The following are the top stories in the national and international press today.
Times of Malta says the Ombudsman has launched an investigation into concerns over food safety after it reported the dumping of slurry on agricultural fields. In another story, it says migrants rescued at sea in Frontex operations will no longer have to be taken to the country coordinating the mission.
L-Orizzont says the police are expected to issue charges against former GRTU director Vince Farrugia in relation to the case involving him and former GRTU council member Sandro Chetcuti.
The Malta Independent says that the Church is currently investing €3 million to fund teacher training programmes for teaching mixed ability classes.
In-Nazzjon says lecturers are concerned at the lack of funds for research. In another story it says that Dolores Cristina is to be confirmed acting president.
International news
Yonhap Television News network reports Lee Joon Seok, the captain arrested in connection with the sinking South Korean ferry, has defended his order to delay the evacuation of his sinking ferry.
Asia Times says the news of Lee’s arrest came as divers made their way to the third deck inside the wreckage where they found three bodies.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Globe reports at last seven passengers died and dozens are atill missing after a boat loaded with people in a Good Friday procession capsized in high waves off eastern Indonesia.
Sole 24 Ore reports Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has confirmed a 10-billion euro income-tax cut for lower-income earners, funded in part through permanent spending reductions to defence, while insisting that health-care budgets would not be touched.
Fox News says President Barack Obama has signed hurried legislation banning anyone from entering the US as a UN representative if they had a past in either espionage or terrorism, and were still considered a threat to the US.
El Youm reports Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been re-elected for his fourth consecutive term in office with over 81 per cent of the vote.
The New York Times says the UN has expressed outrage at a deadly attack on one of its bases in South Sudan, saying it could “constitute a war crime”.
Český Rozhlas reports the famous Saint Catherine Monastery in the Sinai is under threat of destruction.
NBC News says the secluded Texas ranch where followers of imprisoned polygamist Warren Jeffs lived in near isolation, has been seized by state agents, nearly six years after the FBI raided the property and removed hundreds of children amid child sex allegations.