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Science sleuths raise concerns about scores of bioengineering papers
Nature - Prominent bioengineer Ali Khademhosseini has so far corrected more than 40 of the papers in question, but critics say some should have been retracted.
Business owners fear wall could collapse, crush homeless encampment east of L.A.
Business owners in El Sereno, a neighborhood east of downtown Los Angeles, are raising concerns about a cement block wall along an alley, saying it could collapse and cause serious injuries or deat…
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.
HR's big challenge with AI will force HR people to reinvent themselves
Workers fear AI, so one of HR's biggest challenges is getting workers to trust and adopt it by building credibility and addressing employee concerns.
Senate set to vote on dueling health care measures as Americans express concerns over costs
Kenyan court suspends US health aid deal over data privacy concerns
The landmark $2.5bn Kenya-US deal has been stopped until the court hears the case over data privacy.
Kenya Court Halts $1.6 Billion Health Deal as US Courts Uganda
A Kenyan court temporarily froze the nation’s health deal with the US after a lobby group raised data-privacy concerns, even as President Donald Trump courts more African countries with similar pacts.
Republicans worry Trump is missing the mark on affordability
President Donald Trump’s high-profile economic speech on Tuesday night was meant to alleviate Americans’ concerns about the cost of living. Instead, it mainly appeared to deepen fears within the GOP that he’s not quite getting it.
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
Deadly shooting near Horseshoe Casino raises safety concerns in entertainment hub
A deadly shooting outside a Royal Farms store near the Horseshoe Casino in south Baltimore has left residents concerned about safety.
Steelers vs Dolphins: 4 big concerns for this week
The Steelers square off with the Dolphins on Monday night and there's plenty to worry about coming off of a big win
Political consultant talks about Trump's stance on affordability
President Trump minimized concerns about the economy during a Pennsylvania rally Tuesday. NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with political consultant Frank Luntz about Trump's latest take.
Vance expected to travel to Pennsylvania next week to continue administration’s push on affordability
Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pennsylvania next week to deliver remarks on the economy and the cost of living, continuing the administration’s newfound push to convince voters that the White House is focused on affordability concerns, a spokesperson said.
HBO Max subscriber sues Netflix to halt merger
As concerns emerge about Netflix's plan to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery assets, an HBO Max subscriber sued Netflix on Monday to prevent the merger from happening.
Netflix vs Paramount: politics could decide battle for Warner Bros
Antitrust concerns and ties to Trump administration complicate picture of who may ultimately own media group
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Small business optimism rises despite ongoing labor quality concerns as well as inflation challenges, according to new NFIB data showing mixed economic signals.
Trump to address affordability concerns in Pennsylvania speech - live updates
President Donald Trump is heading to Pennsylvania to tout the economy as the administration faces pressure on affordability. Follow for live updates.
Recent Baltimore County police shootings raise concerns over mental health response
Trump warns Netflix-Warner Bros Discovery deal could be a problem, says he’ll be ‘involved’ in decision
President Donald Trump raised antitrust concerns over the proposed Netflix takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery and said he'll be part of the decision process on Sunday.
Capitol agenda: GOP struggles on affordability message
Republicans are divided over how to address growing cost-of-living concerns over health care, housing, student debt and more.
Democratic governors say the party's midterm strategy must focus on voters' pocketbook concerns
Democratic governors who met over the weekend in Arizona say the party must focus on affordability in next year's midterm elections.
Miley Cyrus Offers Positive Update on Godmother Dolly Parton Amid Health Issues
Miley Cyrus shared an optimistic update on her godmother Dolly Parton after the country music icon sat out from a number of recent appearances due to health concerns.
Murkowski is seeking bipartisan compromise on health care subsidies as deadline approaches
Alaska’s U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski also raised concerns over the Trump administration’s targeting of alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.
Science journal retracts study on safety of Monsanto’s Roundup: ‘serious ethical concerns’
Paper published in 2000 found glyphosate was not harmful, while internal emails later revealed company’s influence
Incoming Czech PM Babis' business empire spans chickens to fertility clinics
Czech billionaire Andrej Babis will become prime minister on December 9, after his populist ANO party won an October election. President Petr Pavel said he would appoint Babis after he cleared conflict-of-interest concerns by agreeing to shift his Agrofert business group to an independently governed trust.
Margot Robbie addresses audience concerns about 'Wuthering Heights' casting: 'Trust me, you’ll be happy'
Margot Robbie wants audiences to know she hears their concerns about her and Jacob Elordi's casting in the upcoming adaptation of Emily Brontë's gothic romance, 'Wuthering Heights': "I get it."
Speaker Johnson's ever-growing headaches: From the Politics Desk
Plus, Trump plans a visit to Pennsylvania amid growing economic concerns. And an exclusive interview with Vance.
Logan Health providers seek unionization amid staffing concerns
Nearly 60 primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants at Logan Health clinics in Northwestern Montana have filed a petition with the
The Rise of AI Reasoning Models Comes With a Big Energy Tradeoff
Nearly all leading artificial intelligence developers are focused on building AI models that mimic the way humans reason, but new research shows these cutting-edge systems can be far more energy intensive, adding to concerns about AI’s strain on power grids.
Americans under 30 are ‘under profound strain’ and deeply mistrust institutions, poll finds
Young Americans are “a generation under profound strain” with little confidence in institutions and widespread economic concerns, according to a Harvard Institute of Politics survey of adults younger than 30 released Thursday.
Arkansas parents voice concerns over voucher changes affecting homeschool sports funding
Educators and parents are reacting to proposed changes to Arkansas' school voucher program, known as the Educational Freedom Accounts, as lawmakers look to fine
Opinion: What’s worrisome about White House focus on ‘gold standard science’ | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Nancy Krieger, professor of social epidemiology, outlined her own and other experts’ concerns in a recent commentary.
Business concerns stall plan to let Chicagoans flag crosswalk, bus and bike lane parking scofflaws
Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st) agreed to put a hold on his proposed citizen reporting ordinance in hopes of striking a compromise that could appease the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Is a blue wave headed for Trump, GOP? Tennessee sends 'warning signs'
Democratic party leaders are sounding increasingly optimistic about 2026, while Republicans are the ones expressing concerns of a midterm wipeout.
Olympic ice surface being built to specs smaller than NHL rinks, per source, sparking new concerns
The Olympic rink will have a shorter length but not substantially greater width, per a source, leaving players with less room to maneuver.
Imran Khan In Good Health After Concerns Mounted for Weeks
Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan is in good health after concerns mounted since nobody met him for more than three weeks, according to his sister.
Worcester health official sounds alarm over mpox cases in city
The recent emergence of two cases of mpox in Worcester raises concerns especially among the homeless population, the city's medical director says.
Intensifying Regulatory Pressures Force Seismic Shift in Health Plan Concerns for 2026 According to HealthEdge Research
BOSTON, December 02, 2025--As healthcare organizations navigate an increasingly complex policy environment, 85% of health plan executives say regulatory pressures are impacting their costs and margins, according to new research published today by HealthEdge®. The report, "The Great Rebalancing: Inside the New Realities Shaping Health Plan Performance," identifies the top challenges in the payer market, how they are evolving, and strategies health plans are deploying to overcome them.
Colorado businesses concerned about increased costs, supply chain issues as a result of tariffs, report finds
Colorado businesses face mounting headwinds amid a suite of tariffs enacted this year, with concerns about elevated costs, supply chain disruptions and consumer backlash, according to a new state report. The study is the second...
Top 5 Entertainment News: From Samantha Ruth Prabhu's wedding with Raj Nidimoru to Delhi HC directing CBFC to consider Major Mohit Sharma's parents' concerns about 'Dhurandhar' | Hindi Movie News - The Times of India
In a recent interview, Kamal Haasan put to rest any speculation about his retirement, emphasizing that it is ultimately his fans who will determine hi
The rise of mindful tech, how wearables are reshaping mental-health
Wearable tech that places sensors on our bodies are changing how we manage stress, sleep and our emotional wellbeing - but privacy concerns linger.
Google share text messages: Shocking Update Leaves Workers Worried
Google share text messages update raises privacy concerns as employees worry about employer access to private texts.
Women & Infants caregivers allege health, safety and staffing issues
PROVIDENCE – Unionized caregivers at Women & Infants Hospital earlier this month gathered to demand that parent company Care New England Health System address concerns around patient safety, staff training and infrastructure. Service Employees International Union 1199 New England, the union representing the employees, said in a statement that despite Care New England reporting a $40 million profit for 2024, “caregivers continue to raise major concerns” about staffing among labor and delivery, […]
Lawmakers from both parties voice concerns over follow-up strike on alleged drug boat
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle voiced serious concerns over the weekend over reports on a follow-up strike that killed survivors on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean, as the Senate and House armed services panels pledged to conduct “vigorous oversight.”
Trump's Mar-a-Lago photo sparks health concerns, comparisons drawn to Biden's Nantucket spotting: ‘Release MRI results’
President Donald Trump was photographed at Mar-a-Lago and a picture of him sitting by the window has sparked health concerns.
The Glass Wall: Google’s Enterprise Protocols Are Erasing the Line Between Personal Texts and Corporate Oversight
Google’s latest Workspace updates grant employers new powers to archive and audit text messages on managed Android devices. This shift, driven by SEC compliance and data loss prevention needs, challenges the BYOD model and raises significant privacy concerns, forcing a reevaluation of the boundary between personal privacy and corporate security.