In the Press: Labour split on embryo freezing

MaltaToday reports that the Labour parliamentary group is split over a push by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to introduce legislation on embryo freezing as at least 10MPs have expressed reservations on embryo freezing – including ministers George Vella, parliamentary secretary Deborah Schembri and Whip Godfrey Farrugia. In another story, the newspaper reports that even though there are close to 7,000 requests to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for changes to be made to local plans, MEPA has confirmed that it “has no fixed date for completion” of the new local plans – despite earlier commitments to finalise this complex process in June 2015. 

On the backpage, medieval historian Charles Dalli says that Christianity probably failed to stand its ground in Malta during Arab conquest, and was replaced by Islam, and Maltese fest names give clues to the island’s Muslim history.

Sunday newspaper Illum says the haste how Konrad Mizzi was appointed as the Labour Party’s deputy leader indicates that the party is bracing itself for a general election for the end of 2017. The newspaper also reports that there is total “anarchy” and little to no legal guidelines to regulate women working as escorts in Malta.

The Sunday Times of Malta reports that Chinese ‘massage’ parlours are being blamed for a rising trend in older men visiting the GU Clinic with infections contracted as a result of having unprotected sex, while in another story, the newspaper says Speaker Anglu Farrugia has denied to exerting any pressure for his 320year-old daughter to be appointed magistrate.

The Malta Independent on Sunday says that by having instituted court proceedings himself against Marco Gaffarena to recoup the lands transferred in the controversial Old Mint Street deals, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has effectively rules himself out of being a possible defendant in the proceedings.

It-Torca says the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations is investigating the Gozo Association of NGOs in which Nationalist candidate Ryan Mercieca is involved.

Nationalist news organ il-mument quotes shadow minister Marthese Portelli in saying that the people are paying for the government’s corruption and incompetence through higher fuel prices, while in another story, the PN’s home affairs spokesman Jason Azzopardi accuses the government of trying to take over the judiciary.

Labour newspaper Kullhadd says Italians living in Malta criticised the comments made about Malta on Le Iene TV programme. On the frontpage, the newspaper quotes Justice Minister Owen Bonnici, saying that the reform of the judiciary, including the appointment of new judges and magistrates, will be carried out with an ‘open mind and maturity’.