Abner Aquilina used car keys to sexually violate Paulina Dembska, court reveals

Mar 15 2023

New details about murder suspect’s Abner Aquilina’s reported rape and murder of Paulina Dembska in January 2021 were revealed in court today.

Aquilina was reportedly laughing and boasting about his treatment of Dembska, explaining that he used his car key to sexually violate the woman, also telling prisoners that he negotiated a 20-year sentence as part of a plea bargain. The inspector since denied the aforementioned statement.

Aquilina was also heard threatening to murder his mother and lawyer on the phone, stating that he would kill again if he was let out.

The suspect’s mother sat behind him as he laughed and bragged during intense moments in court, particularly when graphic details of Dembska’s rape and murder were recounted.

Times of Malta reported that even during a search of his cell conducted by a female police officer, Aquilina revealed his genitals, stating “What are you looking for? Why not seize my penis as evidence, because that’s what was inside her.”

What do you make of this?

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Four-day work week one step to closer to reality as U.S. reintroduces game-changing bill

Mar 15 2023

The United States have moved one step closer to the reality of a four-day work week, reintroducing a bill in the House of Representatives which would make the 32-hour week a national standard.

The bill would also lower the threshold triggering overtime compensation for the majority of employees and comes as many U.S. states and municipalities continue to explore ways to encourage employers to try it out.

The bill was reintroduced last week by Representative Mark Takano, who expressed his enthusiasm in introducing it whilst holding the belief that it can help American workers across the board.

This time round, it may be difficult for the bill to reach the floor of a Republican-controlled House of Representatives, with the previous iteration not even getting a hearing in committee.

Despite this, it has received support from 4 Day Week Global, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Service Employees International Union and the United Food and the Commercial Workers Union.

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Steward Health Care Malta appeals court verdict and requests European Court of Justice ruling

Mar 15 2023

Steward Health Care Malta (SHCM) has filed an appeal against the Maltese Civil Court judgement on the hospitals’ concession agreement and requested a European Court of Justice (ECJ) Preliminary Ruling.

In a recent statement, Steward Malta addressed the appeal and ruling request, stating the following:

The company emphatically rejects the narrative of the judge’s findings in relation to SHCM, an assessment that was made with no basis in evidence. This narrative is erroneous and could have been disproven had SHCM simply been asked to supply evidence on these counts to court – a request that was never made.

This failing – along with most others present in the judgement – presents major concerns for the rule of law in Malta and has serious implications for the future of foreign investment in the country. Steward has filed, together with the appeal, an ECJ Preliminary Ruling request from the High Court.

While SHCM has no position on or knowledge of events that took place while the concession was being awarded, the company has supplied significant documentary and other evidence to counter any claims made in its respect as part of its appeal. This evidence, which includes relevant interactions with the Government of Malta and documents outlining how SHCI transformed a bankrupt enterprise into a professionally managed operation with a sound financial footing, will help to inform the understanding of the Maltese people about the concession.

SHCM notes that it kept the US Embassy and State Department – which was on several occasions present at negotiations on the concession terms – fully informed at all times of all relevant events and engagements with the Government of Malta.

SHCM remains committed to operate at all times in accordance with its highest professional standards and values. Our priority was and remains always the provision of optimal healthcare to the communities and patients we are entrusted to serve.

What do you make of this?

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Malta mourns the loss of Karin Grech’s father & former Minister Prof. Edwin Grech

Mar 15 2023

Politicians and members of the community came together online on Wednesday to mourn the loss of Professor Edwin Grech, a former Minister of Malta and father of letterbomb victim Karin Grech.

Prof. Grech died at age 94, without ever having seen justice for the death of his daughter, who died in 1977 at age 15 after opening a letterbomb addressed to her father.

Nationalist Party & Opposition leader Bernard Grech shared a few sentiments on Facebook to salute the memory of his Uncle, stating “he was a person who inspired me even though I come from a working family from the South of Malta, I was able to go to University and become a lawyer. A person who helped my mother birth me and helped thousands of women and couples.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, EU Affairs & Trade Ian Borg also took to Facebook, calling him “A father who died without ever knowing who killed his daughter. He would only speak to me about that. The state surely failed you and your entire family. Rest in peace Profs.”

Prime Minister Robert Abela called Prof. Grech ‘a person who gave everything for his countries and patients who were so close to his heart’.

RIP Prof. Grech.

#MaltaDaily