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1 'Powerful' Habit For Heart Health That's Not Exercise
In TODAY.com's Expert Tip of the Day, a cardiologist reveals a habit that has the heart-healthy benefits of exercise, but can be done while sitting in place.
Scientists use AI to crack the code of nature’s most complex patterns 1,000x faster
Order doesn’t always form perfectly—and those imperfections can be surprisingly powerful. In materials like liquid crystals, tiny “defects” emerge when symmetry breaks, shaping everything from cosmic structures to everyday technologies. Now, researchers have developed an AI-powered method that can predict how these defects will form and evolve in milliseconds instead of hours. By learning directly from data, the system accurately maps molecular alignments and complex defect behavior, even in situations where defects merge or split.
The accidental climate scientist who uncovered an unexpected force of global warming
The Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences has awarded the Crafoord Prize to climate scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan. He discovered a powerful force of global warming.
Scientists turn tumor immune cells into cancer killers
Scientists at KAIST have found a way to turn a tumor’s own immune cells into powerful cancer fighters—right inside the body. Tumors are packed with macrophages, immune cells that should attack cancer but are usually silenced by the tumor environment. By injecting a specially designed drug directly into tumors, researchers were able to “reprogram” these dormant cells to recognize and destroy cancer.
Trump’s Choice to Be Alabama’s Next Senator Finds an Odd Political Target: the Modern Gas Can
ENTERPRISE, Ala.—U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, a longtime political figure in this rural Alabama community, has his priorities. Among them? A reform effort aimed at the modern gas can. A congressman since 2021, the Republican may be headed toward one of the most powerful positions in Yellowhammer State politics, a seat in the U.S. Senate, given […]
Rebuilding Colorado’s talent pipeline system
By Randy Johnson The rule of thumb in designing and building anything is form follows function — you always build for a clear and specific purpose. This principle holds true for structures, vehicles, applications, seemingly anything, other than many educational systems and government functions. During the next few months, Colorado has a powerful opportunity to […]
Scientists say quantum tech has reached its transistor moment
Quantum technology has reached a turning point, echoing the early days of modern computing. Researchers say functional quantum systems now exist, but scaling them into truly powerful machines will require major advances in engineering and manufacturing. By comparing different quantum platforms, the study reveals both impressive progress and steep challenges ahead. History suggests the payoff could be enormous—but not immediate.
LIST | School, business closures due to winter storm
A powerful winter storm starts Saturday, goes through Sunday and its impacts will likely linger for days.
Making large language models reliable data science programming copilots for biomedical research
Nature Biomedical Engineering - AI is a powerful tool for facilitating data science programming in biomedicine. This study benchmarks the performance of existing tools and introduces a reliable AI...
Live updates: Davos awaits Trump speech as Greenland threats escalate
The rich and powerful at Davos are bracing for President Donald Trump's speech. His threats against Greenland have sparked outcry from world leaders.
Wes Moore targets Maryland’s only GOP congressman with redistricting, but a powerful Democrat stands in his way
A commission convened by Maryland’s Democratic Gov. Wes Moore recommended a new congressional map Tuesday that targets the state’s lone Republican in the US House.
RedMagic relaunches powerful OLED gaming tablet with new version
RedMagic has kicked off 2026 by refreshing one of its popular gaming tablets. Available to order globally, the new model adopts a golden finish with a gold-plated cooling system and sapphire glass back plate to distinguish itself from RedMagic's original models.
When is Apple releasing the more powerful M5 MacBook Pro models?
Apple’s base M5 MacBook Pro launched in October, but the M5 Pro and M5 Max versions are still missing. Here's when they could be released.
A “dormant” brain protein turns out to be a powerful switch
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have uncovered a surprising new way to influence brain activity by targeting a long-mysterious class of proteins linked to anxiety, schizophrenia, and movement disorders. Once thought to be mostly inactive, these proteins—called GluDs—turn out to play an active role in how brain cells communicate and form connections.
The Scary Health Risk That Can Sneak Up on GLP-1 Users
Next gen weight-loss medications are powerful — but eating too little can put some patients at serious nutritional risk.
Davos 2026: Rich and powerful arrive by private jet
Some of the most powerful people will be coming to Davos this week by private jet. But its closest airport is quieter due to airspace restrictions.
A 47-year study reveals when fitness and strength start to fade
A long-running Swedish study has followed adults for nearly five decades, uncovering when physical decline truly begins. Fitness and strength start slipping around age 35, then worsen gradually with age. The encouraging twist: adults who began exercising later still improved their physical capacity by up to 10 percent. It’s a powerful reminder that staying active matters, even if you start late.
5 Android Phones More Powerful Than The Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung's Galaxy S25 offers some of the best performance specs of any 2025 Android, but a new processor has come out that has other options outperforming it.
Microplastics are undermining the ocean’s power to absorb carbon
Tiny plastic particles drifting through the oceans may be quietly weakening one of Earth’s most powerful climate defenses. New research suggests microplastics are disrupting marine life that helps oceans absorb carbon dioxide, while also releasing greenhouse gases as they break down. By interfering with plankton, microbes, and natural carbon cycles, these pollutants reduce the ocean’s ability to regulate global temperatures.
Nasa readies its most powerful rocket for round-the-moon flight
Artemis II mission could launch on 6 February, sending astronauts on a 685,000-mile journey
Are our bodies full of microplastics or not? There’s a way to resolve this debate, and scientists must hurry
This week’s furore is microplastics researchers’ ozone moment. If they fail, the powerful plastics lobby will step into the breach, says science journalist and author Debora MacKenzie
International Day of Sports for Development and Peace | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs is pleased to announce that the 2026 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace will spotlight the theme “Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” underscoring sport’s unique capacity to foster connection, inclusion, and peace in an increasingly fragmented world. As a universal language that transcends cultural, social, and boundaries, sport serves as a powerful catalyst for social transformation.
Dani Isaacsohn's 'American dream' version of Ohio
Dani Isaacsohn, Cincinnati's most powerful Democratic lawmaker, is one of The Enquirer's 2026 people to watch.
With Democrats at a Crossroads, Elizabeth Warren Urges a Left Turn
The Massachusetts senator signaled alarm about her party’s movement toward the center, warning in a speech that Democrats should not cozy up to the wealthy and the powerful.
Have high cholesterol? Follow this science-backed diet, even partially, to lower your level
The Portfolio Diet is a lesser-known but powerful regimen that has been clinically proven to significantly reduce cholesterol
Local business strategist helps solopreneurs search into their stars for success
“I want to make sure that they can be as powerful as who they are just with their own gifts, with their energetic alignment, with their precise actions for them,” said Woods, a Master Astrologer and Business Strategist.
Roborock's Iconic Wet and Dry Vacuums at Nearly 40% Off to Start Year Right
The flagship F25 Ultra Wet and Dry Vacuum and the powerful F25 GT are both marked down in a big way, but for a limited time only.
10 quintillion hydrogen bombs every second: Webb detects massive galactic eruption
Scientists have discovered an enormous stream of super-hot gas erupting from a nearby galaxy, driven by a powerful black hole at its center. The jets stretch farther than the galaxy itself and spiral outward in a rare, never-before-seen pattern. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope pierced through thick dust to reveal this violent outflow. The process is so intense it’s robbing the galaxy of star-forming gas at a staggering rate.
Chrystia Freeland Resigns as a Member of Canada’s Parliament
Once a powerful force under Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland’s time in politics came to an end on Friday.
Google’s Ex-CEO Backs Start-Up Approach to Big Telescopes for Space and Astronomy
Eric and Wendy Schmidt are backing a start-up-like approach to building a giant space telescope and powerful ground observatories.
Orbiting satellites could start crashing into one another in less than 3 days, theoretical new 'CRASH Clock' reveals
Researchers have proposed a theoretical timepiece, dubbed the "CRASH Clock," which tells us how quickly satellites would start colliding if they lost the ability to avoid each other, such as during a powerful solar storm. And its value is rapidly decreasing.
Scientists tried to break Einstein’s speed of light rule
Einstein’s claim that the speed of light is constant has survived more than a century of scrutiny—but scientists are still daring to test it. Some theories of quantum gravity suggest light might behave slightly differently at extreme energies. By tracking ultra-powerful gamma rays from distant cosmic sources, researchers searched for tiny timing differences that could reveal new physics. They found none, but their results tighten the limits by a huge margin.
Scientists find exercise rivals therapy for depression
A large review of studies suggests that exercise can ease depression about as effectively as psychological therapy. Compared with antidepressants, exercise showed similar benefits, though the evidence was less certain. Researchers found that light to moderate activity over multiple sessions worked best, with few side effects. While it’s not a cure-all, exercise may be a powerful and accessible tool for many people.
Vera C. Rubin Observatory discovers enormous, record-breaking asteroid in first 7 nights of observations
In its preliminary data release, taken from just seven nights of observations, the powerful Vera C. Rubin Observatory has discovered an enormous, fast-spinning asteroid that sets a new record.
Just 10 minutes of exercise can trigger powerful anti-cancer effects
A brief, intense workout may do more than boost fitness—it could help fight cancer. Researchers found that just 10 minutes of hard exercise releases molecules into the bloodstream that switch on DNA repair and shut down cancer growth signals. When these molecules were applied to bowel cancer cells, hundreds of cancer-related genes changed activity. The discovery helps explain how exercise lowers cancer risk and hints at future therapies inspired by movement.
Venezuelan politics are a ‘blood sport.’ The U.S. is entering the ring.
Delcy Rodríguez is Venezuela’s new president, but the country’s powerful defense and interior ministers could decide the future of Chavismo — and the nation.
Google Voice is about to get a powerful upgrade thanks to Gemini
Your personal note-taker is almost here
From planning to power: How Rubio shaped the Maduro operation
As US special forces carried out an audacious, night-time raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Friday night, President Donald Trump watched the action unfold from his estate at Mar-a-Lago. Among those at his side was Marco Rubio, his powerful secretary of state and national security advisor.
Business Insider's AI Power List
Business Insider's AI Power List highlights the most powerful people shaping artificial intelligence. See who's driving the next wave.
CES 2026: HP announces the "world's most powerful gaming laptop" and next-gen QD-OLED monitor
Here are HP's CES 2026 gaming announcements, including "the world's most powerful laptop" and HyperX branded monitors, accessories and more.
CES 2026: HP says the HyperX Omen Max 16 is the most powerful 16-inch gaming laptop in the world
At CES 2026, HyperX showcased what its calling the most powerful 16-inch laptop in the world, but only among systems without external cooling.
How Insomnia Cookies Became A $350 Million Business — By Obsessing Over One Word
It's a powerful lesson in brand positioning, and a great way to sell cookies too.
Scientists uncover a hidden switch that helps cancer cells thrive
A protein once thought to simply help cancer cells avoid death turns out to do much more. MCL1 actively drives cancer metabolism by controlling the powerful mTOR growth pathway, tying survival and energy use together. This insight explains why MCL1-targeting drugs can be effective—but also why they sometimes damage the heart. Researchers have now identified a way to reduce that risk, potentially unlocking safer cancer therapies.
Taiwan Sees Trump’s Arrest of Maduro as Helpful in Deterring Xi
Taiwan officials see Donald Trump’s capture of Venezuela’s leader as a powerful deterrent to Beijing’s aggression and timely reminder of the US ability to defeat militaries equipped with Chinese-made weapons.
This CRISPR breakthrough turns genes on without cutting DNA
A new CRISPR breakthrough shows scientists can turn genes back on without cutting DNA, by removing chemical tags that act like molecular anchors. The work confirms these tags actively silence genes, settling a long-running scientific debate. This gentler form of gene editing could offer a safer way to treat Sickle Cell disease by reactivating a fetal blood gene. Researchers say it opens the door to powerful therapies with fewer unintended side effects.
Susanna Fletcher Greer: Science is Still Our Most Powerful Tool for Changing Cancer Outcomes
Susanna Fletcher Greer: Science is Still Our Most Powerful Tool for Changing Cancer Outcomes / cancer, OncoDaily, Oncology, Susanna Fletcher Greer
Gemini in Google Keep is more powerful than I initially thought
The productivity duo I didn't know I needed
Zohran Mamdani Supporters Celebrate “Politics of Optimism” at His Inauguration
Tens of thousands of New Yorkers braved freezing temperatures and police barricades to be part of Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration as mayor on New Year’s Day. Democracy Now! spoke with many Mamdani supporters, including a high school student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, about what the day represented to them, their hopes for the new administration and how it could set a model for progressives across the country. “Organized people will always be more powerful than organized money,” said Diana Moreno, a fellow democratic socialist who is running for Mamdani’s vacant seat in the New York State Assembly.
Something hidden deep underground supercharged this Chile earthquake
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile in July 2024—and it wasn’t supposed to be that strong. Unlike Chile’s infamous shallow “megathrust” quakes, this one ruptured deep inside the Earth, where shaking is usually weaker at the surface. Researchers discovered that the quake broke long-held assumptions by tearing through hotter rock layers than expected, fueled by a rare chain reaction that accelerated the rupture.
This 100-year-old teaching method is beating modern preschools
A first-of-its-kind national trial shows that public Montessori preschool students enter kindergarten with stronger reading, memory, and executive function skills than their peers. These gains don’t fade — they grow over time, bucking a long-standing trend in early education research. Even better, Montessori programs cost about $13,000 less per child than traditional preschool. The results suggest a powerful, affordable model hiding in plain sight.
The Galaxy Z Roll 5G: Samsung’s Boldest Move Yet
Discover the Samsung Galaxy Z Roll 5G with its rollable display, advanced camera, and powerful hardware. The future of smartphones is here.
AirPods Pro 3 have a powerful new health feature, here’s how to use it
AirPods Pro 3 introduce a powerful health feature not found in their predecessor: heart rate sensing. Here’s how to use it.
4 Ways Your Apple TV Is Changing In 2026
A new Apple TV 4K could offer faster RAM and CPU, a more powerful chip, and improved connectivity if Apple delivers this upgraded model in 2026.
Why your vitamin D supplements might not be working
A new randomized trial from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center reveals that magnesium may be the missing key to keeping vitamin D levels in balance. The study found that magnesium raised vitamin D in people who were deficient while dialing it down in those with overly high levels—suggesting a powerful regulating effect. This could help explain why vitamin D supplements don’t work the same way for everyone and why past studies linking vitamin D to cancer and heart disease have produced mixed results.
Research expenditures ranking underscores ASU’s dramatic growth in high-impact science
Arizona State University has surpassed $1 billion in annual research funding for the first time, placing the university among the top 4% of research institutions nationwide, according to the latest National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development, or HERD, survey.The milestone is a testament to ASU’s success at transforming research dollars into tangible benefits for people — from improved health care to safer communities to more powerful computer chips and more.
Scientists found a dangerous feedback loop accelerating Arctic warming
The Arctic is changing rapidly, and scientists have uncovered a powerful mix of natural and human-driven processes fueling that change. Cracks in sea ice release heat and pollutants that form clouds and speed up melting, while emissions from nearby oil fields alter the chemistry of the air. These interactions trigger feedback loops that let in more sunlight, generate smog, and push warming even further. Together, they paint a troubling picture of how fragile the Arctic system has become.
Top 40 power players in North Jersey high school sports entering 2026
Check out Darren Cooper's 14th-annual list of the most powerful people in North Jersey athletics.
Want Powerful Relationships At Work And Home? Start With Trust
Most people want powerful long-term relationships at work and at home. Turns out creating trust first unlocks solid relationships.
Oceans are supercharging hurricanes past Category 5
Deep ocean hot spots packed with heat are making the strongest hurricanes and typhoons more likely—and more dangerous. These regions, especially near the Philippines and the Caribbean, are expanding as climate change warms ocean waters far below the surface. As a result, storms powerful enough to exceed Category 5 are appearing more often, with over half occurring in just the past decade. Researchers say recognizing a new “Category 6” could improve public awareness and disaster planning.
All in the family: In 2026, a surge of politicians' kids are running for office
As voters clamor for change, a new generation of Pelosis, Kennedys, Kings and other powerful families are stepping up to keep their political legacies alive.
This tiny peptide could help stop brain damage after injury
A four–amino acid peptide called CAQK has shown powerful brain-protective effects in animal models of traumatic brain injury. Delivered through a standard IV, it zeroes in on injured brain tissue, calming inflammation and reducing cell death while improving recovery. The peptide worked in both mice and pigs, whose brains are closer to humans in structure. Researchers are now preparing to move toward early human clinical trials.
The 120 Most Powerful Executives in Entertainment, Ranked
From David Zaslav to Ted Sarandos and David Ellison, Variety celebrates its 120th year by ranking the 120 most powerful entertainment executives.
The Best of BoF 2025: Fashion and Sports Forge a Powerful Alliance
As the fashion world navigated a tough year filled with macroeconomic headwinds and deep consumer pessimism in key marketplaces, the sports industry proved to be a bit of a guiding light.
Entertainment vs. reality: How media glamorizes opioids and warps teens' perception
Opioids are often shown in movies, music, and social media as party drugs, symbols of fun, rebellion, or a carefree lifestyle. Instead of highlighting the real dangers of addiction, withdrawal or overdose, entertainment culture turns powerful and deadly substances into aesthetic props. This glamorized image shapes how teens and young adults think about opioids, making […]
2025 Pinkbike Awards: Value Product of the Year Winner
Powerful brakes that work better than their more expensive counterparts.
Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. could reshape entertainment industry
Netflix is making one of the biggest moves in entertainment history. On Dec. 5, the company announced plans to acquire the film and television businesses of Warner Brothers Discovery in a deal valued at roughly $72 billion in equity. If approved, the acquisition would bring together two of the most powerful forces in modern entertainment....
Top science stories of 2025
In a year of funding chaos, ongoing climate change and pollution perils, we also saw the most powerful telescope yet, personalized gene therapy, and the next-best-thing to an HIV vaccine — not to mention a brand-new color
This simulation reveals what really happens near black holes
Black holes are among the most extreme objects in the universe, and now scientists can model them more accurately than ever before. By combining Einstein’s gravity with realistic behavior of light and matter, researchers have built simulations that closely match real astronomical observations. These models reveal how matter forms chaotic, glowing disks and launches powerful outflows as it falls into black holes. It’s a major step toward decoding how these cosmic engines actually work.
These Are The 10 Fastest Motorcycles Of The 1970s
From sleek cafe racers to powerful superbikes, the fastest motorcyles of the 1970s left a lasting mark on performance and biking culture.
A Lifestyle Rx For Keeping Your Brain Young
By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay ReporterSUNDAY, Dec. 21, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Think the good thoughts. Manage stress. Get your Zzzzzs. And build a strong social support system. New research shows that these factors — all of which are within your control — are powerful anti-aging tools. "You can ...
8 Google Docs add-ons you didn't know existed but will change how you work
Google Docs is way more powerful than you think
Scientists spent 10 years chasing a particle that wasn’t there
After a decade of painstaking measurements, scientists have delivered a major plot twist in particle physics: a long-hypothesized “mystery particle” likely doesn’t exist. Using the MicroBooNE experiment at Fermilab, researchers analyzed neutrinos from two powerful beams and found no evidence for a sterile neutrino, ruling it out with 95% certainty.
4 Ways You Can Turn Your Legacy Business Into a Modern Powerhouse
Businesses that blend traditional expertise with modern systems, transparency and customer education are gaining a powerful competitive edge.
10 Things I Loved in 2025: Mike Kazimer
Everything from powerful brakes to good books (and more).
The Most Powerful Politics Influencers Barely Post About Politics
New research shows that social media creators have enormous influence over their audiences' politics—especially those who don't normally share political content.
How Chinese scientists turn allergy into a powerful weapon against cancer
'We were amazed': Scientists using James Webb telescope may have discovered the earliest supernova in the known universe
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope report that a powerful gamma-ray burst detected in March may have been produced by the explosion of a massive star just 730 million years after the Big Bang.
The wrong pillow can wreck your sleep. Science can help you find the right one.
Your pillow is one of the most powerful tools to help you fall asleep, stay asleep—and even ease your pain and improve posture during waking hours.
Which team has sports’ ultimate front office? Take this 30-second poll
You've seen how the most powerful and influential executives have ranked their leagues' front offices. Now it's your turn.
The AI industry wants to turn the routine mammogram into a powerful multitool
A new generation of AI algorithms aim to go beyond detecting cancers to predicting risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Exclusive: Is America ready for a woman president? Nancy Pelosi's surprising take.
Exit interview: After four decades, the most powerful woman in the history of the United States heads home. She's still defiant.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Release Details: Samsung Confirms Powerful Upgrade
Ahead of the Galaxy S26 Ultra's launch in January, Samsung's filings with the FCC reveal the answer to a long-standing community question... Exynos or Snapdragon?
As Epstein releases near, Americans think Trump knew about Epstein’s alleged crimes
Friday featured yet another drop in the drip-drip-drip of new information from the Jeffrey Epstein files. This time: new pictures released by House Democrats that feature Donald Trump and other powerful people like Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon and Richard Branson, culled from tens of thousands of photos from Epstein’s estate.
Explore powerful narratives of marathon runners at Health and Fitness Expo
Discover the stories and excitement as runners gather at Health and Fitness Expo for the marathon weekend.
Powerful men in politics and media shown in new Epstein estate images
Newly released photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's estate do not reveal wrongdoing, but do show Epstein in the company of powerful men from the worlds of politics, business and entertainment.
New photos released from Epstein’s estate showing Trump, Bannon, Bill Clinton and other high-profile people
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate Friday showing the many powerful figures in the late sex trafficker’s orbit, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Richard Branson and others.
Google asks UK experts to find uses for its powerful quantum tech
UK researchers will get a chance to develop applications for the tech giant's quantum processor.
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
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
According to 'Forbes,' Taylor Swift is the most powerful woman in entertainment
Who's the most powerful woman in media and entertainment? It's not the head of a TV network or a movie studio — it's Taylor Swift.That's according to Forbes, which has published its annual list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women, based on four main metrics: money, media, impact and spheres of influence. Taylor comes in at #21 on the list, which makes her the highest-ranked, and therefore the most powerful, woman in the Media & Entertainment category.
Only one American woman in politics makes Forbes most powerful list
Only one American woman in politics, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, made Forbes’s 2025 list of most powerful women. Wiles, the White House’s first female chief of staff, is ran…
America’s Emotional Divide: Navigating the Powerful Decision-Making Forces Impacting Politics, Policies & Personal Choices Pt. 2
CEO Brent Buchanan, alongside VP Chris Kratzer, unpacks the insights behind his #1 Amazon bestseller in Elections America’s Emotional Divide: Navigating the Powerful Decision-Making Forces Impacting Politics, Policies & Personal Choices.
Texas Association of Business CEO Glenn Hamer resigns
An unidentified woman sued Hamer two weeks ago, accusing him of sexually assaulting and harassing her before retaliating against her using his position at the powerful business group.
I Tried the New Android XR Smart Glasses From Google and XReal. I Didn't Expect to Be This Impressed
Google's Android XR platform and XReal's Project Aura are bringing smart glasses closer to mainstream reality, offering developers powerful tools to create practical, everyday wearable experiences that go far beyond novelty gadgets.
Trump accused of ‘colossal economic and national security failure’ for allowing Nvidia to sell powerful AI chips to China
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Trump gives Nvidia the green light to sell its H200 chips in China
President Donald Trump said the US would allow Nvidia to sell its powerful H200 chips to China.
Genki’s colorful, powerful power strip is 25 percent off
Up to 240W of power via its four USB-C ports
Cosmic knots may finally explain why the Universe exists
Knotted structures once imagined by Lord Kelvin may actually have shaped the universe’s earliest moments, according to new research showing how two powerful symmetries could have created stable “cosmic knots” after the Big Bang. These exotic objects may have briefly dominated the young cosmos, unraveled through quantum tunneling, and produced heavy right-handed neutrinos whose decays tipped the balance toward matter over antimatter.