What Are mRNA Vaccines That Earned Two Scientists Nobel Prize In Medicine?

The coronavirus pandemic brought global renown to the mRNA technology that underpins vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, and on Monday earned a Nobel Prize for two scientists who have been key to its development. 

Katalin Kariko of Hungary and Drew Weissman of the United States won the Nobel Medicine Prize for their work on "nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19".

These types of jabs are new but researchers have been working for decades to try to figure out how to use messenger RNA (ribonucleic acid) for other vaccinations and to treat illnesses from AIDS to cancer. 

How does it work? 

Messenger RNA's job in the body is to help deliver specific instructions from DNA to cells. In the case of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna jabs, lab-generated mRNA tells human cells to create antigens -- proteins that are similar to ones found in the Covid-19 virus.

Thanks to those antigens, a person's immune system learns how to fight the virus and neutralise Covid if it enters the body.

After the cells create these proteins, the body breaks down the mRNA instructions and gets rid of them.

Such direct communication with cells is revolutionary -- classic vaccines aimed to provoke an immune response by injecting a neutralised form of a virus or antigens into the system. 

Where did this come from?

The first big breakthrough, in the late 1970s, was in using mRNA to make test-tube cells produce proteins. A decade later, scientists were able to get the same results in mice, but mRNA still had two major drawbacks as a medical tool.

For one thing, cells in live animals resisted synthetic mRNA, provoking a dangerous immune response.

On top of that, mRNA molecules are fragile, making them difficult to deliver to the system without altering them.

In 2005, Kariko and Weissman of Penn State University published a groundbreaking study showing that a lipid -- or fat molecule -- envelope could safely deliver mRNA without negative effects. 

The research caused a buzz in the pharmaceutical community and start-ups dedicated to mRNA therapies began to pop up around the world.

What else can mRNA do? 

Scientists have worked on developing mRNA jabs for illnesses like seasonal flu, rabies and Zika, as well as those that have remained vaccine-resistant until now, including malaria and AIDS.

Researchers have also started testing personalised treatments on cancer patients, using samples of the proteins in their tumours to create specialised mRNA.

This then triggers the immune system to target specific cancer cells.

"The mRNA platform is versatile," University of Pennsylvania biochemist Norbert Pardi told AFP. "Any protein can be encoded as mRNA so there are many potential applications."

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Mother Glued To Her Phone, 3-Year-Old Drowns At US Water Park: Cops

A three-year-old boy drowned at a waterpark in Texas, United States, while his mother was engrossed in her phone for hours, singing along to music, according to the police. However, her lawyer blamed lifeguards for not being attentive, as reported by The New York Post. The incident occurred at Camp Cohen water park in El Paso.

Jessica Weaver (35) faced accusations of negligence and was charged in connection with the tragic death of her only child, Anthony Leo Malave. Several eyewitnesses also held her accountable for the incident, citing her alleged reckless inattentiveness in the lead-up to her son's drowning during the "soft opening" of the city-owned park in May, as reported by the El Paso Times.

On August 30, Mrs Weaver was apprehended in her hometown of Indiana, where she willingly agreed to extradition. She was then placed in custody at the El Paso County Jail on September 22 and was released on a $100,000 surety bond, according to the news outlet.

During the incident, it was one of the 18 lifeguards on duty at the park who rescued the three-year-old from a four-foot-deep section of the pool.

The child was not wearing a life vest, even though the facility had these devices available for guests, as reported in the paper.

Signs at Camp Cohen indicate that children under six must be actively supervised by a swimming adult, with an adult nearby for oversight at all times.

One witness described a woman who matched Mrs Weaver's appearance as being entirely absorbed in her phone by the pool, not looking up or paying attention to anything, for over an hour.

Another witness mentioned that the woman, whom he believed to be alone, was continuously taking photos while she was at the pool.

A third individual witnessed the woman singing along to a song playing and reclining, engrossed in her phone, approximately seven minutes before the child/victim was pulled out of the water, according to the report.

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INDIA Bloc Will Find Way Out: Akhilesh Yadav On AAP-Congress Punjab Fight

Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday took a swipe at the ruling BJP in the state, saying that people in UP have decided to 'remove' the BJP from power.

Mr Yadav, while talking to the media, hoped that BJP would lose in the upcoming poll like the way it lost in the by-poll of UP's Ghosi.

"With the strategy that the INDIA alliance is making, I hope that the people of India will remove the BJP... Especially people in Uttar Pradesh have decided to remove the BJP... In Ghosi by-elections, people made the BJP lose by 50,000 votes," Mr Yadav said.

Notably, Samajwadi Party's Sudhakar Singh won the Ghosi bypoll which was concluded recently.

This was the first win by the opposition INDIA alliance and a test for the unity of the opposition bloc as none of them fielded candidates in Ghosi and chose to support the Samajwadi Party candidate.

Earlier in the day, while addressing a public gathering in UP's Noida, SP Chief said that his party has played a major role in framing policies for the infrastructure that are getting implemented today by the BJP-led government in the state.

"The infrastructure that we see now, every government has attempted to make this area better...I can claim that the SP has played a major role in framing policies for the infrastructure that we see today getting implemented..." he said.

However, on being asked about the Aam Adami Party (AAP) against Congress in Punjab, Mr Yadav said that the Opposition bloc- INDIA will find some way out.

"We (INDIA alliance) will find some way out... Because all the parties that are against each other (in states) want to defeat the BJP... The Samajwadi Party will help to defeat the BJP in Madhya Pradesh...The SP will work towards defeating the BJP..." he said.

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"Won't Walk Away From Ukraine": Biden After New Bill Drops Aid For Kyiv

Hours after the short-term spending bill was passed to avoid a government shutdown, US President Joe Biden on Sunday assured that Washington will "not walk away" from supporting Ukraine, CNN reported.

This comes after the spending bill didn't include new aid for Ukraine. Biden also called on the Republicans to keep their word about support for Ukraine.

"There's no Ukraine funding in this agreement...Despite that, I did not believe we could let millions of Americans go through the pain of a government shutdown," Joe Biden said in his address after signing the bill.

"I want to assure our American allies and the American people and the people of Ukraine that you can count on our support. We will not walk away," CNN quoted President Biden as saying.

The president further said that he would hold Republicans "accountable to their previous signals" of support for Ukraine.

"But let's be clear. I hope my friends on the other side keep their word about support for Ukraine. They said they were going to support Ukraine in a separate vote," CNN quoted the president as saying.

"We cannot, under any circumstances, allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted," he added.

Joe Biden said that he fully expects House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to "keep his commitment to secure the passage and support needed to help Ukraine as they defend themselves against aggression and brutality".

He added that there is broad bipartisan support for Ukraine's war effort. "Let's vote on it," he said.

Joe Biden also chastised Republicans and the pattern of "governing by crisis" during remarks from the White House on Sunday.

"Folks, the truth is we shouldn't be here in the first place. We shouldn't have gotten here in the first place. It's time to end governing by crisis and keep your word when you give it in the Congress," CNN quoted him as saying.

However, the President refrained from weighing in on whether Democrats should help McCarthy keep the speakership, as conservatives attempted to oust him over his handling of the shutdown negotiations.

"I don't have a vote on that matter. I'll leave that to the leadership in the House," Joe Biden added.

Notably, the original drafts of a spending bill to avert the shutdown included aid for Ukraine, but the funds were ultimately removed over concerns the measure could not pass over the objections of some conservatives, CNN reported.

Bipartisan members of Senate leadership released a joint statement on Saturday committing to vote on further funding for Ukraine aid "in the coming weeks." Congress will need to negotiate another funding bill by mid-November, CNN reported.

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Digital Passports: These Countries Are Early Movers

Finland became the first country to launch digital passports, aiming to streamline and enhance international travel.Finnish travellers departing from Helsinki to the UK now have the option to present a digital ID on their mobile device instead of their physical passport, according to Euronews. The Finnish Border Control has noted that this marks the first instance worldwide where a digital passport is accepted in a genuine border control setting, promising a more efficient and seamless travel experience.

The initiative was launched on August 28 in collaboration with Finnair, the Finnish police, and airport operator Finavia. The Finnish Border Guard is overseeing the trial, which will continue until February 2024 at Helsinki Airport's border control.

How do these digital passports function?

Interested travelers must initially download the FIN DTC Pilot digital travel document app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. To use the app, a phone screen locking method such as a PIN number, fingerprint, or face ID must be activated before installation.

Subsequently, travellers must register with the police at Vantaa Main Police Station's license services. This registration entails booking an appointment and presenting a valid physical passport to create its digital counterpart. During the registration process, individuals will provide consent and have a facial photo taken for facial recognition purposes.

Once registered, travelers can use DTC at Helsinki Airport when flying directly to the United Kingdom and returning to Helsinki Airport on Finnair flights until the trial concludes in February 2024. Before each trip, travelers must transmit their data via the app to the Finnish Border Guard 36 to 4 hours prior to departure.

Digital passports worldwide

Several countries have launched or are planning similar initiatives. In alignment with Finland, Poland, South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom are also developing digital passport projects. Notably, in 2021, Ukraine granted digital passports the same legal status as physical ones.

Singapore introduced HealthCerts in February 2021, a digital health passport that securely stores and presents Covid-19 test results and vaccination records for travelers. Additionally, countries such as China, Estonia, and Israel have introduced digital vaccine passports.

Where India stands

On the occasion of Passport Seva Divas on June 24, 2023, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the commencement of the second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP-Version 2.0), which will include new and enhanced e-passports. Jaishankar emphasized the commitment to providing passports and related services in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent, and efficient manner.

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Iconic House From Netflix Show 'Sex Education' Up For Sale

The iconic chalet-style riverside home that featured in the hit Netflix series 'Sex Education' is up for sale for 1.5 million pounds, BBC reported. The home has been a central location in the storyline, serving as the home of lead characters Otis Milburn, portrayed by Asa Butterfield, and his sex therapist mother Jean, played by Gillian Anderson.

The property, located in Symonds Yat near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, was listed online on Thursday. The beautiful home, being sold by Knight Frank, sits on the banks of the river Wye and boasts five bedrooms and three bathrooms over three floors. It also has a custom-painted wood kitchen, a conservatory, a stone pizza oven, a lawn, a summer house, an orchard, and a Swedish hot bath.

''After 21 years of ownership, we've decided to put our beautiful chalet up for sale. Such a privilege to have been the custodian of this wonderful property,'' a post on the Chalet's Instagram said.

See the post here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Chalet, Symonds Yat East (@thechaletsymondsyat)

The description for the property reads: "Under the current ownership, the property has featured in many location shoots including the Channel 4 series, Extraordinary Escapes and globally acclaimed Netflix series, Sex Education. The setting of The Chalet is quite exceptional with stunning views of the Wye Gorge from its completely hidden and wooded position."

''There is also pedestrian access from its grounds down to the River Wye. The property is approached over a very long in-and-out drive, through woodland. There are breathtaking views over the Wye River to the south and north from the interior, and from the strategically built decked external balcony terraces,'' it further read. 

The Norwegian design chalet was built in 1912 for use as a salmon fishing lodge. The then-owner saw and purchased it when it was first exhibited in London at the Ideal Homes exhibition that same year. It was then completely renovated when bought by the current owner in 2002.

Here are some pictures of the house:

Real estate agent James Toogood of Knight Frank Bristol, told the BBC: ''The fact that this property is so well known only adds to the appeal of what is an incredibly rare opportunity to own a spectacular home.''

Not just Sex Education, the luxurious home has also been featured as the location for other TV projects. The fourth and final season of Sex Education, which stars Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Alistair Petrie, Mimi Keene and Aimee Lou Wood, was released September 21 on Netflix.

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Afghan Embassy Announces Decision To Cease India Operations From Today

The Afghanistan Embassy in India announced Saturday night that it is ceasing its operations from October 1, citing a lack of support from the host government, failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan's interests, and a reduction in personnel and resources.

In a statement, the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi said it regrets to announce the decision to cease its operations, effective October 1, 2023.

"It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations," the statement said.

The embassy said that this decision, while deeply regrettable, is made after careful consideration, taking into account the historic ties and long-standing partnership between Afghanistan and India.

The Embassy statement also listed key factors affecting its ability to continue the mission effectively and said that they were the primary reasons for the "unfortunate closure".

The Embassy cited a "lack of support from the host government", alleging that it has experienced a notable absence of crucial support from the host government, which it said hindered its ability to carry out duties effectively.

Failure To Meet Expectations

The mission also cited "failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan's interests" as one of the reasons.

"We acknowledge our shortcomings in meeting the expectations and requirements necessary to serve the best interests of Afghanistan and its citizens due to the lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul," it said.

It also said that due to unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, there has been a significant reduction in both personnel and resources available to it, making it increasingly challenging to continue operations.

"The lack of timely and sufficient support from visa renewal for diplomats to other critical areas of cooperation led to an understandable frustration among our team and impeded our ability to carry out routine duties effectively," the statement said.

Given these circumstances, "it is with deep regret that we have taken the difficult decision to close all operations of the mission with the exception of emergency consular services to Afghan citizens till the transfer of the custodial authority of the mission to the host country," it said.

The embassy has been headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay. Mr Mamundzay was appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani government and he has been operating as the Afghan envoy even after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Power Tussle

In April-May, the embassy was rocked by a power struggle in the wake of reports of the Taliban appointing a charge d'affaires to head the mission, replacing Mr Mamundzay. Following the episode, the embassy came out with a statement that there was no change in its leadership.

The tussle for power had erupted after Qadir Shah, who was working as a trade councillor at the embassy since 2020, wrote to the MEA in late April claiming that he was appointed as the charge d'affaires at the embassy by the Taliban.

India is yet to recognise the Taliban set-up and has been pitching for the formation of a truly inclusive government in Kabul, besides insisting that Afghan soil must not be used for any terrorist activities against any country.

In its statement, the Afghan Embassy said this step is being taken in the best interest of the people of Afghanistan.

In accordance with Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), all property and facilities of the Embassy will be transferred to the custodial authority of the host country, it said.

The embassy said it also wishes to address recent speculations and provide clarity on certain matters of importance.

In the three-page statement, the embassy categorically refuted any "baseless claims" regarding internal strife or discord amongst its diplomatic staff or any diplomats using the crisis to seek asylum in a third country.

"Such rumours are unfounded and do not reflect the reality of our mission. We remain a united team working towards the best interests of Afghanistan," the embassy said.

The embassy also said it would like to verify the "authenticity" of an earlier communication with the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the intent to close the mission.

"This communication accurately represents our decision-making process and the factors leading to the closure," the statement said.

"We request the government of India to give serious consideration to the four requests outlined in the official note verbally submitted earlier. Specifically, we emphasize the importance of permitting the hoisting of the Afghan flag over the properties of our premises, as well as facilitating the smooth transition of the mission's buildings and assets to a legitimate government in Kabul in the future," the statement said.

The embassy also acknowledged that, given the gravity of this decision, "there may be some who receive support and instructions from Kabul that may differ from our current course of action".

The Embassy of Afghanistan made an "unequivocal statement" regarding the activities of certain consulates.

"It is our firm belief that any actions taken by these consulates are not in consonance with the objectives of a legitimate or elected government and rather serve the interests of an illegitimate regime," the statement said.

The embassy also said it is keen to reach an agreement with the Indian government at the earliest possible juncture.

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