15/07 The Morning JOE

The Front Pages

Continuing their coverage of the tragic Donegal car-crash Sunday night, both the Irish Independent and Irish Times today lead with a photo from yesterday’s funerals, where three of the eight victims were buried.

Both broadsheets have also run with identical main stories, as the Government’s possible plan to introduce a flat-rate property tax dominates the headlines. The plan is thought as a response to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) warning that an extra €3.5bn could be needed to reach budget targets.

The Independent’s headline reads ‘Property tax plan to help fill ‘€3.5bn budget hole”, whilst the Times front-page reads ‘IMF report urges levy on banker’s pay and financial institutions’. Both pieces have been assembled by the paper’s respective economics editors.

The Independent and Times also finds time to include Ivor Callely’s unanimous censure from the Seanad last night, after the former junior minister was found to have “misrepresented” his place of residence to claim €80,000 in travel expenses.

Tales from the Tabs

For casual xenophobia and toilet articles, it doesn’t come any better than the Daily Mail. Today the paper reports that the Rochdale Exchange shoppi ng centre is to introduce squatter-style ‘Asian’ toilets , after bosses at the shopping centre attended a cultural awareness course run by a local Muslim community activist.

Currently one in ten of Rochdale’s population are of Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin, with centre managers having been apparently tipped off that certain members of the local Asian community would prefer to use the ‘squat toilets’ for cultural reasons. The toilets are set to be introduced next week, with their impending launch met with horror from the local shoppers and politicians.

‘This strikes me as a classic case of excessive pandering to a politically correct minority,’ reckoned Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley.

‘It’s absolutely ludicrous – Thomas Crapper would be turning in his grave!’

An interesting image, we’re sure you’ll agree. The Mail’s horrified article concludes with a tiny, but extremely important note – ‘both the ladies’ and gents’ will have a cubicle containing a squat toilet’. So, it’s just one measly toilet each – hardly worth kicking up a stink over.

The Sports Pages

Despite a great season at Eastlands, Manchester City firebrand Craig Bellamy could be on his way out, according to The Guardian. The club has apparently decided that the Welsh forward can be offloaded since new signing David Silva can fill his slot on the left wing from now on.

After being signed by former City boss Mark Hughes, Bellamy has clashed on several occasions with current boss Roberto Mancini, since his appointment last December. It is understood  that Tottenham  may be possible suitors for the forward, though Spurs gaffer Harry Redknapp has stated “I just don’t see it happening”, owing to the player’s exorbitant salary.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail claims Manchester United are close to re-affirming their interest in Bayern Munich right-back and Germany captain Philip Lahm. The German champions have recently been linked to Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel, so a deal could be in the offing.

According to the Mail, however, a major stumbling block over any negotiations for Lahm is Bayern’s apparent interest in United midfielder Ji-Sung Park, who could be used in a player exchange, an unpalatable prospect for United fan’s after the Korean’s impressive 09/10 season.