The Times and MaltaToday carry reports about the continuation of the compilation of evidence in the case of the explosion which killed journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The Times <<‘#rel1=on’ was SMS that killed Daphne>> reports that the mobile phone text message that activated the explosion which killed Daphne Caruana Galizia in October read “#rel1=on”, FBI agents said yesterday. They were testifying in the compilation of evidence of brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio and Vince Muscat, who stand charged with planting and activating the deadly device. This was “an intentional bomb attack” designed to cause death “100 per cent”. It was a chemical, military-type device, containing 300 to 400 grams of TNT. Its epicentre was the floorboard under the driver’s seat, the expert said, adding that all the evidence suggested this could not have been accidental or a suicide. Maltatoday reports about this in its frontpage with a photo accompanied by the headline <<FBI agents take the witness stand>>.
The Times and Independent carry photo stories captioned “Zuckerberg faces EU grilling”; “Army of fake Zuckerbergs march on EU Parliament”; referring to the Facebook’s hearing at the European Parliament. The Times carries also a story <<BVI sought information on €320m Enemalta sale adviser>>. In the report “Anti-money-laundering investigators in the British Virgin Islands sought information on a consultant involved in the €320 million part- sale of Enemalta, the Times of Malta has learnt. Accenture consultant Cheng Chen took ownership of a BVI company in February 2015 via government consultants Nexia BT. Anti-money-laundering investigators from the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit found that the company, Torbridge Services, was expecting to receive €1 million in 2015 via a Pilatus Bank account.”
The Times BackPage is an article entitled <<Opportunity for quality recycling>> where Environment Minister Jose Herrera writes “The government is striving for a holistic vision for waste management, with sustainability being a core element in each of the processes and initiatives introduced. The Beverage Container Refund Scheme will prove to be an important step that will instill a shift in mentality and behaviour. Every plastic bottle, can or glass container has a value, not just a price. Today we are presented with an opportunity to make a historic step and a change that will leave a positive impact on our future generations.”
The Malta Independent’s main story <<NAO finds ‘significant lack of documentation’ for all stages of Mater Dei Hospital project >> reports that the National Audit Office (NAO) has concluded its investigation into the process, from design to eventual closure, of the Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) project, stating that a comprehensive investigation was not possible due to “significant lack of documentation.” The story also features on the frontpage of Malta Today. <<Mater Dei dispute waiver clause in 2009 agreement exposed Malta ‘to significant risks’>> The report highlights that a waiver clause accepted by government in 2009 left it with “limited means of recourse” to rectify structural defects discovered at Mater Dei hospital years later. In a lengthy report traversing the turbulent lifespan of the project that started in 1990 as a specialised hospital and was completed in 2011 as an acute general hospital, the NAO did not hold back in its negative descriptions of the management process. The report was tabled in Parliament yesterday. L-Orizzont also refers to this story on its frontpage.
The Malta Independent’s front page story entitled <<Air Malta personnel complain of being “left in the dark”, airline says all information given>> refers to the complaints of workers from Air Malta which seem not to have enough informaiton on how the latest retirement scheme, which expired on March 30th, will work in practice. In another story <<Application to sanction Rabat exotic animal farm filed >>we read about an application to sanction an exotic animal farm on ODZ land in Rabat has been filed with the Planning Authority, requesting the sanctioning of a number of cages for big cats. The application plans show that there are four cages to be sanctioned, listed as being able to hold eight tigers, three lions, three jaguars and three leopards respecttively. ‘Applicant registered as a dangerous animal keeper’
MaltaToday also carries a story entitled <<Johann Buttigieg touted for Lands CEO>>. The report reveals that Planning Authority Johann Buttigieg is expected to replace Carlo Mifsud as the latter resigned from CEO of the Lands Authority.
In-Nazzjon‘s front page refers to today’s vote regards IVF bill. <<L-Eżekuttiv tal-PL baqa’ ma ddiskutiex il-kwistjoni tal-iffriżar tal-embrijuni>> refers to the lack of discussion at Labour Party’s executive level, in view of what the report refers to pressure against the introduction of surrogacy. The second story of the newspaper refers to Wasteserv. <<134 ħaddiem jiddaħħlu mal-Wasteserv fl-erba’ ġimgħat ta’ qabel l-elezzjoni>> refers to comments given by Environment Minister Jose Herrera who saw nothing wrong that four weeks prior to last election 134 persons were employed with the state owned company. In-Nazzjon’s back page is dedicated to the funeral of the former ambassador Dr. Joseph Cassar who passed away on Saturday. <<Malta midjuna lejn ix-xogħol diplomatiku tal-Eks Ambaxxatur Joe Cassar>> refers to the funeral while <<Il-pajjiż tilef ġentlom li ħabb lil art twelidu>> is a tribute by former European Commissioner and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tonio Borg.
L-Orizzont’s front page carries four stories. The leading story, entitled <<Dan huwa żmien eċitanti għall-Gvern>> refers to comments given by American investor Tim Draper about the changes in the Fintech sector in Malta during the launch of the Delta Summit. The newspaper carries also a story about the case of censorship of Fr Mark Montebello entitled <<Mhux prudenti li l-Arċisqof jitkellem dwar Patri Mark>>. In another story we read a reply about a series of allegations in an anonymous letter regards the situation at SAPPORT. <<Il-prijorita hija li l-ħaddiema tas-settur soċjali jkunu kuntenti>> quotes the agency’s reply following allegations on how the agency is being run.
The backpage story <<Arċisqof kattoliku ħati li satar abbużi sesswali fuq abbatini>> refers to a story in Australia, where former Archbishop Philip Wilson was found guilty of having hidden cases of sexual abuse on altar boys.
