<<M’hemm l-ebda bużżieqa fis-suq tal-proprjeta’>> is the title of the leading story of L-Orizzont. The report focuses on an interview with economist Mark Bamber about the property sector. He argues that the there is no ‘construction bubble’ but inflation. Inflation is normal. The bubble would be existing if there’s a structural problem in the economy.
In another story, Orizzont focuses on the food provided at Mater Dei hospital. The report, entitled <<Il-pazjenti fl-Isptar Mater Dei b’ċereali li fihom inqas zokkor>> refers to comments given by the hospital’s CEO, who denied that patients at MaterDei are not given cereals. He said that these were replaced with ones which had lower sugar. In a third story L-Orizzont reports about the importance that the Maltese change the mentality when it comes to waste. This is related to the announcement done yesterday related to changes in the Environment Protection Act. The story, which is also carried on the front page of The Times under the headline <<Sharp rise in fines for litter>> we read that anyone repeatedly caught littering could soon face fines of up to €15,000 as penalties for the illegal dumping of garbage rise drastically in the coming months. Apart from heftier fines for repeat offenders, litter louts will also be subject to higher penalties.
In-Nazzjon’s front page story reports the interview that the Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia gave on Dissett. The report entitled <<Għandna viżjoni ta’ soċjeta li jimpurtaha>>, refers to the vision of the PN as agreed upon and stated during the PN’s general council and how it was explained during the interview. The newspaper carries also a report about the request done by the Nationalist Party to investigate the abuses in the utility bills. The third is a photo story showing the Italian designate Prime Minister Carlo Cottarelli and reports on the issues currently being faced by Italy.
The Malta Independent’s front page main story is entitled <<Final decision on fuel station that raised activists’ ire to be taken tomorrow>>. The report refers to the fact that two fuel station applications are expected to be decided upon by the Planning Authorit Board tomorrow. In a second story we read about a High Level Global Conference on the Universal Prohibition of Corporate Punishment being hosted in Malta. Entitled <<Teamwork among different sectors is way forward to tackling corporal punishment>> the report states that collaboration between different sectors is the way forward to effectively tackle corporal punsihment and prevent it from taking place. The news paper also carries a photo story about a shooting which took place in Liege, Belgium, where three people (including two police officers were killed.
MaltaToday reports that James Piscopo, (currently Transport Malta’s Chairman and CEO) is expected to take over the role of CEO at the Lands Authority. <<Muscat’s man, Piscopo, to take over Lands Authority>> refers to the fact that Piscopo and Muscat are close friends and also puts the appointment in terms of how he can catalyse the needed reforms in the Lands Authority. Another story <<Facebook trio still in custody awaiting decision on bail>> refers to the fact the court is to decree on a request for bail made for three individuals who were charged over Facebook posts in which they appear to be cheering on a man who ran over and nearly killed a police officer.
The Times report that <<Malta facing €179m cut in funding from the EU>>. In its report the newspaper Malta could be among the biggest losers in the next EU budget as Brussels is proposing a €179 million cut in cohesion policy funds when compared to the existing seven-year budget that ends in two years’ time. This, however, did not come as a complete surprise, given Malta’s robust economic growth and record unemployment registered in recent years, which dented its prospects remaining a net beneficiary of EU funds.
Details of the European Commission’s proposal were submitted yesterday as part of an overhaul in the mechanism used in allocating cohesion funds that are primarily intended for infrastructural projects like roads, hospitals and schools. It transpires that the Commission is proposing an alloca- tion of €597 million for Malta for the period between 2021 to 2027, that is, 23 per cent below the current budget.
