The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press today:

The Times devotes its entire front page to the history-making inauguration of President Obama. On other pages, it reports that the EU has not yet given the green light to the car registration scheme and that Ryanair is refunding the departure tax ‘on request’.

The Malta Independent says the government is overhauling the free medicine entitlement scheme.

MaltaToday says the Obama inauguration was the dawn of a new era. It also reports that David Agius, whip of the PN parliamentary group, is demanding consultation with the group on the appointment of the next EU Commissioner.

l-orizzont reports on a bed shortage at Mater Dei Hospital.

In-Nazzjon says immigration and energy were among topics discussed in Berlin yesterday between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Gonzi.

The Press in Britain

The inauguration of President Barack Obama dominates the front pages of the newspapers:

A single picture takes up the entire front of The Independent with the caption "Washington, 12.05pm - Barack Obama, US President".

The Daily Mail also goes for a full-page image of Mr Obama placing his hand on the Lincoln Bible, held by his wife Michelle, as he took the oath of office.

The Scotsman describes him as "a man who shines with hope", adding that in his inauguration address he "did not spare his country, or the world, the harsh realities of the challenges that need to be faced".

The Financial Times focuses on President Obama's pledge of "a new era of responsibility", which it describes as a break with the Bush years.

The Guardian says it was immediately apparent when Mr Obama spoke "that the tone of his inauguration was grave".

The Daily Telegraph says he deliberately used his speech to "speak directly to the rest of the world", going against the tradition of speaking only to Americans and invoking American traditions.

The Times reports that on a day of euphoria, ceremony and pride, President Obama told America to "earn its greatness".

According to The Sun, one seal of approval meant more to Mr Obama than any other: he got the thumbs up from seven-year-old daughter Sasha.

The Daily Star also focuses on Mr Obama's "two proud little girls", daughters Sasha and Malia.

The Daily Express reports that the crowds who gathered for the historic inauguration "were not disappointed".

Metro puts images of President Obama and Dr Martin Luther King side by side, saying that as Mr Obama took on the mantle of US President, he "brought Dr King's vision one step closer".

The Herald reports on how in "a profound moment of history" Mr Obama promised to start remaking America.

The Daily Mirror leads with an image of President Obama deep in thought and describes January 20, 2009, as "America's momentous day".

And elsewhere…

The Washington Times reports that the newly sworn-in US President Barack Obama has entered the White House for the first time since taking office hours ago. Earlier, during his inaugural address, Obama promised "bold and swift" action to revive his country's struggling economy and pledged to restore America's standing in the world.

The Washington Post says President Obama has ordered all federal agencies to freeze pending regulations issued by the previous administration. The White House memo puts the decisions of former President George W. Bush on hold until they can be reviewed by Obama's staff.

The International Herald Tribune says world leaders have welcomed President Obama. Britain and France called Obama's swearing-in a chance to ‘change the world.'

USA Today says veteran politician Edward Kennedy is expected to be discharged from hospital after collapsing at the US President’s inaugural lunch in Washington. Doctors later said the 76-year-old's seizure was caused by fatigue and added that Mr Kennedy was feeling well.

In other news…

Pravda says Russian gas deliveries to Europe have resumed. Austria, Slovakia and Hungary announced that they were receiving gas through their pipelines and Croatia has called off a state of emergency.

Al-Quds al-Arabi leads with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s "heartbreaking" visit to the Gaza Strip. Ban appealed to both Israel and Hamas to show restraint and honour their recent ceasefire, which he described as "fragile."

Kuwait Times reports that Arab foreign ministers meeting on the sidelines of an economic summit in Kuwait have failed to reach a joint position on the war in Gaza.

The Irish Independent says Aer Lingus has been reprimanded over an advert which failed to show the full price of flights after complaints by Ryanair.