In Malta the local news papers front pages carry the following stories:
The Malta Independent quotes economist Gordon Cordina who said that employment sustainability requires an economic balance between productivity and workforce. He was addressing a Malta Federation of Professional Associations event.
The Times leads with a judicial protest filed by the family of Lino Cauchi, an accountant whose dismembered body was found in a well in 1982. The widow and son of Cauchi are seeking compensation.
The Malta Independent covers an interview with outgoing President Coleiro Preca who recommends that a constitutional reform provides for the president to send back legislation to parliament for reconsideration before signing it.
The Times says that Malta is not expected to reach EU targets in education, reducing the early school-leaving rate to 10 percent by 2020. The National Observatory for Living with Dignity says that, as things stand, targets are unlikely to be reached before 2022.
L-Orizzont reports that airline Ryanair will add 15 new routes to Malta from Winter this year. Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi says the announcement shows the increase in popularity of Malta as a destination.
In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the increase in population is not generating growth for family businesses. Touring Żebbuġ ahead of the local council elections, Delia said the government’s policies have had no impact on small traders and agricultural workers.
L-Orizzont says that World Kidney Day was marked on Thursday and reports a visit by Health Minister Chris Fearne to the Renal Unit at Mater Dei hospital. In another story, the paper says teachers’ unions are in favour of tracksuits for children at school in the debate over uniforms.
In-Nazzjon follows the events in Britain as the House of Commons voted on Thursday to extend the date by which the country leaves the EU. Prime Minister Theresa May proposed 30 June as the new Brexit day, but the paper says that the change requires the agreement of the other 27 members.
