The following are the top stories in national newspapers today.

The Times of Malta says a magistrate on Monday ruled that although there were grounds to begin a criminal inquiry into the latest revelations regarding Dubai-based company 17 Black, a separate inquiry would duplicate the work of a pending money laundering inquiry. In another story, it said the Planning Authority has been taken to court over its decision to allow the former Sea Malta building in Marsa to be demolished under a procedure meant to secure dangerous structures.

In-Nazzjon also leads with the 17 Black story. It also says that 60 people are listed in the Paedophile Register.

The Malta Independent says students coming to Malta to learn English as a foreign language are increasingly hailing from countries which previously did not turn to the island as its destination of choice.

l-Orizzont says there has been a 28 per cent drop in unemployment.