http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8298580.stm
US President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel Committee said he was awarded it for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples”.
The committee highlighted Mr Obama’s efforts to strengthen international bodies and promote nuclear disarmament.
There were a record 205 nominations for this year’s prize. Zimbabwe’s prime minister and a Chinese dissident had been among the favourites.
The laureate – chosen by a five-member committee – wins a gold medal, a diploma and 10m Swedish kronor ($1.4m).
A little bit premature? Perhaps. But to people who say “I can’t believe they gave Obama the Peace Prize”, I say “I can’t believe Fox News gave America George W Bush”. At least some good is coming as a result of the former. And if it annoys racist Republicans, then that’s the icing on the cake.
Indeed, the nominations closed 11 days after he was elected… 11 days!