Nobel Prize nominee in Medicine dies before award

This year 3 scientists were to share the Nobel Prize in medicine. Their contribution in the field of medicine is specifically focussedon discoveries regarding the immune system.  Dr. Bruce A. Beutler, Dr. Jules A. Hoffmann and Dr. Ralph M. Steinman have been awarded on Monday, however,   Dr. Steinman died a day before on Sept. 30.

The three scientist were to achieve this award on Monday for their findings in immunology. The status of the prize was also questioned as one of the recipient died.

Nobel Prizes have never been awarded posthumously so far. This is why the sudden death of Dr. Steinman Rockefeller University in Manhattan left the Nobel jury red faced. Finally for the first time in the history of Nobel Prizes, the awarding committee retained its decision of awarding the deceased scientist as it was not aware of his death at the time of selection.

The Nobel Committee of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden decided to carefully think over the rules of the prizes. The Nobel Prizes were first time awarded in 1900 after the death of Alfred Nobel, to fulfill his wish mentioned in his will regarding his properties and assets.

Dr. Steinman received one-half the prize whereas other half has been shared by Dr. Bruce A. Beutler of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif as well asDr. Jules A. Hoffmann of France.

 

The three scientists have received this honor for their milestone findings on necessary actions of immune systems in response to any infection. Dr. Hoffmann in 1996 had discovered the cell receptors in laboratory fruit flies which become activated by the infection by pathogenic fungi or bacteria.

 

Dr. Beutler followed Hoffman in this field and recognized the cell receptors in mice 2 years later. These cell receptors reacted in response to a substance coated with bacteria. In the case of over-stimulation, these cell receptors created septic shock too.

In 1973, Dr. Steinman foundanother type of cell which played a great role in the adaptive immune system. These cells are known as dendritic cells.

. Dr. Steinman was a native of Canada, however he spent most of his life working with Rockefeller University.

Top terrorists, Al Queda leaders killed in Drone attack

Anwar al-Awlaki killed in Drone attack

Anwar al-Awlaki who is listed in the US anti-terrorist list was killed on Friday in this attack. Awlaki was a prominent leader of Yemen’s branch of Al Qaeda. He was a born American and high tech Islamic teacher who could speak sparkling English and convince even Western youth with his charismatic communication.

Awlaki was a suspect in the 2009 Fort Hood, Texas, shooting spree  also in the botched bombing of a Detroit-bound jet at the eve of Christmas.

Awlaki’s death was confirmed by other news sources too who raised question over legal and moviabilit behind killing a terrorist or any American. This can be titled as another major blow on terrorist outfit Al-Qaeda after killing of Osama bin Laden recently.

The United States openly called on the besieged Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down following the 8-months’ protest by the advocates of democracy. Ironically, the antiterrorism operations are led by close relatives of Saleh and they are assisting the United States in this regard.

US President calls on student to continue studies

President Obama appeals to US students to continue their education for their development. Obama urges US students to continue opting for higher education after school.

Addressing a meeting with students at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Washington, he said getting into college is not enough for a student. They must graduate too.

Obama stated that the United States once upon a time had maximum percentage of people with college degree, however, the declining inclination toward higher education has led the country to 16th position at present. He calls on the students to rebring their nation to rank one.

A few days back President Obama also campaigned for his job bill in Denver in another school. The bill seeks for allocating $25 billion for maintenance and repairing works in 35,000 schools in the United States.

Obama also delivered a back-to-school speech every year since he became president, however this particular address may be seen as an appeal to Colorado voters with regard to the coming presidential campaign in 2012.

Benjamin Banneker High, which was named afteran African-American astronomer, mathematician, and surveyor is today, among elite public schools of Washington.

The President also recalled his own school days and his other interests than studies.

Obama accepted that the current generatn faces more difficulties due to being in the digital age and social networking era where everything otherwise kept in private is now on Facebook and Twitter.

He also added that due to depression, parents had a tremendous pressure of seeking for alternatives for baby-sitting to save money and adolescents are forced to attend their younger siblings when parents are working overtime.

Congress disagrees over expenditure on disaster aid

US Congress again traps itself in conflict among diplomats over financial spending pressurizing the federal government. The diplomats, Republicans as well as Democrats are continuously at war almost over everything.

Be it the most disputed healthcare law or the issue of providing compensation to 9/11 victims or toward US foreign policies or the battle of increasing debt ceiling, the opposition never agreed with Barack Obama’s government over anything.

It is first time in the American political history that the country is always indulged in political conflicts due to disagreement over all issues between the two parties and reaches at the verge of government shutdown every time.

The dispute over disaster aid funding was a part of much debated $4 trillion budget that included victims of flood, storms and other disaster by reducing other expenditure by the government.

The bill has been under fierce criticism by the opposition Republicans, who are in stronger position in the Congress now following mid-term elections.

France not to support Palestinians in bidding for UN membership

Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian is going to feel the heat of pressure from France and the United States for giving up his bid for UN membership. The two countries are trying to discourage Palestine from seeking for global recognition.

Nicolas Sarkozy, French president is going to express his disapproval of Palestinian desire in the whereas US president Obama will also argue against Palestine, both in the UN general assembly.

U.S. officials revealed that officially both countries had no authority of stopping Abbas from demanding for UN membership but Obama and Sarkozy would try to persuade the Palestinian leader to drop his demand for statehood for Palestine.

Abbas would make a formal request for Palestine’sstatus as an independent country in the UN General Assembly. However it will take a long time for the United Nations to actually proceed with Palestine’s request for statehood and decide on it.

Even if the United States fails to make Abbas not to proceed with demand for UN approval for Palestine’s statehood, Obama will certainly use veto power finally to stop the move.

If the United Nations takes months to proceed with Paqlestinian demand for statehood, it will open a chance for reopening of peace talsk between Israel and Palestine.

US Senate approves bill to control labor board in Boeing Case

The House moved forward to pass a to stopthe National Labor Relations Board from blocking Boeing in its way to operate a new aircraft assembly line in South Carolina. The new venture is worth $750 million.

The bill has been supported by the Republican diplomats in the House and received a party-line vote of 238 to 186. This bill has been considered as a milestone with regard to reducing unemployment and job cuts in the United States. The country’s economy is already staggering with aftermaths of recession and severe job cuts.

The Republicans opposed labor board call against Boeing citing that it was crossing its jurisdiction and should not dictate over the functioning of companies. However the ruling Democrats and many other union leaders severely criticized the bill saying that if it becomes a law, it would hamper the independence of federal agency and rather favor private companies like Boing.

They also pointed out that Boing is among major lobbying forces and political donors. This legislation would also bar the labor board from imposing its rules over any employer regarding job cuts, transfer of employees or operations under any circumstances.

Israel not moved by difference with allies

Israel has decided to go in isolation despite differences with its longtime allies including Turkey, Egypt, and the United States.

The country which always relied on its allies for its very existence is now left alone, as all friend nations of Israel are tired. In Egypt, Israel’s embassy was attacked in Cairo, obliging the envoy to flee. Egypt had once signed a significant peace treaty with Israel in 1979. Turkey has threatened Israel to send warship to Mediterranean coast following trhe strained ties with the former.

A statement by Ex-Defense Secretary, Robert M. Gates’ revealed that Israely premier is an “ungrateful ally” due to whom the nation’s relations with international community have worsened.

Israel has recently been isolated due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s odd policies and international pressure has made the citizens aloof and isolated, expressed the US diplomat.

Israelis are now not bothered about their segregation by the other nations as they are convinced that the country’s diplomats are trying best to secure national interests.

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed that Israel would stay firm despite the growing turmoil in the Middle East and will not succumb to international pressure.

He emphasized on strengthening Israel to establish and secure peace in the region.

Bank of America shocks US to remove 30,000 employees

Bank of America gives another jerk to the US citizens who are already jolted by severity of economic depression looming over entire globe. The bank has recently announced to cut slash down 30,000 jobs in order to save $5 billion from its yearly expenses. The Bank of America (BAC) is reducing these jobs in order to reshape its own budget and save itself from the aftermaths of recession.

Brian Moynihan, CEO of the bank stated this while addressing the US investrs in New York.

Moynihan  also revealed that the banks position has deteriorated  and reduced to half of its  2008 value due to poorly-written mortgages. Many investors have filed lawsuits against the BAC over its failure in the matter of selling mortgage-backed securities.

The failure was evident after the real estate values collapsed during recession. Cutting 30,000 jobs will reduce the workforce of BAC by a total of 10 percent. At present, the total number of employees working with BAC is 288,000. Recently, BAC has already removed 6000 top officials from its workforce.

The Charlotte, N.C.  stated that more reduction in jobs may follow through attrition as well as permanently removing the positions which are yet to be fulfilled. The BAC is yet not sure about the exact number, but it be around 30,000 to effectively reduce its expenditure and save $5 billion by 2014.

Syrian military forces attacks on villagers against rebel

The Syrian unrest turns to a new direction following the reemergence of longtime supporter Russia. President Basar Assads’ regime, which is about to tumble down hopes to survive through the fierce rebel by Syrian people due to this new development despite the fact that a;lmost entire international community is against the regime.

Russia expressed its apprehension for the UN resolution that brings sanctions against Syria. Seeing the casualties, which has exceeded 2600 deaths now, UN stated that government has crossed all limits to suppress the rebellions in Syria in last six months. China too supports Basad’s regime and both Russia and China are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, who can use veto powers.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russian President stated that any resolution from the United Nations should not be biased against the government and it should target the opposition as well. Medvedev further added that Russia believes that there is no need of approving a tough resolution for taking a tough stand on Syria, rather the international community should take a step to strike a balance between both parties­—Syrian government and the opposition forces to resolve the conflict.

Japan PM resigns following tsunami

Naoto Kan, Japanese Prime Minister said he would resign after completing almost 15 month in his position. The announcement for resignation has been made in the wake of criticism over Kan’s failure to handle tsunami and nuclear crisis.

The prime minister stated that he would resign from the post of chief of Democratic Party and also quit as premier as soon as the party picks a new replacement after voting. Only 10 percent Japanese believe that the current PM has done a good job in handling the two crisis while 69 percent totally disapproved Kan’s work during an AP-GF survey.

Japan has always experience similar alteration in leadership whenever there was some political, environmental or economic crisis, since World War II.

Survivors of tsunami and nuclear aftermath in Japan are totally disappointed with the government’s failure to mitigate the radiation impacts and check contamination of air, water and food items.

So far, more than 100 thousand people have vacated places nearby the plant and none of them has any idea about when will they be able to return back. The government officials also had the same tone as they stated it might take more time to reduce the accumulated radiation from the affected areas.