Trump has chosen Indian-American COVID Policy Critic Jay Bhattacharya to'restore NIH back to a Gold Standard,' along with RFK Jr

Jay Bhattacharya has been appointed to lead the US's leading medical research agency. He is the person who called COVID lockdowns "the single biggest public health error".

Donald Trump, President-elect, has appointed Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as the new director of the National Institutes of Health. He is a critic of vaccine mandates and pandemic lockdowns.

In a statement released Tuesday evening, Trump said that Bhattacharya will work with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to direct the nation's medical research and make important discoveries to improve Health and save lives.

He wrote: "Together Jay and RFK Jr. restore the NIH back to a Gold Standard of Medical Research, as they investigate the underlying causes of and solutions to America's greatest Health challenges, such as our Crisis of Chronic Illness and Disease."

The choice of Bhattacharya to fill the position is yet another example of the impact that the COVID epidemic has had on public health politics.

Bhattacharya is one of three co-authors of the Great Barrington Declaration. This open letter from October 2020 argues that lockdowns are causing irreparable damage.

Documents that were published before COVID-19 vaccines became available and during the first Trump Administration promoted "herd Immunity," or the idea of people living normally at low risk while accumulating immunity to COVID-19 by infection. The document stated that protection should be focused on those at greater risk.

Bhattacharya stated in March 2021, during a panel convened Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis.

Some members of the first Trump administration embraced the Great Barrington Declaration, despite it being widely condemned by disease experts. Francis Collins, then-NIH director, called it dangerous and not mainstream science.

The Senate would have to approve his nomination.

Jim O'Neill will be the deputy secretary for HHS, Trump announced on Tuesday. O'Neill is a former HHS employee. Trump announced that O'Neill will "oversee all operations, improve Management, Transparency, Accountability, to Make America Healthy Again".

O'Neill, the only Trump health pick so far with experience in the bureaucracy, is the first to bring that knowledge into the role. Trump's prior choices for public health agencies, including Kennedy, Dr. Mehmet OZ for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator and Dr. Marty Makary for Food and Drug Administration Commissioner -- were all Washington outsiders that promised to shake up agencies.

Bhattacharya was a plaintiff, too, in Murthy V. Missouri. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that federal officials suppressed conservative opinions on social media, as part of efforts to combat misinformation. In that case, the Supreme Court sided against the Biden administration.

Musk invited Bhattacharya, who had joined Twitter, to his headquarters in 2022 to find out more about the restrictions on his opinions. Musk renamed the platform X. Bhattacharya posted on X that scientists were leaving X to join the alternative website Bluesky. He mocked Bluesky by calling it "their little echo chamber."

Bhattacharya argues that mandates banning unvaccinated individuals from certain activities and places of work undermines Americans' faith in the public healthcare system.

He was a research fellow at Hoover Institution, and he is an economist with the RAND Corporation.

Kennedy has been nominated by Trump to be the HHS Secretary. The National Institutes of Health is part of HHS. The NIH budget of $48 billion funds medical research in the areas of cancer, vaccines and other diseases by awarding competitive grants to institutions throughout the country. The agency conducts its research as well, with thousands of scientists at NIH laboratories in Bethesda.

NIH funding has supported the development of many new cancer drugs, a drug to treat opioid addiction and a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer.

Read More

How Does Hard Water Affect Geysers? Harsh water can have detrimental effects on a geyser

 

Your geyser shouldn't fail when you need it most! Like all appliances, geysers have limited lifespans and over time their performance may deteriorate; hard water being one of the major culprits. Have you noticed it takes longer to heat water or increased energy bills as a result of hard water issues? These could be signs that hard water has an adverse effect on its efficiency causing it to work harder and wear faster over time reducing its lifespan and efficiency.

With these helpful tips, you can prevent your geyser from being damaged by hardwater.

Hard water with its high levels of calcium and magnesium minerals often goes undetected, yet can have a dramatic impact on both its lifespan and performance. Over time, its minerals cause limescale build-up which damages heating elements while decreasing efficiency resulting in increased energy costs and shorter service lives.

How can you ensure the longevity of your water heater? Follow our easy steps and extend its lifespan! We have tried these strategies ourselves and provide suggestions based on our successful solutions implementations.

What Is Hardwater? Hard water refers to any body of water with a high concentration of calcium or magnesium-containing minerals dissolved by passing over deposits of limestone and chalk. Hard water does not pose any direct danger to health but may pose issues for household appliances, like geysers, by leaving mineral deposits inside; over time this buildup could decrease efficiency and eventually cause malfunction.

How Hard Water Affects the Lifespan of Geysers

Hard water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium which accumulate gradually inside geysers over time, leading to various issues with them. Below we outline how hard water impacts geysers:

Scale Formation One of the primary issues caused by hard water is scale buildup. Scale forms when minerals from the water settle on heating elements or walls inside of geysers, acting as insulation barriers against efficient heating elements.

Geysers must work harder than normal to heat water, decreasing efficiency. Over time, this strain will eventually cause its heating element to degrade, leading to increased repair costs or even total replacement of the unit.

Hard water can also lead to clogged valves and pipes, as mineral deposits build up in pipes, valves, and other parts of a geyser's components, restricting water flow through it and potentially leading to blockages that interfere with its performance or even stop working altogether. Reduced water flow has an adverse impact on pressure as well as making it harder for geysers to heat the water required by users.

Reduced Efficiency

Scales and clogs impede geyser efficiency, with mineral deposits hindering heating efficiency resulting in increased energy usage and increasing utility bills.

Increased stress to geyser heating elements and internal parts also increases wear-and-tear and reduces their lifespan, leading to decreased efficiency, higher energy consumption, and frequent breakdowns that require costly repairs.

Hard water can have numerous adverse impacts on a geyser. One effect could be slow heating time; scale accumulation on its heating element could be the source.

Increased electricity bills due to working geyser: Mineral deposits cause more energy use by the geyser, leading to higher bills and usage charges.

Cloudy or discolored water: Cloudy or discoloured water may be due to mineral deposits which buildup within your geyser and reduce both performance and quality of water output.

Geyser breakdowns can occur frequently: Harshwater causes geysers to wear out quickly, leading to frequent breakdowns and frequent repairs.

Low Water Pressure:Scale buildup in pipes can reduce water pressure, leading to inconsistent hot water supplies and reduced pressure levels.

Unusual Sounds: Popping and crackling sounds from your geyser could indicate mineral buildup, which reduces its efficiency.

Rust or stain around the geyser.These areas indicate mineral deposits or corrosion from hard water on metal parts that has accumulated within its environment.

Uneven Temperature of Water: Water temperature fluctuations occur when scale accumulates on heating elements and disrupts their functioning.

Also Read: 10 Best Water Heater Geysers in India - Making an Impact

1. Installing a water softener

Softeners reduce minerals in water, helping prevent scale build-up and protecting your geyser so it works more effectively.

2. Perform Annual Servicing To protect its longevity and keep operating efficiently, perform annual servicing on your geyser to clean, descale, and address any potential problems before they escalate into something more serious.

3. Install Anti-Scale Devices

To prevent mineral deposits from accumulating in your geyser, install anti-scale magnetic or electronic devices that prevent scale accumulation.

4. Clean your geyser regularly

To maintain an efficient tank, regularly use descaling agents and flush out sediments by flushing. At least every three months use descaling agents and flush your sediments away to maintain optimal performance of your geyser.

5. Opt for corrosion resistant geysers

Geysers that feature tanks made of stainless steel or glass tend to outlive those made with other materials and handle hard water more effectively.

6. Install a Prefilter System Add a prefilter before your geyser to help trap dirt and sediment for cleaner water. This will prevent dirt build-up that would otherwise enter through its intake pipe and make for poor performance of your geyser.

7. Water temperature should be maintained at an acceptable level

To protect your geyser and ensure smooth operations, avoid setting the thermostat too high as hotter water could increase mineral deposits inside it.

8. Switch out worn out parts

In order to keep your appliance performing well and protect itself against potential hard water damages, regularly replace worn-out heating elements or metal anode rods with newer versions.

Best practices to extend the life of your geyser Set your thermostat to its ideal setting of 50degC-60degC for optimal heating while reducing mineral build-up. When not in use, shutting off your geyser will save energy and wear on its components, saving both money and wear on them over time.

Drain the tank on a regular basis to eliminate sediment and rust build-up, and switch it off during voltage fluctuations to protect your geyser by switching it off. Insulating your water heater helps save energy usage while maintaining water temperature stability.

Hard water can be an insidious adversary to your geyser's efficiency and lifespan, but you can protect your appliance by understanding its effects and taking proactive steps like regular maintenance, using water softeners, or providing proper care to ensure optimal performance and reduced energy bills as well as longer geyser life during winter months.

Read More

Esha Verma, Rupali Ganguly’s stepdaughter, slams the 'cruel and extortionate' Rs 50 crore defamation lawsuit: ‘Punished for saying truth'

Esha Verma said, when talking about her half brother Rudransh that "I never included a minor in any of my statements".

Esha Verma has clarified her recent comments and videos. She is the stepdaughter Rupali Ganguly. Esha Verma, the stepdaughter of actor Rupali Ganguly, has clarified her comments and videos in recent weeks. She also criticized her father, Aswhin verma. Esha clarified, when speaking about her half brother Rudransh that "she never involved a child". Esha said in her lengthy note that this would be her final statement about the matter.

Esha wrote in her statement: "Hello everyone, I am Esha Verma and earlier this week, I took the difficult decision to tell my story about my father and growing up. This decision attracted widespread attention on social media. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done. But it has also been a pivotal moment in my life. It brought me clarity, peace and freedom from years of silence. "I was aware of the impact this would have on me, but also on my family and friends. I treated it with the greatest care."

Esha said she had never intended to harm anyone. "For 24 Years, I felt trapped by a reality that I could not escape. My way to find freedom and justice was by sharing my experiences. It was never my intention to harm anyone, but rather to bring to light experiences that have shaped me. By doing so, my hope was to help others who may be going through similar experiences, particularly when it comes down to family dynamics. "As an American citizen, it is my right and I have exercised that right," she said.

She also criticized Rupali, and her father Ashwin. "To make a point, a child shouldn't be punished because they speak their truth. Despite being an adult, I'm still my father’s child. Their response to my comment was shocking, cruel and showed their true character. Esha said that I wasn't just an anonymous person speaking out, but someone directly affected by their family.

Esha remembered how she had been criticised once for her appearance during a photoshoot. "I do not have any professional connections to Bollywood or Indian entertainment, nor have i attended or taken part in professional photoshoots or auditions in India. In 2017, someone who I had mentioned in my story made comments about my appearance during a photoshoot. These remarks affected my self-esteem deeply as a young woman, but I have worked hard to rebuild it and grow since then. "I want to encourage people to celebrate their unique features, and to accept the traits that have been passed down from generation to generation. They are what make us who we really are," she said.

Esha speaks about Rudransh: "I never included a minor in any of my statements." What I said was true: I found out about a marriage on February 6, 2013, and discovered later on August 25, 2013 that they had a baby. Media published any additional interpretations without my consent or input. "I only addressed two people directly and spoke about my personal experiences."

After posting my last statement which was based on my own personal experiences , I decided to archive it 48 hours later and deactivate some platforms. It was not because I was afraid, but rather I wanted to keep my peace and concentrate on the moment. This is my final statement in this matter. This statement has only one purpose: to clear up any misconceptions or uncertainties about my story and its responses. This statement is not meant to provoke further debate on this issue. In the future, I will refrain from participating in interviews, discussions or comments about this issue. "My focus is now on healing, rebuilding and embracing the new chapter of my own life," she added.

"The last few weeks were overwhelming. I took the necessary step back in order to recharge myself and my family. I've come to realize that family isn't always defined by blood, but rather by the love and support of those who stand by you. I'm ready to leave this behind, with dignity and peace. This experience was incredibly difficult, but also reminded of my strength, and resilience. I am excited to welcome this new chapter in peace, dignity and authenticity with those who matter most to me. Let's put this behind us and work together to create a brighter future. "Thank you for standing by me," she concluded.

Esha criticised Rupali in an Instagram video. Ashwin sent Esha a defamation letter for Rs 50 crore. Esha then deleted the video, and her account was made private. Rupali's attorney recently stated that Esha has yet to respond to notice.

Read More

They don't mention Bumrah. The focus was all on Virat Sharma ...': Hussain about the world's greatest bowler

Jasprit Bumrah nearly single-handedly swung the first Test in India's favor against Australia. Hussain claimed that he wasn't discussed as much by the media as Kohli or Rohit.

JaspritBumrah confirmed his status as one of the world's best bowlers with an incredible performance during India's 295 run win over Australia at the first test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. Former England captain Nasser Hassain said he was glad that he did not have to play against Bumrah.

Hussain stated that he wondered why Bumrah wasn't mentioned as much in the buildup to the match. India's batting line-up was the main talking point, especially after New Zealand humiliated them in a series at home.

"He has the slower ball, the Yorker, the Bouncer... Before the game I thought, as he was giving the press conference, I was watching. I noticed that the entire focus was on Kohli and Rohit Sharma's absence, the balance of the Indian team, Steve Smith and whether these great players would get runs. I was thinking, "They don't talk much about Bumrah." It could be (because) Bumrah is a pitcher. Hussain said on Sky Sports Cricket that "batters are highlighted much more".

Bumrah's 5/30 figures, while he was the captain of the visitors in Rohit’s absence, helped them to get back into the game. Australia was all out for just 104. Virat Kohli and Yashasvi jaiswal both scored centuries, and a 201-run opening stand between KL Rahul and the former helped India set Australia a massive target of 534. Bumrah claimed three wickets when Australia was all out for 238, a total of 534.

Bumrah has a career average of 20,06, which is second best among all bowlers with at least 150 test wickets. His average is actually the highest among all bowlers who have played in a Test match since the Second World War. Only the English legend Sydney Barnes (who played between 1901-1914) has surpassed him.

Barnes has a record of 189 wickets in 27 Test matches at an average 16.43. Barnes' first-class records are even more impressive - 719 bowlings in 133 games at an average that is hard to believe - 17.09. Bumrah has 181 wickets in 41 Tests, with an average of 20.06. Bumrah has 181 wickets in 41 Tests, with an average of 20.06.

"Bumrah is right up there with Sydney Barnes, isn't it? It is amazing that he has consistently scored under 20 for a very long time. Hussain said, "He is the world's best bowler of all formats."

Read More

Maharashtra CM suspense ends today? BJP, firm on Devendra Fadnavis's name, says no to Bihar formula

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shindre resigned as a constitutional requirement, but the suspense about the CM's position continued.

Maharashtra CM News: Despite intense negotiations between the Mahayuti Alliance on who will take the top position in Maharashtra – Devendra Fadnavis, or Eknath Shindel – the Bharatiya Janata Party has indicated that it is not possible to replicate the Bihar formula in order to obtain the chief ministership of the state.

The Maharashtra chief Minister Eknath Shindre resignedon Tuesday as a constitutional requirement, but the suspense about the CM post continued.

Prem Shukla, BJP's national spokesperson, told HT: "Firstly, it was announced that Nitish Kumra would be the new CM before the elections. In Maharashtra there was no commitment to the shiv Sena. Second, we formed a coalition with Janata Dal-United in Bihar to allow the BJP to gain a foothold in the state. This did not occur. There is no way to replicate the same thing in Maharashtra."

Prem Shukla said that the Maharashtra model is not the same as Bihar's. In Maharashtra, such an engagement is not justified as our organisational base and leadership are stronger. Above all, the Party never committed to continue with Eknath as CM following the elections. The top leadership insisted throughout the election that a CM decision would be based solely on the results of the elections.

Raosaheb Danve, a former union minister and BJP election coordinator, refuted claims by some Sena leaders that Shinde had been promised the top position before the election. The process of selecting the CM is underway. He said that two parties had already chosen their legislative leaders and the BJP would do so soon.

Some BJP leaders have said that the Shiv Sena's push to get Shinde the position has not been well received by the central leadership. The party was informed of this and a Sena-led show of force planned for Tuesday morning at Varsha was cancelled. Shinde was informed by the BJP that the CM post would be retained by his party, according to a Sena leader.

Read More

World Chess Championship - How Ding Liren stunned Gukesh in the first game with black pieces at the "fishtank"

World Chess Championship :D Gukesh buried his face into his hands, unable accept how quickly the momentum shifted during the first match of the World Chess Championship versus Ding Liren.

The World Chess Championship started with promise. The 18-year old strutted into the arena, nicknamed "the fishtank", a soundproof room with mirror glass to prevent players from hearing outside noises or looking out. He exuded the confidence of a youngster. He took control of the game in just a few moves. The day ended in a mad dash to avoid losing time, and then with a resignation of white pieces after 42 moves.

Ding Liren tried to surprise him by using the French Defence. It was like a Hail Mary, playing too early in a World Chess Championship.

But Ding was not without his reasons. "Because this was his first match, I thought he would be nervous at the beginning. Ding said, "I tried to play a game that I hadn't played in a while. The Chinese GM used the French Defence against Ian Nepomniachtchi in a loss.

Gukesh was able to deal with Ding Liren’s trick without any difficulty. Ding spent 27 minutes considering his move after the seventh. It was strange to have to think for so long and hard, when it was he who was trying to take the initiative.

Gukesh was already in a significant lead on the clock by the time Ding had made his seventh move. He spent less than a minute making seven moves. Ding used over half an hour. "I clearly surprised him in his opening. Gukesh said later, "I was playing some really good chess."

Caution is advised

Gukesh was reckless on the 10th move. His pawn in the g-file raced to g4 abandoning any plan to protect his king on the corner of the king's side. Plan was to push Ding's pawn in the e-file with a quick f5 pawn move. Ding had already lost 48 minutes by this point.

The first games in the World Chess Championship should be tepid draws. This is a chance to gauge the current confidence and form of your opponent. Grandmasters will throw a few blows to test the opponent's jaw, just like prize fighters.

Not Gukesh. He chose to enter the game without his guard up, daring his adversary to throw a Haymaker. This game looks already complicated. It's a little out of control. It was too much for a Game 1", said Xie, a former Chinese women's champion who was in Singapore to watch the event.

The situation was about to become more complex. Gukesh let Ding's Knight plant itself on b2, allowing it to create mayhem in his back ranks. Ding's Queen jumped onto d3, next to Gukesh, on the 21st Move. However, the knight on the b2 protected her. Gukesh committed a grave error at that point, as he retreated his queen from e1 to d3, just after slipping behind the clock in the game for the first.

This move forced his most powerful piece to a corner. Ding's pieces began to smell blood when they were in the 'fishtank. A rook moved to attack an unprotected knight. A bishop scurried past Gukesh’s defensive line. Ding's pieces took positions to launch a coordinated attack on Gukesh king.

Gukesh had already scrambled by the time he made his 33rd move. To avoid running out of time, he needed to make seven moves within 45 seconds. He was able to make his 40th move in the last second of the clock. He had to give up two moves later because Ding already had three pawns. China's world champion leads the best of 14 contest 1-0.

Ding has now won two classical games against Gukesh. Both with black pieces.

It is the first match since the 2010 World Chess Championship that has finished with a winner. Gukesh may find some comfort in the world championship of 14 years ago. Viswanathan, his mentor, had lost the opening game to Veselin Topolalov. Anand won the title despite this. Gukesh will now try to follow in the footsteps of Anand, after following his example for many years.

Read More

Maharashtra govt. formation: BJP to consult Sena and NCP about CM, as party backs Devendra Fadnavis

The BJP has convened a New Delhi meeting with Shinde Fadnavis Pawar in order to discuss the details of power sharing and the composition of the cabinet. After the meeting, an announcement is expected.

According to sources within the party, Devendra Fadnavis, BJP, appeared to be in the lead for the position of Chief Minister, with the Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shind and NCP’s Ajit pawar serving as Deputy Chief Minsters.

Sources in the BJP state claimed that the party leadership in Delhi cleared the name Fadnavis to be CM. However, a Shiv Sena source said: "There was no consultation with our party on making Fadnavis CM. Our party hasn't agreed on a name for CM."

A Shiv Sena functionary said that Shinde was "still on the table" and there had been no decision made about the CM position. The functionary indicated that the party was not in a hurry to relinquish the position easily. "Talks are underway... There will be several rounds of discussion before the name is announced." It could take some time."

The BJP has convened a New Delhi meeting with Shinde Fadnavis Pawar in order to discuss the details of power sharing and the composition of the cabinet. After the meeting, an announcement is expected.

It is reported that the BJP leadership assured its allies it would do its best to accommodate their concerns while maintaining its own interests.

The leadership doesn't want to anger Shinde, who was the Mahayuti Chief minister during the campaign for the Assembly elections. The BJP wants to persuade Shinde to accept their choice.

It is understood that the leadership wants Shinde, to suggest Fadnavis. The BJP must maintain the image of a friendly coalition leader, a BJP official said.

BJP leaders cited the mandate where the party won 132 of the 288 members in the House, 13 seats short of a majority. Shinde, they feel, would be a weak CM if he took up the position.

BJP leaders cited the fact that the party only won 132 of the 288 seats in the House, 13 short of a majoritarian majority. Shinde, they feel, would be a weak CM if he took up the position.

A second source claimed that the Sena could receive around 12 ministerial posts and some important portfolios. The NCP may also receive around 10 ministerial positions.

In Maharashtra, the maximum number of ministers that can be in the Council of Ministers is 43. This includes the Chief Minister. The BJP will likely keep 21 ministerial berths to itself.

Sources indicated that the four top portfolios, Home, Finance, Urban Development and Revenue, that the BJP wanted to retain, would be shared now with alliance partners.

Party insiders have said that the BJP may insist on Finance and Home. Negotiations on portfolios and ministerial positions will continue.

Shiv Sena believes, however, that if Shinde's CM position is denied, Uddhav and his party would have the opportunity to take on Fadnavis, and the BJP. The Uddhav group will accuse them of using Shiv Sena symbol and name to gain power, and then abandoning it. Source: "It may well turn into a BJP vs Maharashtra battle."

Sena's arsenal also includes the consolidation of Maratha vote. The Sena says that if Shinde continues as CM the BJP would generate goodwill from the community – the Sena argument being that Shinde was the leader who “demolished” the Congress and prevented them from securing Maratha vote. The party also reminds the BJP of the Shinde government’s welfare measures and “good governance”.

Some BJP members do not dismiss the arguments of the Shinde group outright. These leaders warn that "any attempt to marginalize Shinde may affect the BJP’s chances in Maharashtra's local body elections".

Read More