€150 fake vaccine certificates being sold in Maltese black market

Sep 23 2021

A new study by Check Point Research (CPR) has listed Malta as one of the countries selling black market fake vaccination certificates, each one sold at €150. The study has found that selling fake vaccine certificates through shady markets is becoming an immensely popular practice as it attempts to help people bypass COVID-19 regulations. The numbers of vendors selling the certification are allegedly increasing exponentially, with CPR reporting around 1000 vendors on the popular encrypted messaging app Telegram on 10th August.

The number has however blew up to a whopping 10,000 by September 23rd, with CPR continuing to monitor the black market since the start of the pandemic. With many countries, Malta included, making vaccine certificates a requirement to enter without having to quarantine, it would make sense to see such a ballooning of fake certificates sold. They are allegedly being sold in 29 countries as of September, with an Austrian Telegram-bot designed to get people free certificates and negative PCR tests simply by entering personal details.

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Photo Source: Ada Lovelace Institute

Police presence to increase on public transport

Sep 23 2021

A new collaborative agreement has been signed by the Malta Police Force and Malta Public Transport which aims to increase and improve public safety and security on public transport. Police officers will be allowed to travel for free on all route buses through the use of their Tallinja card. General Manager at Malta Public Transport Konrad Pule said that through this initiative, we are not only facilitating an increase of police presence on our buses, but also offering incentives that strengthen the use of public transport as an environmentally friendly means of travel.’

Police commissioner Angelo Gafa said that the force is continuously striving to reduce environmental impact and to create an environment which is healthier, more efficient, and less polluted. He stated that such collaborations not only help bus passengers directly, but also contribute to reducing traffic congestion. He highlighted how this initiative is the first of its kind and it will continue to strengthen the excellent relationship with the aim of improving public service. Crime prevention will also see a massive boost, making bus users feel safer on their travels.

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Focus on vaccine distribution inequity during UN gathering

Sep 23 2021

As the UN annual meeting of world leaders convenes, the inequity of COVID-19 vaccine distribution will come into clearer focus this Thursday, showing how many of the African countries have little to no access to life-saving COVID-19 jabs. The pandemic and the struggle to contain it have already featured as prominent topics during speeches by many of the leaders, with some delivering their speeches remotely. Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg spoke in a pre-recorded speech on Wednesday, saying that in Africa, fewer than 1 in 20 people are fully vaccinated. This contrasts to Europe’s one in two being fully vaccinated.

South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Burkina Faso and Libya are all slated to give their annual speeches this Thursday, joined by Zimbabwe and Uganda who have both endured economy and tradition wrecking impacts due to COVID-19. President Joe Biden announced that the US will double its purchase of Pfizer vaccines to share with the world around a billion doses. WHO have also reported that only 15% of promised vaccine donations from the world’s richest countries have been delivered.

President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo spoke at an anti-racism event on Wednesday, stating that the disparity in vaccine availability around the world clearly does not demonstrate equality between the countries and peoples of this world. Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called out the failures of sharing vaccines during his Wednesday night speech, stating how his 2020 hopes of effective multilateralism and international solidarity were ‘dashed.’ The conference is also set to deal with climate change as another major global concern.

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Ronaldo leapfrogs Messi and becomes the highest-paid footballer

Sep 23 2021

According to Forbes, Portugal and Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo will leapfrog Lionel Messi and become the highest paid footballer this year. The Portuguese superstar will earn around $125 million this year with $70 million coming from his salary. Messi will earn $110 million this year, making him the second highest paid player.

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Messi will reportedly have a higher wage than Ronaldo, with him earning $75 million, but will earn less than the Manchester United players in endorsements. Messi’s teammate Neymar Jr also has a higher pay than Ronaldo, also earning $75 million but only earns $20 million in endorsements and is nowhere near Ronaldo’s $55 million endorsement package.

The top 5 is rounded up by PSG player Kylian Mbappe and Liverpool player Mohammed Salah. Forbes releases it’s list by speaking to and gathering information from clubs, sponsors, player agents and financial experts.

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