Belgium suspends Johnson & Johnson vaccine for under 41s

May 27 2021

Belgium suspended the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday following the death of one person who received the shot. The suspension concerns people under 41-years-of-age, with the Belgian government stating that it was asking for urgent advice from the European Medicines Agency.

The case concerns a woman who was vaccinated through her foreign employer outside the Belgian system and died last week after developing ‘serious thrombosis and reduced blood platelets.’ No more information was given except for the fact that she was under 40.

The one-shot vaccine was being used in Belgium for elderly with reduced mobility and homeless due to its one-shot administering. This roll-out will continue, with the under-41 suspension being analysed.

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Photo Source: DW

Arms dealer denied bail after finding faulty firearm in car

May 26 2021

Aaron Cassar, 41, was arrested on Tuesday after police discovered an unlicensed and loaded pistol in his car boot. In view of his criminal record, Cassar was deemed untrustworthy after he was targeted by members of Major Crimes Unit in his hometown of Birzebbuga following anonymous information about a suspected arms deal was given to authorities. The gun was found loaded with two bullets inside the luggage boot, but Cassar plead not guilty to the unlawful possession.

He also plead not guilty to breaching bail conditions handed down by the Criminal Court in 2017. Cassar was allegedly arraigned four years ago as one of three involved in a failed arson attack at the Marsa home of Deniro Magri. Magri was also separately charged over the fatal shooting of one of the suspected arsonists.

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Photo Source: Malta Police Force Communications

UEFA prepares to expel Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus from next season’s Champions League

May 26 2021

Following the involvement of Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid in the now abandoned Super League, the UEFA is planning to expel the three teams from next season’s Champions League. The three teams were part of the 12 founding members of the proposals but remained the only three teams to back the plans. The rest – called England’s ‘big six clubs’ which consist of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham – all withdrew their involvement.

With UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin leading the opposition to the controversial Super League, a statement read that ‘following an investigation conducted by UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspectors in connection with the ‘Super League’ project, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against [the three teams] for a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework.’

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Photo Source: Forza Italian Football

Investigations launched into Malta’s Eurovision spending

May 26 2021

An investigation to determine whether taxpayer funds were used to boost Destiny’s odds with bookmakers has been launched. Minister Carmelo Abela has allegedly ordered an audit of expenditure into the yearly contest following concerns and reports that part of the budget allocated to the team representing Malta in the Eurovision was used to place bets on Destiny. This would have inflated her odds with bookmakers, with money spent on overseas social media influencers to publish promotional content.

With €350,000 spent by the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) on promoting Malta’s participation in the festival, an audit will look into how the money was used and on what beginning next Monday. Sources stated to Times of Malta that an informal admission from PBS insiders showing part of the marketing budget on Eurovision spent on financing foreign nationals’ bets on Destiny to win.

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Photo Source: Wiwibloggs