The following are the leading stories in Maltese and foreign newspapers.

The Times says that the European Court of Justice will, next Wednesday, hear final submissions by lawyers representing the government and hunters on the spring hunting issue.

The Malta Independent leads with the vote-buying allegations presented by Labour MP Anglu Farrugia to the Police Commissioner. It also says that MLP deputy leader Michael Falzon will contest the party leadership race.

In-Nazzjon claims that the MLP has barred candidates for the leadership from taking part in TV or radio shows and says Dr George Ablea has confirmed he will contest the race.

Il-Gens Illum also refers to the MLP leadership contest, saying Evarist Bartolo will next Monday make his candidature official. Its lead story says that the government will be consulting the opposition over the nomination of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

l-orizzont claims the Armed Forces of Malta were not consulted by the government over the reactivation of the application for membership in the Partnership for Peace programme. Its second lead says that two government ministers are in the list of vote-buying allegations.

The Press in Britain...

The Financial Times reports British Airways travellers face more disruption this weekend as the airline continues to struggle to overcome problems at its showpiece Terminal 5.

The Times says British Airways is facing fines of up to £5,000 per passenger for breaking European rules by misleading the hundreds of travellers stranded at Heathrow over rights to compensation.

The Daily Star claims fights broke out at Heathrow as the Terminal 5 shambles got even worse. But its lead accuses the Arsenal goalkeeper, German international Jens Lehmann, of 'plying his two-year-old daughter with booze'.

The Daily Mail reveals a single pint of beer 'could soon put motorists in the dock for drink-driving'.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the cost of an average mortgage has risen so fast in recent days that borrowers are paying an extra £150 per year on their home loans, compared with the start of last week.

The Daily Express claims house prices have risen by more than £30 every day over the past five years.

The Guardian reports on attempts to alter the rules governing renewable enegry targets, to make it easier for the UK to meet them.

The Scotsman delivers news that Gordon Brown has urged Scotland to dismiss a nationalist agenda to ensure it plays a major role in the modern world.

The Sun launches a vital life-saving service - by giving away an Organ Donor Card with every copy.

The Daily Mirror reports that Sir Paul McCartney is enjoying another romantic holiday with heiress Nancy Shevell, sparking speculation he is in love again.

The Independent offers a special in-depth report as Zimbabweans go to the polls today amid increasing signs that Robert Mugabe's hold could be slipping. It quotes British charity Save the Children saying the lives of children in Zimbabwe have become "unbearable", with rising levels of chronic malnutrition and crumbling healthcare. It adds many risk rape and violence, or subject themselves to dangerous work such as mining or prostitution.

And elsewhere...

Slovenia's Ljubljanske Novice leads with the opening of the two-day European Union Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brdo pri Kranju, during which relations between the EU and Russia were examined in preparation for the June summit. The ministers also discussed the Middle East peace process and the situation in Lebanon, the role of Syria, Iran and the activities of terrorist organisations.

Meanwhile, Delo quotes British Foreign Secretary David Miliband flatly rejecting pressure for a Europe-wide boycott of the Olympic Games in response to China's crackdown on Tibet. Speaking on arrival in Slovenia, he said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown would be there - along with many other EU leaders.

Pressure is mounting on Finnish foreign minister Ilkka Kanerva to resign after he reportedly sent raunchy text messages to an erotic dancer. According to the Finnish tabloid Hymy, Mr Kanerva sent about 200 text messages from his office mobile to the blonde striptease dancer Johanna Tukiainen, one of which suggested a three-in-a-bed arrangement with her and her sister, Julia, who has worked in the pornography industry. Kanerva, who is in Slovenia for the EU meeting, refused to comment.

Al Asharq Al Awsat quotes UK Defence Secretary Des Browne saying Britain should reach out to elements of the Taliban and Hezbollah who can be won over to democracy. He said individuals must be judged by their actions and those disposed to persuasion must be engaged even if their views are disagreeable. However, he said, there is currently "no basis for negotiation with al-Qaeda".

Al-Ahram reports hundreds of people in the ancient Egyptian city of Luxor have clashed with riot police during a protest against government attempts to move them to make room for an open-air museum. The demonstration turned violent when residents hurled stones at the police, who responded by firing tear gas and arresting 13 people.

O Globo says a boy of 16 has confessed to murdering 12 people over the past three months in Brazil. He told police he killed his victims in a fit or rage or out of revenge. The police, however, said they have enough evidence to prove that the teenager, an unemployed school dropout, killed some for enjoyment.

The New York Post says Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony were paid a staggering €3.7m for the first pictures of their newborn twins Max and Emme. People magazine dug deep for the rights to show the world the month-old tots - trumping the €946,054 a rival paid pop star Christina Aguilera for the first snaps of her baby son Max. Tabloid editors claim if pregnant Angelina Jolie is carrying twins, as is rumoured, she can expect a €6.3m payday.

Japan Times says authorities are hoping to tackle the country's growing rubbish problem by encouraging people to carry their own chopsticks instead of using disposable ones. The unusual scheme is part of a package of measures aimed at reducing the country's waste by half.

The Seattle Times says a schoolgirl's message in a bottle was at sea for 21 years before being found by a man walking his dog on a beach of a tiny Alaskan fishing village 1,735 miles from where it started in Seattle. Its sender Emily Hwaung, now a 30-year-old accountant, said she can't even remember the project, adding: "Elementary school is kind of foggy."