Post tenebras lux.

I look forward to reading Wend Wendland's "The Journey to the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge". @jamielove.bsky.social @grahamdutfield.bsky.social

"The sequel brings back Cillian Murphy to his starring role as Tommy Shelby in the “Peaky Blinders” universe. “It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me…It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of ‘Peaky Blinders.’"

Le Donjon Saint Michel. The first photo was taken on Christmas Eve. The second was taken on Christmas Day.

Wikipedia: "Beatrice of Provence (c. 1229 – 23 September 1267), was the ruling Countess of Provence and Forcalquier from 1245 until her death, as well as Countess of Anjou and Maine and Queen of Sicily by marriage to Charles I of Naples."

France condemns US visa ban imposed on ex-EU commissioner Breton reut.rs/4j9V88C

"The Executive Board, having considered the report on engagement with non-State actors: non-State actors in official relations with WHO, (1) Decided: (a) to admit the entity World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry into official relations with WHO;" @who.int #EB158 EB158/43 Add.1

EB158/43 on name changes. #EB158

"To facilitate deliberations on the future of the [global health architecture], and in the context of UN80, WHO proposes to host an overarching, joint process that brings together current GHA reform discussions, and UN80 proposals with potential implications for global health." #EB158 @who.int

Apparently non-State actors in official relations and relevant stakeholders are not welcome (physically) at the resumed session of #IGWG4 in January 2026: "Please also note that Relevant Stakeholders are invited to participate in the meeting virtually."

For those interested in the nitty-gritty, this ⬇️ has now been revised slightly with a bit more on the debate, some background details, and another photo. The essential story is unchanged

Fergie in Roma: "Better to be poor at Rome, than rich in a prison in England” "Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone (1550-1616) there, reflecting on his options having taken his leave of western Europe after the Nine Years War, refusing to suffer any longer in the manner the English asked of him."

"SOME INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WISHLISTS: To send us all off smiling into the Christmas break, we asked you for your book and film recommendations — and you delivered." pro.politico.eu/news/your-2025-wrapped

WHO has convened an "Information session on the interactions between the International Health Regulations (2005) and the PABS System" on Friday, 19th December from 08:00 CET to 10:30 CET.

Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine I Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi @who.int www.youtube.com/live/Z52rVMJ...

"Public health experts said they were especially encouraged by public-private partnership that developed zoliflodacin, which was initially discovered by another drug company that declined to take it to market."

Preliminary daily timetable for the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly #WHA79 @hai-org.bsky.social @jamielove.bsky.social @wemos.org @unitaidngos.bsky.social

The draft agenda for #WHA79 just dropped. apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf... @who.int

My favorite Lunch with the FT feature of 2025.

Biotech Act draft promises speeder trials, longer drug monopolies pro.politico.eu/news/210158

TRIPS non-violation complaints - Communication from Colombia @wto.org WT/GC/W/976

The US (WT/GC/W/984) paper on WTO reform - "The MFN principle, which seeks to prevent discriminatory trade practices and promote equal treatment among trade partners, was designed for an era of deepening convergence among trading partners."

🚨🚨In today's "the world's most trustworthy trading partner": #US suspends technology deal with Britain. 🧵 www.reuters.com/world/europe...

The US paper on WTO reform (WT/GC/W/984) dropped on Monday, 15 December 2025. "2.1 All Members seem to agree on this principle: no obligation should be imposed on any Member without that Member's consent."