British health journal BMJ Public Health has retracted a 2024 paper that suggested COVID-19 vaccination could have contributed to excess deaths during the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Published on May 6, 2024, by researchers at the Netherlands-based Princess Máxima Centre, the paper was retracted on August 11, 2026, following concerns over its discussion of the possible causes of excess mortality.

The retraction notice cited “misinformation in the discussion regarding the possible causes of excess mortality” and said the paper did not sufficiently describe the limitations of the authors’ work.

What Did the Paper Claim?

The paper analyzed data from the “Our World in Data” database and the World Mortality Dataset to examine excess deaths during the pandemic.

It questioned whether COVID-19 containment measures and vaccination could have contributed to continued excess mortality in some regions. However, the authors did not establish a link between COVID-19 vaccines and excess deaths. Instead, they called for more data to investigate the possible causes, AFP reported.

About a month after publication, BMJ Public Health issued an expression of concern, stating that the study “does not establish any such link.”

Despite that clarification, the paper was subsequently cited by vaccine-sceptic publications as evidence of a connection between COVID-19 vaccination and excess mortality.

Paper Cited in US Senate Hearing

Even as the BMJ Group investigated the paper, Mostert, one of its original authors, had resigned from the Princess Máxima Centre.

In June 2026, she appeared before a US Senate subcommittee, where she claimed that her research had been sabotaged.

The Princess Máxima Centre had previously “emphatically” distanced itself from the publication and stated that it “strongly supports vaccination.”

The BMJ Group said the retraction was supported by two of the four authors and by the Princess Máxima Centre.

Critics Raised Concerns

Critics raised concerns about the paper’s treatment of evidence relating to vaccines, including alleged misquotes and omissions, and described parts of the discussion as inappropriate.

Ariel Karlinsky, an economist at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and co-creator of the World Mortality Dataset, repeatedly contacted the journal from June 2024 seeking a retraction.

Karlinsky said the analysis misused his data and “copied whole blocks of text and mathematical notation,” according to Retraction Watch.

Investigation Found Carelessness

The Princess Máxima Centre investigated authors Minke Huibers and Gertjan Kaspers in 2024. Mostert’s work was not examined because she was “not able to cooperate with the investigation.”

An anonymised summary of the January 2025 report was published alongside the retraction. It found no research misconduct but concluded that Kaspers and Huibers had demonstrated “carelessness, ignorance and negligence.”

The report also found that the paper gave disproportionate attention to COVID-19 measures and vaccination as possible causes of excess mortality while largely overlooking alternative explanations. It said the paper “misleadingly and unilaterally cites literature that supports its own arguments.”

Kaspers and Huibers, along with their institution, requested the paper’s retraction, citing concerns that it was being misinterpreted and could pose a public health risk. However, they disagreed with the journal’s conclusion that the paper contained misinformation.

COVID-19 is surging in some parts of California as wastewater surveillance showing a sharp rise in the amount of virus circulating in the surrounding communities.

The latest data comes as California health officials warn that the state’s COVID-19 pattern appears to be shifting, with summer outbreaks becoming more prominent than winter ones.

According to the California Department of Public Health data cited by the San Francisco Chronicle, COVID-19 outbreak expanded in June, rose through July and continued rising in August. Hospital admissions are also increasing, although they remain relatively low compared to previous outbreaks.

WastewaterSCAN data showed that COVID-19 concentrations across monitored Bay Area sites were 136% higher in July than in June. By early August, nearly 54% of monitored sites were classified as having “high” levels, with San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, San Rafael, Vallejo and Napa among the communities reporting high levels of cases.

“Monitoring wastewater can act as an early warning system for health officials and the public,” said Amanda Bidwell, WastewaterSCAN’s scientific program manager.

Wastewater Surveillance Reveals COVID-19 Resurgence

Wastewater surveillance looks for traces of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage. Because infected people can shed the virus even when they have mild or no symptoms, wastewater can provide an early picture of infections spreading through a community.

The CDC says wastewater trends can detect viruses earlier than clinical testing and can also capture infections that never result in a doctor's visit. An increase in wastewater viral activity may therefore signal a higher risk of infection in the community.

California is currently one of only four U.S. states where COVID-19 wastewater activity is classified as moderate or high by the CDC, according to the Los Angeles Times. The CDC also says COVID-19 is growing or likely growing in 43 states.

Also read: BMJ Public Health Retracts Controversial COVID Vaccine Study Cited In US Senate Hearing

Is A Dangerous New COVID Variant Causing The Surge?

Wastewater monitoring suggests several variants are circulating rather than one strain. In the Bay Area, XFG, also known as “Stratus,” remains prominent, while NB.1.8.1, or “Nimbus,” is also circulating.

Stanford infectious disease expert Dr. Abraar Karan said there is currently no evidence suggesting a dangerous or different virus or a variant that is expected to cause a major increase in hospitalizations or causalties.

Experts say the current wave should not be confused with the severe COVID-19 surges of the pandemic's early years. According to recent data and reports, hospitalizations remain comparatively low compared to previous outbreaks.

However, California health officials are urging people who have not received the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine to consider getting it now rather than waiting for the updated vaccine expected later this year.

“Summer is really the bigger peak,” California Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan said. “Go ahead and get it now, given the surge.”

The timing could become important as schools reopen and people spend more time in crowded indoor settings. In 2025, California's summer COVID-19 wave peaked later in the season, meaning the current increase may not be over yet.

V, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, has revealed that he has been dealing with hearing loss in one ear for about two and a half years.

V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, opened up about the condition for the first time during a livestream amid the band's highly anticipated world tour.

"If the hearing in my left ear is at 100, it's only about 30 in my right," V said.

The 30-year-old singer said his hearing became worse while he was serving in the military. However, he initially ignored the problem, believing it was "a matter of mental strength," BBC reported.

He said he is now taking medication and visiting the hospital regularly.

V Reveals Risk Of Stress Fracture

V also admitted to pushing through pain during BTS' current tour, revealing that he is dangerously close to developing a stress fracture in his leg.

“My shin is right at the point just before a stress fracture. Even today on stage, my heart was set on running around, but it hurt too much at points and I couldn’t," he was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia.

Doctors have warned him about inflammation and early bone damage.

“It hasn’t reached a stress fracture yet, but there’s a lot of inflammation in my shin, and I think there’s some microdamage to the bone. I’ll be careful with myself so I can finish this tour properly,” he added.

BTS is currently halfway through its massive Arirang world tour, which will stop in Singapore in December and conclude in the Philippines in March 2027.

What Is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear is not working in the usual way. This includes:

• The outer ear
• The middle ear
• The inner ear
• The hearing or acoustic nerve
• The auditory system in the brain

Hearing loss is a growing health concern worldwide. According to the WHO, more than 1.5 billion people—nearly 20% of the world's population—live with some degree of hearing loss. Of these, approximately 430 million people have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation.

Hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person's life, affecting education and job prospects.

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can occur at any time during life. Causes can range from genetic factors to conditions such as Down syndrome or Usher syndrome.

Other factors include:

• Maternal infections during pregnancy
• Complications after birth
• Spending five days or more in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• Severe jaundice requiring a blood transfusion

How To Prevent Hearing Loss

To help prevent hearing loss in adults:

• Limit exposure to loud noises above 85 decibels.
• Wear ear protection, such as foam plugs or earmuffs, around heavy machinery or at concerts.
• Keep personal headphone use at safe volumes.
• Manage chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure.
• Avoid putting objects such as cotton swabs inside the ears.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda was admitted to AIIMS Delhi after experiencing uneasiness and underwent tests, including a coronary angiography. The hospital, in a statement, said he is stable and under observation in the cardiology department.

JP Nadda Under Observation

The 65-year-old minister was admitted on August 13 after experiencing uneasiness. He underwent tests, including coronary angiography.

“JP Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, was evaluated for uneasiness with tests including a coronary angiography on the evening of 13th August 2026. He is currently stable and admitted for observation in the Dept of Cardiology,” AIIMS said in a statement.

Is Uneasiness A Sign Of Heart Problems?

Heart problems do not always cause obvious symptoms. While common symptoms include chest pain or pressure, palpitations, and breathing difficulties, reduced blood flow to the heart can sometimes present with subtle signs or no symptoms.

Possible warning signs include:

• Unusual fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Jaw pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Swollen feet and ankles
• Dizziness
• Cough
• Leg pain or cramps
• Poor sleep

What Is Coronary Angiography?

Coronary angiography is a test used to check the blood vessels supplying the heart for narrowing or blockages.

A thin catheter is usually inserted through an artery in the wrist or groin. Contrast dye is injected, and X-rays are used to visualize the coronary arteries.

Why Is It Done?

Doctors may recommend coronary angiography for:

• Unexplained chest pain
• Abnormal results from tests such as an ECG, stress test or echocardiogram
• A heart attack, to locate a blocked artery
• Unexplained heart failure or cardiac arrest
• Certain congenital heart conditions

Why Are Heart Checkups Important?

Regular checkups can help detect heart disease early and monitor risk factors such as:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Blood sugar

Who Should Consider Regular Heart Checkups?

Regular monitoring can help detect changes early and support timely action to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.

Regular heart checkups are particularly important for people who:

• Are above 30
• Have a family history of heart disease
• Have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol
• Smoke or frequently consume alcohol
• Lead a sedentary lifestyle
• Are overweight or obese
• Experience ongoing stress

Common Tests Included In A Heart Checkup

Depending on individual risk factors, a heart checkup may include:

• Blood pressure measurement
• Blood tests for cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar
• ECG to assess heart rhythm
• Echocardiography to assess heart structure and function
• TMT or stress test to assess the heart during exertion

Additional tests, such as CT coronary angiography or specialized cardiac biomarkers, may be recommended in some cases.