These are the headlines from the Maltese newspapers today.
Malta Today reveals that an application for a 3.5 kilometre-square fish farming zone in an off-shore area has been submitted. The paper says details of the application have not been made available, but the Planning Authority said two rounds of public consultation are envisaged.
The Times speaks to real estate agents who said that property prices keep rising, although not at the rapid rate experienced in 2017. Developers Association president Sandro Chetcuti said that a yet-unpublished report shows that prices last year rose by around 17 percent.
The Malta Independent quotes government sources who denied claims that parliamentary secretary salaries have doubled after the 2017 election. The government said that rounding of figures and changes to tax regimes led to minimal increases.
The Times speaks to Heritage Malta experts who said they had advised against the ‘premature’ inauguration of the MUŻA museum in December fearing a mould outbreak. Sources told the paper the situation could take months and years to be corrected.
Malta Today follows a public spat between National Book Council chairperson Mark Camilleri and Education Minister Evarist Bartolo. Camilleri wrote on Facebook that Council funds were absorbed by the Ministry after disagreements over the NBC’s autonomy.
The Malta Independent says that Malta registers the second-highest number of deaths caused by motorcycle accidents in the EU. Latest Eurostat figures show that Malta registered 20 deaths per million inhabitants, following Greece with 20.1 per million.
L-Orizzont announces that the General Workers Union has been officially recognised by Infrastructure Malta as the main union representing its employees. GWU secretary general Josef Bugeja said the development demonstrates the trust workers have in the union.
In-Nazzjon quotes figures by the National Statistics Office showing that 80,000 people in Malta earn less than €9,000 annually. The Alliance Against Poverty said that the income threshold does not allow for dignified living.
L-Orizzont follows the murder case of Charlene Farrugia, whose remains were discovered after 11 years of reported disappearance. The paper says that the police are still investigating and would not reveal if or when prosecution will take place.
