In the Press: In the running for Labour deputy leader position
Stories from today's national press
MaltaToday
In light of the vacant posts in the Labour party following the reshuffle which involved energy and health minister Konrad Mizzi, two people are in the run to take his place. The two contenders are economy minister Chris Cardona and Grand Harbour Regenrartion Corporation chairman Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi. Cardona intends to win the position by running a professional campaign with regular meetings with party delegates. Zrinzo Azzopardi, former party president of five years, on the other hand, intends to rely on party connections. Zrinzo Azzopardi is good friends with former planning parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon and Labour CEO Gino Cauchi.
Times of Malta
Trouble might come soon in court after three judges refuse to accept expert due to his dubious history. Last Friday, Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri, Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Deajo and Mr Justice Noel Cuschieri, sitting in the court of Appeal, honoured the request of Kurt and Karl Chetcuti Bonavita who asked for Martin Bajada’s report as calligraphy expert to be taken off court records after learning that he has been known to falsify documents. Despite Bajada’s on going case since last February, members of the judiciary continue to appoint him as expert.
L-Orizzont
Meningitis B is considered to be a rare disease but it is a very serious one. In the last few years, about ten cases of childhood meningitis B a year are being reported. Out of these cases, about 5% lead to death, while other affected children face the possibility of a life with serious neurological side effects, such as loss of hearing. Several paediatricians are hoping for a new vaccination against the disease to become available in the country.
In-Nazzjon
Independent MP Marlene Farrugia will be initiating a no-confidence motion against Minister Konrad Mizzi later today during a parliamentary debate of five hours. This is the second no-confidence motion the Labour government will face in seventeen days. Farrugia first announced the no-confidence motion on the 16th of April in reaction to the prime minister’s lack of decision making in light of the Panama Papers scandal. Farrugia will appeal to the parliament to declare no confidence in Mizzi, stating that Mizzi’s actions were improper and cause serious doubts of corruption.
The Malta Independent
Bank of Valetta is being scrutinised by authorities over its conduct regarding anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism regulations. BOV yesterday categorically denied unlawful conduct or concealment of breach of law. The bank’s statements, however, does not hold up against evidence that authorities have been extremely concerned over the bank’s lax level of due diligence being applied to bank accounts opened by Libyans between 2013 and 2015.