The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
The Times says the Budget is a boost for working parents.
The Malta Independent describes the Budget as ‘a shock absorber’
l-orizzont highlights the GWU view that the Budget measures were far from what was expected.
In-Nazzjon says this was a Budget for families.
The overseas press
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a stronger political union in Europe to overcome the bloc’s debt crisis, which she described as “maybe Europe’s most difficult hours since Second World War”. Börzen Zeitung quotes her telling members of her conservative party, gathered for their annual convention in Leipzig, that the EU treaties must be overhauled to create a tighter political union, including measures to force countries in violation of fiscal discipline rules to face tough and automatic sanctions, even possibly hauling them to the European Court of Justice. Merkel said one must create a Europe that ensured that the euro had a future.
Kathimerini quotes Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos stressing that the only option for his country was to stay in the eurozone. Presenting an outline of his policies to parliament, Papademos said the country’s budget deficit will reach nine per cent of gross domestic product this year – higher than earlier targets.He said Greece needed to implement structural reforms “quickly and efficiently”, widen its tax base and fight tax evasion.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that police in California have closed down one of the camps protesting against the inequalities of capitalism that have sprung up across the United States. More than 30 people were arrested during the operation to clear the tented camp in Oakland.
The Washington Times says the United States has welcomed renewed international pressure on the Syrian President Bashar al Assad to resign. The White House said Assad was increasingly isolated following Syria’s suspension by the Arab League and renewed European sanctions. Earlier King Abdullah of Jordan told the BBC that if he were in Assad’s shoes, he would step down.
The Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has told The Sydney Morning Herald that she would like her government to end its ban on exporting uranium to India. The Australian Labour Party introduced the ban when it took power four years ago as India had not signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
O Globo says the authorities in Rio de Janiero have promised they would take control of dozens more poor neighbourhoods or favelas before the FIFA World Cup in 2014. On Monday, heavily armed police move into Rossigna, the city’s largest favela.
The Washington Post reports that the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments over whether or not a key provision in President Obama’s healthcare reforms was legal. The court would focus on the power to the government to fine people who refuse to buy health insurance.
USA Today says American diplomats in London have denied claims that they had concerns about Britain’s security plans for the 2012 Olympics. The American Embassy denied reports that there existed a row between Britain and the US.
Al Jazeera says Libya’s new leadership has asked Niger to reconsider its decision to grant asylum to Sadi Gaddafi, a son of the former Libyan leader. On Saturday, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger said he would grant Saadi asylum on humanitarian reasons. The announcement has further strained the already troubled relations between Niger and Libya's interim rulers, who overthrew Gaddafi after an eight month uprising.