Good morning.

The following are the top stories in Malta's newspapers.

Times of Malta reports how payments to Vitals Global Healthcare were doubled, days before it sold its hospitals concession to Steward Healthcare. It also reports that at least one policemen was caught with drugs every year since 1999.

The Malta Independent highlights how the price of gas rose for the second time in five months. It also says puppies were abandoned in Gozo.

In-Nazzjon reports how the Opposition is requesting an Audit Office investigation into the transfer of state hospitals, first to Vitals and than to Steward Healthcare. It also reports how the government has raised the price of gas, again. The newspaper also highlights how former Labour minister Joe Debono Grech is to be accused in court of threatening a policeman.

l-orizzont leads with praise for the government by the Malta Fiscal Council, which underlined the government's commitment to again achieve a surplus. It also reports that a woman found abused and locked in a cave is still not in a position to give evidence in a case instituted against her husband.