Y chromosome linked to cancer risk

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Swedish researchers have found that male Y chromosome has a potential role in preventing tumors and death risk in men.

The study shows that the men who lose the Y chromosome in their blood cells due to an age-related phenomenon have a higher risk of cancer and may have shorter life spans.

The findings may explore why the rates of certain cancers are higher in men than women, researchers say.

The study’s researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden analyzed blood samples from more than 1,150 men aged 70 to 84, who were followed for up to 40 years.

The observation revealed that men with significant Y chromosome loss in their blood cells lived an average of 5.5 years less than those who did not experience such a loss.

Study also unveiled that the men who had a significant Y chromosome loss appeared to have a much higher risk of dying from cancer, according to the research report presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, in San Diego on October 21.

Researchers believe that Y chromosome genes may enable blood cells to help immuno-surveillance, where the immune system detects and kills tumor cells.

“Many people think the Y chromosome only contains genes involved in sex determination and sperm production. In fact, these genes have other important functions, such as possibly playing a role in preventing tumors,” said the study co-author Dr. Jan Dumanski, a professor at Uppsala University in Sweden.

The findings may provide a new method of early detection of cancer risk in men through assessing the state of the Y chromosome via blood tests, suggested Lars Forsberg, the study’s lead author.

FGP/MKA/HRB

Uruguay’s election may go to run-off

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Exit polls in Uruguay’s presidential election indicate that the polls may go to a run-off, despite leftist ruling coalition candidate Tabare Vazquez having a strong lead.

The exit polls from the Sunday election showed that Vasquez may have to face center-right rival Luis Lacalle Pou in a second round vote.

Exit polls showed Vazquez receiving 44 to 46 percent of the votes against Lacalle Pou with 31 to 34 percent.

If confirmed, the run-off will be held on November 30.

Meanwhile, partial results from Sunday’s legislative elections showed Vazques’ party Broad Front could win an absolute majority in the parliament.

Vazquez, 74, is an oncologist who served as president from 2005 to 2010. He has campaigned on the platform of reducing the country’s poverty, improving education and working conditions, and expanding welfare coverage.

Pou, a 41-year-old lawyer and legislator who served as the president of the Chamber of Deputies in 2011, is considered a moderate conservative.

Incumbent President Jose Mujica, also of the Broad Front, did not run in the election, as the country’s constitution barred him from participating for a second consecutive term.

The South American country of 3.3 million has a developing economy thanks largely to Mujica’s programs. Since 2005, the country’s economy has grown an average 5.7 percent each year. The number of people living in poverty has declined sharply to 11.5 percent from more than a third in 2006.

CAH/HJL/HRB

Jordan raps Israel settlement expansion

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Jordan’s ambassador to Israel has slammed Tel Aviv over its illegal settlement expansion on Palestinian territories, warning that the move threatens Amman’s peace treaty with the Israeli regime.

The Jordanian envoy, Walid Obeidat, said Sunday that the peace treaty between the two sides would be threatened if Tel Aviv continued to build settlements on occupied Palestinian lands.

“All such acts are incompatible with international law and international humanitarian law and if allowed to continue will ultimately imperil the treaty,” said Obeidat.

In addition, the Jordanian ambassador said Amman opposed an attempt by far-right Israelis to change the status quo of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying Jordan is against any alterations to the mosque, which is Islam’s third holiest site.

Obeidat made the remarks while addressing an event marking the 20th anniversary of the peace treaty. The deal signed in 1994 made Jordan Israel’s second ally in the Arab world after Egypt, which had inked a treaty in 1979.

Tel Aviv faces widespread global condemnation of its land grab policies, which have been among the major reasons behind the failure of US-led talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank including East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

The United Nations and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in the 1967 war and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.

CAH/HJL/HRB

Muharram Majalis begins across cities in Nigeria

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Following by beginning of the first Majlis of Ashura mourning at the Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria, Nigeria, members of the Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria led by His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky across Nigeria have begun commemoration of Ashura Majalis, Tuesday, the second day of Muharram 1436 AH.

In Kaduna the gathering took place at the Markaz located at Zango area with multitude of people in attendance.

It began with songs of lamentation for Imam Hussain (as) by Shu’ara followed by drama depicting the Ashura tragedy by Youth Forum of the Islamic Movement.

In his lecture, Ameer of the Kaduna zone, Malan Mukhtar Sahabi traced the genesis of Ashura to the disregard of Ghadeer Khum declaration by the Holy Prophet on the Imamate of Ahlul Bayt (AS).

He explained that, the disregard to that declaration led to the subsequent hatred and denial of Imamate of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (AS), which late gave way to Ashura tragedy.

“Infact, the plot to kill Imam Hussain (AS) was hatched at Saqifah Banu Sa’’ad, when some section of Companion met and imposed a ‘Khalifah’ on the Muslim Ummah after the demise of the Holy Prophet (S)”, he added.

Malan Mukhtar Sahabi who cleared some misconceptions on Ashura tragedy, said the commemoration of the tragedy on yearly basis by followers of Ahlul Bayt despites severe opposition has made it widely accepted now.

He also used the opportunity to remind members of the obligation of supporting the construction of Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah Zaria, and called for donation in the approved boxes provided.

In Kano, the event took place at the Fagge Juma’at Mosque with much large crowd than last year, as the session was complemented by increased public attendance.

Shaikh Turi began by welcoming people to the new Islamic calendar and stressed the importance of being up to date with the Hijiri calendar.

He urged people to use the period in the service of Allah.

Sheikh Turi also inaugurated the donation box towards completion of construction of Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria and called for sacrifices.

Guest speaker, Sheriff Shubli called on people to intensify remembrance of event of Karbala to reach every nook and corner so as to keep it alive.

















 

Nearly 30 killed in Benghazi clashes

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Fresh heavy fighting between pro-government forces and militants has claimed the lives of nearly 30 people in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.

A Libyan army spokesperson said on Sunday the clashes have resulted in fierce exchanges of fire in different parts of Libya’s second-largest city.

“A number of army units today broke into houses of militants suspected of violence in the city in the past few months,” said Ahmad al-Mismari.

“The army has gone through fierce battles in different parts of the city, especially in the western entrance,” al-Mismari added.

The latest casualties bring the death toll since the beginning of the military operations in mid-October to at least 170.

On Wednesday night, the Libyan military forces, backed by armed supporters of former General Khalifa Haftar, entered the flashpoint city of Benghazi for the first time in two months.

Spokesman for Libya’s special forces Meloud al-Zewi said that though the new advances are a step forward in the liberation of Benghazi, there is still a long battle ahead of the Libyan army.

The new moves came after Libya’s internationally recognized Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani announced last week that the country’s army and its allied forces were ready to recapture the capital Tripoli and Benghazi.

Libya’s government and elected parliament moved to Tobruk after an armed group from Misrata seized Tripoli and most government institutions in August.

The new Tripoli rulers have set up a rival parliament and government not recognized by the international community.

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The North African country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down arms. The groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics and the country’s vast oil resources.

DB/NT/AS

Acid culprits to be dealt with ‘harshly’

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says his administration is pursuing the recent case of acid attacks on women with all its might, adding that the culprits will be harshly dealt with.

The Iranian president said in a cabinet session on Sunday that the three ministers, tasked with following up the case, had delivered their report to the cabinet earlier in the day.

Rouhani on Thursday tasked the ministries of the interior, intelligence, and justice with launching an investigation into the sensitive case after he was briefed about the attacks against young women in Isfahan.  

President Rouhani also reassured the Iranian nation that his administration would leave no stone unturned in examining all aspects of the “inhumane” and “hideous” acts.

“The issue was an inhumane event, incompatible with any principles, and is the most heinous act that an evil person can commit in the society,” the president added.

Rouhani said the recent events in the central city of Isfahan were attempts to harm the country’s “national security and the administration will exert every effort for the establishment of security in the society.”

He added that his administration would do whatever it can to provide support for the victims of the attacks.

“No clemency” will be granted to the attacker or attackers and they will be given the maximum penalty, he further noted.

The president also warned against making “baseless accusations” against any particular person or group before the real culprits are arrested.

Reports of a spate of acid attacks against women in Isfahan have triggered grave concerns among the Iranian public and led to widespread speculations in the press and social media.

On October 20, Iranian Judiciary spokesman, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje’i, pledged serious and prompt action against the attacks.

IA/NT/AS

Ebola outbreak is hoax: Prof. Fetzer

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The Ebola outbreak is a hoax which is being perpetrated on the American people to justify imposing martial law in the United States, a political commentator in California says.

In an interview with Press TV on Sunday, Professor James Henry Fetzer said, “The situation with Ebola is very strange indeed, because there are multiple indications that it’s some kind of fraud or hoax or scam being perpetrated on the American people.”

“There’s a new Ebola false-flag exposed, compilations of evidence [are] available on YouTube now,” he added.

A nurse who just returned from Sierra Leone has condemned the US government for a 21-day mandatory quarantine despite testing negative for the Ebola virus.

Kaci Hickox said in an article on Saturday that she was “made to feel like criminal,” after she was placed in quarantine at a New Jersey hospital upon her return from West Africa.

On Friday, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a new policy, which requires those who had contact with Ebola patients to go through mandatory isolation for three weeks.

“This is not a situation I would wish on anyone, and I am scared for those who will follow me,” Hickox wrote in the article.

Professor Fetzer stated that “the purported Ebola outbreak is being used to justify sending troops to Sierra Leone and other West African countries.”

“There’s nothing surprising here because America continues to use its military force abroad to advance the interests of private corporations and profit-making,” he added.

The Pentagon says it is planning a 3,600-strong force to fight the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. At the moment, there are over 500 active-duty US troops in Liberia and Senegal on the mission.

“There’s good reason to be skeptical about what’s going on here in the United States. And I am terribly troubled that they are trying to create a cause that is going to instill fear into the American people to justify imposing martial law here in the United States,” Fetzer said.

“I no longer believe in the United States’ government.  It has a terrible record when it comes to telling the truth on any serious subject,” he noted.

The Ebola epidemic has already killed 4,922 out of the 10,141 known cases in eight countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

There is currently no known cure for Ebola, which is a form of hemorrhagic fever with diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding as its symptoms.

The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with infected blood, feces or sweat. It can also be spread through sexual contact or the unprotected handling of contaminated corpses.

Recently, more experts have said that the Ebola virus is a genetically modified organism and was developed in US bio-warfare laboratories in West Africa.

In a recent interview, Dr. Francis Boyle of the University of Illinois said, “My opinion is that the origins of the current pandemic came out of the USA bio-warfare labs in West Africa.”

He added that the US has been “using West Africa as an offshore to circumvent the Convention on Biological Weapons and do bio-warfare work.”

GJH/GJH

NGOs Welcome United Nations General Assembly Concerns over Bahrain

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On 23 October 2014, Liechtenstein delivered a statement during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders, Michael Forst, expressing concern over reprisals against human rights defenders in Bahrain at the Third Committee meeting of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Americans for Democracy Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB), the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) welcome the statement and praise Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Slovenia and Sweden for supporting it.

“We are grateful to Liechtenstein and the supporting countries for expressing their concern regarding the ongoing reprisals against human rights defenders in Bahrain,” said Husain Abdulla, ADHRB’s Executive Director. “Only through pressure from the international community will the Bahraini government realize that it can no longer target human rights defenders with impunity and end such abuses.”

The statement noted with concern the Government of Bahrain’s renewed campaign against human rights defenders, which stands “in stark contrast to the acceptance by the Government of Bahrain of UPR recommendations made in 2012 regarding the abandoning of any restrictions on human rights defenders.” Supporters of the statement asked the Special Rapporteur to comment on the current engagement between the mandate and the Government of Bahrain, particularly as it pertains to scheduling a visit to the country.

“By accepting 158 recommendations provided through its 2012 Second Cycle UPR, the Government of Bahrain made a commitment to the international community that it would implement reform and end reprisals against human rights defenders. Clearly, this hasn’t happened,” said Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, Director of Advocacy at BIRD. “We urge the Bahraini government to immediately arrange for Special Rapporteur Forst to visit the country so he may investigate the situation of human rights defenders in Bahrain.”

Supporters of the statement also noted that “several human rights defenders have been arrested or otherwise faced reprisals due to their activities on social media.” In Bahrain, the use of repressive terrorism laws from July 2013 has led to an increase in judicial reprisals against human rights defenders for expressing themselves, particularly via social media.

Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), was arrested on 1 October 2014 and charged with insulting the Ministry of Interior and the Bahrain Defense Forces for a comment he made on his personal Twitter account. The government arrested Rajab the day after he returned from an advocacy tour in Europe, where he spoke about human rights abuses in Bahrain at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, addressed the European Parliament in Brussels, and visited foreign ministries throughout Europe.

“Not only is the supposed crime for which Rajab has been charged a clear human rights violation, but the timing of his detention indicates that he is being targeted for his human rights work,” said Sayed Yousif Almuhafdah, Vice President of BCHR. “Human rights defenders must be free to conduct their peaceful activism without fearing reprisals from their government.”

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