Lionel Messi Wins Historic 8th Ballon D’Or

Oct 31 2023

In a historic and yet another record-breaking moment, Lionel Messi has once again etched his name in the annals of football history by clinching his eighth Ballon d’Or award.

The Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football magazine, is a prestigious accolade that recognizes the best footballer on the planet, and has once again decided to award Messi, who has also recently won the World Cup with Argentina.

This year, Messi was among the elite nominees, and the footballing world eagerly awaited the announcement of the winner. With this remarkable triumph, Messi has now secured more Ballon d’Or titles than any other player in history.

The run-up to this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony was particularly notable for the absence of another football legend, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Having won the award five times previously, Ronaldo’s exclusion from the nominee list marks a significant turning point. It is the first time in two decades that the Portuguese maestro has not been in contention, signaling a changing of the guard in the world of football accolades.

This year the competition was fierce, as other remarkable talents vied for the coveted title. Among the shortlisted candidates were Manchester City’s prolific striker Erling Haaland, who had previously secured the UEFA award for the best men’s player in the last season. Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain’s young sensation Kylian Mbappe was another prominent contender.

While the competition was stiff, Messi’s undeniable impact and consistency on the field once again set him apart from his peers. With an extraordinary career spanning over two decades, he has consistently delivered awe-inspiring performances and set numerous records.

#MaltaDaily L

Malta The Next Dubai? Land Reclamation In Budget 2024

Oct 30 2023

Speaking during the unveiling of Budget 2024, Minister Clyde Caruana addressed plans of land reclamation for the Maltese islands.

In the past months, the minister explained, the government has explored a number of projects which not only ‘respect and improve the environment’, but also ‘analyse with experts the best interventions’ when it comes to land reclamation.

The government plans on issuing proposals for further discussions and eventually introducing new applications with the relevant competent authorities.

Will Malta see large land reclamation projects in the near future?

#MaltaDaily

Pledge To Increase Investment In Gozo & Karin Grech Hospitals

Oct 30 2023

In the wake of the recent court decision to annul the Vitals/Steward contract, Malta’s Finance Minister, Clyde Caruana, has made a significant announcement during the first budget speech since the court’s decision.

The government is committing to bolster the investment in two crucial healthcare facilities, the Gozo General Hospital and the Karin Grech Hospital.

The investment slated for the next year is set at €75 million.

During this budget speech, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana did not delve into the details of the Vitals-Steward controversy, nor did he address the court’s findings. Instead, his focus was squarely on outlining the government’s vision for the future, with a significant emphasis on investing in and improving healthcare services.

The opposition’s stance, led by the Nationalist Party, has been clear in demanding the return of the money paid to Vitals/Steward. This stance was reinforced during a recent protest in Valletta, where Opposition Leader Bernard Grech and former leader Adrian Delia, among others, reiterated their concerns about the funds involved in the Vitals-Steward contract. Their argument revolves around the notion of ‘money stolen from the people’ and its potential alternative uses, which, according to them, could have greatly benefitted the Maltese population.

#MaltaDaily

Student Stipends to be Increased by €64 Per Year

Oct 30 2023

Students will benefit from an increase of €64 per year on their stipend, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has revealed during this year’s Budget unveiling.

Stipends will be increasing pro-rata, amounting to €64 per year. The minister went on to state that the government will continue to increase stipends in particular courses to address the need for individuals who are trained in sectors which are crucial for Malta’s economic transition.

Earlier this year, it was announced that students reading for courses in Social Work, Earth Systems, Artificial Intelligence will receive a higher stipend starting this scholastic year. A total of 46 courses will be newly-categorised over a three-year period, benefitting over 4,400 students through an investment of €6.5 million.

Following the previous announcement, a number of student organisations had expressed their disapproval at the stipend increase, calling it continued disrespect for students studying the Arts and Humanities, which they considered to be ‘sidelined’.

This, and more, were revealed by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana as part of this year’s ‘Malta Ġusta’ Budget, a budget which Robert Abela referred to as a ‘holistic plan for a brighter future, improving the welfare of every citizen.’

For more Budget 2024 coverage, visit maltadaily.mt

#MaltaDaily