At birth, the doctors found Balan (name changed) to be an anatomical puzzle. All his organs, the heart, the liver, the spleen and the stomach were ‘reversed’ or seemed to be mirror images of what was normal. By itself, situs inversus, as this congenital condition is called, isn’t a problem, but in Balan’s case his displaced heart was severely compromised. Both his major arteries, for instance, arose from the right ventricle due to which his blood was impure and didn’t carry enough oxygen to the other organs. Moreover, the links that connected to the lungs were severely obstructed and there was a hole in the heart’s lower chambers. Though Balan’s growth wasn’t affected, the condition limited his physical activities and left him fatigued at the slightest exertion. Changing treatment Cardiologists in Kerala found it hard to visualise the architecture of his circulatory system to begin plugging his heart’s defects. But there was a way out; 3-D printing came to their rescue. Using … [Read more...] about A model plan to fix a heart
American rescue plan
Her daughter was shot on live TV. Now she’s marching to demand gun control
Alison Parker had a close relationship with her mom. On Mother's Day in 2015, she took both of her parents wine-tasting and hiking around the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. And every Monday, she met her mom after her morning shift ended at the local news station to share lunch and do some shopping. "Those are the things I miss," Barbara Parker tells Newsweek . The world watched in horror when Alison, a 24-year-old reporter, was fatally shot on live TV on August 26, 2015, along with her colleague Adam Ward, a 27-year-old photojournalist, both with WDBJ7. The two were conducting a live interview at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, Virginia, when a gunman approached and killed them. The suspect, later identified as a former employee at their Roanoke news station, fatally shot himself before police could apprehend him. Much of the aftermath of the shooting played out on social media, as the suspect posted video footage and updates to Twitter as he fled. "For lack of better words, … [Read more...] about Her daughter was shot on live TV. Now she’s marching to demand gun control
Understanding the nature of U.S.-Taiwan relations
The story so far: The President of the United States Joe Biden made a controversial statement on May 23, during a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida a day before the start of the Quad summit in Japan. He gave an affirmative reply to a question on whether the U.S. will come to the aid of Taiwan militarily in case of an invasion by China . This is the third time that he has made such a statement, raising questions about whether the U.S. is shifting from its long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity over Taiwan to that of strategic clarity. What is the Taiwan issue? Taiwan is an island territory located off the coast of mainland China, across the Taiwan Strait. After their defeat to the communist forces in the Chinese civil war (1945-1949), the ruling Kuomintang (Nationalist) government of China fled to Taiwan. They transplanted the Republic of China (ROC) government in Taiwan, while the Communist Party of China (CPC) established the People’s … [Read more...] about Understanding the nature of U.S.-Taiwan relations
Trump blocks Broadcom’s $117 billion bid to buy Qualcomm
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday blocked a planned $117 billion takeover of chipmaker Qualcomm by Singapore-based rival Broadcom for national security reasons, scuttling what would have been the biggest technology deal ever amid concerns that it would allow China to take the lead in the booming market of producing chips. Mr. Trump, in his executive order, said there is “credible evidence” that leads him to believe that if Broadcom took control of the Qualcomm it “might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the US.” As such, Broadcom and Qualcomm “shall immediately and permanently abandon the proposed takeover”, ordered the U.S. President. “The proposed takeover of Qualcomm by the Purchaser is prohibited, and any substantially equivalent merger, acquisition, or takeover, whether effected directly or indirectly, is also prohibited,” Mr. Trump said in the executive order. The deal would have created the world’s third-largest maker of microchips, … [Read more...] about Trump blocks Broadcom’s $117 billion bid to buy Qualcomm
Donald Trump’s Media Company Wants Pro-Gun Programming, Other ‘Non-Woke’ Content for Streaming Service
Click here to read the full article. Donald Trump ’s media company plans to launch a subscription-streaming service stocked with a range of right-wing content — including “shows that embrace the Second Amendment” and “Trump-specific programming” — a Netflix-style offering squarely pitched at his MAGA followers. The new programming focus for Trump’s prospective subscription VOD service was outlined Friday in a regulatory filing by Digital World Acquisition Corp. , a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that intends to merge with Trump Media & Technology Group . More from Variety Trump Nemesis and 'Queen of Mean' Leona Helmsley Subject of Juicy New Documentary (EXCLUSIVE) Jessica Chastain Plays Surprise Role as Maryanne Trump, Donald Trump's Sister, in 'Armageddon Time' 'Nanny McPhee' Director Kirk Jones to Take on Trump in Drama Series 'You've Been Trumped' - Global Bulletin Trump’s company earlier this year launched Truth Social , a … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Media Company Wants Pro-Gun Programming, Other ‘Non-Woke’ Content for Streaming Service
Reimagining Australia: On Anthony Albanese’s Labor government
After nine years in the opposition, the Australian Labor Party , under the leadership of Anthony Albanese , is back in power. When 74.6% votes were counted, it won 75 seats in the 151-member House of Representatives; the conservative Liberal National Coalition secured 57 seats. More than a victory for Labor, which is still one seat short of absolute majority, this election will be remembered for the rout of the conservatives, who had 77 seats in the outgoing Assembly. The polls also saw a sizeable section of the Australian electorate voting for the Greens and independents, who campaigned on the planks of better environmental standards and anti-corruption policies. In an election where inflation and climate policy dominated the agenda, Scott Morrison, the conservative leader, failed to understand the public pulse. Even when the annual inflation number hit 5.1%, a 20-year high, the Morrison government took comfort in the argument that the unemployment rate was low. Mr. Morrison was … [Read more...] about Reimagining Australia: On Anthony Albanese’s Labor government
EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans Call On Biden To Withdraw From World Health Organization
Republican Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany sent a letter Thursday to President Joe Biden, calling on his administration to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) and requesting documents and communications between the Biden administration and the agency. The Daily Caller first obtained the letter spearheaded by Tiffany and led by three House Republicans on the Republican Study Committee (RSC). In the letter, the lawmakers slam Biden for reversing the Trump administration’s plan to withdraw from the WHO , saying the Biden administration has not achieved any reforms to the organization. They further mention that in April 2022, Biden’s administration proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) that the lawmakers say would expand the WHO’s global influence. The lawmakers then call for documents and communications between the Biden administration and the WHO and IHR. “Joe Biden’s decision to reenter the WHO on his first day in office perfectly … [Read more...] about EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans Call On Biden To Withdraw From World Health Organization