Obama gives stem cells a go

A stem cell is a type of cell that can turn into any other type of cell in the human body. Our organs, muscles and even bones were formed out of stem cells when we were just embryos. Many say the researches on the embryonic stem cells can lead to medical breakthroughs; however, it raises ethical questions. 

Former President George W. Bush did not let anybody use government money to support researches on stem cells. Current President Barack Obama decided to lift all the restrictions on the funding of these projects, saying: “The restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem cell research have handcuffed our scientists.” This decision comes as a promise from the current president who said that if elected he would not let politics interfere with any scientific research, and he would reverse the decision of the Bush administration. 

Note that stem cells can also be created without using any embryos. But of course to develop such techniques would require again a huge amount of money, which cannot be raised without any significant support. Therefore several researches welcomed Obama’s decision. Dr George Daley of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute said: "I feel vindicated after eight years of struggle, and I know it's going to energise my research team.” 

But there will always be people who protest against stem cell researches. For example, Dr Robert Evans, a pastor and bioethicist, who expressed his views to BBC early this year: “What it signals is that the human embryo has been denied moral standing and a corresponding right to life. As an evangelical who believes all life is created equal in the image of God, and that we have moral standing from the moment of conception, I would view that as a very chilling decision." 

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7929690.stm

Iraq awaits foreign military troops’ withdrawal

Soon British as well as US military troops will leave the country to let the local government run its own affairs. David Miliband, UK Foreign Secretary, told BBC that the Iraqi government was getting more and more impatient as they were awaiting this decision to be made. Well, even if they are impatient they have to calm down as the US troops’ withdrawal will only happen in August 2010. 

Even though current US President Barack Obama is to announce the withdrawal plan to the public, many say that the US government will leave several platoons – approximately 50,000 soldiers – behind. British soldiers will leave earlier – none will remain in the country by the end of May this year. Mr Miliband also told BBC that the situation seemed to be more sustainable now than it had been before. Finally the government can start looking into the matters of economy and public services. He firmly believes that the more time passes the more confident the government and the citizens will be. 

By announcing the establishment of a 400 million dollars worth joint venture, Mr Miliband told the world that the country was ready for business. The would-be company will carry out drilling activities to find more oil. British forces in the country amount to thousands of soldiers of whom hundreds have died so far. The number of the US troops is enormous with its almost 150,000 soldiers. 

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7914291.stm

Obama defends his plan

With the idea of reviving the American economy, the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, had come up with a so-called stimulus plan. 

However, many Democratic and Republican politicians found the 900 billion dollars rescue package "too much", therefore the Senate held a special Saturday session to modify it. Eventually, both sides agreed on changing the bill and reducing the numbers from 900 to 700. 

Mr Obama expressed his gratitude because the idea of the Democrats had been supported by the opposition. The parties could quickly make a decision on a plan that "will provide jobs and tax relief for the American people". 

The President said that "The scale and scope of this plan is right, and the time for action is now." Then he added: "If we don't move swiftly to put this plan in motion, our economic crisis could become a national catastrophe." 

Note that Mr Obama can only sign the bill if it has been passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The deadline of the bill to be sent to the President is February 16. 

The situation in the US is desperate. Only in January more than half a million employees and workers were made redundant, making the unemployment rate reach 7.6%, the highest in 17 years. 

The Republicans expressed their concern that the improved version of the bill involved too much spending and too less tax cuts. More tax cuts are needed to help American families save more of their money. 

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7877160.stm