President George Vella ‘reluctant’ to approve new IVF law – reports / Malta News Briefing – Thursday 7 July 2022

1745- Latest News update

Times of Malta says the European Parliament has voted to urge EU member states to make abortion a basic human right after the US overturned it as a nationwide entitlement. 

MaltaToday says a 35-year-old man from Tarxien has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the alleged rape and defilement of a 15-year-old girl during a sleepover at his house.

Newsbook says a total of 624 new coronavirus cases have been registered on Thursday. With 527 recoveries, the number of active cases now stands at 7,941.

TVM says More than half of the cases in front of the MCCAA came from owners whose vehicle mileages were tampered with, have been compensated.

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President George Vella ‘reluctant’ to approve new IVF law- Times of Malta: President George Vella refused to say whether he will sign amendments to the IVF law that allow for embryo testing. Vella is known to have privately expressed concerns about the amendments, raising questions about whether he will sign them into law. Asked about the matter, he only insisted that “the law will be signed”. Vella will not have to sign the law if he is out of the country, as the acting President Frank Bezzina takes over. It is understood the government ensured that Bezzina would be in his post so that Vella would not need to sign off on the IVF amendments if he did not want to.

Police face involuntary homicide charges over man’s death while under arrest: Two police officers are to be charged with involuntary homicide, two years after the death of a man while under arrest at police headquarters. Times of Malta has confirmed that Police Sergeant Karl Vella Cassia and Inspector Tracy Gatt will be charged over the death of Richmond Tong, a 35-year-old from Mtarfa, who died after suffering a seizure in his cell at police headquarters on June 24, 2020, at 3.40am. He had been arrested a few hours earlier on suspicion of cocaine possession.

Covid-19 Update: A total of 624 new coronavirus cases have been reported. With 527 recoveries, the number of active cases now stands at 7,941.

Morning Briefing

New IVF law allowing genetic testing approved

MPs approved a new IVF law which will allow genetic testing prior to implantation to enable doctors to look out for certain conditions before birth. While the law was approved with bipartisan support, it has been reporetd that opposition MPs Adrian Delia, Alex Borg, and Ivan Bartolo voted against the reform. An Opposition amendment for what is known as polar body testing was approved. (Times of Malta)

Labour MPs vote against PN motion wanting repeal of late night Valletta music

Labour MPs shot down a PN motion asking for a repeal of a recent decision allowing for music to be played in Valletta’s streets until 1am. The motion proposed by Opposition MPs from the 1st District was defeated with 38 votes against and 31 in favour. The legal notice introduced last month allows bars and restaurants in nine Valletta streets to play outdoor music until 1am. (Maltatoday)

Leaders trade barbs on Zonqor

The amendments to the American University of Malta contract and property exchange agreement will be beneficial for everyone, with land being returned to the people for the creation of more green spaces, and also push for more high-quality careers, Prime Minister Robert Abela argued in Parliament. This view was countered by Opposition leader Bernard Grech who said the government was protecting the interests of “friends and investors” rather than the people.
“Żonqor should have never been taken from the people and the Nationalist Party has been voicing the people’s concerns from the very beginning,” he said. (Newsbook)