Bernard Grech calls FATF grey listing a punishment for the entire nation

Jun 24 2021

Opposition leader Bernard Grech described the decision by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to grey-list Malta as a punishment for the entire nation. In a brief video statement on Wednesday following the news, Grech expressed his dismay at the international decision. He emphasised how this moment is not the time to remind people why this point was reached. Rather, it is ‘time to work to achieve a national consensus.’

Grech urged the government to create a ‘unity task force’ by joining forces with the Nationalist Party. This task force will coordinate work to limit the damage caused by the grey-listing decision. Grech said that the FATF will be meeting in October and Malta should work to get back onto the white list by that time.

The Prime Minister later addressed the task force idea proposed by Grech but dismissed as there allegedly already exists a similar body. Abela stated that the National Coordinating Committee (NCC) is headed by Finance Ministry permanent secretary Alfred Camilleri.

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Photo Source: Bernard Grech FB

Maksar brothers deny link to seabed weapons arsenal

Jun 24 2021

The Maksar brothers have strongly denied any link to the weapons found under the sea near Migra l-Ferha. Having found around 40 rifles and machine guns, along with explosive devices compared to those used in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder, the authorities suspected a link between the stockpile and the brothers. Times of Malta was informed, however, that Alfred Abela, the lawyer of brothers Robert and Adrian Agius, denied the allegations made in their regard.

The stockpile of weapons was believed to form part of a Malta-Italy-Libya smuggling operation. Abela stated that ‘our clients strongly deny any allegations being made in their regard.’ He reminded the newsroom that they have been held in preventive custody since February 24th 2021 and have ‘since the very beginning declared their innocence and they will continue to do so.’

Abela added that the Agius brothers had not been questioned about the matter and were not made aware of the investigation in this regard. The brothers are in preventive custody in jail after being charged with complicity in the murders of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and lawyer Carmel Chircop.

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Photo Source: Times of Malta

Postponed abortion referendum to be held by Gibraltar

Jun 24 2021

Following constant delay for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gibraltar will be heading to the polls Thursday to vote on easing draconian abortion laws. Initially planned to be held on March 19th 2020, the vote was postponed as virus cases began spiking significantly in the close-knit community of 32,000 people.

Abortion is still banned in the British enclave at the southernmost tip of Spain, except in cases where it would save the mother’s life. The penalty for breaking this law is life imprisonment but it has not been applied in modern times. The government is proposing changing the law to allow abortion where a woman’s mental or physical health is at risk, which includes cases of rape or incest, or even in the case of foetuses having fatal physical defects.

Until now, women have had to travel to Spain or Britain to undergo the procedure. Under the changes, a woman would be able to undergo an abortion up to 12 weeks into her pregnancy. There would be no time limit on cases involving fatal foetal anomaly.

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Photo Source: Brittanica, EURACTIV

WATCH: Fire extinguisher bursts as police try to open door to Vesuvio Bakery

Jun 24 2021

The police were called to Qormi Road, Hamrun yesterday following reports of a burning smell coming out of an apartment under which Vesuvio Bakery is located. Police tried to open the door, with one attempting to use a fire extinguisher to make their way inside. The fire extinguisher however burst, releasing a white cloud in the crowd formed at the bakery entrance.

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Police eventually made their way into the bakery and control the situation. No one was injured and Vesuvio Bakery issued a statement saying that the incident had nothing to do with their bakery. The bakery team ensured everyone that their team is okay and the bakery is set to operate as usual with all necessary precautions taken.

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