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Sacramento Kings depth chart: This season and in the future
How the Sacramento Kings are projected to look like this season and beyond
Nearly 1 in 4 Americans say the U.S. health care system is in crisis
A new Gallup poll found that about eight in 10 Democrats, and 64 percent of Republicans, say the system is in crisis or has “major problems.”
Irrelevant Hickenlooper draws a challenger
State Sen. Julie Gonzales should be ashamed of herself. Doesn’t Gonzales understand that U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper is entitled to the Democratic nomination for Senate? Doesn’t Gonzales know that, just like in 2020, Hickenlooper “needs his sleep” and cannot be bothered with some pesky, young state senator who actually knows why she is running? And […]
The Political Limits of Algorithmic Governance
Algorithmic efficiency may undermine the very liberal democracy it was meant to improve.
Ruben Gallego emerges as key Democratic figure in Latino voter outreach
U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego is emerging as a key figure for the Democratic Party as they aim to regain Latino support lost in 2024.
AI Is Getting Dangerously Good at Political Persuasion
For a while last year, scientists offered a glimmer of hope that artificial intelligence would make a positive contribution to democracy. They showed that chatbots could address conspiracy theories racing across social media, challenging misinformation around beliefs in issues such as chemtrails and the flat Earth with a stream of reasonable facts in conversation. But two new studies suggest a disturbing flipside: The latest AI models are getting even better at persuading people at the expense o
Inside California Politics: Dec. 13, 2025
(Inside California Politics) — Tech entrepreneur Jon Slavet has announced his candidacy for the 2026 California gubernatorial race, running as a Republican after previously being a Democrat. Slavet…
Harris County Democratic Party reprimands Houston Mayor John Whitmire, withholds future endorsement
A progressive group pushed through a measure to bar Whitmire from receiving the party’s endorsement. It came nearly eight months after he attended a fundraiser for a Republican congressman.
Congress races against the clock to avert skyrocketing health care costs for millions
Lawmakers are scrambling to address skyrocketing health care costs in the final days before Congress leaves Washington for the holidays, with enhanced tax credits that make insurance premiums more affordable for millions of Americans set to expire at the end of the month.
Congress races against the clock to avert skyrocketing health care costs for millions
Lawmakers are scrambling to address skyrocketing health care costs in the final days before Congress leaves Washington for the holidays, with enhanced tax credits that make insurance premiums more affordable for millions of Americans set to expire at the end of the month.
'Knives Out 4'? Director Rian Johnson shares update on his next Benoit Blanc mystery
'Knives Out' filmmaker Rian Johnson has already thought about another Benoit Blanc mystery after 'Wake Up Dead Man': 'I have some basic, elemental, conceptual ideas.'
History behind California's first state Legislature
It's been 176 years since the representatives in California's first state Legislature met in San Jose, the Golden State's first capital, before it ultimately moved to Sacramento.
Trump Shares Russia’s Twisted Vision of ‘Peace’ in New National Security Strategy
The Donald Trump administration's new National Security Strategy codifies the United States' alignment with the world's autocracies, including Russia.
Another blue wave? Meet the Democrat trying to make it happen and the Republican trying to stop her
Brian Jack is a first-term Republican congressman from Georgia, but he’s become a key figure in the Oval Office
More redistricting bad news for Republicans: Texas may not net five GOP seats like they planned
The Republican plans to pick off five Democratic-held congressional seats in Texas once seemed like a sure thing. Not anymore.
John Whitmire will no longer receive Harris County Democrat's endorsements
Precinct chairs signed on to a resolution asking the party to deny Houston Mayor John Whitmire endorsements after he participated in a GOP fundraiser.
Commentary: Is Newsom blazing a path to the White House? Running a fool's errand? Let's discuss
Times columnist and Newsom skeptic Mark Z. Barabak doubts the California governor's chances in 2028. Veteran Democratic strategist Garry South believes Newsom has a strong shot. The two hash it out.
Carman: Hickenlooper owes Colorado voters answers, not threats
The Democratic campaign machine is already mobilizing to crush Julie Gonzales’ bid to unseat Sen. Hickenlooper
Repairs needed after business hit-and-run
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A family-owned business in Scranton is reeling after a hit-and-run crash that badly damaged their property. The owners are now looking for answers, hoping someone will come forward. The family told 28/22 News while there have been instances when someone sideswiped their fence, they’ve never seen anything quite like this […]
Josh O'Connor felt 'punked' filming 'Knives Out': Always 'raining on me, never on Daniel Craig'
Josh O'Connor says he felt 'punked' while filming 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' totally soaked and covered in mud for most of production: 'Always seemed to be raining on me and never on Daniel Craig.'
5 things to watch after the Senate’s failed health care votes
The Senate this week failed to pass dueling bills from Republicans and Democrats to address a looming spike in health insurance costs for people who buy Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. The result …
5 things to watch after the Senate’s failed health care votes
The Senate this week failed to pass dueling bills from Republicans and Democrats to address a looming spike in health insurance costs for people who buy Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. The result …
Democrat likens Trump’s economic messaging to famous Ron Burgundy moment
National endorsements pour in for Pia Dandiya as she takes on Brian Mast
Democrats eye a GOP seat.
Speaker Johnson unveils health care plan as divided Republicans scramble for alternative
The Senate failed to get anywhere on health care this week. Now it’s the House’s turn. Speaker Mike Johnson late Friday released a package of proposal to address growing health care costs.
Teen’s video a ‘Breakthrough’ in science communication
Seventeen-year-old Grace Lee from Chula Vista is gaining national attention as a finalist in the global Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual competition that invites students to create original videos explaining complex scientific ideas in creative and engaging ways. Founded in 2015, the contest encourages young people to break down advanced scientific theories using imagination and storytelling— “Steven Spielberg meets Albert Einstein,” as organizers describe it. Lee’s submission centers on the principle of least time in physics, a concept that explains why light always travels the path that takes the least amount of time. To bring the idea to life, she used intricate origami characters and stop-motion animation, along with simple at-home experiments, she said. “The fact that light always travels via the path that takes the least amount of time sounds simple at first, but nature is full of surprises,” she said. “This principle is actually very profound and underlies many different fields in physics that seem completely unrelated, from optics to Newton’s laws to Einstein’s theory of relativity.” Also, origami has long been one of her passions and integrating it into her project felt natural. She often makes origami gifts for friends and teaches origami in her school clubs. “A single 10-second scene would take hours to craft,” she said, noting the mixture of stop-motion and post-production editing required to animate expressions and movement. To ensure the science remained accurate and accessible, she spent time reading books and online resources, writing a script, creating a storyboard, and filming and editing repeatedly until the visuals worked.The experiments were among the biggest challenges. To demonstrate water waves, she used everyday household items — “a spatula and an electric toothbrush to vibrate the waves, glass in a baking pan for different depths, and an iPhone flashlight so the waves would be visible.” She also put careful thought into explaining the principle through analogies, including a gingerbread man and a fox. “Analogies and visuals are incredibly important,” she said. “Visual demonstrations allow viewers to see how the science actually works.” Beyond the competition, Lee is deeply involved in science leadership and advocacy. She serves as International President of miRcore, the world’s largest student computational biology organization, with 136 chapters across five countries. She leads a 20-member executive board, organizes outreach connecting schools worldwide, and has helped run workshops at locations including Scripps Research Institute and the University of Michigan. “I used to be intimidated,” she said, but she gradually grew her skills and confidence. “Now I am no longer afraid to use my voice and enthusiasm to bring out the best in others.” Her research experience includes two peer-reviewed papers on asthma and vaping. Misconceptions around vaping, she said, show why clear science communication matters. “Our research shows that there is long-term harm to your lungs on the cellular level that isn’t obvious unless you come down with an illness like the flu,” she said. Lee also founded Full Hearts at Eastlake High School, transforming the small club into one of the school’s largest, with hands-on service projects in partnership with local nonprofits. She continues mentoring younger students to sustain the mission. If she wins the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Grace hopes the $100,000 science lab prize for her school will expand opportunities for students who have limited access to equipment and hands-on science outside the classroom.
Democrats want to win back Congress. First they need to weather their primary battles
At least a dozen US House Democrats are already facing primary challenges, as progressives seek to transform a party regaining its footing after 2024 by tapping into voters’ frustration with its leaders ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
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.
Dr. Oz took over Medicare. It hasn’t been the disaster his critics feared.
The former TV doctor running the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Washington’s wonky health agency, has garnered positive reviews — even from some Democrats.
Bills vs Patriots forecast for game conditions at Gillette Stadium
Below freezing temperatures and a chance of snow are in the forecast in Foxborough for the pivotal Bills vs Patriots AFC East clash.
Democratic former Sen. Doug Jones launches campaign for Alabama governor
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones has launched his campaign for Alabama governor.
House GOP offers health care bill without Obamacare subsidies
House Republicans offer health care bill without extending Obamacare subsidies but Democrats oppose the proposal.
House GOP offers health care bill without Obamacare subsidies
House Republicans offer health care bill without extending Obamacare subsidies but Democrats oppose the proposal.
Wilmington small business owner announces NC Senate District 7 candidacy
Wilmington small business owner Jessica Bichler filed for candidacy in N.C. Senate District 7, announcing her bid for a seat Democrats view as a key opportunity to break the Republican supermajority in 2026.
Speaker Johnson unveils health care plan as divided Republicans scramble for alternative
The legislation, unveiled Friday, is a last-minute sprint as Johnson's party refuses to extend the enhanced tax subsidies for those who buy policies through the Affordable Care Act.
For Republicans, Trump’s Hands-Off Approach to Health Care Is a Problem
The prospect of soaring health care costs could exacerbate Americans’ feelings about affordability, an issue that President Trump has tried to downplay. But Democrats plan to keep the issue front and center.
Tunisia sentences opposition leader Abir Moussi to 12 years in jail
Dozens of opposition figures being targeted in nation once seen as beacon for democracy after sparking the Arab Spring.
Speaker Johnson scrambles to find a health care plan as Republicans remain divided
The Senate failed to get anywhere on health care this week.
Speaker Johnson scrambles to find a health care plan as Republicans remain divided
The Senate failed to get anywhere on health care this week. Now it’s the House’s turn. Speaker Mike Johnson is rushing to compile a package of bills to address growing health care costs.
Democrats celebrated Indiana Republicans refusing to redistrict. They’re still moving ahead with their own redistricting push
One day after Indiana Republicans decided to forego political gains by rejecting a new US House map, congressional Democrats made clear Friday they would still press ahead for potential gains in states their party controls.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is fundraising off of charges she stole $5M from FEMA
Democratic lawmaker fundraises off indictment, claiming political retaliation amid serious federal charges.
Carville: Crockett broke ‘first rule of politics’ with Senate campaign launch
Democratic strategist James Carville mapped out on Thursday what he sees are possible problems with Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s (D-Texas) announcement to run for Senate, saying she broke the R…
NASA’s TRACERS Spacecraft Begin Preliminary Science Data Collection
NASA’s TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) mission has started collecting preliminary science data,
Democratic states sue Trump administration over new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas
A coalition of blue states is suing the Trump administration over its fee of $100,000 for H-1B Visas, several Democratic attorneys general announced on Friday.
Amazon Prime Video scraps AI-powered TV show recaps after 'Fallout' fallout
Almost a month after Prime Video launched AI-powered Video Recaps, viewers said it shared incorrect plot details about season one of "Fallout."
New Epstein photos released showing Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Donald Trump, and more
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Friday released never-before-seen images from the estate of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
Mounts of Mayhem challenges
Take on two challenges in the Mobs of Mayhem drop and earn dashing rewards! Defeat five mobs with a spear, or help the community spawn 75 million zombie horses! The challenges run from Friday Dec 12, 8:00 AM PT to Monday Dec 15, 10:00 AM PT.
Democrats Release New Epstein Photos Documenting Ties to Trump, Clinton and Others
The images, released without context by Democrats on the Oversight Committee, reveal little new about the deceased sex offender’s ties to prominent men in politics, entertainment and finance.
Veteran Dem. operative offers scathing 6-word rebuke of Trump
The operative said that Trump was "done" in several states where Democrats defeated Republicans in elections this year.
Watch live: Jeffries gives remarks amid health care, redistricting battle
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) will speak with reporters Friday morning after senators struck down Democrats’ effort to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are s…
Why affordability is the 'beating heart' of the ACA enhanced subsidy debate, health policy experts say
Health plans proposed by Senate Democrats and Republicans failed on Thursday, making it more likely enhanced ACA subsidies would expire at year end.
New photos from Epstein’s personal collection show Trump, Clinton and much more
The undated photographs are from Epstein’s email account and computer, according to Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, who published the photographs on Friday.
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.
BMW crashes into Santa Monica business, leaving driver seriously injured
A vehicle crashed into a building in Santa Monica late Thursday night, causing significant damage to the structure and sending the driver to the hospital.
Trump signals willingness to work with Democrats on health care
President Trump suggested Thursday that he would be willing to work with Democrats on the issue of health care, as concerns over rising insurance premiums grow. “What a nice group of Democrats,” Tr…
Plans for outdoor entertainment center along I-40 move forward
Pacific Elm Properties drafts a term sheet for an entertainment center on 136 acres near RDU Airport, shaped by public feedback despite controversy.
Trump calls affordability a "hoax"; Democrats take note
In the first year of his second term, President Donald Trump has focused his attention on foreign policy and made numerous trips abroad – with an eye toward the Nobel Peace Prize. But as he discusses peace deals with foreign leaders, his ratings domestically have fallen. Critics say that he isn’t doing enough to ease American’s economic concerns. So, this week, Trump returned his attention stateside and kicked off his affordability tour in Pennsylvania, while simultaneously branding “affordability” as a democratic “hoax.” Today on the politics roundtable, we discuss why Trump’s tour signals the administration’s concerns about the politics of affordability, and how some Democrats could use this as a way to gain an edge during the 2026 midterms. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Dan Merica, the co-anchor of our politics newsletter, The Early Brief, and White House Bureau Chief Matt Viser.
What makes the Eagles optimistic about offense after a 3rd straight loss?
The crazy thing about the Eagles’ offensive performance Monday night is that they actually did some good things.
Senate votes down dueling health care proposals
Political strategist Katie Zacharia analyzes the Senate’s stalled healthcare proposals, ACA tax credit fallout and how Democrats may leverage shutdown politics to dominate the 2026 midterms.
Benin settles after failed coup attempt, but regional concerns remain
Loyalist troops aided by Nigeria's air force foiled putsch, but confidence in nation's democratic stability is shaken.
Republicans and Democrats can work together on healthcare, says Trump, as rise in premiums looms
President spoke at Congressional ball after Senate rejected two competing proposals to address imminent expiration of Obamacare subsidies
The year the Big Tech job market cracked
"It feels like recruiters are looking for Superman," said one job seeker who's struggled during the tech job market's brutal year.
Russia's wartime consumer boom is cracking as shoppers tighten their wallets
Russia saw a surge in consumer spending after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, even as sweeping sanctions hit the economy.
WATCH: Trump criticizes Indiana Senate Republicans' rejection of redistricting effort
After Republican legislators in Indiana joined with Democrats to vote down a plan to redraw the state's congressional map on Thursday, President Donald Trump said he would support a primary against a GOP state Senate leader.
Congresswoman Goes There With Wild Theory on Trump’s Health
A Democrat is posting a much-whispered theory as she “asks questions.”
Google spinout proposes Oakland County data center nearly as large as Oracle megaproject
While controversy stirs around OpenAI’s Stargate data center project in Saline Township, another data center complex nearly as big is being quietly planned 45 miles northeast in Lyon Township.Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, a spinout of Google parent company Alphabet Inc., has submitted plans to…
A controversial Democratic message makes a return: From the Politics Desk
Plus, Trump's political dilemma on the economy.
‘We have failed’: Murkowski, Sullivan call for compromise after Democratic proposal to extend health care subsidies stalls
Alaska’s U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan were among four Republicans who voted in favor of extending the tax credits.
Texas Business Reforms Show Shareholder Democracy Is Thriving
View our Texas Business Reforms Show Shareholder Democracy Is Thriving insight.
Health insurance subsidies expire this month but Congress can't agree on a fix : The NPR Politics Podcast
The enhanced subsidies 22 million Americans use to help pay for health insurance are set to expire at the end of this month, and when they do, many Americans will see their insurance premiums balloon. We discuss Democrats' and Republicans' competing proposals to address rising healthcare costs and whether Congress is likely to come to an agreement before — or after — the looming deadline. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies
It's an unceremonious end to a monthslong effort by Democrats to prevent the COVID-19-era subsidies from expiring on Jan. 1
Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies
It's an unceremonious end to a monthslong effort by Democrats to prevent the COVID-19-era subsidies from expiring on Jan. 1
Failure of rival health bills underscores impasse in US politics
Democrats voted down a Republican bill that would have provided limited relief for out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
Failure of rival health bills underscores impasse in US politics
Democrats voted down a Republican bill that would have provided limited relief for out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
Video Competing Democrat, Republican health care proposals both fail in the Senate
The Senate failed to advance two competing health care proposals aimed at addressing a spike in costs expected for tens of millions of Americans who receive enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Navy delivers report to Hegseth on potential punishment for Sen. Mark Kelly over ‘illegal orders’ video
The US Navy has submitted its recommendations on potential punishments for Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over his participation in a video that reminded US troops they have a duty to refuse illegal orders, a Pentagon official told CNN on Thursday.
Republicans block bill to extend expiring health insurance subsidies
Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a motion to advance a Democrat-drafted bill to extend enhanced health insurance premium subsidies that are due to expire at the end of 2025, tax credits that …
NJ senator declares war on Dem ‘machine,’ pledges primary battles against old-guard power brokers
Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., breaks with the Democratic Party establishment, citing corruption concerns after state Sen. James Beach allegedly dismissed a constituent at a hearing.
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.
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Spies Solar Wind ‘U-Turn’
Images captured by NASA’s Parker Solar Probe as the spacecraft made its record-breaking closest approach to the Sun in December 2024 have now revealed new
Chico's big fashion and entertainment show on Dec. 13 benefits FUR's cat rescue work • Chico News & Review
We are a group of award-winning free alternative weekly newspapers published by Chico Community Publishing, Inc. We publish the Chico News & Review in Chico, California, the Sacramento News & Review in Sacramento, California and the Reno News & Review in Reno, Nevada. In addition to the 3 weeklies, we also have a Custom Publication division dedicated to producing high quality publications for government agencies, nonprofits and more.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Video Senate poised to cast votes on competing health care proposals
Both plans, one put forward by Democrats and the other championed by Republicans, are almost certain to fail.
Kennebunkport business reopens after car crashes into store
Police say the 21-year-old driver was coming home from work early in the morning when he fell asleep at the wheel.
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.
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.
Trump calls affordability crisis a "hoax," touts the economy ahead of midterms
As Democrats campaigning on affordability pick up wins, Trump's messaging about a strong economy is at odds with widespread voter sentiment that he's not doing enough to tackle rising costs.
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.
Democrats voice concerns about Venezuelan tanker seizure: ‘sounds a lot like the beginning of a war’
Senator Rand Paul said it was ‘not the job of the American government to go looking for monsters around the world’
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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