THREAD: covid19 shocker
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News Timeline
COVID-19 SHOCKER: Pompeo’s Intel Suggests Chinese LAB Leak
— Mike Pompeo, the former U.S. Secretary of State, has reportedly shared critical intelligence with the United Kingdom indicating a “high likelihood” that COVID-19 originated from a lab in China. This information was part of a confidential briefing to allies including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as part of the Five Eyes alliance in early 2021.
The shared intelligence raised alarms about the lack of transparency from China and potential military ties at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. It was revealed that Chinese authorities hindered global investigations and showed signs of corruption and incompetence at critical times. Moreover, it emerged that researchers at the institute experienced illnesses just before the pandemic spread globally.
Despite these concerning revelations, UK officials led by then-Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab seemed to downplay these findings initially. Pressure from some scientists who supported theories of natural transmission played a role in this skepticism. However, two ex-officials from Trump’s administration described the evidence pointing to a lab leak as "gobsmacking.
This disclosure not only questions China’s handling of crucial data but also challenges global understanding about COVID-19’s origins, potentially reshaping international relations and public health strategies moving forward.
SOUTH KOREAN Election Shocker: Voters Lean Left in Historic Turn
— South Korean voters, upset by the economic slump, are showing their disapproval towards President Yoon Suk-yeol and his ruling People Power Party (PPP). Early exit polls indicate a dramatic tilt in the National Assembly, with the opposition DP/DUP coalition on track to win between 168 and 193 of the 300 seats. This would leave Yoon’s PPP and its partners trailing with just 87-111 seats.
A record-breaking turnout of 67 percent — the highest for a midterm election since 1992 — reflects widespread voter engagement. South Korea’s unique proportional representation system aims to give smaller parties a chance but has resulted in a crowded field that confuses many voters.
PPP leader Han Dong-hoon has publicly recognized the disappointing exit poll figures. He pledged to honor the electorate’s decision and wait for the final tally. The election results could mark a pivotal change in South Korea’s political landscape, hinting at broader shifts ahead.
This electoral outcome underscores growing public discontent with current economic policies and signals a desire for change among South Korean voters, potentially reshaping the nation’s policy direction in years to come.
VATICAN SHOCKER: Cardinal Becciu Guilty in Historic Corruption Trial
— In a groundbreaking trial, the first of its kind since 1929’s Lateran Treaty, Cardinal Becciu and nine others have been declared guilty. The charges ranged from embezzlement to bribery. This verdict is the culmination of an extensive trial revolving around a luxury London property deal that led to over 100 million euros loss for the Vatican.
The guilt wasn’t confined to Cardinal Becciu alone. Nine other defendants were also convicted on diverse charges tied to fund mismanagement and embezzlement. Furthermore, the company Logsic Humitarne Dejavnosti was slapped with a fine of 40,000 euros and forbidden from contracting with public authorities for two years.
Becciu’s sentence fell just short of the seven years three months that prosecution sought after. The trial uncovered that he had funneled over half a million euros in Vatican funds to Cecilia Marogna’s company for a project deemed fraudulent by the court. Marogna too was found guilty and handed down prison time.
Alongside his prison term, Cardinal Becciu has been permanently barred from holding any public office and fined 8,000 euros. His offenses included conspiracy and witness tampering in an attempt to muzzle key prosecution witness Msgr Alberto Perlasca.
BRAVERMAN SHOCKER: Home Secretary Booted Amid Fierce Police Bias Controversy
— In the early hours of Monday, Suella Braverman was abruptly dismissed from her position as Home Secretary. This marks the first significant shake-up in the much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle. The decision follows a rising tide of political opposition demanding her departure in light of her critique on police conduct during recent Israel-Palestine protests in London.
Braverman had pointed fingers at senior police officers for displaying left-wing bias. She referenced incidents where those opposing lockdown measures were dealt with severely, while Black Lives Matter protestors were allegedly permitted to flout rules. Moreover, she argued that right-wing and nationalist demonstrators faced harsh consequences, whereas pro-Palestinian groups exhibiting similar conduct were largely overlooked.
Her remarks ignited a firestorm of criticism, predominantly from left-leaning detractors and some centrists within the Conservative Party. Despite facing backlash, Braverman continued to express concerns over Palestine protests on Sunday. She hinted at inadequate policing by Metropolitan Police leadership that needed attention.
Whether these comments were strategic moves towards leadership or attempts at legacy building remains uncertain.
G20 SUMMIT SHOCKER: Global Leaders Slam Ukraine Invasion, Ignite NEW Biofuels Alliance
— The second day of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, ended with a powerful joint statement. World leaders united to condemn the invasion of Ukraine. Although Russia and China objected, the consensus was reached without explicitly naming Russia.
The declaration read, “We … welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine.” The statement underscored that no state should use force to breach another’s territorial integrity or political independence.
President Joe Biden renewed his push for the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly received Comoros President Azali Assoumani at the summit. In a landmark move, Biden teamed up with Modi and other world leaders to kickstart the Global Biofuels Alliance.
This alliance aims to secure biofuel supply while ensuring affordability and sustainable production. The White House announced this initiative as part of a shared commitment towards cleaner fuels and achieving global decarbonization goals.
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CDC’S COVID-19 Isolation Cutback: A Bold Move or a Dangerous Gamble?
— In a noteworthy policy change, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shortened the isolation period for Americans testing positive for COVID-19. The fresh guidance, unveiled last Friday, permits individuals with mild symptoms to return to their usual routines after one fever-free day, as long as their health is on the upswing.
This amendment comes at a time when the threat posed by COVID-19 has considerably lessened. Once ranked as America’s third deadliest killer at the start of the pandemic, it plummeted to tenth place last year. Due to widespread vaccinations and herd immunity from prior infections, many have already been flouting the five-day isolation mandate.
Nevertheless, this decision has ignited worries among certain experts who caution that it could heighten infection risks for elderly and more susceptible groups. Despite a decrease in hospitalizations and fatalities compared to earlier phases of the pandemic, differentiating between COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses continues to be problematic due to similar symptoms.
The CDC aims to streamline guidelines akin to those in place for flu and other respiratory ailments. However, critics contend that this move may unintentionally put
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