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Senate rejects dueling health care bills as Obamacare deadline looms
The result virtually guarantees insurance subsidies used by more than 20 million Americans will lapse at the end of the year.
New AirTag 2 leak reveals five improved features coming
When AirTag 2 finally arrives, a new leak has revealed five improved features that could be included with the long-awaited update.
Google announces experimental ‘Disco’ browser with ‘GenTabs’ powered by Gemini 3
Google today announced “Disco” as an experiment to “shape the future of web browsing.” GenTabs are the first flagship feature...
Exodus Looks To Fill The Space-Opera RPG Void Left By Mass Effect
Our first look at gameplay for Archetype’s space epic has arrived.
Weekend Entertainment | Holiday Spirit at Stage Left’s ‘Trailer Park’
The annual onslaught of holiday shows has overtaken local stages, and they’re a cherished part of the season for many folks.
Senate GOP health care plan fails on mostly party-line vote
LIVE coverage: Senate votes on second health care proposal, defense funding A Republican-drafted proposal to set up health savings accounts for people who buy their health insurance on the Affordab…
2025 College Football Playoff Coach Rankings: Kirby Smart, Ryan Day lead the pack
Stacking up all of the coaches in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff against each other
Jury convicts Netflix director Carl Rinsch in $11 million fraud case
Prosecutors accused Carl Rinsch, who directed the Keanu Reeves-starring "47 Ronin," of fraud after an ambitious sci-fi Netflix project collapsed.
Palantir says its 'Neurodivergent Fellowship' has received 2,000 applications and counting
Palantir's new fellowship for neurodivergent talent draws 2,000 applications, showing demand for merit-based, unconventional hiring in tech and AI.
Trump takes steps toward demolishing four federal buildings, preservationist alleges
After demolishing the White House’s East Wing, President Donald Trump is now eying four federal buildings for the same treatment and is circumventing a key government agency with his plans, according to a historic preservationist raising the alarm.
The AirPods Pro 3 just dropped below $200 for the first time
A discount that sounds great.
WhatsApp is trying to reinvent voicemail
It’s now easier to send a voice or video message when someone doesn’t answer their phone.
'Supergirl' trailer reveals Jason Momoa's Lobo, Milly Alcock taking flight
Supergirl and Jason Momoa's Lobo take flight in the first trailer for next year's Milly Alcock-fronted DC Studios movie, based on the 'Woman of Tomorrow' comic.
Runway releases its first world model, adds native audio to latest video model
Runway debuts a physics-aware world model that simulates reality to train agents and power video, robotics and avatar applications.
Mayor Adams weighs in on his legacy, achievements
He will leave as New York City’s second Black mayor, and the first one-term mayor in more than three decades.
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.
Southwest Airlines eyes airport lounges business
For Southwest, having lounges would attract business and frequent flyer customers, who have grown accustomed to the perk at other carriers
iOS 26.2 Coming Soon With These 8 New Features on Your iPhone
Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon. Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week. iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more.
IOC urges sports bodies to let Russian youth teams and athletes compete again with flag and anthem
The IOC has taken a big step toward reintegrating Russia and Belarus into world sports. It’s advising governing bodies of Olympic sports to let youth teams and athletes compete with their full identity of national flag and anthem.
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Announces Results of Its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) (“AMC” or “the Company”), announced today the results of…...
Michael Jordan prevails in settlement of antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR
Jordan's 23XI Racing team, along with Front Row Motorsports, reached a deal with NASCAR on the ninth day of their federal trial.
World of Warcraft Players Figured Out How to Make Flying Houses, and Blizzard Has Given Them Its Official Seal of Approval
World of Warcraft players have discovered a trick that makes their houses float in the air, which a number of people have used to make wild flying creations. Better yet, instead of patching it out, Blizzard has surprisingly given its blessing for airborne abodes.
FMOL Health has purchased this property near Our Lady of the Lake
FMOL Health has acquired a kidney care facility property on Flanders Drive near Essen Lane. The system purchased the site through Our Lady of the Lake Hospital Inc. from Flanders Building LLC f… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. We are glad you enjoy reading Business Report. Continue reading this story and get ACCESS to all […]
Cursor Launches an AI Coding Tool For Designers
The 300-person startup hopes bringing designers aboard will give it an edge in an increasingly competitive AI software market.
'Heated Rivalry' stars talk overnight success, butt tweets, and viral moments
'Heated Rivalry's Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams are still processing those fans tweeting about their butts. The actors get into the spicy drama's runaway success and go behind the scenes of viral moments.
Sherrone Moore fired: Inside the industry reaction after Michigan's move
With most of the carousel settled, Michigan's decision forces a rare late-cycle reset and could reshape the remaining coaching market.
Ayaneo Pocket Play is a reincarnation of the Xperia Play
Ayaneo’s first smartphone is set to launch soon. Ayaneo is entering the smartphone market, and its first device will take a different approach from the...
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.
AirPods Pro 3 Drop to New $199 Low Price on Amazon
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 have hit a new record low price of $199.00 today on Amazon, down from $249.00. This deal beats the Black Friday price we saw last month by about $20. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Penske Entertainment establishes formal Independent Officiating Board for IndyCar
Comprised of three members tasked with presiding over the IndyCar Series and its Indy NXT development series, the IOB reports to a new non-profit entity, IndyCar Officiating, Inc, created by Penske Entertainment.
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.
CNBC Sport: Utah breaks the private equity seal with historic $500 million investment
Utah may have designed a template for other schools to bring in private capital to help fund their athletic programs.
SC minority business leaders say paperwork 'quotas' in state law never met their goal
SC business groups don’t see the governor's pause of minority set asides as much of a loss since many agencies weren’t meeting quotas.
Live updates: Indiana Senate prepares for a final vote on redistricting
The vote may come down to the wire as on-the-fence lawmakers hear final arguments.
The Senate is set to vote on two rival health plans. Here's what's at stake for Americans
The U.S. Senate is set to vote on two partisan health bills addressing expiring COVID-era subsidies. These subsidies help millions of Americans with insurance costs.
Senate Deadlocks Over Obamacare Subsidies in Dueling Votes
Republicans blocked Democrats’ effort to extend the expiring subsidies while Democrats thwarted a G.O.P. proposal to replace them with direct payments for basic health coverage.
Breakthrough 3D wiring architecture enables 10,000-qubit quantum processors
The novel 3D wiring architecture and chip fabrication method enable quantum processing units containing 10,000 qubits to fit in a smaller space than today's 100-qubit chips.
Pittsburgh’s Strength as Business Center Fuels Aer Lingus Entry into Market
With today’s announcement that Aer Lingus is introducing nonstop flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to Dublin Airport, Pittsburgh and Ireland have the opportunity to build on the powerful business and cultural connection that drives economic development in both regions. Flights on Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier, start on May 25, 2026, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Walton family fortune: How American's richest family manages their wealth
America's richest family uses a model pioneered by the Rockefellers to manage their wealth.
How to Watch Falcons vs. Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream
Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the NFL Week 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons game, Thursday, Dec. 11.
There’s no room for hunger at UC Berkeley School of Public Health
In 2021 UCBPH launched a food pantry run by the Dream office, which quickly grew to encompass direct stipends, and personal and home care products.
Man Utd financial results: Cost-cutting having an impact in first quarter numbers for new financial year
Redundancies and other cost-cutting measures at Man Utd have been reflected in their latest quarterly financial results; there have been small losses that will not be significant for a business of their size; the results will also not affect their plans for the January transfer window
Live updates: Dueling Senate health care plans come up for votes; US, Venezuela tensions rise
Senators will go on record Thursday on competing health care plans that try to address enhanced ObamaCare tax subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. A vote on the Democrats’ three-ye…
Major Tomb Raider announcement leaks ahead of The Game Awards
A number of Tomb Raider leaks have started circulating ahead of tonight's The Game Awards show.
Pets dream just like humans, and the science behind it will surprise you | - The Times of India
Witnessing pets twitching in their sleep sparks curiosity about their inner worlds. Scientific studies reveal mammals, including our pets, exhibit bra
Read Todd Combs' goodbye letter to Geico employees after he quit Berkshire Hathaway to join JPMorgan
Todd Combs, Warren Buffett's longtime deputy and Geico's CEO since 2020, thanked his employees and heralded his successor in an internal email.
The Game Awards are losing their luster
A lot of flash concealing increasingly shrinking substance.
Despite Chiefs’ 2025 struggles, the Chargers still respect their rival
Los Angeles expects a competitive Week 15 game against Kansas City.
Q&A: What does the Netflix-Paramount bidding war mean for your streaming future?
Netflix and Paramount, entertainment companies known for promoting drama within the shows and movies on their platforms, are now caught up in their own theatrics. What’s it all mean? And how could the result affect how you consume your favorite movies and shows? We asked the University of Virginia’s Anthony Palomba, an assistant professor of business administration at the Darden School of Business and an expert in the media and entertainment industry, to share his insights.
Trump administration live updates: U.S. Senate to vote on dueling health care bills; Indiana Senate to consider new maps
The Senate is expected to vote on a GOP health care proposal that aims to put money in health savings accounts, alongside a Democratic bill to extend expiring ACA tax credits.
IRS releases health savings account expansion details under Trump's 'big beautiful bill'
IRS releases health savings account expansion details under President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill." What it means for ACA health plan enrollees.
Superbet Group becomes Super Technologies, shaping the future of digital entertainment ecosystems
BUCHAREST, Romania, Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superbet Group, a leading company in the global technology and entertainment space, announces its rebrand as Super Technologies. The new identity, which will be simply known as Super, reflects the company’s evolution, its expanded vision for the future, and its commitment to building innovative solutions for a rapidly changing world. At the same time, the company will continue to operate its commercial brands across existing territories, with
Lawmakers move to phase out health-specific retirement benefit
Lawmakers may instead bulk up Hoosier START, the state's defined benefit plans. They say that would offer retirees and current staff greater flexibility.
Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Dylan Weaver
The College of Science is proud to recognize 10 outstanding seniors who went above and beyond during their time as Wildcats. Dylan Weaver is this semester's recipient from Chemistry & Biochemistry.
Meet the 77-year-old Vietnam pilot still in love with lacrosse — and scoring on opponents 50 years younger (photos)
Jon Ryan was awarded a Purple Heart in Vietnam, has kept bees for nearly 50 years and never misses a week in a lacrosse league where many of the players are young enough to be his grandchildren.
Ravens Sports Network Broadcasting DII Soccer Championship Weekend in Spanish
NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. -- For the third straight season, Franklin Pierce's Ravens Sports Network will be on the road the NCAA DII men's and women's soccer championships this weekend. FPU students Erik Valdovinos and Elliot Scholes traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo. to live stream all six games this weekend in Spanish.
Warren Buffett watchers weigh in on Todd Combs' surprise exit
After praising Todd Combs for years, Warren Buffett gave him a "rather cool sendoff" in Monday's press release, one Berkshire watcher said.
Could Georgia’s 2026 statewide races be runoff free?
The Libertarian Party of Georgia is having trouble qualifying for the ballot. Without their candidates, statewide races would likely be settled on Election Day.
Islanders Gameday News: Here come the Ducks
They’re not your father’s Ducks! Or at least not your older brother’s Ducks, or something. Tonight the Islanders host a Fairly Strong Ducks of Anaheim team that is first in its division at a very respectable 19-10-1. After years of “very tough negotiator” Pat Verbeek at the helm, it seems he just needed to hire […]
Small businesses worry of 'insane' costs once this key tax credit expires
Half of ACA tax credit users are small business owners, employees. The credits are about to expire.
Analysis: The Civil Rights law that Stephen Miller says ruined America
Trump’s key aide thinks the country was better off with strict quotas that sought to preserve the racial makeup of the country in the 1920s and so favored immigrants from Western and Northern Europe over what he called “third world countries.”
Memphis People in Business for Dec. 11, 2025
A look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene.
Business leaders make their 2026 predictions for the Magnificent 7: ‘I’d rather be in Jensen’s seat than anywhere else’
Also: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune.
Business leaders make their 2026 predictions for the Magnificent 7
'I’d rather be in Jensen’s seat than anywhere else'
I stopped dyeing my hair and was suddenly treated differently. One recruiter told me I was too mature for a role.
A recruiter told Jillian Bowman, 52, that her maturity wasn't a fit for the team she would be working with.
EXCLUSIVE: Prediction markets launch coalition amid sports betting fight
Several major prediction markets are forming a coalition to promote and defend their political interests amid a growing fight over sports betting, Axios has learned.
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.
Thirty Years of Onion Politics: Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement
The Dayton Peace Agreement ended the Bosnian War, establishing the constitutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It achieved its immediate aim of ending direct violence, yet ended up creating a state apparatus that obstructs social equality and economic sovereignty. This Spotlight argues that the evaluation of its success must take two problems into account: the cementation of ethnic categories as foundational levels of governance and the resulting failure to address or transform war legacies; and the institutionalized international involvement undermining democratic self-determination.
Moderna Founder Warns US Doubts on Science Threaten Biotech Edge
The US risks falling behind in biotechnology as the government cuts funding and skepticism over vaccines grows, according to Moderna Inc.’s co-founder and Chairman Noubar Afeyan.
Poll paints dire picture on affordability as Trump touts economy
As President Trump mocks the term "affordability," a new poll found Americans are making major sacrifices to keep up with the cost of living.
Mamdani and top New York rabbis will meet privately, but their core divide remains unresolved
The Friday after Zohran Mamdani won, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch gave a sermon saying that he believed the incoming New York mayor’s criticisms of Israel aligned with Hamas and that critics of Israel wanted to separate “good Jews” from “bad Jews” in a way that endangers the city’s Jewish community.
Republicans struggle to unite on health care as Obamacare subsidies expire
Recent weeks have showcased a free-for-all of competing GOP ideas and reinforced deep partisan divisions over the issue.
Billionaires are spending massive sums on politics. A backlash brews.
An anti-oligarch protest in a small Indiana town shows the depth of the national backlash against the concentration of wealth and power.
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.
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Wrestling
On the latest episode of Lehigh Sports Central, hear from Lehigh Women's Wrestling head coach Brazel Marquez and first year Genevieve An as they discuss the ...
Plan for new business jet hangars could boost revenue at underused Sikorsky Airport
The city's airport commission approved negotiations with Sky Harbour to build and manage business plane sites at the Stratford-based facility.
‘A new era’: Miami voters resoundingly reject the city’s political dynasties
After Tuesday’s election, four out of five Miami commissioners are serving their first term in any elected office.
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 […]
RWS Global entertains over 7.5 million guests at worldwide attractions this winter
The company has created more than 150 custom holiday experiences, including concept, decor, show production, casting and operations
Health insurers ask GOP to fix their fraud problem — and extend Obamacare subsidies
In a last-minute plea, insurers are urging Republicans to crack down on fraud in their industry.
Teens discovered my 57-year-old cheese shop on TikTok — and transformed my business
Dominick DiBartolomeo, who owns the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, told Business Insider that TikTok virality drew in waves of younger customers.
A dream come true: how Pöpperl sees his Schalke future
With Paul Pöpperl, Miron Muslic recently helped another young Schalke player make his professional debut. If the 22-year-old has his way, it shouldn’t stop there. He hopes for a royal blue future.�...
Steelers sign fourth-year offensive tackle ahead of Week 15
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed OT Dylan Cook to the active roster off the practice squad ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Maker’s Mark nets first sports league sponsorship with Unrivaled
The bourbon brand will have a significant presence around the women's basketball league both on-premise and digitally.
St Ergnat's dream of writing next great Moneyglass tale
St Ergnat's Moneyglass hope to become the County Antrim village's next sporting heroes in this weekend's All-Ireland Ladies Club final.
Turning Passion Into Purpose Through Science and Resilience
A first-generation college student and parent, Tearica Moore is graduating Saturday with a bachelor's degree in biology.
High school basketball: Boys' and girls' scores from Wednesday
CIF City and Southern Section boys' and girls' basketball results from Wednesday.
Kings collapse late as Kraken rally for OT win
Los Angeles surrendered its lead late in the third period before going on to fall in the extra period.
Tiny tracker following monarch butterflies during California migration
When this monarch butterfly hits the sky it won't be traveling alone. In fact, an energetic team of researchers will be following along with a revolutionary technology that's already unlocking secrets that could help the entire species survive.
Samsung makes progress on One UI 8.5 for Galaxy S23, Z Flip 6, and Z Fold 6
The first test firmware for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 have been spotted on Samsung's servers.
After 'Disagreeing With <i>Dhurandhar's</i> Politics', Hrithik Roshan Says "I Cant Wait For Part 2"
In his first post, though Hrithik Roshan lauded the storytelling, he admitted that he might disagree with the "politics" of the film
It’s not just Americans who are feeling US tariffs. Five charts show their global impact
There are signs steeper US tariffs, introduced by US President Donald Trump, are feeding through to higher prices for Americans. But they are also inflicting pain beyond US borders. We look at examples from around the world.
A divided GOP forges ahead on health care message — without plan to address spiking premiums
Congressional Republicans are taking a major political gamble this week, laying out a GOP health care agenda that ignores the soon-to-expire enhanced subsidies that help tens of millions of Americans afford Obamacare — despite pleas from some in their own party.
A divided GOP forges ahead on health care message — without plan to address spiking premiums
Congressional Republicans are taking a major political gamble this week, laying out a GOP health care agenda that ignores the soon-to-expire enhanced subsidies that help tens of millions of Americans afford Obamacare — despite pleas from some in their own party.
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
Rena Striegel and Transition Point Business Advisors Announce New National Succession Planning Initiative for Family Businesses
DES MOINES, IA / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / President of Transition Point Business Advisors, has introduced a national initiative designed to help family-owned businesses approach succession planning with more structure, clarity, and unity. ...