New French COVID-19 variant might bypass standard testing

Mar 17 2021

French authorities are warning that a new variant of the COVID-19 virus has emerged in the northwestern region of Brittany. The virus also, allegedly, escapes detections done by standard PCR tests and is currently under the ‘variant under investigation’ category by WHO. Despite this, it does not suggest increased severity or transmissibility of the virus.

WHO has placed it as ‘variant under investigation’ due to its bypassing of PCR tests, along with most of thousands of variants that naturally occur. Of all these variants, WHO claim, only a small proportion will pose direct threats to health problems. The other category of ‘variant of concern’ is the category health authorities are most concerned about and consists of variants found in Brazil, UK and South Africa.

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Maltese Jesuit priest disappointed with Vatican same-sex union statement

Mar 17 2021

After the Vatican issued a statement, approved by Pope Francis, that it cannot bless same-sex unions, Jesuit Priest Fr Josef Mario Briffa took to social media to express his disappointment and disagreement with the decision. He pointed out how he wonders what keeps LGBTQI+ individuals within the Church but is not surprised as to why people leave. He also states that this is due to on matters such as LGBTIQ+, the Church has ‘little (not to say nothing) to offer’.

On days like these, I wonder what keeps anyone who identifies at LGBTQ+ within the Church, not those who leave.**…

Posted by Josef Mario Briffa on Monday, 15 March 2021

Despite Pope Francis having blessed LGBTIQ+ members as individuals, he agreed with the statement that unions within the church cannot. Briffa stated how as a celibate, he understands the choice as in a ‘spiritual sense, but only as part of a vocation, never as an imposition.’ He ends the statement by encouraging his LGBTIQ+ plus friends to protest, not by leaving, but to stay and remain a prophetic voice.

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Majority of Asian-American deaths among Atlanta spa shootings

Mar 17 2021

Eight people, with four being of Korean descent, were killed in shootings at spas in US state of Georgia. The shooting happened in a massage parlour in Acworth, a suburb north of Atlanta, and two spas in the city. Most of the victims were women. A 21-year-old man has been arrested suspected to be behind all of the attacks.

Despite no motive for the specific attack has been identified, hate crimes against Asian-Americans have increased with connections to COVID-19 blame. The first attack happened on Tuesday at about 17:00 with two Asian women, a white woman, and a white man dying and leaving one Hispanic man wounded. The attacks continued in other locations, finding four other Asian women dead.

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Rosianne Cutajar denies reimbursing money from property dealings

Mar 16 2021

Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar claimed she did not receive any money from a man claiming she has to reimburse €44,500 and also denies having already reimbursed €2,000. She also claimed she is holding the individual accountable for damaging her political career. Cutajar was replying to a judicial letter filled in by an Mdina property would-be seller, Joseph Camilleri. Camilleri is the ultimate beneficial owner of Green Eyes Limited.

Camilleri claims to have forked out money in cash days after a promised sale signed on 14th May 2019 as fees, on condition that neither Cutajar nor associate Carmel Farrugia were to dispose of it until sale was finalised. When the promise of sale had expired, neither refunded Camilleri. Cutajar temporarily resigned from her position as an investigation was carried out. Cutajar did claim however that there ever was any connection between her and Camilleri.

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