These are the main stories covered in today's local newspapers:

Times of Malta reports that a permit has been approved for the construction of a new house on fertile agricultural land in an Outside Development Zone in Siġġiewi, issued in the name of a relative of a consultant to the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture. It also reports that keyhole surgeries in Malta had doubled in five years.

In-Nazzjon says Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had confirmed that criminals were trafficking people through Malta. It also says that the national diabetes strategy was born following the initiatives of party leader Simon Busuttil.

The Malta Independent says that the NAO has sounded a warning about excessive overtime at Mount Carmel Hospital. It also says that a legal notice allowing foreign security services to be armed in Malta will remain in effect.

L-orizzont reports the case of a poor family which is struggling to make ends meet. On its front cover it features a picture of works on the new power station.