Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's office on Monday congratulated journalist Maria Ressa for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, calling it "a victory for a Filipina" for which it was happy to see.

Ressa, founder of Philippine news site Rappler, and Dmitry Muratov shared the 2021 prize&nbsp;after braving the wrath of the leaders of the Philippines and Russia to expose corruption and misrule.

Ressa has been fighting multiple legal challenges in courts related to Rappler's dogged investigative reporting of Duterte's government, its bloody war on drugs, and its use of social media to target opponents.

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"It is a victory for a Filipina and we are very happy for that," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told a regular news conference, responding to a question on what the award meant for the government.

"Of course it is true there are individuals who feel Maria Ressa still has to clear her name before the courts," he said, in the first comment on Friday's award from Duterte's camp.

The firebrand leader has described Rappler, launched in 2012, as a "fake news outlet" and a tool of the US&nbsp;Central Intelligence Agency, which Ressa has dismissed as nonsense.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-scientists-david-julius-ardem-patapoutian-win-nobel-prize-in-medicine-for-research-about-temperature-and-touch-418138">US scientists David Julius, Ardem Patapoutian win Nobel prize in medicine for research about temperature and touch</a>

The Prize was hailed by many in the Philippines, with critics saying it is a rebuke on Duterte, a frequent critic of Rappler.

It was the first Nobel Peace Prize for the Philippines and the first for journalists since the German Carl von Ossietzky won it in 1935. The Kremlin congratulated Muratov on Friday, describing the investigative journalist as talented and brave.

Asked on Monday what her message would be to Duterte, Ressa urged him not to pursue a divide and conquer approach. "I beg you, unite this nation. Don't tear us apart," she said in an interview with news channel ANC.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's office on Monday congratulated journalist Maria Ressa for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, calling it "a victory for a Filipina" for which it was happy to see.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's office on Monday congratulated journalist Maria Ressa for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, calling it "a victory for a Filipina" for which it was happy to see. Ressa, founder of Philippine news site Rappler, and Dmitry Muratov shared the 2021 prize after braving the wrath of the leaders of the Philippines and Russia to expose corruption and misrule. Ressa has been fighting multiple legal challenges in courts related to Rappler's dogged investigative reporting of Duterte's government, its bloody war on drugs, and its use of social media to target opponents. Also Read | Nobel Peace Prize awarded to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov "It is a victory for a Filipina and we are very happy for that," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told a regular news conference, responding to a question on what the award meant for the government. "Of course it is true there are individuals who feel Maria Ressa still has to clear her name before the courts," he said, in the first comment on Friday's award from Duterte's camp. The firebrand leader has described Rappler, launched in 2012, as a "fake news outlet" and a tool of the US Central Intelligence Agency, which Ressa has dismissed as nonsense. Also Read | US scientists David Julius, Ardem Patapoutian win Nobel prize in medicine for research about temperature and touch The Prize was hailed by many in the Philippines, with critics saying it is a rebuke on Duterte, a frequent critic of Rappler. It was the first Nobel Peace Prize for the Philippines and the first for journalists since the German Carl von Ossietzky won it in 1935. The Kremlin congratulated Muratov on Friday, describing the investigative journalist as talented and brave. Asked on Monday what her message would be to Duterte, Ressa urged him not to pursue a divide and conquer approach. "I beg you, unite this nation. Don't tear us apart," she said in an interview with news channel ANC.

Philippines president congratulates journalist Ressa on Nobel Prize

After getting too close to grizzly bears, a woman in the state of Illinois, the United States, has been sentenced to four days in jail, supervised probation and a one-year ban from Yellowstone National Park. &nbsp;

The woman, Samantha Dehring, pleaded guilty to approaching, remaining near to and photographing wildlife within 100 yards. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to a statement from the Department of Justice, the woman was subsequently sentenced to four days in jail, one year of supervised probation and a one-year ban from Yellowstone. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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The woman also has to pay a $1,000 fine, $1,000 to the Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund as part of a community service payment, a $30 court processing fee and a $10 assessment, as per the statement. &nbsp;

On May 10, Dehring was caught on video approaching and photographing three grizzly bears, a mother and her cubs, a Facebook post from Yellowstone National Park said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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The mother bear quickly charged towards Dehring, prompting the woman to turn and walk away. &nbsp;

"Oh my god. Oh my god," a woman said in the background, while another is heard saying that she "got that on video." &nbsp;

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The safety rules of Yellowstone's park state visitors must remain "at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves" even if they appear to look calm and approachable. The rules explain that wildlife at the park is "unpredictable." &nbsp;

In the statement, acting US Attorney Bob Murray said, "Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are, indeed, wild. The park is not a zoo where animals can be viewed within the safety of a fenced enclosure." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After getting too close to grizzly bears, a woman in the state of Illinois, the United States, has been sentenced to four days in jail, supervised probation and a one-year ban from Yellowstone National Park.

After getting too close to grizzly bears, a woman in the state of Illinois, the United States, has been sentenced to four days in jail, supervised probation and a one-year ban from Yellowstone National Park. The woman, Samantha Dehring, pleaded guilty to approaching, remaining near to and photographing wildlife within 100 yards. According to a statement from the Department of Justice, the woman was subsequently sentenced to four days in jail, one year of supervised probation and a one-year ban from Yellowstone. Also Read: Lurching from crisis to crisis, Congress is addicted to cliffs The woman also has to pay a $1,000 fine, $1,000 to the Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund as part of a community service payment, a $30 court processing fee and a $10 assessment, as per the statement. On May 10, Dehring was caught on video approaching and photographing three grizzly bears, a mother and her cubs, a Facebook post from Yellowstone National Park said. × The mother bear quickly charged towards Dehring, prompting the woman to turn and walk away. "Oh my god. Oh my god," a woman said in the background, while another is heard saying that she "got that on video." Also Read: Moderna, racing for profits, keeps Covid vaccine out of reach of poor The safety rules of Yellowstone's park state visitors must remain "at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves" even if they appear to look calm and approachable. The rules explain that wildlife at the park is "unpredictable." In the statement, acting US Attorney Bob Murray said, "Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are, indeed, wild. The park is not a zoo where animals can be viewed within the safety of a fenced enclosure." (With inputs from agencies)

For close grizzly bear encounter, US woman gets 4-day jail, national park ban  

Lebanon’s sputtering national electricity grid went back online Sunday after the army provided emergency fuel supplies to the government, temporarily easing a daylong outage that served as the latest ramification of the country’s economic collapse.

The two main power plants, chronically short of fuel, had been providing only a few hours of electricity per day before Saturday, when they ran out of fuel and stopped working completely.

Walid Fayyad, the energy minister, said in a statement Sunday that the army had supplied fuel from its reserves to the power plants, Zahrani and Deir Ammar, and that the network had resumed “normal” operation — suggesting it would go back to producing a few hours of power per day.

Even so, the emergency supplies are expected to last only a few days. Fayyad said that Lebanon’s central bank had freed up $100 million to be used to import fuel, which would help raise electricity generation by the end of the month.

He thanked the defense minister, the army commander and the leaders of Electricité du Liban, the national energy company, for their “rapid response to reconnecting the electrical network.”

The outage Saturday had little immediate effect on the lives of most Lebanese, who have grown accustomed to blackouts and fuel shortages as the country suffers one of the gravest economic crises in recent history. The government has struggled to import fuel as the national currency has shed 90% of its value in the past two years. Prices for many goods have tripled.

“We have forgotten what electricity means,” said Abdul-Hadi al-Sibai, a 70-year-old taxi driver in southern Beirut.

He lives with his sister, who decided to cut off her generator connection after a bill of 1.8 million Lebanese pounds, which is about $100 on the black market but more than the monthly salaries of many Lebanese.

The currency crash and resulting inflation has forced the family to give up refrigerated foods, so they eat mostly on lentils and grains. Al-Sibai charges his cellphone using his car’s battery.

The crisis has presented an opportunity for Iran, and its proxy in Lebanon, the militant group Hezbollah, to portray themselves as stepping in where other powers have failed.

In recent weeks, Iran has sent fuel by tanker ship to Syria, where Hezbollah organized caravans to drive it into Lebanon. The whole operation defies sanctions by the United States on the purchase of Iranian oil and has happened entirely outside of the Lebanese state.

Visiting Lebanon last week, Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, said Iran was ready to build two new power plants in Beirut and southern Lebanon able to meet a third of the country’s electricity demands.

Critics say Iran and its allies are more interested in media stunts than in real aid, that the fuel it has sent is little in comparison to Lebanon’s needs and that the proposed Iranian power plants are unlikely to ever be built.

The United States has thrown its support behind plans to have natural gas sent via pipeline from Jordan through Syria to Lebanon, or to have electricity generated in Jordan transmitted to Lebanon. But many details of those plans have yet to be worked out, including who will pay to fix the necessary infrastructure, so any benefit for Lebanon is at best months away.

Most Lebanese rely on private generators for electricity, but many have been forced to cut back on that, too, or give it up altogether, as fuel costs have soared.

Fatima Baydoun, a 50-year-old mother of three in Beirut, said her family had not been able to afford electricity from a generator because her husband, a security guard, has been out of work for more than a year. Without government-supplied electricity, she can’t use the washing machine, and her family’s taps have run dry because the water pump relies on power.

“We try to sleep as early as possible,” she said.

Lebanon’s sputtering national electricity grid went back online Sunday after the army provided emergency fuel supplies to the government, temporarily easing a daylong outage that served as the latest ramification of the country’s economic collapse.

Lebanon’s sputtering national electricity grid went back online Sunday after the army provided emergency fuel supplies to the government, temporarily easing a daylong outage that served as the latest ramification of the country’s economic collapse. The two main power plants, chronically short of fuel, had been providing only a few hours of electricity per day before Saturday, when they ran out of fuel and stopped working completely. Walid Fayyad, the energy minister, said in a statement Sunday that the army had supplied fuel from its reserves to the power plants, Zahrani and Deir Ammar, and that the network had resumed “normal” operation — suggesting it would go back to producing a few hours of power per day. Even so, the emergency supplies are expected to last only a few days. Fayyad said that Lebanon’s central bank had freed up $100 million to be used to import fuel, which would help raise electricity generation by the end of the month. He thanked the defense minister, the army commander and the leaders of Electricité du Liban, the national energy company, for their “rapid response to reconnecting the electrical network.” The outage Saturday had little immediate effect on the lives of most Lebanese, who have grown accustomed to blackouts and fuel shortages as the country suffers one of the gravest economic crises in recent history. The government has struggled to import fuel as the national currency has shed 90% of its value in the past two years. Prices for many goods have tripled. “We have forgotten what electricity means,” said Abdul-Hadi al-Sibai, a 70-year-old taxi driver in southern Beirut. He lives with his sister, who decided to cut off her generator connection after a bill of 1.8 million Lebanese pounds, which is about $100 on the black market but more than the monthly salaries of many Lebanese. The currency crash and resulting inflation has forced the family to give up refrigerated foods, so they eat mostly on lentils and grains. Al-Sibai charges his cellphone using his car’s battery. The crisis has presented an opportunity for Iran, and its proxy in Lebanon, the militant group Hezbollah, to portray themselves as stepping in where other powers have failed. In recent weeks, Iran has sent fuel by tanker ship to Syria, where Hezbollah organized caravans to drive it into Lebanon. The whole operation defies sanctions by the United States on the purchase of Iranian oil and has happened entirely outside of the Lebanese state. Visiting Lebanon last week, Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, said Iran was ready to build two new power plants in Beirut and southern Lebanon able to meet a third of the country’s electricity demands. Critics say Iran and its allies are more interested in media stunts than in real aid, that the fuel it has sent is little in comparison to Lebanon’s needs and that the proposed Iranian power plants are unlikely to ever be built. The United States has thrown its support behind plans to have natural gas sent via pipeline from Jordan through Syria to Lebanon, or to have electricity generated in Jordan transmitted to Lebanon. But many details of those plans have yet to be worked out, including who will pay to fix the necessary infrastructure, so any benefit for Lebanon is at best months away. Most Lebanese rely on private generators for electricity, but many have been forced to cut back on that, too, or give it up altogether, as fuel costs have soared. Fatima Baydoun, a 50-year-old mother of three in Beirut, said her family had not been able to afford electricity from a generator because her husband, a security guard, has been out of work for more than a year. Without government-supplied electricity, she can’t use the washing machine, and her family’s taps have run dry because the water pump relies on power. “We try to sleep as early as possible,” she said.

Electricity is restored in Lebanon as army supplies emergency fuel

Although not on a par with India's Taj Mahal, a house in a small town, Srbac, in northern Bosnia is a symbol of love in its own way. &nbsp;

<img alt="Brief 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67505aeb-8475-4e67-b126-e0707c435269" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Bosnia%202.jpg" />

The house has been designed and built by 72-year-old Vojin Kusic. It has a green facade and red metal roof. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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What’s unusual about it is that the house can rotate a full circle to satisfy his wife Ljubica's shifting desires as to what she would like to see when she looks out of its windows. &nbsp;

<img alt="Brief 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7f2ad29-92b0-48d8-81a6-095cadc62dd1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Bosnia%203.jpg" />

"After I reached an advanced age and my children took over the family business, I finally had enough time to task myself with granting my wife her wish to be able to change the position of rooms in her house whenever she wants,” Kusic said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/childs-brain-development-impacted-by-beliefs-of-parents-study-419716" hreflang="en">Child's brain development impacted by beliefs of parents: Study</a>

Kusic, who could not go to college, designed and built the rotating house himself. He did it with the help of electric motors and the wheels of an old military transport vehicle. &nbsp;

<img alt="Brief 4" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44f013c1-892a-4b79-8b37-57bc6c9e90f6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Bosnia%204.jpg" />

"Now, our front door also rotates, so if she spots unwanted guests heading our way, she can spin the house and make them turn away," Kusic joked. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Although not on a par with India's Taj Mahal, a house in a small town, Srbac, in northern Bosnia is a symbol of love in its own way. The house has been designed and built by 72-year-old Vojin Kusic.

Although not on a par with India's Taj Mahal, a house in a small town, Srbac, in northern Bosnia is a symbol of love in its own way. The house has been designed and built by 72-year-old Vojin Kusic. It has a green facade and red metal roof. Also Read: UK consistently in the bottom 10% of nations in biodiversity intactness What’s unusual about it is that the house can rotate a full circle to satisfy his wife Ljubica's shifting desires as to what she would like to see when she looks out of its windows. "After I reached an advanced age and my children took over the family business, I finally had enough time to task myself with granting my wife her wish to be able to change the position of rooms in her house whenever she wants,” Kusic said. Also Read: Child's brain development impacted by beliefs of parents: Study Kusic, who could not go to college, designed and built the rotating house himself. He did it with the help of electric motors and the wheels of an old military transport vehicle. "Now, our front door also rotates, so if she spots unwanted guests heading our way, she can spin the house and make them turn away," Kusic joked. (With inputs from agencies)

A symbol of love of sorts, 72-year-old man makes rotating house for wife in Bosnia

After seven people were killed by militants in Kashmir Valley in five days, Kashmiri Pandits living in the US have strongly condemned the recent targeted killings of civilians. &nbsp;

Of the victims, four belonged to minority communities. The group seeks tight security arrangement so that the minority community can return to the valley.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/to-avert-power-crisis-indian-govt-scrambles-all-resources-as-coal-shortage-looms-419725" hreflang="en">To avert power crisis, Indian govt scrambles all resources as coal shortage looms</a>

A socio-cultural organisation of the Kashmiri Pandits in the US, the Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) has expressed anguish over the killings of pharmacy owner Makhan Lal Bindroo, street food vendor Virender Paswan and two teachers, Deepak Chand Mehra and Supinder Kaur. &nbsp;

For the deaths of three people, the Resistance Force, a shadow outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility. Kaur, who is a Srinagar-based Sikh and Mehra, a Hindu from Jammu, were killed two days later. &nbsp;

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KOA president Dr Archana Kokroo, said, "These incidents brought back the painful memories of 1990, when members from the community were killed, women were raped, children rendered orphans, resulting in the exodus of over 400,000 people to save lives and honour.” &nbsp;

"The recent targeted killings have terrorised the minority community in the valley, and many are fleeing their homes again," Kokroo added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After seven people were killed by militants in Kashmir Valley in five days, Kashmiri Pandits living in the US have strongly condemned the recent targeted killings of civilians.

After seven people were killed by militants in Kashmir Valley in five days, Kashmiri Pandits living in the US have strongly condemned the recent targeted killings of civilians. Of the victims, four belonged to minority communities. The group seeks tight security arrangement so that the minority community can return to the valley. Also Read: To avert power crisis, Indian govt scrambles all resources as coal shortage looms A socio-cultural organisation of the Kashmiri Pandits in the US, the Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) has expressed anguish over the killings of pharmacy owner Makhan Lal Bindroo, street food vendor Virender Paswan and two teachers, Deepak Chand Mehra and Supinder Kaur. For the deaths of three people, the Resistance Force, a shadow outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility. Kaur, who is a Srinagar-based Sikh and Mehra, a Hindu from Jammu, were killed two days later. Also Read: India, China commander-level talks begin amid tensions along LAC KOA president Dr Archana Kokroo, said, "These incidents brought back the painful memories of 1990, when members from the community were killed, women were raped, children rendered orphans, resulting in the exodus of over 400,000 people to save lives and honour.” "The recent targeted killings have terrorised the minority community in the valley, and many are fleeing their homes again," Kokroo added. (With inputs from agencies)

US' Kashmiri Pandits condemn targetted killings by militants in valley

With an aim to ensure power plants have enough feedstock to generate electricity, the central government pressed all resources at its command on Sunday. The move comes as states from Delhi to Andhra Pradesh have sent warnings of a developing power crisis due to coal shortage. &nbsp;

Union Power Minister R K Singh reviewed coal stock at all thermal power plants. He also oversaw situation in the units that supply power to distribution companies in the national capital. &nbsp;

The Ministry of Coal said, "Ample coal is available in the country to meet the demand, and any fear of disruption in power supply is entirely misplaced." &nbsp;

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Although the country has produced record coal this year, incessant rains in areas, where coal is produced, hit its movement from mines to power generation units. It has adversely impacted power generation units in many states, such as Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. &nbsp;

Due to a spurt in energy prices, the power plants, which used imported coal to generate power, have either curtailed operations or have shut down. &nbsp;

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In a statement, the power ministry said the total despatch of coal from all sources (Coal India Limited, Singareni Collieries Company, Captive Coal Mines and imported coal) on October 9 was 1.92 million tonnes (19.2 lakh tonnes) against the total consumption was 1.87 million tonnes (18.7 lakh tonnes). &nbsp;

"Coal despatch have exceeded the consumption, thereby indicating shift to gradual building up of coal stock," the statement said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With an aim to ensure power plants have enough feedstock to generate electricity, the central government pressed all resources at its command on Sunday. The move comes as states from Delhi to Andhra Pradesh have sent warnings of a developing power crisis due to coal shortage.

With an aim to ensure power plants have enough feedstock to generate electricity, the central government pressed all resources at its command on Sunday. The move comes as states from Delhi to Andhra Pradesh have sent warnings of a developing power crisis due to coal shortage. Union Power Minister R K Singh reviewed coal stock at all thermal power plants. He also oversaw situation in the units that supply power to distribution companies in the national capital. The Ministry of Coal said, "Ample coal is available in the country to meet the demand, and any fear of disruption in power supply is entirely misplaced." Also Read: India, China commander-level talks begin amid tensions along LAC Although the country has produced record coal this year, incessant rains in areas, where coal is produced, hit its movement from mines to power generation units. It has adversely impacted power generation units in many states, such as Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. Due to a spurt in energy prices, the power plants, which used imported coal to generate power, have either curtailed operations or have shut down. Also Read: More than 100 Afghan nationals fly to Kabul from India via Iran on free will In a statement, the power ministry said the total despatch of coal from all sources (Coal India Limited, Singareni Collieries Company, Captive Coal Mines and imported coal) on October 9 was 1.92 million tonnes (19.2 lakh tonnes) against the total consumption was 1.87 million tonnes (18.7 lakh tonnes). "Coal despatch have exceeded the consumption, thereby indicating shift to gradual building up of coal stock," the statement said. (With inputs from agencies)

To avert power crisis, Indian govt scrambles all resources as coal shortage looms

Pledging Germany would preserve its commitment to the security of Israel, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel honoured the Jews killed in Nazi concentration camps in Jerusalem on Sunday. &nbsp;

During her final visit to Israel, Merkel held talks with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. &nbsp;

The German leader’s 16-year term is coming to an end. Merkel said the coming weeks would be decisive for the future of a nuke deal with Iran. Israel sees it as a crucial issue to its security. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Though Merkel has differed with Israel over Palestinians and Iran, the leader has sought to cultivate close ties as Germany has been a leading ally of Israel. &nbsp; &nbsp;

According to a transcript issued by the Israeli PM’s office, Merkel told Bennett during a private meeting, "I want to use this opportunity to emphasise that the topic of Israel's security will always be of central importance and a central topic of every German government." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Attending a session of the Israeli PM’s cabinet, Merkel said, "The history of the Shoah (Holocaust) is a singular event for which we continue to bear responsibility in every phase of history, including in the future". &nbsp;

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Merkel rekindled an eternal flame in Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem. It is Israel's memorial to the millions of Jews killed by the Nazis. &nbsp;

The leader also placed a wreath on a slab under which ashes from extermination camps, death camps and other killing fields are buried and stood in silence with her head bowed. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Pledging Germany would preserve its commitment to the security of Israel, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel honoured the Jews killed in Nazi concentration camps in Jerusalem on Sunday.

Pledging Germany would preserve its commitment to the security of Israel, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel honoured the Jews killed in Nazi concentration camps in Jerusalem on Sunday. During her final visit to Israel, Merkel held talks with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The German leader’s 16-year term is coming to an end. Merkel said the coming weeks would be decisive for the future of a nuke deal with Iran. Israel sees it as a crucial issue to its security. Also Read: Czech President Zeman taken to hospital at key post-election time Though Merkel has differed with Israel over Palestinians and Iran, the leader has sought to cultivate close ties as Germany has been a leading ally of Israel. According to a transcript issued by the Israeli PM’s office, Merkel told Bennett during a private meeting, "I want to use this opportunity to emphasise that the topic of Israel's security will always be of central importance and a central topic of every German government." Attending a session of the Israeli PM’s cabinet, Merkel said, "The history of the Shoah (Holocaust) is a singular event for which we continue to bear responsibility in every phase of history, including in the future". Also Read: Iraqis head to early vote with little hope for change Merkel rekindled an eternal flame in Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem. It is Israel's memorial to the millions of Jews killed by the Nazis. The leader also placed a wreath on a slab under which ashes from extermination camps, death camps and other killing fields are buried and stood in silence with her head bowed. (With inputs from agencies)

Honouring genocide victims, Merkel vows German support to Israel's security

North Carolina Lt Gov Mark Robinson is in news as he is facing calls for resignation after a video emerged, where he called transgenderism and homosexuality "filth". &nbsp;

Robinson, who belongs to Republican Party, said students should not be taught about "transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth" in classrooms. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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North Carolina's Lt. Governor, Mark Robinson, just angrily referred to the LGBTQ community as "filth." 
 
Then he says, "Yes, I called it filth." 
 
There's no debate here. This is open discrimination. It is completely unacceptable. 
 
Mark Robinson should resign. <a href="https://t.co/rUhzXZm8Jd">pic.twitter.com/rUhzXZm8Jd</a>
— Sen. Jeff Jackson (@JeffJacksonNC) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffJacksonNC/status/1446212836703842306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The remark has prompted calls for his resignation as administrators and parents battle over the oversight of school curricula. &nbsp;

In the video filmed in June at Asbury Baptist Church, Robinson said, “There’s no reason anybody, anywhere in America should be telling children about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth. And yes, I called it filth.” &nbsp;

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Several gay and transgender rights groups along with the White House, condemned his statement and called for him to resign. &nbsp;

According to reports, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates, who is a native of North Carolina, said, “These words are repugnant and offensive. The role of a leader is to bring people together and stand up for the dignity and rights of everyone, not to spread hate and undermine their own office.” &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-iowa-rally-trump-slams-bidens-socialist-spending-package-419661" hreflang="en">At Iowa rally, Trump slams Biden's 'socialist' spending package</a>

The Human Rights Campaign called Robinson’s statement “disgraceful” and “hateful” and said he should resign. However, Robinson refused to retract his words on Friday. &nbsp;

"We will not be intimidated. We will not back down. We will not change our language," Robinson said, as per reports.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

North Carolina Lt Gov Mark Robinson is in news as he is facing calls for resignation after a video emerged, where he called transgenderism and homosexuality "filth".

North Carolina Lt Gov Mark Robinson is in news as he is facing calls for resignation after a video emerged, where he called transgenderism and homosexuality "filth". Robinson, who belongs to Republican Party, said students should not be taught about "transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth" in classrooms. Watch: North Carolina's Lt. Governor, Mark Robinson, just angrily referred to the LGBTQ community as "filth." Then he says, "Yes, I called it filth." There's no debate here. This is open discrimination. It is completely unacceptable. Mark Robinson should resign. pic.twitter.com/rUhzXZm8Jd — Sen. Jeff Jackson (@JeffJacksonNC) October 7, 2021 × The remark has prompted calls for his resignation as administrators and parents battle over the oversight of school curricula. In the video filmed in June at Asbury Baptist Church, Robinson said, “There’s no reason anybody, anywhere in America should be telling children about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth. And yes, I called it filth.” Also Read: White House links Biden's bad polling on the nation's inability to overcome COVID-19 Several gay and transgender rights groups along with the White House, condemned his statement and called for him to resign. According to reports, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates, who is a native of North Carolina, said, “These words are repugnant and offensive. The role of a leader is to bring people together and stand up for the dignity and rights of everyone, not to spread hate and undermine their own office.” Also Read: At Iowa rally, Trump slams Biden's 'socialist' spending package The Human Rights Campaign called Robinson’s statement “disgraceful” and “hateful” and said he should resign. However, Robinson refused to retract his words on Friday. "We will not be intimidated. We will not back down. We will not change our language," Robinson said, as per reports. (With inputs from agencies)

After calling homosexuality 'filth', US leader faces calls for resignation

In a study, an international team of astronomers researched over a group of six early galaxies with the help of Atacama Large Millimeter or submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Hubble Space Telescope. The findings of the study were published recently in ‘Nature’. &nbsp;

These galaxies were known to be "quenched" with little or no star formation. These galaxies had formed within the first few billion years after the Big Bang. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Earlier, the astronomers believed that something intervened to stop star formation in the otherwise rich galaxies as they had enormous supplies of cold hydrogen gas, which is the fuel needed to continue star formation.

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Kate Whitaker, lead author of the study and assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, said, "The most massive galaxies in the universe lived fast and furious, creating their stars in a remarkably short amount of time. Gas, the fuel of star formation, should be plentiful at these early times in the universe." &nbsp;&nbsp;

"We originally believed that these quenched galaxies hit the brakes just a few billion years after the Big Bang. In our new research, we've concluded that early galaxies didn't actually put the brakes on, but rather, they were running on empty," added Whitaker.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/space-rocks-bounced-off-earth-before-collision-with-venus-study-419505" hreflang="en">Space rocks bounced off Earth before collision with Venus: Study</a>&nbsp;

Usually, these galaxies are so distant that they're impossible to resolve, but the team used a trick. They used gravitational lensing around nearby galaxies to amplify the images of the galaxies. &nbsp;

Contrary to expectations, the team found that there was no sudden drop in the ability for the galaxies to turn cold gas into stars. Rather, the stars didn’t have the cold gas. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a study, an international team of astronomers researched over a group of six early galaxies with the help of Atacama Large Millimeter or submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Hubble Space Telescope.

In a study, an international team of astronomers researched over a group of six early galaxies with the help of Atacama Large Millimeter or submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Hubble Space Telescope. The findings of the study were published recently in ‘Nature’. These galaxies were known to be "quenched" with little or no star formation. These galaxies had formed within the first few billion years after the Big Bang. Earlier, the astronomers believed that something intervened to stop star formation in the otherwise rich galaxies as they had enormous supplies of cold hydrogen gas, which is the fuel needed to continue star formation. Also Read: Hot, liquid iron rains on this planet and temperature can hit 2k mark Kate Whitaker, lead author of the study and assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, said, "The most massive galaxies in the universe lived fast and furious, creating their stars in a remarkably short amount of time. Gas, the fuel of star formation, should be plentiful at these early times in the universe." "We originally believed that these quenched galaxies hit the brakes just a few billion years after the Big Bang. In our new research, we've concluded that early galaxies didn't actually put the brakes on, but rather, they were running on empty," added Whitaker. Also Read | Space rocks bounced off Earth before collision with Venus: Study Usually, these galaxies are so distant that they're impossible to resolve, but the team used a trick. They used gravitational lensing around nearby galaxies to amplify the images of the galaxies. Contrary to expectations, the team found that there was no sudden drop in the ability for the galaxies to turn cold gas into stars. Rather, the stars didn’t have the cold gas. (With inputs from agencies)

Astronomers unearth secret of no star formation in some early galaxies

Continuing with long-standing criticism of the 2020 polls and attacks on political foes, former US President Donald Trump slammed President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion "socialist" spending "monstrosity" on all fronts, from economy to immigration. &nbsp;

Viewed as a likely 2024 presidential contender, Trump has criticised his successor's efforts to cobble together a coalition for the massive spending haul, saying the bill was "so bad". &nbsp;

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During a 'Save America' rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump said on Saturday night, "It's a socialist transformation bill, it's an open borders bill, (and) it's an American energy destruction bill." &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Joe Biden and the radical Left Democrats in Congress are trying to ram through a $3.5 trillion, wild, spending binge that costs more than the entire sum the United States has spent on any war in the history of our country," the leader said. &nbsp;

"Not only is this the largest spending bill of all time, it's the largest tax hike of all time. This monstrosity is so dangerous for our country and so bad for children and grandchildren to come. This monstrosity is a bill to end America as we know it. It's so bad," the former president said.

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Suggesting Trump may take on several political opponents in 2024, the former president dropped hints about a campaign slogan, "Make America great again, again," as "America is not great right now." &nbsp;

If the former president enters the race, he would be a formidable candidate, suggests recent polling. A poll in Des Moines Register shows that Trump's approval rating has climbed to 53% in Iowa since leaving office. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Continuing with long-standing criticism of the 2020 polls and attacks on political foes, former US President Donald Trump slammed President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion "socialist" spending "monstrosity" on all fronts, from economy to immigration.

Continuing with long-standing criticism of the 2020 polls and attacks on political foes, former US President Donald Trump slammed President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion "socialist" spending "monstrosity" on all fronts, from economy to immigration. Viewed as a likely 2024 presidential contender, Trump has criticised his successor's efforts to cobble together a coalition for the massive spending haul, saying the bill was "so bad". Also Read: California becomes first state to ban secret removal of condom during sex During a 'Save America' rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump said on Saturday night, "It's a socialist transformation bill, it's an open borders bill, (and) it's an American energy destruction bill." "Joe Biden and the radical Left Democrats in Congress are trying to ram through a $3.5 trillion, wild, spending binge that costs more than the entire sum the United States has spent on any war in the history of our country," the leader said. "Not only is this the largest spending bill of all time, it's the largest tax hike of all time. This monstrosity is so dangerous for our country and so bad for children and grandchildren to come. This monstrosity is a bill to end America as we know it. It's so bad," the former president said. Also Read | Travellers vaccinated with WHO approved Covid vaccines can enter US: CDC Suggesting Trump may take on several political opponents in 2024, the former president dropped hints about a campaign slogan, "Make America great again, again," as "America is not great right now." If the former president enters the race, he would be a formidable candidate, suggests recent polling. A poll in Des Moines Register shows that Trump's approval rating has climbed to 53% in Iowa since leaving office. (With inputs from agencies)

At Iowa rally, Trump slams Biden's 'socialist' spending package

Lauded in Pakistan for helping it become world's first Islamic nuclear weapons power, Abdul Qadeer Khan, who died on Sunday, is seen in the West as a dangerous renegade. The scientist has been allegedly responsible for smuggling nuclear technology to rogue states. &nbsp;

The scientist died at the age of 85 in Islamabad after being hospitalised with COVID-19. He was revered as "the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb". &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-nuclear-scientist-aq-khan-passes-away-419568" hreflang="en">Pakistan's nuclear scientist AQ Khan passes away</a>

The nuclear scientist was seen as a national hero for bringing the country on a par with India in the atomic field. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The scientist was also accused of illegally proliferating nuclear technology to Libya, Iran and North Korea. Khan was placed under house arrest in Islamabad in 2004 after admitting to running a nuclear proliferation network to the three countries. &nbsp;

The scientist’s contribution to nuclear programme of Pakistan was the procurement of a blueprint for uranium centrifuges, which could help in transforming uranium into weapons-grade fuel for nuclear fissile material. &nbsp;

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Khan was charged with stealing the blueprint from the Netherlands when he was working for Urenco, which was an Anglo-Dutch-German nuclear engineering consortium, and bringing it to Pakistan in 1976. &nbsp;

When he returned to the home country, the then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto placed him in-charge of the uranium enrichment project. &nbsp;

By 1978, his team enriched uranium and were ready to detonate a nuclear device by 1984, Khan said in an interview. In 1998, the country conducted the nuclear test. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Lauded in Pakistan for helping it become world's first Islamic nuclear weapons power, Abdul Qadeer Khan, who died on Sunday, is seen in the West as a dangerous renegade.

Lauded in Pakistan for helping it become world's first Islamic nuclear weapons power, Abdul Qadeer Khan, who died on Sunday, is seen in the West as a dangerous renegade. The scientist has been allegedly responsible for smuggling nuclear technology to rogue states. The scientist died at the age of 85 in Islamabad after being hospitalised with COVID-19. He was revered as "the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb". Also Read: Pakistan's nuclear scientist AQ Khan passes away The nuclear scientist was seen as a national hero for bringing the country on a par with India in the atomic field. The scientist was also accused of illegally proliferating nuclear technology to Libya, Iran and North Korea. Khan was placed under house arrest in Islamabad in 2004 after admitting to running a nuclear proliferation network to the three countries. The scientist’s contribution to nuclear programme of Pakistan was the procurement of a blueprint for uranium centrifuges, which could help in transforming uranium into weapons-grade fuel for nuclear fissile material. Also Read: Pakistan hospitals run out of beds on dengue surge Khan was charged with stealing the blueprint from the Netherlands when he was working for Urenco, which was an Anglo-Dutch-German nuclear engineering consortium, and bringing it to Pakistan in 1976. When he returned to the home country, the then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto placed him in-charge of the uranium enrichment project. By 1978, his team enriched uranium and were ready to detonate a nuclear device by 1984, Khan said in an interview. In 1998, the country conducted the nuclear test. (With inputs from agencies)

National hero or renegade? AQ Khan admitted to run nuke proliferation network

Moderna, whose coronavirus vaccine appears to be the world’s best defense against COVID-19, has been supplying its shots almost exclusively to wealthy nations, keeping poorer countries waiting and earning billions in profit.

After developing a breakthrough vaccine with the financial and scientific support of the U.S. government, Moderna has shipped a greater share of its doses to wealthy countries than any other vaccine manufacturer, according to Airfinity, a data firm that tracks vaccine shipments.

About 1 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine have gone to countries that the World Bank classifies as low income. By contrast, 8.4 million Pfizer doses and about 25 million single-shot Johnson &amp;amp; Johnson doses have gone to those countries.

Of the handful of middle-income countries that have reached deals to buy Moderna’s shots, most have not yet received any doses, and at least three have had to pay more than the United States or European Union did, according to government officials in those countries.

Thailand and Colombia are paying a premium. Botswana’s doses are late. Tunisia could not get in touch with Moderna.

Unlike Pfizer, Johnson &amp;amp; Johnson and AstraZeneca, which have diverse rosters of drugs and other products, Moderna sells only the COVID vaccine. The Massachusetts company’s future hinges on the commercial success of its vaccine.

“They are behaving as if they have absolutely no responsibility beyond maximizing the return on investment,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, a former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Moderna executives have said that they are doing all they can to make as many doses as possible as quickly as possible but that their production capacity remains limited. All of the doses they produce this year are filling existing orders from governments such as the EU.

Even so, the Biden administration has grown increasingly frustrated with Moderna for not making its vaccine more available to poorer countries, two senior administration officials said. The administration has been pressing Moderna executives to increase production at U.S. plants and to license the company’s technology to overseas manufacturers that could make doses for foreign markets.

Moderna is now scrambling to defend itself against accusations that it is putting a priority on the rich.

On Friday, after The New York Times sent detailed questions about how few poor countries had been given access to Moderna’s vaccine, the company announced it was “currently investing” to increase its output so it could deliver 1 billion doses to low-income countries in 2022. The company also said this past week that it would open a factory in Africa, without specifying when.

Moderna executives have been talking with the Biden administration about selling low-cost doses to the federal government, which would donate them to poorer countries, as Pfizer has agreed to do, the two senior officials said. The negotiations are continuing.

In an interview Friday, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said that “it is sad” that his company’s vaccine had not reached more people in poorer countries but that the situation was out of his control.

He said that Moderna tried and failed last year to get governments to kick in money to expand the company’s scant production capacity and that the company decides how much to charge based on factors including how many doses are ordered and how wealthy a country is. (A Moderna spokesperson disputed Airfinity’s calculation that the company had provided 900,000 doses to low-income countries, but she did not provide an alternate figure.)

Nearly a year after Western countries began sprinting to vaccinate their populations, the focus in recent months has shifted to the severe vaccine shortages in many parts of the world. Dozens of poorer countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, had vaccinated less than 10% of their populations as of Sept. 30.

In August, for example, Johnson &amp;amp; Johnson faced rebukes from the director-general of the World Health Organization and public health activists after the Times reported that doses of that shot produced in South Africa were being exported to wealthier countries.

Biden administration officials are especially frustrated with what they see as Moderna’s lack of cooperation, because the U.S. government has provided the company with critical assistance.

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health worked with the company to develop the vaccine. The United States kicked in $1.3 billion for clinical trials and other research. And in August 2020, the government agreed to preorder $1.5 billion of the vaccine, guaranteeing that Moderna would have a market for what was an unproven product.

Although clinical trials last year found that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were similarly effective, more-recent studies suggest that Moderna’s shot is superior. It offers longer-lasting protection and is easier to transport and store.

Moderna’s shot is “essentially the premium vaccine,” said Karen Andersen, an industry analyst at Morningstar. “They’re in a position where they probably don’t need to sacrifice too much on pricing in a lot of these deals.”

There is limited public information about the deals that Moderna has struck with individual governments. Of the 22 countries, plus the EU, to which Moderna and its distributors have reported selling the shots, none are low income, and only the Philippines is classified as lower-middle income. (Six are upper-middle income.)

Pfizer, by comparison, said it had agreed to sell its vaccine at discounted prices to 12 upper-middle-income countries, five lower-middle-income governments and one poor country, Rwanda. (Tunisia, for example, is paying about $7 per dose.)

Only a handful of governments have disclosed how much they are paying for Moderna doses. The United States paid $15-$16.50 for each shot, on top of the $1.3 billion the government gave Moderna to develop its vaccine. The EU has paid $22.60-$25.50 for its Moderna doses.

Botswana, Thailand and Colombia, which the World Bank classifies as upper-middle-income countries, have said they are paying $27-$30 per Moderna dose.

The lack of transparency about how much other governments are paying has put relatively poor countries in a weak bargaining position. They are “negotiating totally in the dark,” said Kate Elder, who advises Doctors Without Borders on vaccine policy.

In some cases, Moderna has offered to provide poorer countries the vaccine at relatively low prices, but only after it has fulfilled other countries’ orders.

In May, Moderna offered the African Union doses for about $10 each, according to a bloc official involved in the discussions. But the doses would not be available until next year, causing the talks to fall apart, according to two African Union officials.

Dr. Ayoade Alakija, who helps run the African Union’s vaccine delivery program but was not involved in the procurement discussions, said Moderna’s attitude amounted to, “We’re here to make money. We’ve stumbled upon a good thing, and we’re not even trying to pretend that we’re trying to save the world.”

Moderna’s COVID vaccine has been transformative for the company and its leaders. The company has said it expects its vaccine to generate at least $20 billion in revenue this year, which would make it one of the most lucrative medical products in history. Andersen, the Morningstar analyst, projected that the company’s profits on the vaccine could be as high as $14 billion. In 2019, Moderna reported total revenue of $60 million.

Moderna’s market value has nearly tripled this year to more than $120 billion. Two of its founders, as well as an early investor, this month made Forbes magazine’s list of the 400 richest people in the United States.

As the coronavirus spread in early 2020, Moderna raced to design its vaccine — which uses a new technology known as messenger RNA — and to plan a safety study. To manufacture the doses for that trial, the company received $900,000 from the nonprofit Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

The nonprofit group said Moderna had agreed to its “equitable access principles.” That meant, according to the coalition, that the vaccine would be “first available to populations when and where they are needed and at prices that are affordable to the populations at risk, especially low- and middle-income countries or to public sector entities that procure on their behalf.”

Moderna agreed in May to provide up to 34 million vaccine doses this year as well as up to 466 million doses in 2022 to Covax, the struggling United Nations-backed program to vaccinate the world’s poor. The company has not yet shipped any of those doses, according to a Covax spokesperson, although Covax has distributed tens of millions of Moderna doses donated by the United States.

Bancel said many more doses would have gone to Covax this year had the two parties reached a supply deal in 2020. Aurélia Nguyen, a Covax official, denied that, saying, “It became clear early on that the best we could expect was minimal doses in 2021.”

Late last year, the Tunisian government was hoping to order Moderna doses. Dr. Hechmi Louzir, who led Tunisia’s vaccine procurement efforts, did not know how to contact Moderna to begin talks and asked the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia for help, he said. Officials there contacted Moderna, he said, but nothing came of it.

“We were very interested in Moderna,” Louzir said. “We tried.”

In Thailand, where about 32% of people are fully vaccinated, a government spokesperson said the government was paying Moderna about $28 per dose for 1 million shots that are designated for vulnerable people. Deliveries from that order will start next year.

In Botswana, the health minister told Parliament in July that the government had ordered 500,000 shots from Moderna at nearly $29 per dose — enough to fully vaccinate about 10% of the population. (That would roughly double the number of Botswanans who are fully vaccinated.) A spokesperson for the Health Ministry said that the doses were expected to start arriving in August but that none had yet arrived.

Colombia ordered 10 million shots from Moderna. The government budgeted about $30 per dose, a price that may include the cost of transportation and other logistics, according to Finance Ministry documents. The country's health minister, Dr. Fernando Ruiz, said Moderna’s vaccine was the most expensive among the COVID shots that Colombia had ordered.

There were some initial delays, Ruiz said. The first deliveries, expected in early June, came in August. About 2.3 million had arrived as of Friday.

Moderna, whose coronavirus vaccine appears to be the world’s best defense against COVID-19, has been supplying its shots almost exclusively to wealthy nations, keeping poorer countries waiting and earning billions in profit.

Moderna, whose coronavirus vaccine appears to be the world’s best defense against COVID-19, has been supplying its shots almost exclusively to wealthy nations, keeping poorer countries waiting and earning billions in profit. After developing a breakthrough vaccine with the financial and scientific support of the U.S. government, Moderna has shipped a greater share of its doses to wealthy countries than any other vaccine manufacturer, according to Airfinity, a data firm that tracks vaccine shipments. About 1 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine have gone to countries that the World Bank classifies as low income. By contrast, 8.4 million Pfizer doses and about 25 million single-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson doses have gone to those countries. Of the handful of middle-income countries that have reached deals to buy Moderna’s shots, most have not yet received any doses, and at least three have had to pay more than the United States or European Union did, according to government officials in those countries. Thailand and Colombia are paying a premium. Botswana’s doses are late. Tunisia could not get in touch with Moderna. Unlike Pfizer, Johnson &amp; Johnson and AstraZeneca, which have diverse rosters of drugs and other products, Moderna sells only the COVID vaccine. The Massachusetts company’s future hinges on the commercial success of its vaccine. “They are behaving as if they have absolutely no responsibility beyond maximizing the return on investment,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, a former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moderna executives have said that they are doing all they can to make as many doses as possible as quickly as possible but that their production capacity remains limited. All of the doses they produce this year are filling existing orders from governments such as the EU. Even so, the Biden administration has grown increasingly frustrated with Moderna for not making its vaccine more available to poorer countries, two senior administration officials said. The administration has been pressing Moderna executives to increase production at U.S. plants and to license the company’s technology to overseas manufacturers that could make doses for foreign markets. Moderna is now scrambling to defend itself against accusations that it is putting a priority on the rich. On Friday, after The New York Times sent detailed questions about how few poor countries had been given access to Moderna’s vaccine, the company announced it was “currently investing” to increase its output so it could deliver 1 billion doses to low-income countries in 2022. The company also said this past week that it would open a factory in Africa, without specifying when. Moderna executives have been talking with the Biden administration about selling low-cost doses to the federal government, which would donate them to poorer countries, as Pfizer has agreed to do, the two senior officials said. The negotiations are continuing. In an interview Friday, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said that “it is sad” that his company’s vaccine had not reached more people in poorer countries but that the situation was out of his control. He said that Moderna tried and failed last year to get governments to kick in money to expand the company’s scant production capacity and that the company decides how much to charge based on factors including how many doses are ordered and how wealthy a country is. (A Moderna spokesperson disputed Airfinity’s calculation that the company had provided 900,000 doses to low-income countries, but she did not provide an alternate figure.) Nearly a year after Western countries began sprinting to vaccinate their populations, the focus in recent months has shifted to the severe vaccine shortages in many parts of the world. Dozens of poorer countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, had vaccinated less than 10% of their populations as of Sept. 30. In August, for example, Johnson &amp; Johnson faced rebukes from the director-general of the World Health Organization and public health activists after the Times reported that doses of that shot produced in South Africa were being exported to wealthier countries. Biden administration officials are especially frustrated with what they see as Moderna’s lack of cooperation, because the U.S. government has provided the company with critical assistance. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health worked with the company to develop the vaccine. The United States kicked in $1.3 billion for clinical trials and other research. And in August 2020, the government agreed to preorder $1.5 billion of the vaccine, guaranteeing that Moderna would have a market for what was an unproven product. Although clinical trials last year found that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were similarly effective, more-recent studies suggest that Moderna’s shot is superior. It offers longer-lasting protection and is easier to transport and store. Moderna’s shot is “essentially the premium vaccine,” said Karen Andersen, an industry analyst at Morningstar. “They’re in a position where they probably don’t need to sacrifice too much on pricing in a lot of these deals.” There is limited public information about the deals that Moderna has struck with individual governments. Of the 22 countries, plus the EU, to which Moderna and its distributors have reported selling the shots, none are low income, and only the Philippines is classified as lower-middle income. (Six are upper-middle income.) Pfizer, by comparison, said it had agreed to sell its vaccine at discounted prices to 12 upper-middle-income countries, five lower-middle-income governments and one poor country, Rwanda. (Tunisia, for example, is paying about $7 per dose.) Only a handful of governments have disclosed how much they are paying for Moderna doses. The United States paid $15-$16.50 for each shot, on top of the $1.3 billion the government gave Moderna to develop its vaccine. The EU has paid $22.60-$25.50 for its Moderna doses. Botswana, Thailand and Colombia, which the World Bank classifies as upper-middle-income countries, have said they are paying $27-$30 per Moderna dose. The lack of transparency about how much other governments are paying has put relatively poor countries in a weak bargaining position. They are “negotiating totally in the dark,” said Kate Elder, who advises Doctors Without Borders on vaccine policy. In some cases, Moderna has offered to provide poorer countries the vaccine at relatively low prices, but only after it has fulfilled other countries’ orders. In May, Moderna offered the African Union doses for about $10 each, according to a bloc official involved in the discussions. But the doses would not be available until next year, causing the talks to fall apart, according to two African Union officials. Dr. Ayoade Alakija, who helps run the African Union’s vaccine delivery program but was not involved in the procurement discussions, said Moderna’s attitude amounted to, “We’re here to make money. We’ve stumbled upon a good thing, and we’re not even trying to pretend that we’re trying to save the world.” Moderna’s COVID vaccine has been transformative for the company and its leaders. The company has said it expects its vaccine to generate at least $20 billion in revenue this year, which would make it one of the most lucrative medical products in history. Andersen, the Morningstar analyst, projected that the company’s profits on the vaccine could be as high as $14 billion. In 2019, Moderna reported total revenue of $60 million. Moderna’s market value has nearly tripled this year to more than $120 billion. Two of its founders, as well as an early investor, this month made Forbes magazine’s list of the 400 richest people in the United States. As the coronavirus spread in early 2020, Moderna raced to design its vaccine — which uses a new technology known as messenger RNA — and to plan a safety study. To manufacture the doses for that trial, the company received $900,000 from the nonprofit Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. The nonprofit group said Moderna had agreed to its “equitable access principles.” That meant, according to the coalition, that the vaccine would be “first available to populations when and where they are needed and at prices that are affordable to the populations at risk, especially low- and middle-income countries or to public sector entities that procure on their behalf.” Moderna agreed in May to provide up to 34 million vaccine doses this year as well as up to 466 million doses in 2022 to Covax, the struggling United Nations-backed program to vaccinate the world’s poor. The company has not yet shipped any of those doses, according to a Covax spokesperson, although Covax has distributed tens of millions of Moderna doses donated by the United States. Bancel said many more doses would have gone to Covax this year had the two parties reached a supply deal in 2020. Aurélia Nguyen, a Covax official, denied that, saying, “It became clear early on that the best we could expect was minimal doses in 2021.” Late last year, the Tunisian government was hoping to order Moderna doses. Dr. Hechmi Louzir, who led Tunisia’s vaccine procurement efforts, did not know how to contact Moderna to begin talks and asked the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia for help, he said. Officials there contacted Moderna, he said, but nothing came of it. “We were very interested in Moderna,” Louzir said. “We tried.” In Thailand, where about 32% of people are fully vaccinated, a government spokesperson said the government was paying Moderna about $28 per dose for 1 million shots that are designated for vulnerable people. Deliveries from that order will start next year. In Botswana, the health minister told Parliament in July that the government had ordered 500,000 shots from Moderna at nearly $29 per dose — enough to fully vaccinate about 10% of the population. (That would roughly double the number of Botswanans who are fully vaccinated.) A spokesperson for the Health Ministry said that the doses were expected to start arriving in August but that none had yet arrived. Colombia ordered 10 million shots from Moderna. The government budgeted about $30 per dose, a price that may include the cost of transportation and other logistics, according to Finance Ministry documents. The country's health minister, Dr. Fernando Ruiz, said Moderna’s vaccine was the most expensive among the COVID shots that Colombia had ordered. There were some initial delays, Ruiz said. The first deliveries, expected in early June, came in August. About 2.3 million had arrived as of Friday.

Moderna, racing for profits, keeps Covid vaccine out of reach of poor

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Gandharv Walia

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