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Rubio wears ‘Maduro Nike Tech’ on Air Force One to Beijing, sparks buzz: ‘We love Marco’

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sparked controversy after he was reportedly spotted wearing the same “Nike Tech” worn by Nicolas Maduro when he was arrested. According to a post on X, Rubio wore the outfit on Air Force One while traveling to Beijing with the president Donald Trump.

Marco Rubio wears “Maduro Nike Tech” on Air Force One flying to Beijing (@StevenCheung47/X, Truth Social)
Marco Rubio wears “Maduro Nike Tech” on Air Force One flying to Beijing (@StevenCheung47/X, Truth Social)

White House Communications Director Steven Chang shared a photo of Rubio wearing the garment, writing on the X: “Secretary Rubio wearing the Nike Tech ‘Venezuela’ on Air Force One!”

X users soon began sharing collages of Rubio and Maduro in the same “Nike Tech.”

Eric Daugherty wrote on X: “LMFAO! Sec. Marco Rubio Just spotted wearing Nicolás Maduro “Nike Tech” aboard Air Force One heading to China with President Trump. Just like what Maduro was wearing when he was captured on 47. We love Marco”.

The White House also shared the photos, writing: “A complete moment.”

“Rubio has a great sense of humor”

Netizens reacted to the photo in the comments section. “Wow, is he going to DJ on the plane too?” one user wrote. “I wish he had brought lots of blankets so he could hide in and get some rest lol,” another wrote. “Rubio has a great sense of humor. Seems like a fun guy,” one user wrote, while another joked, “Wearing the most physically comfortable (but probably socially uncomfortable) Halloween costume in/out?”

Learn more | Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, wife dragged from bedroom in US raid: report

“This is a crazy spoof at this point,” one user wrote, while another said, “But in Adidas? Come on man.” “Marco looks healthy. Attention American men. Cheer up. We need you,” one user said.

Many others shared photos of Rubio wearing the outfit. Take a look:

Maduro arrested

Maduro He and his wife were captured by the United States in January. Officials told CBS News the operation to capture Maduro was carried out by Delta Force, the U.S. Army’s elite special forces unit.

At the time, Defense Secretary Peter Heggs welcomed the troops involved in the mission. “I saw the best of America, and I saw the men and women who dedicated their lives to defending our country and fulfilling this mission,” he said. “Despite any obstacles in front of them, they got the job done.”

Learn more | 150 planes, 30 minutes: How the US captured Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela’s ‘fortress’

Hegseth added that Trump “gave them a clear mission and they accomplished it.”

Meanwhile, Rubio told reporters at the time that Maduro had a chance to leave Venezuela and avoid capture by the United States. “Nicolas Maduro had many opportunities to avoid this,” Rubio told reporters at Mar-a-Lago. “He had a lot of very, very generous offers, but he chose to act like a wild man.”

Rubio did not elaborate on the terms being offered to Maduro but said, “There’s a lot of opportunity for this guy to find his way somewhere else. … He could be living somewhere else right now, very happy, but he wants to play the big boy role, so now he’s got a bunch of other problems on his hands.”

1.24 million pharmacists join shutdown on May 20, drug supply may be hit

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New Delhi: Patients across the country may face disruption in routine medicine purchases on May 20 as over 1.24 crore pharmacists prepare for a nationwide shutdown of medicine sales and heavy discounts on e-pharmacy platforms.The All India Organization of Chemists and Pharmacists (AIOCD) said the protest was aimed at highlighting the risks to patient safety posed by unregulated online sales of medicines. The association claims medicines are being delivered without proper verification, leading to reuse of prescriptions and easier access to antibiotics and addictive drugs. It warned that artificial intelligence-generated fake prescriptions and uncontrolled sales of medicines could exacerbate antimicrobial resistance (AMR).The agency also opposed the continued relaxation of COVID-19 regulations under GSR 220(E), claiming that digital platforms were using temporary provisions to bypass the safeguards of the drug regulations. It calls for withdrawal of GSR 220(E) and GSR 817(E) related to e-pharmacy operations.Retail pharmacists say deep discounts from large online platforms are threatening the survival of neighborhood pharmacies, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where local pharmacies remain the first point of access to care. The association claims that nearly 50 million people who rely on the pharmaceutical trade could be affected.AIOCD chairman JS Shinde and general secretary Rajiv Singhal said the issue was “not just a trade issue but a patient safety issue” and warned that if action was not taken before May 20, the unrest could intensify.The Association of Chemists said emergency medicines would continue to be available in some areas during the lockdown.

Kyle Loftis’ funeral plans and obituary are heartbreaking as questions surround 1320Video founder’s cause of death

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funeral arrangements Kyle Loftis, founder of 1320 Video The obituary was shared online and broke the hearts of many in the racing community. Loftis died on May 5, 2026, at the age of 43. Sarpy CountyNebraska.

1320Video founder Kyle Loftis has released funeral plans and obituary following his death. (Facebook/Kyle Loftis)
1320Video founder Kyle Loftis has released funeral plans and obituary following his death. (Facebook/Kyle Loftis)

Today, the obituary has been published shared and details of funeral arrangements at Legacy.com. The obituary was further shared on Facebook within the racing community, prompting reactions from many Loftis fans.

Kyle Lofty’s obituary

“Kyle was born in Lincoln, Neb., to Steve and Linda (Draper) Loftis. He attended Rousseau Elementary School, Pound Middle School, Lincoln Southeast High School, and graduated from the Peter Kiewit Institute, UNO School of Information Science and Technology. Kyle was proud to be an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America),” the obituary began.

The statement noted that Loftis was born on September 21, 1982. “While attending UNO, Kyle became interested in cars and the automotive industry, as well as events on the track. This led him to found 1320Video in 2003. After college, Kyle worked at PayPal for 9.5 years. He decided to leave PayPal to focus on 1320Video full-time. With his loyal team of volunteers and employees, his company has grown to a staggering 6.3 million followers on his Facebook site and 3.8 million followers on his YouTube channel With 2.8 million followers on Instagram, Kyle is widely regarded as one of the most influential people in the automotive world. His catchphrase is “I’ll Make You Famous.”

ALSO READ | Kyle Loftis suffers gunshot wound? Fact-checking scan report after 1320Video founder dies

“More importantly, however, to his friends and family, he was known as one of the kindest, most compassionate people to ever grace the planet. Always happy, always inspiring others, always kind, always humble. Always smiling. Hundreds of people mentioned how they would always miss his laugh and how he lit up when he walked into a room. Light up a room. Kyle is survived by his mother Linda (Draper) Loftis; sister Kelly (Loftis) Davis and her husband Chris, as well as his two nephews: JC and Wyatt who adored the ground he walked on; his partner Matt Furbanak and Matt’s family, as well as his 1320Video family and many dear aunts, uncles and cousins.”

“He was preceded in death by his father, Steve Loftis of Tekama and Lincoln; his paternal grandfather, Tom Loftis of Tekama/Herman; grandparents: Helen (Loftis) Matzen and Norman Matzen of Tekama/Blair; Laverne Draper and Elda (Larson) Draper of Sidney, Nebraska. Kyle’s family respectfully requests that Kyle’s family and friends continue to attend the memorial service. (All 1320Video Family), and friends of the family so we don’t overwhelm the church,” the obituary added.

Kyle Loftis Funeral Arrangements

Funeral services for Loftis were held at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home in Nebraska. The post also outlines details of the funeral and arrangements.

“Join the family at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Lincoln, on Thursday, May 14. 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., 6800 South 14th Street, Lincoln, NE. Enter through Gate 3. 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15 at First Plymouth Church. 2000 D Street, Lincoln, NE. Live streaming will be provided,” the post read.

“For those who wish, it is perfectly acceptable to attend the memorial service in casual attire. If you have 1320Video, clothing…just wear it. Hats may be worn during the visitation on Thursday, but please remove them while inside the church on Friday. Biscuits and refreshments will be provided following the service,” it added.

“In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial tributes be sent to the following organizations that held a special place in Kyle’s heart:

First Plymouth Congregational Church 2000 D Street Lincoln, NE 68502,

50 Mile March Foundation 3906 Capehart Road Bellevue, NE 68123,

Nebraska Humane Society 8929 Fort Street Omaha, NE 68134

Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 South 14th Street Lincoln, NE 68512,” it concluded.

Some expressed sadness and continued to mourn Loftis. “The automotive community is so proud that they never even mentioned the things mentioned in his obituary. We don’t even care who he loved. We just know he was a legend and a car guy like us,” one wrote, while another wished to “rest in peace.”

“This guy is a legend and for those who are worried, his sexual orientation has nothing to do with who he is, it is an aspect of him that is meant to be preserved or shared and he will be missed in the car world period!!” added another.

Questions surrounding Kyle Loftis’ death

No cause of death was provided in Kyle Loftis’ case. There are rumors that he died by suicide after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but these have not been confirmed. Authorities ruled Loftis The death is not suspicious.

The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office stated, “On the evening of May 5, 2026, Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office and Gretna Fire Department personnel responded to the home of Kyle Loftis. Loftis was pronounced dead; his death was not suspicious. Out of respect for privacy, we will not be releasing further details. Any further inquiries should be directed to the 1320 Video Team.”

Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office Capt. said deputies from the department and Gretna Fire Department personnel went to his home there. First responders found Loftis dead at the scene, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

As Congress pressures Pentagon over Iran war costs, Hegseth pushes for Trump’s $1.5 trillion 2027 defense budget

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As Congress pressures Pentagon over Iran war costs, Hegseth pushes for Trump's $1.5 trillion 2027 defense budget

U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Heggs The U.S. defense secretary defended President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion military budget before lawmakers in the House and Senate on Tuesday as Congress pressures the Pentagon over the rising costs of the war with Iran, weapons stockpiles and the administration’s long-term strategy in the conflict.The hearing comes as the Trump administration faces growing economic pressure from Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is an important shipping corridor through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil normally flows.Hegseth told lawmakers that the ceasefire with Iran remains in effect despite the recent exchange of fire. Appearing before Congress after his Senate testimony, one Democrat warned, “You have had a series of tactical successes but are on the verge of strategic failure.”While Hegseth struck a more conciliatory tone at the hearing than in previous hearings, lawmakers from both parties expressed concerns about the war’s expanding costs and its impact on military readiness.Pentagon officials told Congress that the cost of the war with Iran has now climbed to nearly $29 billion, up from a $25 billion estimate provided nearly two weeks ago. Pentagon Comptroller Jay Hurst said about $24 billion of that amount was used to replace ammunition and repair equipment, with the remainder covering operating expenses for deployed troops. The estimate does not include the cost of repairing or rebuilding damaged U.S. military bases in the area.Lawmakers also questioned whether the conflict had strained U.S. arms supplies, a suggestion Hegseth rejected.At the same time, Heggs acknowledged that the government was taking action to increase weapons production to support the conflict and prepare for future military operations.The government’s proposed 2027 defense budget includes $750 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense system, $102 billion for aircraft procurement and research and development, nearly $75 billion for drones and counter-drone technology, and $65 billion for the construction of 18 naval warships and 16 support ships.In January, Trump said he wanted to increase the U.S. military budget by half next year to $1.5 trillion.Trump said on “Truth Social”: “I have decided that in the interest of our country, especially during this very difficult and dangerous time, our military budget for 2027 should not be $1 trillion, but $1.5 trillion.”“This will allow us to build the ‘Dream Army’ we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, will allow us to remain safe no matter the enemy,” the president said.Trump said the increase would be supported by revenue generated from tariffs imposed since he returned to office.The administration plans to allocate about $1.1 trillion to defense through the regular appropriations process and expects to allocate another $350 billion through budget reconciliation, which will allow Republicans to pass measures without Democratic support.The proposal comes as the United States faces an annual deficit of nearly $2 trillion and a national debt of more than $39 trillion.

Rahul ‘strongly opposed’ to choice of next CBI director; meeting ended in just 5 minutes

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New Delhi: Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday expressed strong objections to the selection process for the next IBI chief at a high-level panel meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he did not want to be part of a “biased exercise”.In his two-page dissent, he claimed that the government has reduced the electoral process to a formality and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) cannot be a rubber stamp.“By denying the Selection Committee important information, the government has reduced it to a mere formality. The Leader of the Opposition is not a rubber stamp.“I cannot abdicate my constitutional obligations by participating in such a biased exercise. Therefore, I express my objection in the strongest possible terms,” ​​Gandhi said in his objection submitted to the prime minister during the meeting.The panel headed by the Prime Minister, including Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Gandhi, met at the Prime Minister’s official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.Gandhi also accused the government of misusing the chief investigative agency to target opposition leaders, journalists and critics.“I am writing to you in my capacity as Chairman of the committee established to recommend the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to record my objections to its procedures. Your government has repeatedly abused the CBI, which is intended to be India’s premier investigative agency, to target political opponents, journalists and critics.“It is to prevent this institutional capture that the Leader of the Opposition was included in the Selection Committee. Regrettably, you continue to refuse to allow me to play any meaningful role in this process,” he said in his dissent.The LoP said that despite repeated written requests, he was not provided with self-evaluation reports or 360-degree reports from qualified candidates.“Instead, I should have inspected the assessment records of the 69 candidates for the first time during the committee meeting. The 360-degree report was flatly rejected,” he said.

Negotiations to select CBI chairman ended in just 5 minutes

Sources said the meeting ended after five minutes as Rahul Gandhi did not participate in the name discussion. The remaining 35 minutes were spent asking questions about Iran and other issues. Rahul said this deliberate denial of information without legal basis made a mockery of the selection process and would ensure that only “your pre-decided candidates get selected”. “I cannot abdicate my constitutional obligations by engaging in biased activities,” Rahul said in his post on X. The Leader of the Opposition is not a rubber stamp. “

Jonny Lamb’s funeral: Gateway chapel choice raises eyebrows amid Robert Morris row; ‘Who thought it was a good idea?’

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Daystar Co-Founder and President Jonny LambFuneral arrangements spark backlash over choice of church. Lamb died at the age of 65. The official cause of death was not announced, but Daystar noted that she suffered back injury Health issues became complicated for her.

Funeral services for Joni Lamb will be held at Gateway Church. (X/@Protestia)
Funeral services for Joni Lamb will be held at Gateway Church. (X/@Protestia)

Now, they’ve announced her funeral plans on social media. They wrote: “Thank you for the love, prayers and memories you have shared with us since Joni’s passing. Joni truly loved sharing her life with you here at Morning Star Family, and as we come together to celebrate who she was and what she meant to us, nothing will ever be the same without you.”

ALSO READ | ‘Jonny Lamb’s cause of death was bone cancer’: Updated fact-checking statement after Daystar founder dies of ‘back injury’

Daystar added: “Please join us for a special memorial service on Monday, May 18, at Southlake Gateway Church, open to the public, Texas“.

Joshua Simone of VeilTear Ministries publicly questioned the choice and pointed out the sins of former pastor Robert Morris.

What did Joshua Simone say at Joni Lamb’s funeral?

Simone on X wrote: “Who thought it would be a good idea to hold a memorial service for Daystar CEO Joni Lamb at Gateway Church?”. He added, “Gateway Church was once the largest megachurch in the United States, but attendance dropped by half after its founder, Pastor Robert Morris, sexually abused a 12-year-old girl. Morris had just been released from prison over Easter weekend for this crime.” He also said, “Why didn’t they choose another church? This charismatic church is in desperate need of a righteous reform.”

Some tried to defend the move. “They were probably anticipating a large turnout and needed a place big enough to accommodate everyone,” one person said. wrote. other additional“Now there’s a different priest. Should all the bricks and mortar be punished too? Maybe they should burn it to ashes? Get over it! You’re judging.” Yet another shared “I believe that was her home church and Rachel still goes there and I think she posts photos from there from time to time.”

Meanwhile, Gateway Church is trying to put the Robert Morris Chapter behind it. On May 12, it was reported that the church and Morris had ended their legal battle over a multimillion-dollar pension package in Tarrant County. Morris recently served six months in the Osage County Jail on child sexual abuse charges.

The charges came after Morris was accused of abuse by Cindy Clemishire, who was 12 at the time. An attorney for the Morris family commented on the legal dispute with Gateway Church, saying “the parties have reached an agreement on an appropriate arbitration forum to resolve their dispute, which will now be heard in that forum rather than in state court.” They added that “the state court proceedings are therefore dismissed,” according to CBS News.

Who is Higa Maya? Twitch streamer makes history with first TED talk and standing ovation

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Who is Higa Maya? Twitch streamer makes history with first TED talk and standing ovation
Maya Higa made history as the first Twitch streamer to deliver an official TED Talk, earning a standing ovation from the Vancouver audience. In her speech, she talked about using live streaming to inspire animal conservation through her Alvis Animal Sanctuary. Maya revealed that since 2019, her community has raised more than $7.5 million for conservation efforts. Fans and other creators praised the exciting moment online, calling it a major milestone for Twitch and digital creators.

Maya Higa just reached a milestone that has never been achieved by a Twitch streamer before. The popular content creator and wildlife advocate received a standing ovation after becoming the first Twitch streamer to deliver an official TED Talk. What started as casual live streaming years ago has grown into one of the internet’s most unexpected success stories, blending online entertainment with real-world environmental impact. This exciting moment took place in Vancouver, Canada, as Maya took to the TED stage to explain how live streaming helped her develop a global audience passionate about animal protection. At the end of the speech, the crowd stood and the anchor, visibly stunned, responded softly: “Thank you.”

Maya Higa becomes first Twitch streamer to give a TED Talk

During her talk, Maya reflected on how her career transitioned from games and variety shows to a mission-driven platform focused on wildlife education. She explained that traditional classroom outreach inspired her early goals, but the online content allowed her to reach people on a completely different scale.

watch

Wildlife sanctuaries you can visit from anywhere | Higa Maya | Ted

“Instead of reaching 20 kids at a time in a classroom, I’m reaching thousands of people at a time around the world. I want to do that for the rest of my life,” she said. That vision eventually became Alves Animal Sanctuary, her Texas-based conservation center that combines wildlife rescue efforts with live-streaming technology. The sanctuary streams live animals online around the clock, while also supporting endangered species breeding programs and educational outreach. Maya revealed that her community has raised more than $7.5 million for conservation causes since 2019. Even more notably, she said her livestreams had more than 250 million viewers in 2025 alone, which she compared to the impact in millions of classrooms. She also described Alveus as one of the most accessible zoo experiences in the world because anyone with an internet connection can learn about animals from anywhere.

Maya Higa’s TED talk inspires Twitch fans to stand up and applaud

The standing ovation quickly became one of the most talked about moments among Twitch fans and creators online. Many credit Maya with helping change the public’s perception of live streaming and proving that content creators can make meaningful contributions that go far beyond entertainment. After the event, Maya shared a touching message on X, calling the experience the “most impactful experience” of her life. She added, “It is a privilege to share a stage and community with so many talented and thoughtful people.” Later in a live broadcast, Maya explained that years of live streaming had helped her become comfortable speaking in front of large audiences. She also revealed that she wore a fan-given bracelet during TwitchCon because she wanted her community to feel like she was there with her during her presentation. As her TED Talk makes history online, Maya Higa is doing more than just breaking barriers for Twitch creators. She has proven that when internet communities are built with purpose, real change can be created far beyond the confines of the screen.

Unfortunate incidents happen from the border, we are ready to quell it: Navy chief-designate after Munir warns

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New Delhi: In response to Pakistan Army Field Marshal Asim Munir warning India against any “unfortunate incident in future”, indian navy Chief Vice Admiral Designate Krishna Swaminathan said that “adverse incidents will not happen anywhere or at any time in India” and asserted that India is ready to counter and quell any “unfortunate incident” from the other side of the border.Vice Admiral Swaminathan, who will take over the naval reins upon the retirement of Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi on May 31, said: “…India has been in a reactive mode. Such actions (unfortunate incidents) come from across the border. People can say what they want but as far as we are concerned, India will remain prepared.”Addressing a defense event organized by Bramha Research Foundation in Mumbai on Monday, the Lieutenant General stressed that the country has been a victim of terrorism for many years and operation sindor Specially targeted at terrorist camps and terrorists involved in Pahalgam terror attack. He said the country cannot accept terrorist activities, especially from foreign territories, noting that “Operation Sindoor” is still continuing.He said that under the current international situation, the global security environment is undergoing profound changes. Outlining that nearly 95 per cent of India’s trade volume and around 70 per cent of its trade value continues to transit through maritime transit, he said India’s competitiveness depends on safe shipping routes. “The Indian Ocean is, and has always been, India’s playing field. Today, the Indo-Pacific region has become the decisive battlefield of 21st century geopolitics. The Indian Ocean is becoming more contentious, more focused, and more influential. The Indian Navy is the guardian of this domain,” he said.On defense opportunities for MSMEs, he said, “I just think it will take some time for MSMEs to find momentum. Producing defense-grade equipment in any country is not something that can be done quickly; you have to do it slowly and methodically… (Our) specifications are very strict. You don’t get anything off-the-shelf. Everything needs to start with an idea. So, technology in most industries around the world does take some time to mature.”

‘It could happen’: Shane Watson opens up about KKR’s plans to stop Virat Kohli

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IPL 2026: 'It could happen' - Shane Watson on KKR's plans to stop Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore (ANI Photo)

Assistant Coach, Kolkata Knight Riders Shane Watson Admits his team wants to make mistakes early Virat Kohli KKR take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in a crucial IPL 2026 match on Wednesday.Kohli Once again one of RCB’s standout performers this season, scoring 379 runs in 11 games at an average of 42.11 and a strike rate of 163.36. However, the veteran batsman comes into the match after suffering defeats in back-to-back matches against Lucknow Supergiants and Mumbai Indians.

watch

Delhi Capitals’ Madhav Tiwari reflects on his stellar all-round performance

Despite these defeats, Watson made it clear that KKR are fully aware of the threat Kohli poses, especially given his recent record against them. The RCB star has scored three half-centuries in the last four games against Kolkata and remains one of the biggest hurdles in KKR’s path.“Every team will always have a plan against Virat and you would think Virat has a weakness, but we all know that with the help of King Kohli, he knows exactly how to try and navigate that better,” Watson said at the pre-match press conference.Watson referred to Kohli’s dismissal against Mumbai Indians when the batsman charged Deepak Chahal early in the game and bowled a lob over mid-on.“Yes, we just hope he tries to bat like he did in the last game and bowl more aggressively at the beginning of the innings. We pray that might happen. Knowing Virat, the chances of that happening are slim,” he added with a smile.The former Australia all-rounder then heaped praises on Kohli’s relentless hunger and intensity.“But look, he’s a different guy. He’s always been…his insatiable appetite to be the very, very, best player he can be and put every ball into the game and that continues to shine so brightly for him.” So we knew we had to attack with Virat from the first ball. Other than that, he just set up a platform for his team, a fast platform, and it worked really well, and he’s been doing that for years. So we’re praying we can get off to a good start and hope he makes a rare mistake and gets us into the game a little bit,” Watson said.The upcoming match holds huge significance for KKR’s playoff hopes. Kolkata currently have 9 points from 10 games and cannot afford any more mistakes in the hotly contested table.Interestingly, KKR have now pulled off a stunning turnaround after a disastrous start to the campaign. The team failed to register a win in its first six games but has since bounced back with four consecutive wins to keep promotion hopes alive against RCB.

Can hantavirus make the penis shrink? Fact-checking wild claims after cruise ship outbreak

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There is a crazy saying on social media, Hantavirus Can shrink a person penis Increases up to three inches in size. It is important to note that these claims come from unverified social media accounts and there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

Hantaviruses are usually spread among rodents, but the Andes strain allows it to spread among humans. (Associated Press)
Hantaviruses are usually spread among rodents, but the Andes strain allows it to spread among humans. (Associated Press)

However, with multiple accounts sharing the same information, the claims were amplified and caused concern for many. “Scientists confirm hantavirus can reduce the size of your penis by up to three inches,” one wrote.

other additional “Research shows hantavirus can reduce penis size by 3 inches. This claim has been confirmed by the World Health Organization, which warns everyone, especially men, to stay safe.” Yet another explain “According to recent research, scientists have confirmed that hantavirus can reduce the size of your penis by up to three inches.”

Meanwhile, three people have died from hantavirus on the cruise ship. Countries are closely monitoring whether passengers on board have come into contact with others. Passengers from the United States are currently in quarantine in Nebraska after an outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius, with two of them being flown to Atlanta.

ALSO READ | Hantavirus outbreaks and the anxieties of our time

States that are tracking the situation include Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Virginia and Texas. The latest report shows that Minnesota and illinois Possible cases are also being tracked.

While officials say there’s nothing to worry about right now, the world remains on edge in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, and recent claims about hantavirus affecting penis size have done little to ease concerns.

Can hantavirus make the penis smaller? Fact-checking virus claims

There is no scientific basis or medical research to suggest that hantavirus can reduce penis size. Many profiles sharing these claims have been flagged as parody profiles.

Some people on X see through these crazy claims, and one person commented “This is false. There is no scientific evidence or published research linking hantavirus to reduced penis size. This is not a documented symptom or side effect of hantavirus infection.”

Grok also fact-checked these claims and wrote “No, this is not true. This is a viral hoax being spread on social media with false “research” claims. Hantaviruses (according to the CDC) can cause flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, and possibly severe lung or kidney problems upon rodent exposure, but do not affect genitalia or penile atrophy. Pure misinformation.”

Of note, hantaviruses are typically transmitted to humans through contact with rodent urine, feces, or saliva. The strain at the heart of the outbreak is believed to be the Andean strain, which, according to the World Health Organization, can be transmitted from person to person. according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Hantaviruses can cause diseases such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

Hantavirus symptoms, incubation period

According to the CDC, symptoms of HPS will begin 1-8 weeks after exposure to an infected rodent. HPS is a serious and potentially fatal disease that affects the lungs, according to the CDC. The CDC notes that early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle pain, especially in large muscle groups such as thighs, hips, back and sometimes shoulders.

Some patients also experience headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, according to the CDC. Late symptoms begin to appear 4-10 days after the initial onset of the disease. This may include coughing and shortness of breath.

Another disease is HFRS, which is very serious, sometimes fatal, and can affect the kidneys, according to the CDC. This may occur within 1-2 weeks of exposure. Initial symptoms include severe headache, back and abdominal pain, fever/chills, nausea, and blurred vision. Later symptoms may include hypotension, insufficient blood flow (acute shock), internal bleeding (leakage in blood vessels), and acute kidney failure, which can lead to severe fluid overload, the CDC notes.