Parliament to start discussing amendments to the Criminal Code

Nov 28 2022

Today, the Maltese Parliament will start discussing an amendment to the Criminal Code to clarify the legal position of the attending physician and the mother in circumstances where the pregnancy leads to the mother suffering from a medical complication that could put her life at risk or health in grave danger.

In a statement issued this morning, the Labour Party said that “the Nationalist Party knows very well that with what the Parliament will start discussing tonight, abortion will remain illegal according to Maltese law.”

The PL said that “only one law amendment is being made.” The party in government explained that this will clarify situations that occur when medical professionals agree that the pregnancy should be terminated due to a medical complication that could put the mother’s life at risk or in grave danger. “This means that the articles that already exist in the Criminal Code regarding abortion will remain there”, said PL.

In a separate statement, the Nationalist Party stated that “tonight the Parliament will start discussing the introduction of abortion in our country as Robert Abela wants.” The PN said that “Robert Abela does not have an electoral mandate to introduce abortion in Malta.”

An official statement by PN said that this is “typical of a Prime Minister who has no respect for the value of life from conception to the last breath.” The PN stated that Robert Abela is abusing his position as Prime Minister with a misleading amendment to the Criminal Code to introduce abortion instead of providing legal certainty and protection for pregnant women, unborn babies and professionals in the field of health in case an intervention is necessary to save the life of the mother who is in clear danger.

All the PN Members of Parliament declared that they are against the introduction of abortion and they will be voting against the law being proposed by the government.

On the other hand, Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, has asked whether one “should kill someone because of a health threat and not a life threat?” Charles Scicluna appealed to parliament to thread carefully on this subject.

This national debate took off a few weeks ago when US national Andrea Prudente was denied a request to terminate a non-viable pregnancy whilst in Malta.

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Thousands of naked Australians strip for cancer awareness

Nov 28 2022

Around 2,500 naked volunteers posed in the early morning light of Sydney’s Bondi Beach for artwork designed to raise awareness about skin cancer.

The installation is the work of American photographer Spencer Tunick’s latest project, which is aimed at encouraging Australians to get skin checks.

For this incredible shoot, legislation was changed to allow public nudity on the beach for the first time ever. This comes after The World Cancer Research Fund revealed that Australia is the country worst impacted by skin cancer.

Around 2,000+ Australians die to skin cancer every year, charity Skin Check Champions founder Scott Maggs revealed. The charity runs free, educational skin check clinics to help thousands of people.

Tunick said in a statement that it was “an honour to be a part of an art mission to raise awareness of the importance of skin checks” — and added that he himself would be benefiting from the campaign, having been convinced to get his first skin check in 10 years.

Tunick himself has staged around 100 large scale nude photos in public around the world. He has even been arrested multiple times due to his stunts, but believes his work is contributing to improved health for many people.

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Gozo Channel is back in action following severe weather

Nov 28 2022

Following this weekend’s intense weather, the Gozo Channel had to be halted to ensure the safety of passengers and the crew. Now that the weather has cleared, Gozo Channel Operations Limited announced that the ships are once again in operation at the Ċirkewwa South Quay.

Meanwhile, to ensure that anyone stuck in Malta or Gozo due to the weather could be safe, the government announced that they would be able to stay at a hotel and would be reimbursed for their stay.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri explained on social media that every worker that got stuck in Malta can spend a night at a hotel in the area and should keep the receipt.

‘We are informed that the Riviera Hotel and Paradise Hotel have available rooms and are aware of the arrangement’ he explained. ‘The reimbursement will come into effect once again via the App MyGozo.’

On his part, Minister for Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela explained that Gozitan staff working night duty at care homes will also not have to cross the channel in the weather.

The initiative was well received by many, especially those who had to stay either in Malta or Gozo due to the severe weather conditions.

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A brief recap of yesterday’s storm… and what’s coming

Nov 28 2022

Malta was battered by heavy rain, Force 9 winds and even some damage inducing flooding over the weekend.

As many found shelter indoors, others managed to get a snippet of what the storm hailing from the northeast was doing to the islands.

Boats in Marsascala were filmed being pulled to shore whilst others recorded scenes of cars ploughing through depths of water and rain.

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The worst of the storm was registered in the afternoon between 1400 and 1700hrs, with the forecast resulting in an orange warning by the Malta International Airport weather reporting facility.

And this could be the beginning of a pattern for this week as similar forecasts have been issued for the rest of the week. This week is set to colder and wetter than usual, with moderate winds and possible isolated rain throughout out.

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