Nation
H1N1 vaccine released, fatalities continue to rise
On Tuesday, the first shipment of the H1N1 vaccine was released. This shipment was composed of the intranasal spray version of the vaccine, principally due to the fact that it was ready before the injectable version. Though there has been some concern about getting the vaccine given the lack of knowledge about its side effects, increasing deaths—particularly of those ages 18 and under—should provide ample motivation to get it. Over the course of the past week, the deaths of 19 children and teenagers from the H1N1 virus were reported, bringing the number of deaths for this age group this year to 76.
NASA crashes probe into the moon
On Friday morning, NASA successfully crashed a rocket booster into a crater at the south pole of the moon. A second spacecraft monitored—and documented—the rocket’s impact, and then proceeded to crash as well. Both were part of the $79 million Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, mission, which hopes to determine whether or not there is water on the moon. While the initial crash produced no obvious sign of water, scientists have not yet analyzed the data collected by the two spacecrafts.
Obama pledges to end military’s ban on openly gay members
Saturday, Obama addressed the Human Rights Campaign pledging to repeal the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that allows gays to serve in the military—provided they do not reveal their sexual orientation. Though one of his major campaign promises had been to make progress of gay rights, little headway had been made on the military issue before this speech. Neither had improvement been seen regarding gay marriage; legislation to end this policy has now been introduced to the House of Representatives, while Congress has been urged to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and to pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act.
World
Obama awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize
It was announced this past Friday that U.S. President Barack Obama was the 2009 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The award was given in honor of “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Though the decision surprised many observers—including Obama himself—the international community received the news warmly. And, as it turns out, the Norwegian Nobel Committee—a five-member committee of lawmakers appointed by the Norwegian parliament—voted unanimously in their decision to award Obama.
Pakistan in shock over week’s third terrorist attack
Eight to 10 terrorists opened fire just before noon this past Saturday at the Pakistani army headquarters checkpoint in Rawalpindi. The attack left 10 dead. The surviving five militants then proceeded to take 25 people hostage, which culminated in a 22-hour standoff. Three captives, four militants, and two Pakistani commandos were killed. This attack marks the third in Pakistan this week, following a suicide attack at the offices of the U.N. World Food Programme on Monday and a suicide car bomb on Friday.
Armenia and Turkey establish diplomatic ties
Armenia and Turkey signed a historic accord in Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday intended to normalize relations after nearly a century of animosity between the two nations. The hostility, which originated with the 1915 massacre of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire, was exacerbated by Armenia’s war with Turkish ally Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in 1993. Swiss officials principally oversaw this peace deal, though French, Russian, and U.S. officials—including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—had been in frequent contact with both Armenia and Turkey over the past couple of months.
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