These are the top stories in local newspapers this Friday.

The Times of Malta reports that the illegal economy is now worth at least €320m, with it having grown by €40m in just one year.

The newspaper also reports from court, where a police inspector said drug dealers in Paceville were hiding their merchandise in little nooks and crannies around the town.

The Malta Independent leads with a large photo of soul singer Aretha Franklin, who died on Thursday. It also reports that Infrastructure Malta has assured that the Marsa-Qormi intersection flyover is structurally safe.

In-Nazzjon reports that the courts have upheld Adrian Delia’s request for a constitutional case seeking a copy of the Egrant inquiry to be held with urgency. A hearing is scheduled for September 3. 

L-Orizzont focuses on child sexual abuse on its front page, with a psychologist telling the newspaper that many abused children are reluctant to speak out because they don’t think they will be believed.

The newspaper also reports on an ongoing war of words between BirdLife and the hunters’ federation FKNK.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.