Aston Villa announce signing of Phillipe Coutinho

Jan 7 2022

Brazilian playmaker Phillipe Coutinho has shocked every football fan and has joined Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season, from Barcelona. Coutinho will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours to complete his medical. The deal will also give Aston Villa an option to buy the former Liverpool payer come the end of the season.

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Coutinho wanted to return to England after his disappointing €135 million move from Liverpool to Barcelona four years ago. He moved to Aston Villa due to his wish of playing regular football and being involved in an ambitious project, aiming for future success. It is also being reported that a return back to Liverpool was also on the cards, but the Reds didn’t pursue their former star player.

Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Aston Villa will pay around 65% of his wages. He has also stated that Aston Villa manager and former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrad has been crucial in this deal, reportedly calling Coutinho three times in the last 48 hours. The agreement is still subject to the player completing his medical and gaining a work permit.

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Priest claiming ‘gayness worse than possession’ to be charged with online hate speech

Jan 7 2022

Fr David Muscat will reportedly be charged with online hate speech by the Malta Police Force after making statements on Facebook that ‘gayness’ is worse than possession.

Muscat will be arraigned in court end-January after reports were filed against the cleric’s comments by the Malta Gay Rights Movement & Minister for Social Inclusion Julia Farrugia Portelli. Moreover, Minister for Equality Owen Bonnici also stated that “the consequences of fundamentalism is hate,” calling on the authorities to take action on such speech.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna has since issued a formal warning to muscat, calling for a stop to the public “inflammatory and hurtful comments.” Pictures have been making the rounds on social media of Father Muscat at Norman Lowell’s birthday celebration together with Partit Popolari leader Paul Salomone.

Maltese fashion designer Marco Parascandalo has since released a surprise collection with the word “gayyaġni” emblazoned on the pieces to promote the importance of loving oneself.

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Maltese designer responds to priest’s homophobic comments with surprise ‘Gayyaġni’ collection

Jan 7 2022

In light of the recent statements made by priest Father David Muscat, popular Maltese fashion designer Marco Parascandalo has released a surprise clothing drop with the term “gayyaġni” emblazoned on them. The new collection will use the priest’s own homophobic comments to inspire people to be proud of themselves and ‘live their own truth.’

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Part of the collection, which features a number of hoodies, shirts and accessories, will go to the Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC), one of Malta’s most prominent LGBQIA+ NGOs.

Father Muscat had made a number of deplorable comments in the wake of Paulina Dembska’s brutal murder, saying “gayness is worse than supernatural possession” and will be charged with online hate speech.

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IHU variant detected in France “not a threat”, says WHO

IHU variant found in France "not a threat", says WHO

Jan 7 2022

The World Health Organization has stated that the new IHU COVID-19 variant detected in France is not of concern. The variant was first found in Marseille after health authorities detected 12 cases in the port city.

The WHO’s COVID incident manager Abdi Mahmud has stated that the variant had been on their radar since November but did not show signs of wide spread over the following two months.

Lots of chat about B.1.640.2 in the last few days – just a few points to keep in mind:
– B.1.640.2 actually predates Omicron
– in all that time there are exactly… 20 sequences (compared to the >120k Omis in less time)
Def not one worth worrying about too much at the mo…

— Tom Peacock (@PeacockFlu) January 3, 2022

It was reported that the variant has 46 mutations, more than the Omicron variant. Variants are deemed of ‘concern’ when they exhibit an increase in transmissibility or increase in virulence or decrease in vaccine effectiveness. In a research publication that has yet to be peer-reviewed, researchers have stated that it is still early to speculate on the epidemiological, virological or clinical consequences based on the 12 cases detected in France.

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