Latest news with #NobelPrizes
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
NIH budget cuts are a setback for American science
White House budgets, generally speaking, aren't serious governing documents. Even so, they're a declaration of national priorities — and by that measure, the latest blueprint is deeply troubling. What sort of administration aspires to shrink its budget for scientific discovery by 40%? Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently testified before a House committee to defend cuts at the National Institutes of Health, the world's biggest funder of biomedical and behavioral research, according to the Tribune News Service. The agency going forward 'will focus on essential research at a more practical cost,' the secretary said. His plan would end taxpayer support for 'wasteful' academic areas, including certain gender-related topics. It's fair for the administration to set its own research priorities. But one would expect such cuts to free up (if not increase) funding for other urgent concerns, including chronic disease. Confoundingly, Kennedy appears intent on shrinking the entire research enterprise, thereby jeopardizing the White House's stated goals of improving public health, maintaining global leadership in science and staying ahead of China, which is set on closing the gap. His proposal also undermines the core principle that science is a vehicle for national progress. America's explicit commitment to support scientific research began in 1945. Inspired by wartime innovations, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked his top science adviser to develop a program that would advance medicine, boost the economy and develop a cadre of young researchers. The resulting framework established science as a 'proper concern of government' and sought to reward academic inquiry with generous public funding. For the better part of a century, this formula worked quite well. The NIH enthusiastically funded basic research — largely through universities — and innovation bloomed. NIH grants have supported countless lifesaving advances, from cancer treatments and gene therapies to vaccines and diagnostic equipment. Almost a fifth of Nobel Prizes have been awarded to NIH scientists or grantees. Yet several factors have sown doubt about this model in recent years. Reports that the NIH supported Chinese research on coronaviruses, a type of which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, inflamed the public and increased scrutiny over grants writ large. Some lawmakers started to question whether the current system overwhelmingly favors established insiders to the detriment of promising junior scientists. Others raised doubts that elite universities — with their swelling administrative costs, staggering tuition rates and contentious ideological fixations — are prudent stewards of taxpayer dollars. For these reasons, the White House isn't wrong to scrutinize how universities spend federal money. A reassessment of the NIH's decades-old grant framework would be salutary. The process undoubtedly would benefit from including reviewers with more diverse professional backgrounds by, say, offering stronger incentives to participate. (The tiny stipends involved hardly compensate for the work required.) Ensuring more equitable distribution of grants among top applicants (for example, via lottery or 'golden ticket' allocations) would make sense, as would more generous funding for high-risk, high-reward research. Alas, such reforms don't appear to be what Kennedy has in mind. Instead of limiting some costs to improve systems and expand funds for critical research, the health secretary is seeking to issue 15,000 fewer grants by next year. In so doing, he threatens to impede crucial medical studies, shrink the number of new drugs and put American scientists at a needless disadvantage — all while China lavishly invests in research facilities, improves clinical trials and streamlines regulatory approvals. Congressional appropriations ultimately will determine what gets funded — and judging by recent hearings, lawmakers are deeply skeptical about Kennedy's budget. By expanding support for science and encouraging careful oversight, Congress can do its part to redirect the secretary's ambitions. It unfortunately bears emphasizing that diminishing science sends the wrong signal about America's trajectory, to its citizens and to the world.
Egypt Independent
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Trump courts Nobel Prize through GERD issue
Professor of Geology and Water Resources at Cairo University, Abbas Sharaky commented on US President Donald Trump's statements regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in a post on his Facebook account titled 'President Trump Flirts with Nobel Prizes Through GERD.' Sharaky noted that Trump has brought up the GERD dispute for the second time in three weeks since assuming his second term. Trump tweeted on June 21, denouncing the matter, 'I will not receive the Nobel Peace Prize for preserving peace between Egypt and Ethiopia. The huge dam built by Ethiopia, with stupid funding from the United States, significantly reduces the flow of water to the Nile River.' Earlier on July 14, Trump said, 'We worked on the Egypt issue with its neighbor, a country that has been a good neighbor and a friend of ours, but they built a dam that blocked the flow of water into the Nile River. I don't know why they didn't solve the problem before they built the dam, but it's nice to have water in the Nile River. It's a very important source of income and life. It's the lifeline for Egypt, and this problem will be solved very quickly. We're making good deals.' Sharaky noted that President Trump sponsored the negotiations from November 2019 to February 2020, but they failed to reach an agreement after Ethiopia was absent on the signing day, even though Egypt signed with initials. He pointed out that Trump is trying to show that he prevented escalation between Egypt and Ethiopia, and that the current calm has resulted from this effort, even though no serious conflict has occurred between the two countries. Sharaky said that Trump claimed that the US foolishly financed the dam, even though it was previously unknown that there was direct US funding for the dam – rather what was known was there was American aid in various fields, amounting to one billion dollars annually, which the Ethiopian administration could then direct to the dam. He added that this funding occurred during Trump's first term (2017-2021). Sharaky continued: 'I believe that the term 'stupidly financed' is intended to direct blame at the previous administration, considering it was the one who did this.' Trump also accused it of spending US funds to support Ukraine and the Middle East, and that he would recoup this money by concluding Gulf deals and a mining agreement with Ukraine. How Trump aims for a solution He explained that Trump is trying to court the Nobel Prize, portraying the GERD crisis as having reached its peak and that he will seek to resolve it quickly, to add it as another of his achievements. Trump frequently mentions stopping the wars between India and Pakistan, Serbia and Kosovo, Congo and Rwanda, and Iran, and may even halt Israel's war on Gaza, Sharaky noted. He stressed that the GERD is not a life-or-death issue for Egypt, lest some see it a major bargain to achieve a demand that Egypt strongly rejects, particularly the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza to Sinai. Sharaky pointed out that the past five years have been the most harmful to Egypt because of the GERD, as they witnessed the first filling of the GERD reservoir, storing part of water and allowing another part to flow. Without the High Dam and Egyptian measures, a catastrophe would have occurred, Sharaky said, noting that this year is better than previous years because our annual revenue will come in. He continued that President Trump could invite all three parties—Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia—to reach an agreement in less than a week, as conditions are currently better than before, thanks to the completion of the first filling, which was a major point of contention in previous negotiations over the number of years of filling. This approach could encourage reaching an agreement that regulates the repeated filling and subsequent operation, he said, and, if possible, reduces the storage capacity, which poses a significant threat to the security of Sudan and Egypt. Reaching an agreement would also ensure consultation, coordination, and the conclusion of an agreement regarding any future water projects, he explained.
Deccan Herald
17-07-2025
- Science
- Deccan Herald
Why Germany is a perfect fit for the scientifically inclined
The Max-Planck-Society, which today boasts 84 institutes and research facilities, was founded in 1911. It ranks among the world's top institutions with the highest number of Nobel Prizes in natural sciences. It also supports its researchers in bringing their innovation to the market.
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Of Nobel Prizes, Crypto Deals & Iran: India Must Harden Redlines Against Trump's Pakistan Pivot
US President Donald Trump has taken the world on a rollercoaster ride — one filled with impulsive declarations, erratic diplomacy, and an insatiable hunger for credit. Imagine this: a patient keeps falling sick repeatedly, but routine diagnoses reveal nothing conclusive. Eventually, it's discovered that the patient had been ignoring a tumour, hoping it would remain benign, and focused instead on a gym routine and a good diet to advance his health. But suddenly, the tumour develops its own blood supply and metastasises — triggering full-blown cancer. That's the warning sign flashing over the India-US relationship. Pakistan is more than a mere irritant in the carefully-crafted India-US relationship. Ignoring it is no longer an option. It's time to draw firm and non-negotiable red lines. And no, crypto sales and Nobel Prizes should not come in the way. US President Donald Trump has taken the world on a rollercoaster ride — one filled with impulsive declarations, erratic diplomacy, and an insatiable hunger for credit. With reckless ceasefire announcements and glaring conflicts of interest, Trump's actions are shaking up alliances, undermining hard-won diplomatic achievements, and jeopardising America's relationship with one of its most important partners: India. Fast forward to today: after the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Esfahan, and Natanz — Iran retaliated by targeting US bases in Qatar, Syria, Iraq, and Bahrain. The attacks were fended off with ease. Then came another Trumpian moment. And even though the theatre this time was in the Middle East, it gave India Deja Vu. Trump abruptly declared a 'total and complete ceasefire" between Iran and Israel on social media. But within hours, the two were bombing each other again. Trump was left furious — so much so that he reportedly dropped the F-bomb. In a Truth Social post, Trump publicly warned Israel: 'ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!" An hour later, he bizarrely claimed Israel would not strike Iran and that Israeli jets would return while doing a 'friendly plane wave" to Iran. The image of Israeli fighter jets waving to Iran in midair — while still over enemy territory — is surreal. Israel, for its part, insisted that Trump was well aware of their plans all along. So who's telling the truth? Trump's way of doing things is not easy to decode. The goalposts keep shifting. The mood keeps changing. And no one, not even friends and allies are safe from his antics. One thing that remains consistent is the desperation for credit — inserting himself into blood-feuds of foreign lands, negating their sensitivities and fishing for praise. It's an enigmatic display of narcissism where decades long conflicts turn into theatres of vanity. A Pattern of Narcissism: Blood Feuds as Vanity Projects This is the story of a president whose foreign policy is increasingly seen as performance art — a series of theatrics designed to position himself at the centre of global flashpoints. According to insider reports, the coverage of Israeli strikes on Iran on Fox News reportedly inspired Trump's decision to launch the B2 bomber strikes on Iran. So it wasn't about strategy. It was about airtime. He repeated this pattern in the Indian subcontinent. Trump inserted himself into the India-Pakistan conflict — falsely presenting a fragile understanding between the two nations as a US-brokered ceasefire. He ignored the reality that India's military pressure had forced Pakistan to the table, not American diplomacy. The Desperate Pursuit of a Nobel One thread tying Trump's chaotic interventions together is his obsession with the Nobel Peace Prize. In a post, Trump mentions a number of conflicts that Trump is unhappy he did not get a Nobel Peace Prize for his intervention in various conflicts. 'I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize…," he laments multiple times. Pakistan has turned this Trumpian obsession into an opportunity. After meeting Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir, Pakistan floated the idea of nominating Trump. It struck the right chords. This week, US Congressman 'Buddy" Carter nominated Trump for the Nobel — citing the supposed Iran-Israel ceasefire and Trump's claim of preventing Iran from going nuclear. Ironically, on the same day, a Ukrainian lawmaker withdrew his nomination for Trump, disillusioned with his failure to end the Russia-Ukraine war — something Trump had repeatedly claimed he could do 'in one day." India Pushes Back: Red Lines and a Reality Check Trump's meddling has had real diplomatic costs. His ceasefire claims robbed India of credit for its military victory. He even suggested mediating in Kashmir — a red line India has upheld for decades by rejecting third-party interference. Trump also claimed he used trade pressure to force India and Pakistan to the table. India's Ministry of External Affairs had to issue multiple rebuttals: No US role in the ceasefire, no room for mediation and no trade discussions tied to de-escalation ever happened. Despite these statements, Trump continued with his narrative. When he skipped the second day of the G7 and called Prime Minister Modi instead, it seemed like damage control. But this came at the exact time Asim Munir was also in Washington. The blatant disregard for Indian sensitivities had crossed all bounds. Munir, India has reason to believe, is the man responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack — and yet Trump has repeatedly played into his hands — making the conflict about the question of Kashmir and not what it really is — Pakistan sponsored terrorism. PM Modi was not having it any more. In a 35-minute phone call, he flayed Trump's narrative to his face. No US role in the ceasefire. It was entirely an Indian military achievement. No prospects of mediation. And no mention of trade. This was India setting the record straight directly with the President, leaving no room for further deniability or confusion. PM Modi shattered the Trumpian narrative with precision. Trump's Dangerous Pakistan Play Trump's growing closeness to Pakistan — particularly its military — poses a threat to India-US relations. Pakistan remains tactically important in the context of Iran— with talk of Pakistan possibly aiding the US in a war with Iran with access to its bases. Pakistan is a US partner in so-called counterterror operations against the ISIS-Khorasan. And theoretically, the US seeks to wean Pakistan off of its dependence on China. It is even more concerning because this is the same Trump that in her first term lashed out at Pakistan for backing terror and cut military aid to it. The president's volte-face from that to calling Asim Munir, an unelected military dictator, a great leader, is a giant red flag that reeks of mischief and malice. Perhaps most concerning is the financial link. A firm majority-owned by Trump's family, World Liberty Financial, is in business with the Pakistan Crypto Council, a newly launched initiative backed by Munir and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif. The firm's founder, Zachary Witkoff, son of Trump ally Steve Witkoff, signed the partnership days after the Pahalgam attack. Pakistani media reports that unorthodox methods were used by Munir to land a meeting with Trump— which ultimately took place in the presence of Steve Witkoff. So Trump now has business ties with Pakistani leaders and it is having a direct impact on how the US government deals with Pakistan, even with regards to India. The implications are dangerous. This is foreign policy compromised by personal financial interests. And it's playing out at the cost of India's security concerns. India must now double down on its red lines to preserve the integrity of its relationship with the US: No weapons supply to Pakistan. Firm action against Pakistani terrorism. No third-party comments on Kashmir. No meddling in the Indus Waters Treaty. No interference when India strikes terror camps across the border. No hyphenation between India and Pakistan. Trust must be rebuilt. Trump's antics have eroded years of careful diplomacy. Future trade deals and Indo-Pacific cooperation must be conditional on America respecting these principles. There are already signs of strain. The much-anticipated India-US trade deal has hit roadblocks. Trump's forceful negotiating style and his problematic stand on Pakistan have derailed progress. India is not willing to play along when its national security and diplomatic credibility are at stake. India is a rising great power. The Indo-US relationship is one of the most consequential of this century. And yet, Trump's pursuit of a Nobel Prize and crypto riches threatens to derail it. With the Quad Summit coming up in India later this year, it's time for Trump — and the US foreign policy establishment — to recalibrate and put diplomacy back in the hands of diplomats. top videos View all Because the future of global stability should not be determined by a president's ego or business deals behind closed doors. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. About the Author Shubhangi Sharma Shubhangi Sharma is News Editor - Special Projects at News18. She covers foreign affairs and geopolitics, and also keeps a close watch on the national pulse of India. tags : donald trump finepoint India-US relations Nobel Peace prize view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 26, 2025, 14:31 IST News opinion Of Nobel Prizes, Crypto Deals & Iran: India Must Harden Redlines Against Trump's Pakistan Pivot | Finepoint Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Arvind Kejriwal says he deserves a Nobel prize; BJP calls claim 'laughable'; AAP fires back
NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva on Wednesday ridiculed AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's recent comment that he deserves a Nobel Prize for governance, calling the remark 'laughable' and claiming the former chief minister would be better suited for awards in 'corruption' and "incompetence," news agency PTI reported. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit back swiftly, urging the BJP to concentrate on delivery and administration in the national capital rather than indulging in "name-calling." "Virendra Sachdeva is in government now. It's time to govern, not just talk. Opposition days are over — now you have to deliver. Delhi is waiting for real work, not distractions or name-calling," said Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj in a statement. Kejriwal's comments, made during the release of the Punjabi edition of the book Kejriwal Model in Chandigarh on Tuesday, praised the performance of his government in Delhi despite hurdles. 'Despite being stopped from working, we delivered. I should get a Nobel Prize for governance and administration for doing so much despite a lieutenant governor and various difficulties,' he said. Reacting sharply, Sachdeva accused Kejriwal of presiding over a regime tainted with scams. 'Kejriwal demanding a Nobel Prize is laughable. The people of Delhi are stunned. If there were Nobel Prizes for incompetence, anarchy, and corruption, he would have surely received one,' Sachdeva said. He cited alleged scams during Kejriwal's tenure — including the controversial renovation of his official residence, dubbed the 'Sheesh Mahal' by BJP, and other issues such as the classroom construction project, liquor policy, and pension schemes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kejriwal, who served as Delhi chief minister from 2015 until September 2024, had defended his governance model at the Chandigarh event, claiming that it was rooted in honesty. 'If a government is corrupt, if its ministers are looting, this model will collapse,' he said, adding that the AAP model had also shown results in Punjab. 'Previous governments claimed the treasury was empty. But we fixed schools and hospitals, gave free electricity — because we curbed corruption and saved public money,' he added. Taking aim at the current BJP administration in Delhi, Kejriwal alleged that services had 'collapsed' since the AAP exited office. Sachdeva countered that Delhi's residents had not forgotten the 'scams' that took place under AAP's watch — citing issues like panic buttons in buses and mismanagement of welfare schemes for women.
