The following are the top stories in national newspapers today.

Times of Malta says Malta fell from 17th place to 33rd in the latest ranking by the Washington-based Freedom House, which gauges democracy and liberty in 195 countries and 14 territories across the globe. In another story, it says Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has rejected calls by the Council of Europe for a public debate on the blanket ban on abortion.

The Malta Independent says crafts village operators and craftsmen are relieved that the long-overdue Ta’ Qali project is finally underway.

Malta Today says that the final vote on the pilots’ collective agreement is expected on Sunday.

L-Orizzont quotes the Prime Minister saying that common sense has won in the issue between pilots and Air Malta.

In-Nazzjon says Parliament will today debate the 'scandalous' hospitals agreement with Vitals Global Healthcare.

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