US President Barack Obama has decided to donate his about $1.4 million Nobel Peace prize money to charities, report agencies.

However, no decision has been made which charities or charity would get the prize money which the President would receive from the Nobel Committee at a function later this year.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Obama would himself travel to Oslo to receive the award.

Obama, who was himself surprised by this announcement, said the Nobel Peace award to him represents hopes of millions and millions throughout the world and is not just the achievements of one person. Continue Reading

 Indian-American Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, 57, has won this year’s Nobel Prize in chemistry, the Nobel Foundation announced on Wednesday.  He shares it with Thomas Steitz, an American, and Ada Yonath, an Israeli.

  The three scientists won the prize for their research into ribosomes, which are protein-producing structures found in all cells.  Ramakrishnan used X-ray crystallography — the same method used by the discoverers of DNA — to map the thousands of microscopic atoms that make up a ribosome.The Nobel committee described ribosomal protein synthesis as “one of life’s core processes.”  Antibiotics based on Ramakrishnan’s model will save lives and decrease suffering, the Committee added.Well known as ‘Venky’ in India’s scientific circles, Ramakrishnan, has been a visiting lecturer at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, for many years. He was born and schooled at Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu and graduated from M.S. University in Vadodara, Gujarat, before moving to the United States for his Ph.D. from Ohio University. He is the seventh person of Indian origin to win the Nobel.“People here are very excited,” said P. Balaram, director of IISc.  “His is one of the most magnificent pieces of work in structural biology.”

Mitchell Johnson capped a tumultuous year by becoming the sixth winner of the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, after being named as the ICC World Player of the Year at cricket’s annual awards ceremony in Johannesburg. Johnson, who shot to prominence during Australia’s memorable series win in South Africa in February and March, claimed the title ahead of his fellow nominees, Gautam Gambhir, Andrew Strauss and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.Johnson was a surprise choice for the title, not least because of the massive and very public crisis of confidence he suffered during Australia’s Ashes defeat in England, particularly in the pivotal second Test at Lord’s which England went on to win after Johnson’s first-day figures of 2 for 107 in 19 overs. But when he got his game right he was nigh on unplayable, as his sensational performances against South Africa demonstrated. With 80 wickets in 17 matches, he was the most prolific strike bowler of the year, and he also recorded his maiden Test century and an unbeaten 96 against South Africa.

“I’m really blown away,” said Johnson. “I am just surprised to be up here. It has been a great 12 months for our side. We have lost some wonderful players in recent years and we have been rebuilding with some young guys in the team and we have played together well.”

India’s star opener, Gambhir, was named as Test Player of the Year, after an impressive haul of 1269 runs at 84.60 in the eight Tests during the qualification period. “It’s been a dream run for me. I never thought it could be like this but life has changed for me and I am very happy,” said Gambhir. “As a unit we have played very well and I am just glad to contribute to the overall success of the team.” Continue Reading