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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.
Court Docs Shed Light on Instacart's Car-Dominant Delivery Business - Streetsblog New York City
Online grocery delivery giant Instacart makes nearly all of its deliveries by car, court documents revealed.
Can Jasmine Crockett’s Vibes-Based Politics Work in Texas?
The champion of the clapback is the ultimate advocate of base mobilization as a path to victory. It’s not clear it will work statewide.
Amazon's Official 'Fallout' Season 1 Recap Is AI Garbage Filled With Mistakes
Prime Video's latest needle-poke into generative AI's bubble comes on the heels of its anime dubbing debacle.
Turkey’s Largest City Is Threatened by a Lurking Earthquake
Escalating activity along a fault line in the Sea of Marmara is moving closer to Istanbul, seismologists warn.
Early Earth's belly held onto its water
When the early Earth’s magma ocean crystallized 4.4 billion years ago, the deep mantle trapped an ocean’s worth of water, scientists say.
James Webb telescope spots 'monster stars' leaking nitrogen in the early universe — and they could help solve a major mystery
Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope spotted huge stars leaking nitrogen in an early galaxy, hinting that such 'monster stars' might have been the source of ancient supermassive black holes.
Ars Live: 3 former CDC leaders detail impacts of RFK Jr.’s anti-science agenda
Join us Tuesday, December 16, at 2 pm ET to hear from leaders who resigned in protest.
CDC study says Covid shots continue to protect healthy kids from severe illness
Researchers found that Covid vaccines reduced the risk of emergency room and urgent care visits by 56% to 76%. It comes as some federal health officials have sowed doubt in the shots.
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.
Harger: Washington's floods don't care about your politics
Governor Ferguson declared a statewide emergency yesterday. And you know what I'm seeing online? People attacking him. Viciously.
Gaza’s maternal and newborn health system ‘decimated’, UN warns
Gaza’s health system for mothers and newborns has been “decimated”, the UN said on Thursday, with Israeli attacks destroying almost all hospitals, cutting off medical supplies and driving sharp rises in maternal deaths, miscarriages and newborn fatalities amid mass displacement and hunger.
Health care costs are set to rise for millions as Senate rejects bill
The Senate shot also shot down advancing a bill that would've deposited $1,000 to $1,500 into health savings accounts, or HSAs, for eligible consumers
T.J. Watt sent to hospital with lung issue after experiencing discomfort at Steelers practice facility
Sports360, the newest immersive exhibition at the Science Center, opens this weekend
The 9,500-square-foot Sports360 exhibition is designed to immerse visitors in the science of athletic performance.
Goldman on Lander challenge: ‘Politics will have to wait ’til 2026′
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday declined to comment on New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s (D) decision to challenge him in the party primary, instead homing in on legislative tasks to c…
Jury convicts Netflix director Carl Rinsch in $11 million fraud case
Prosecutors accused Carl Rinsch, who directed the Keanu Reeves-starring "47 Ronin," of fraud after an ambitious sci-fi Netflix project collapsed.
Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing Settles Lawsuit with NASCAR: 'Going to Grow the Sport'
Michael Jordan’s race team will continue to compete in NASCAR after Thursday's settlement. Here's what to know.
Trump takes steps toward demolishing four federal buildings, preservationist alleges
After demolishing the White House’s East Wing, President Donald Trump is now eying four federal buildings for the same treatment and is circumventing a key government agency with his plans, according to a historic preservationist raising the alarm.
Mayor Adams weighs in on his legacy, achievements
He will leave as New York City’s second Black mayor, and the first one-term mayor in more than three decades.
A Philly restaurant came clean about its Health Department shutdown. Was that the right call?
Cafe Michelangelo’s management chose to explain, point by point, the issues that led the city to close it temporarily. The restaurant also has vowed to improve its sanitation practices.
Science Lab: How the Cowboys Can Make the Playoffs
Welcome to "The Science Lab", a place where football facts and in-depth analysis always triumph over feelings.
iOS 26.2 Coming Soon With These 8 New Features on Your iPhone
Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon. Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week. iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more.
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.
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Announces Results of Its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) (“AMC” or “the Company”), announced today the results of…...
The Politics Hour: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on the District's future
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on her decision to not run again, her tenure, and who might be the city's next police chief.
Michael Jordan prevails in settlement of antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR
Jordan's 23XI Racing team, along with Front Row Motorsports, reached a deal with NASCAR on the ninth day of their federal trial.
World of Warcraft Players Figured Out How to Make Flying Houses, and Blizzard Has Given Them Its Official Seal of Approval
World of Warcraft players have discovered a trick that makes their houses float in the air, which a number of people have used to make wild flying creations. Better yet, instead of patching it out, Blizzard has surprisingly given its blessing for airborne abodes.
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
FMOL Health has purchased this property near Our Lady of the Lake
FMOL Health has acquired a kidney care facility property on Flanders Drive near Essen Lane. The system purchased the site through Our Lady of the Lake Hospital Inc. from Flanders Building LLC f… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. We are glad you enjoy reading Business Report. Continue reading this story and get ACCESS to all […]
Cursor Launches an AI Coding Tool For Designers
The 300-person startup hopes bringing designers aboard will give it an edge in an increasingly competitive AI software market.
Sherrone Moore fired: Inside the industry reaction after Michigan's move
With most of the carousel settled, Michigan's decision forces a rare late-cycle reset and could reshape the remaining coaching market.
Cleveland’s Independent Music and Comedy Venues Drive $742.5 Million in Economic Impact, New Study Finds
A kernel from the study: The city’s venues account for nearly 50 percent of the indie live entertainment GDP of the Buckeye State, more than 28 states.
Penske Entertainment establishes formal Independent Officiating Board for IndyCar
Comprised of three members tasked with presiding over the IndyCar Series and its Indy NXT development series, the IOB reports to a new non-profit entity, IndyCar Officiating, Inc, created by Penske Entertainment.
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.
SC minority business leaders say paperwork 'quotas' in state law never met their goal
SC business groups don’t see the governor's pause of minority set asides as much of a loss since many agencies weren’t meeting quotas.
NASA’s Webb Detects Thick Atmosphere Around Broiling Lava World
Researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have detected the strongest evidence yet for an atmosphere on a rocky planet outside our solar system, as
Former Trump White House official warns new CBP social media rule would ‘devastate’ tourism industry
Disney Accuses Google of Using AI to Engage in Copyright Infringement on ‘Massive Scale’
Disney is accusing Google of copyright infringement on a "massive scale" using AI models and services to "commercially exploit and distribute" infringing images and videos.
12 Days of Regulatory Insights: Day 6 – Sports Wagering, Player Proposition Bets, and Prediction Market Battles
In this episode of our special 12 Days of Regulatory Insights podcast series, Stephen Piepgrass is joined by Cole White from our RISE Practice Group's
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
'Ozempic' For Cats Is Coming, And Vets Are Testing It on Overweight Pets
It's still very early days.
The Last Days of Matthews Arena, Boston’s Overlooked Sports Cathedral
Northeastern’s 115-year-old Matthews Arena will host its final game this weekend before demolition begins for a new facility.
Man Utd financial results: Cost-cutting having an impact in first quarter numbers for new financial year
Redundancies and other cost-cutting measures at Man Utd have been reflected in their latest quarterly financial results; there have been small losses that will not be significant for a business of their size; the results will also not affect their plans for the January transfer window
Recent Trends in Commercial Health Insurance Market Concentration
Commercial health insurance markets remain highly concentrated across coverage types. However, the individual market, which consists mostly of the ACA Marketplaces, has attracted more insurers and witnessed greater insurer competition across a variety of measures since the implementation of the enhanced premium tax credits in 2021, according to a new Healthy System Tracker analysis.
Major Tomb Raider announcement leaks ahead of The Game Awards
A number of Tomb Raider leaks have started circulating ahead of tonight's The Game Awards show.
How the James Webb Telescope recorded the earliest supernova ever | - The Times of India
Science News: The James Webb Space Telescope has observed the universe's earliest supernova. This event offers a rare glimpse into the early universe. It shows how
Pets dream just like humans, and the science behind it will surprise you | - The Times of India
Witnessing pets twitching in their sleep sparks curiosity about their inner worlds. Scientific studies reveal mammals, including our pets, exhibit bra
Water damage tops small business insurance claims, Hartford insurer finds
Water leaks and frozen pipes tied with burglary and slip-and-fall incidents as the most common small business insurance claims in 2025, each accounting for 20% of filings with The Hartford, […]
Entertainment this week: Tahoe Live, Holly Jolly Stroll, Blü Egyptian and more!
Friday, December 12 Friday Night Music at Cottonwood Restaurant – 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, 10142 Rue Hilltop. Join us each Friday at Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar in Truckee for a fun night of...
Despite Chiefs’ 2025 struggles, the Chargers still respect their rival
Los Angeles expects a competitive Week 15 game against Kansas City.
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.
Superbet Group becomes Super Technologies, shaping the future of digital entertainment ecosystems
BUCHAREST, Romania, Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superbet Group, a leading company in the global technology and entertainment space, announces its rebrand as Super Technologies. The new identity, which will be simply known as Super, reflects the company’s evolution, its expanded vision for the future, and its commitment to building innovative solutions for a rapidly changing world. At the same time, the company will continue to operate its commercial brands across existing territories, with
Lawmakers move to phase out health-specific retirement benefit
Lawmakers may instead bulk up Hoosier START, the state's defined benefit plans. They say that would offer retirees and current staff greater flexibility.
Penn State College of Ag Sciences to offer food science short courses
In 2026, food inspectors and sanitarians, quality assurance managers, food plant managers and food engineers can learn the latest developments in food science with short courses offered by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Brain science, social media and a modern moral panic
In brain scans, social media addiction looks the same as gaming and gambling addictions and substance abuse, says grad student Kylie Falcione at UCSB's Media Neuroscience Lab
Scientists find a massive hidden CO2 sponge beneath the ocean floor
Researchers found that eroded lava rubble beneath the South Atlantic can trap enormous amounts of CO2 for tens of millions of years. These porous breccia deposits store far more carbon than previously sampled ocean crust. The discovery reshapes how scientists view the long-term balance of carbon between the ocean, rocks, and atmosphere. It also reveals a hidden mechanism that helps stabilize Earth’s climate over geological timescales.
Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Dylan Weaver
The College of Science is proud to recognize 10 outstanding seniors who went above and beyond during their time as Wildcats. Dylan Weaver is this semester's recipient from Chemistry & Biochemistry.
Sarah Wieghold prepares for nanoscale science with big impact at the Advanced Photon Source
Collaboration and impact are two values that guide her work at the APS.
Data center boom creates political conundrum for the GOP
President Donald Trump is all in on the artificial intelligence build-out. Other Republicans are being more cautious.
Analysis: The Civil Rights law that Stephen Miller says ruined America
Trump’s key aide thinks the country was better off with strict quotas that sought to preserve the racial makeup of the country in the 1920s and so favored immigrants from Western and Northern Europe over what he called “third world countries.”
Memphis People in Business for Dec. 11, 2025
A look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene.
One Critical Factor Predicts Longevity Better Than Diet or Exercise, Study Says
It's vital for almost every aspect of our well-being.
In search for autism's causes, look at genes, not vaccines, researchers say
After more than 50 years of research, scientists still don't know exactly what causes autism. But the data make clear that genetics are an essential piece of the puzzle.
Brazil’s Business Elite Keeps Hope Alive for Centrist Candidate
A key member of one of Brazil’s most prominent business groups is holding out hope for a centrist candidate to emerge in next year’s presidential election, criticizing the left and right for failing to address the South American nation’s economic and social challenges.
Monster Hunter Wilds finally gets PC optimisation roadmap to coincide with Title Update 4, but players still aren't really happy
"They’re even drip feeding optimization lmao," says one player.
Thirty Years of Onion Politics: Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement
The Dayton Peace Agreement ended the Bosnian War, establishing the constitutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It achieved its immediate aim of ending direct violence, yet ended up creating a state apparatus that obstructs social equality and economic sovereignty. This Spotlight argues that the evaluation of its success must take two problems into account: the cementation of ethnic categories as foundational levels of governance and the resulting failure to address or transform war legacies; and the institutionalized international involvement undermining democratic self-determination.
Moderna Founder Warns US Doubts on Science Threaten Biotech Edge
The US risks falling behind in biotechnology as the government cuts funding and skepticism over vaccines grows, according to Moderna Inc.’s co-founder and Chairman Noubar Afeyan.
Mamdani and top New York rabbis will meet privately, but their core divide remains unresolved
The Friday after Zohran Mamdani won, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch gave a sermon saying that he believed the incoming New York mayor’s criticisms of Israel aligned with Hamas and that critics of Israel wanted to separate “good Jews” from “bad Jews” in a way that endangers the city’s Jewish community.
Poppin' Tags Free Store owner extends mission with funds, new business
Sonya Dembowski remembers the moment she decided to begin her Poppin’ Tags Free Store in West Deer. She was driving through Coraopolis in the height of the pandemic shutdown. She remembers seeing piles of donations left outside a closed store. Dembowski later saw on the news that because the donations
Plan for new business jet hangars could boost revenue at underused Sikorsky Airport
The city's airport commission approved negotiations with Sky Harbour to build and manage business plane sites at the Stratford-based facility.
‘A new era’: Miami voters resoundingly reject the city’s political dynasties
After Tuesday’s election, four out of five Miami commissioners are serving their first term in any elected office.
The EPA website got the basics of climate science right. Until last week.
The Trump administration purged 80 pages of facts about climate change — including that it's caused by humans.
Postscripts from the frontlines of Trump's attacks on science: no simple happy endings
Stories from the frontlines of Trump's attack on science: Follow-ups from a year of struggles in Part 8 of our series "American Science, Shattered."
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025: Six contenders announced for SPOTY shortlist
A shortlist of six contenders has been announced for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby union player Ellie Kildunne, darts player Luke Littler, golfer Rory McIlroy and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris are the nominees.
Report identifies science objectives of human Mars exploration
The search for past or present life should be the top science objective of future human missions to Mars, a new National Academies report concludes.
From classroom to community: Student’s journey exemplifies ‘public health in action’
When Waveney Brooks transferred to the University of Kentucky as a sophomore, she never imagined that a classroom experience would open the door to real-world public heath practice across Kentucky. What started as a broad introduction to the many disciplines of well-being soon grew into a purposeful public health career path defined by mentorship, community engagement and purpose.
Is the universe ending sooner than we thought? New physics suggests a much shorter lifespan | - The Times of India
Science News: A groundbreaking study from Radboud University suggests the universe may end in approximately 10^78 years, significantly earlier than the previously assumed 10^1100 years. By revisiting Hawking radiation, researchers argue that all compact massive objects will evaporate, altering our understanding of cosmic lifespans.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year: England stars and 2025 champions nominated
England teammates Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton are up against one another for BBC Sports Personality of the Year on a shortlist that also includes Lando Norris and Rory McIlroy.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year: England stars and 2025 champions nominated
England teammates Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton are up against one another for BBC Sports Personality of the Year on a shortlist that also includes Lando Norris and Rory McIlroy.
Sports Personality of the Year 2025: Lionesses square off on six-strong shortlist
England teammates Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton are up against one another for BBC Sports Personality of the Year on a shortlist that also includes Lando Norris, Rory McIlroy, Luke Littler and Ellie Kildunne.
OpenAI exec identifies 3 jobs that are not AI proof
"My bet is often on life sciences, pharma companies," Olivier Godement said.
Oracle shares slide as earnings fail to ease AI bubble fears
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Oracle shares slide as earnings fail to ease AI bubble fears
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Turning Passion Into Purpose Through Science and Resilience
A first-generation college student and parent, Tearica Moore is graduating Saturday with a bachelor's degree in biology.
High school basketball: Boys' and girls' scores from Wednesday
CIF City and Southern Section boys' and girls' basketball results from Wednesday.
Ask a doctor: Should I trust health advice on social media?
Not all health advice online is legit. Learn how to spot reliable info and make smart choices for your well-being.
Why do players love pickleball so much?
One club has seen participation grow by 2,000% in just over a year.
Scientists say thousands of tiny black holes may be passing through your home every day | - The Times of India
Trending News: Physicists reveal that thousands of primordial black holes may drift through your home every year, undetected. Learn how these tiny, ancient black holes could be linked to dark matter and what that means for us.
Tiny tracker following monarch butterflies during California migration
When this monarch butterfly hits the sky it won't be traveling alone. In fact, an energetic team of researchers will be following along with a revolutionary technology that's already unlocking secrets that could help the entire species survive.
From Our President: Health Advice You Can Trust via @ConsumerReports
Consumer Reports CEO Phil Radford highlights CR's efforts to provide consumers with trusted, science-based health information, such as its guide to supplements.
Crooks: 11-0 ISU 'battle-tested' after win vs. Iowa
Audi Crooks had another huge game in leading No. 10 Iowa State past in-state rival and No. 11 Iowa on Wednesday. After the win, which kept the Cyclones undefeated at 11-0, Crooks said, "I feel like now we're officially battle-tested."
Senate to question military leaders on Trump's National Guard deployments
The Senate is set to question military leaders over President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to American cities
Science for Living: Examining hidden risks of cannabis use among older adults
Emergency visits tied to cannabis use are surging among older adults. Jerry H. Gurwitz, MD’83, led a nationwide study that is shedding light on the trend.
Indiana redistricting is up for a final, deciding vote in the state Senate
Indiana state Senators are expected to take a final and deciding vote on redistricting Thursday, and the outcome is still uncertain
Social media and ADHD diagnosis, new mpox strain in England and early firestarters
Science editor Ian Sample sits down with co-host Madeleine Finlay to discuss three eye-catching stories from the week
No one is safe from the world’s next superbugs. Is this new science the solution?
Old antibiotics are losing effectiveness — and new ones aren’t being discovered fast enough. Our best hope to save lives may be AI.
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
Science Can’t Wait: Why Stable Funding Matters for Discovery
The end of the shutdown did not resolve the uncertainty facing US researchers, who continue to navigate delays and budget constraints that slow scientific progress.
Denver’s science museum sold out their Thanksgiving meal this year
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