollution, despite a law restricting its use.
BOB COSTAS RETURNS TO NBC SPORTS, TO HOST SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL PREGAME SHOW
Costas Served as a Play-by-Play Voice and Host for NBC Sports’ MLB Coverage for 15 Seasons & Was Honored in 2018 by Baseball Hall of Fame with Historic Ford Frick Award for Excellence in Baseball Broadcasting
Donor Nation Cuts to Global Health Financing Affect Millions
Major donor nations dealt a devastating blow to the right to health for millions of people worldwide when they cut support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Chiefs reportedly agree to terms with Eric Bieniemy, bringing back OC to reignite offense
Bieniemy previously served as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator from 2018-22, helping quarterback Patrick Mahomes win the first two of his three Super Bowls.
In Good Health: What we know about ADHD
About one in nine children and one in 16 adults have ADHD.
House Appropriations Committee releases three-bill minibus with funding for key health programs
The House Appropriations Committee Jan. 20 released text of a three-bill minibus for fiscal year 2026 that includes funding for key health programs and other bipartisan health care provisions and extensions.
3 Hillsborough County Commissioners didn’t sign annual MLK Day leadership breakfast proclamation
Donna Cameron Cepeda, Christine Miller and Joshua Wostal, all Republicans, did not sign the recognition.
Marijuana's Restrictive Federal Classification Isn't Supported By Science, New Study Concludes
Marijuana and other drugs are not as dangerous as laws written half a century ago say they are, according to a new scientific review. Since the passage of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in 1970, U.S. drug laws have been dictated by rigid categories that supposedly reflect the dangers posed by different substances—but the new […]
January 16, 2026
Some Parkinson’s patients may experience strange symptoms, like smell loss and sleep disorders, decades before diagnosis. Plus, a Pompeii construction site preserved in ash reveals secrets of the famously durable Roman concrete. And, Greenland sharks live for hundreds of years, but their eyes never seem to get old. What can they teach us about aging human eyes?
Florida Chamber poll shows support for legalizing pot crashing to 4-year low
While a bare majority favors decriminalization, support falls well shy of the needed 60% to amend Florida's Constitution by referendum.
Entertainment: Art, Bulls and Goblins
Winter Gallery Night, PBR Unleash the Beast, the Goblin King Masquerade and more.
Veterans in the Bay Area protest changes to the VA health care system
The World's Worst Business Class Seats: Here Are My Picks, Do You Agree?
Which airlines have the worst business class seats? Here's my take, though I'm sure many will disagree with my opinions.
Thrive Behavioral Health could owe state $1.3M after audit finds billing issues
Rhode Island is demanding corrective action after an audit found suspicious and possible duplicative billing.
Why showing up matters in relationship-driven Knoxville business world
Knoxville’s true calling card isn’t any one amenity − it’s the way this place shows up for the people who show up for it.
‘We have a mission in the US’: France star Ousmane Dembélé tells CNN Sports he’s targeting World Cup glory after huge 2025
Winners in 2018, runners-up in 2022 – will 2026 be France’s year to once again rule the roost on soccer’s biggest stage? Les Bleus star Ousmane Dembélé hopes so.
16 can't-miss Indy concerts, entertainment to kick the winter blues
Highlights include a musical about one of Indiana's own pop icons, a dance film festival and a performance by popular comedian Nate Bargatze.
Immigrant families are shying away from medical care. A new court decision could worsen fears.
Clinics across Massachusetts report rising no-shows, delayed care, and fear-driven disenrollment from insurance programs.
Wants vs Needs: Notre Dame's Outlook On The Transfer Portal
January 9, 2026
One year after the LA fires, the Community Brigade is equipping residents to prepare for, fight, and recover from wildfires. Plus, journalist Daisy Hernández chronicles the history of Chagas disease, also known as kissing bug disease, and how it changed her family’s story. And, recent studies on raccoons and dark-eyed juncos investigate how urban wildlife is evolving.
Greater Cleveland Partnership's small business group names new board chair
Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), the small business group of Greater Cleveland Partnership, has named a new board chair. Taylor Evans, the president of Rust Belt Recruiting, took the position this month, succeeding Cheryl Perez, CEO of Cheryl C Perez Brand of Companies, who finished her two-year term with the group. Evans steps into the role following a long history with COSE, initially joining the organization in the summer of 2018 and becoming a board member six months later, the organization said in a news release."Taylor has an incredible passion for small business," Megan Kim, executive director of COSE, said in an emailed statement to Crain's. "He is equally invested in the growth of his own business and the business community in Greater Cleveland. He is well connected, collaborative, and a natural leader."
Raleigh 'pay what you can' restaurant celebrates 8 years in business
A Place at the Table opened in January 2018 on West Hargett St. in downtown Raleigh. The restaurant will celebrate by serving cake and handing out balloons.
Congress limits cuts to NASA's science budget to 1%
In a significant reversal for the nation’s space agency, NASA’s science programs have been spared from a catastrophic “train wreck” budget. According to an article on the ARS Technica website, while the White House initially proposed slashing science funding by nearly 50 percent last summer—even ordering “closeout” plans for dozens of active missions—Congress has stepped in to restore the agency’s ... Read More
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to connect user medical records, wellness apps
ChatGPT Health is not intended for diagnosis and treatment, OpenAI said.
Seahawks finish with best defense since 2018 in 1 stat
The Seahawks clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the team's dominant defense has fans anticipating a Super Bowl run.
1926: 100 years ago - life in the U.S., entertainment, famous firsts, more
Each January we do a 100-year-lookback. Here’s a snapshot of what life was like in 1926 – in Cleveland, Ohio, the United States and the world, from entertainment to news, disasters and more.
January 2, 2026
A look back at the biggest science stories of 2025, and a few you may have missed. Plus, over the past year, most of your body has replaced itself cell by cell. What can we learn from other animals’ dramatic feats of regeneration? And, ultramarathoners can run with what seems like superhuman stamina. But are their bodies much different than the rest of ours?
Higher health insurance premiums leave 1M Georgians with hard choices
“My rate went up 620%, more than seven times what I paid in 2025.”
Entertainment: New Year, New Activities
Start with the polar plunge, end with a non-alcoholic festival.
Bills vs. Jets Injury Report
See who's in and who's out for the Week 18 matchup between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets on January 4, 2026.
SK's 2018 wrestling champs headline Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame class
The first team to win a state title from Kitsap, along with a family and 10 individuals, will be honored by Kitsap Athletic Roundtable.
Inside the rise, fall, and resurrection of Toys R Us, the chain that once commanded a quarter of the toy market
Toys R Us has been the subject of multiple revival efforts since it ended operations in 2018.
Microsoft’s WebTV Is Being Revived By Fans
During the 1990s, everyone wanted to surf the information super-highway — also known as the World Wide Web or just ‘Internet’ — but not everyone was interested in getting on…
Mercer Health announces the retirement of Dr. Thangaraj Amaran, Vice President of Medical Affairs
Dr. Amaran began his tenure at Mercer Health in July 1981 as a Board Certified Urologist, dedicating nearly four decades to patient care until January 2018. His clinical expertise was matched by his leadership, serving as Vice Chief of Staff (1983), Chief of Staff (1985, 1986, 1991), and Past Chief of Staff (1992). During this […]
Allegheny County implementing involuntary outpatient mental health care services
Officials were motivated by people's calls for helping someone before they reach the legal threshold of being a danger to themselves or others.
December 26, 2025
Physicist Sean Carroll takes on black holes, Schrödinger’s cat, and other big physics concepts. Plus, we revisit some of our top stories of 2025, covering research into how death metal singers safely produce extreme vocalizations, how algorithms and social media are changing language, and what we can learn from people thriving in the coldest parts of the world.
Urban Milwaukee Launches Family, Business Memberships
Membership is better, and cheaper, with a group.
Free rural business accelerator launches in Central Valley 2026
Fresno Pacific University’s Center for Community Transformation (CCT) is launching a new program aimed at spurring growth for rural entrepreneurs and small business owners starting in 2026.
Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga’s teen mental health retreat may become a national model
Since 2018, more than 300 teenagers from St. Helena and Calistoga in Napa County have attended a mental health retreat hosted by the local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club. Now, the unique prog…
When Does the VA Cover Care at Non-VA Facilities?
Understanding community care, emergency coverage and urgent care rules under the VA MISSION Act.
Statement on Health of President Jeffrey R. Holland
Statement on Health of President Jeffrey R. Holland, December 2025
Nine mental-health tips for a happier 2026
Regardless of any resolutions you may have for 2026, one thing is for sure: Everyone wants to have a happy new year.While losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. A robust body of research shows that simple cognitive and behavioral strategies can reliably boost happiness and reduce stress – and they’re generally free and accessible to all.These strategies don’t have to be super time-consuming, but they do require intention: They only work if you do them.Here, psychologist Valentina Ogaryan, PhD, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, shares her top tips for cultivating more calm, centeredness and happiness in the new year (or anytime):Make time for playPlay isn’t just for kids, and it’s far from frivolous. The National Institute for Play says engaging in silliness, fun and just-for-pleasure activities reduces stress and increases optimism and resilience. A recent review also found that play improves mental health.“Adults can benefit from play as much as children,” Dr. Ogaryan says, “not just as a reward, but something that helps regulate.”So go ahead and dance with your dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke or do anything else that feels like fun. Don’t worry about being productive, just enjoy yourself. And, if you can, opt for more analog play, Dr. Ogaryan suggests, as a respite from our ever-more-digital world. Move your bodyWhether you dance, ski, do yoga, play pickleball, ride a bike, roller-skate, hike or lift weights, physical movement benefits overall happiness and well-being. A 2018 review study of more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. found that doing any kind of exercise was “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health.The sweet spot was 45 minutes of movement three to five times a week, but even short bursts of physical activity can boost brain health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Movement helps support mood and regulate the nervous system,” Dr. Ogaryan says.Plus: exercise can improve sleep quality, and sleep is essential for mental health.Prioritize sleep“Sleep plays a major role in managing stress,” Dr. Ogaryan says. Research shows that lack of sufficient sleep increases the risk of various diseases, including depression.While stress can interfere with sleep, practicing good sleep hygiene can make logging ZZ’s easier. That means maintaining a consistent bedtime; keeping the bedroom cool, dark and quiet; and avoiding social media, news and stimulating shows before bed.Consume lessWe live in a consumer culture, inundated by endless streams of content and advertising everywhere we go, which makes it easy to get overstimulated.“Something really helpful for stress reduction is to simply consume less,” Dr. Ogaryan says – less news, less social media, less information, less noise, less screen time. “It’s about reducing the input,” she says.Consider setting a maximum number of news articles per day, for example, or a time limit on scrolling. Maybe even go device free for an afternoon or a whole day.Practice present-moment awarenessWith so much coming at us all the time, focusing on the here and now can make life feel more manageable, Dr. Ogaryan says: “When everything feels super overwhelming, when everything feels larger than life, let’s make our world a little bit smaller for that moment in time.”She suggests taking things one day, or even one hour, at a time. Ask yourself: What’s my next right action? Release the need to know how everything turns out and liberate yourself from having to handle everything right now. Let the future take care of itself and just focus on the current moment. Then the next one. Have a daily anchorFrom work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, our days can feel jam-packed. Dr. Ogaryan recommends creating a centering daily anchor that can fit into even the busiest day.Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoying your coffee in the morning. Let your anchor adapt to your needs each day, she says, but be intentional about using that time to ground yourself and calm your nervous system. You might even say to yourself, “I choose this walk to help me become centered,” or “My day already feels stressful, so I’m going to take the next 10 minutes to enjoy this cup of coffee, feel the warm mug in my hand and just be present.” Having an anchor won’t erase the busy-ness from your day, but it will allow you to approach it more calmly.Be kind to yourselfMost of us have a harsh inner critic in our heads who works overtime. But that critical voice only increases our stress, triggering the same fight-or-flight response as caustic words from another person.To feel happier, we need to replace that inner critic with a kinder, more compassionate voice, Dr. Ogaryan says. Studies show that self-compassion is a source of eudaimonic happiness – the kind of happiness associated with purpose and meaning in life.While our knee-jerk reaction may be to self-criticize – “How could you let it get to this point? You didn’t manage your time well and now the project is going to be late. You’re so inept.” – we fare better mentally by treating ourselves with kindness, like we would a friend. That might sound like, “You’ve got a lot on your plate, but you are capable and you’ll get it done. I believe in you.”We may think that speaking kindly to ourselves means letting ourselves off the hook, so we end up becoming lazy do-nothings. But research shows the opposite: People who are self-compassionate are more likely to try harder in the face of failure and ultimately reach their goals.You can thank your inner critic for its good intentions, but resolve to talk to yourself in a kind, compassionate voice.Connect with othersHumans are social animals built for connection. Stress can be isolating and cause us to withdraw, but connecting with others is a salve for the psyche, Dr. Ogaryan says.“We know that not all relationships are always easy, but if we can think about intentional, nourishing connection – even in really small doses – it could really help center us,” she says.Take a moment to laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, have a conversation with a friend or smile at the barista making your coffee. A study found that even tiny interactions with casual acquaintances and strangers decreases loneliness and improves happiness and well-being.Seek supportIf you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist. Mental health conditions are among the most common health issues in the U.S. and around the world – more prevalent than diabetes or heart disease. One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, with depression and anxiety the most common, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.“We can all think about these tips,” Dr. Ogaryan says. “But it’s important to recognize if you’ve done everything you can and you’re still really struggling, it’s really important to seek help.”
Report: Live Entertainment Spending Surges
Tennesseans spent $47 per capita on live entertainment last year.
Surviving the family dinner: Why you should never discuss politics or holes in jeans
Writer Kymberly Foster Seabolt explores the beauty of "last" holidays, passing down family recipes, and the simple rules for a joyful, drama-free Christmas.
How to put some of Warren Buffett’s best money and life advice to work for you
You don’t get labeled the “Oracle of Omaha” for nothing.
C4 Sports holds 7 on 7 tryouts in Durant
High School Football might have just ended a couple of days ago, but Texoma gridiron stars are putting in the work Sunday.
Best DFS picks for Ravens vs Patriots in Week 16
Chet Gresham takes us through his favorite picks for FanDuel’s Week 16 DFS matchup between the Ravens and Patriots
Olympic sports weekend preview: Lindsey Vonn back in action, Chloe Kim makes season debut
House passes narrow health care package; sets up a vote on EPTCs in January
The House yesterday passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act (H.R. 6703), legislation to expand association health plans, increase transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers, and fund cost-sharing reductions for some Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees. The measure advanced by a 216-211 vote and will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Blog emphasizes importance of self-care for health care workers
As part of the AHA’s stress and coping resources, Zelia Baugh, JPS Health Network senior vice president of behavioral health, and April Jastrzab, JPS behavioral health director, write about how self-care is vital to the health care workforce, especially during the holiday season.
Op Ed: Wisconsin Candidates Decry Money in Politics, Plan to Raise Tons of It
2015 state law with 'billionaires' loophole' has transformed Wisconsin elections.
Apple and Google forced into emergency patching 0-day
: Both admit attackers were already exploiting the bugs, with scant detail and hints of spyware-grade abuse
World Cup 2026 ticket prices blow past original projections as FIFA embraces variable pricing
The cheapest ticket to attend the USA's opening 2026 World Cup match against Paraguay is $1,120 — a steep jump from initial estimates shared in 2018.
Analyst looks back at Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds trade
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Bryan Reynolds in a trade with the San Francisco Giants in 2018.
Life expectancy is Summit County has declined. Here's why:
Life expectancy in Summit County has declined from 78.5 years to 76.3 years between the periods of 2014-2018 and 2019-2023, a drop of 2.2 years.
The CEO of one of Asia’s largest co-working space providers says his business has more in common with hotels
“It's a hospitality business," JustCo CEO Kong Wan Sin tells Fortune.
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.
December 12, 2025
Over the past century, most cancer research has focused on the tumor itself. Rakesh Jain focused on the tumor’s environment instead. Plus, a glacier’s edge can be a dangerous place to do research. One team is using robots and sound samples to monitor the melting ice. And, when cases of plague pop up in the US, it can feel straight up medieval. It’s treatable, but how and why does it persist?
Dueling Senate bills to address health care affordability fail to pass
The Senate today failed to pass legislation to address health care affordability. The chamber first voted on a Republican-backed bill that failed by a 51-48 vote. The bill would have disbursed $1,000 in health spending accounts for individuals age 18-49 and $1,500 for those age 50-64. A Democrat-led plan that would have extended the enhanced premium tax credits for three years also failed by a 51-48 tally. The bills needed 60 votes to pass.
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
Several Milwaukee restaurants sounded the alarm on business, here's how you can help
Local restaurant owners at Strange Town, Mekong Cafe, Seven Swans Creperie and more share how business has slowed and they're struggling.
MacKenzie Scott donated $7.1 billion to nonprofits in 2025, a major increase
The author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott revealed $7.1 billion in donations to nonprofits in 2025 Tuesday, marking a significant increase in her annual giving from recent years.
Trump once denied using this slur about Haiti and African nations. Now he boasts about it
President Donald Trump admits he used the slur “shithole countries” during a private 2018 meeting with lawmakers to disparage Haiti and African nations
Sports integrity: What is it and how does gambling affect it?
Part five in a five-part series on sports betting in the U.S. since the 2018 Supreme Court decision allowing states to legalize sports betting.
Early registration for 2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference ends Dec. 12
The early registration deadline for the 2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference is Dec. 12.
Windows Insiders get a glimpse of Redmond’s agentic future
: Native MCP support lands in Insider Dev and Beta builds
How you can donate business clothes for UVM students
The drive will be held Dec. 8, 9, 11 and 12.
December 5, 2025
A boom in construction of AI data centers is facing backlash over soaring electricity and water usage, and the resulting utility hikes. Plus, to save spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest, one plan suggests killing thousands of barred owls. And, geologist Anjana Khatwa explains how embracing wonder and awe adds to our scientific understanding of the rocks that form our planet.
Faculty cite political climate driving student migration to SEC schools from northeast
SEC schools attracted students seeking stability as Northeastern colleges face enrollment declines and campus protests, with Auburn University avoiding Gaza-related disruptions.
Politics is now Americans' No. 1 money worry, financial planners say
Heading into 2026, the political environment has become the top concern clients are raising with their advisor, according to a new report by the CFP Board.
Karl Rove on midterms: Republicans need health care agenda or they’ll be ‘in deep trouble’
GOP strategist Karl Rove said Republicans need to have a health care agenda ahead of the midterm elections or they’ll be in “deep trouble” with their voters. In an interview Saturday on Fox News’s …
4 opportunities for greatness in rural health’s revolution
Done right, this program may be the greatest opportunity state leaders have ever had to improve the health of their rural residents.
Business Sense | Appreciating Humboldt: Business, community, and Thanksgiving
“I appreciate the idea that we pause and reflect on how, in any year no matter how tough, we have much to be thankful for.”