The following are the leading stories in Maltese and foreign newspapers.
The Times says quotes Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi saying that Mnalta fully agrees with the renewable energy targets set for it by the European Commission and will be launching a multi-million euro initiative for the development of an offshore wind farm soon.
The Malta Independent says the concept of a Mediterranean Union took a step closer to become a reality following unanimous endorsement yesterday by European Union leaders, It also announces that tourist arrivals in the fourth quarter boosted figures for 2007 by 10 percent.
In-Nazzjon leads with the news that Malta is committed to reach the EU renewable energy targets. It also refers to Labour's electoral defeat and says that some are blaming deputy leader Michael Falzon for the party's defeat. It quotes former deputy leader George Abela saying he is ready to enter the leadership race.
l-orizzont leads with the Naxxar fireworks tragedy and quotes victim Sina Sammut's son Gareth saying during her funeral "Mummy, we are missing you!"
Il-Gens Illum also reports on the funeral of Sina Sammut but leads with the EU agreement on climate change action and the Mediterranean Union.
The Press in Britain
Practically all Brirish newspapers are focused on how schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was discovered, after being abducted 24 days ago, following one of the UK's biggest police hunts in a house belonging to a a member of her extended family whose children were taken away from him.
While the police are trying to unravel the mystery of what happened to Shannon between her disappearance and her dramatic rescue, The Daily Mail asks why it took officers so long to find her.
The Evening Standard reports that police went to the flat to find the abducted girl after a neighbour in the downstairs flat raised the alarm on hearing a child's footsteps above, knowing Mr Donovan had no children living with him in the flat.
The Express reveals Shannon was discovered by police hidden in the base of a double bed in a house just a mile from her home - with her stepfather's uncle, Mick Donovan, lying beside her.
The Scotsman tells how the nine-year-old was taken into care by police and social services - moments after being reunited with her relieved mother - until they have had time to establish the full facts of what happened since her disappearance. After medical checks, West Yorks Police will begin the process of interviewing Shannon.
The Mirror carries a picture of the man arrested over the kidnap.
The Sun has the same photo, and says the suspect is the uncle of Shannon's stepdad Craig Meehan.
The Star says Shannon was found alive against all odds when police smashed their way into Mick Donovan's home.
The Telegraph also covers the story on its front page, but leads with a prediction that mortgage rates could soar after the global financial crisis triggered the near-collapse of one of the world's biggest banks.
The Financial Times says the Federal Reserve and JPMorgan Chase combined to provide emergency finance for Bear Stearns and prevent further upheaval in global markets.
The Times reports sales of alcohol have shot up by 50 percent since the Budget as thousands rush to stock up on wine, spirits and beer before duty increases tomorrow night.
The Independent says fears of an exodus of major companies from Britain intensified as Yahoo! confirmed its move to Geneva.
The Guardian quotes comments from Jonathan Powell, who for more than a decade was Tony Blair's most influential aide and adviser, saying that western governments must talk to terror groups, including Al Qaeda and the Taliban, if they hope to secure a long-term halt to their campaigns of violence. The British Government has since dismissed Powell's call as "inconceivable".
The Record reports that while there are plans to force MPs to publish details of every expenses claim they have made in the last four years, the MPs themselves are plotting to award themselves a pay hike of up to £40,000 a year in response to the clampdown on their rocketing expenses claims.
The Herald reveals the disturbing news that 22 convicted sex offenders have vanished from Scotland's new monitoring regime. Some are believed to have fled the country, while others are being sought closer to home. There are about 3,600 registered sex offenders living in the community.
And elsewhere...
International Herald Tribune reports that at the end of a two-day summit European Union leaders voiced strong concern about the surge of the euro, which this week reached an all-time high of 1.56 against the dollar acknowledging that it was threatening Europe's economic growth. A statement was also issued on behalf of the EU which appealed to China to show restraint in Tibet following the rioting and demonstrations currently taking place in the streets of the country's ancient capital, Lhasa. The United States has also Beijing to avoid a harsh response to the protests.
Radio Free Asia had earlier reported that at least two people have been killed amid some of the biggest anti-government protests in Tibet in nearly 50 years. While confirming that that authorities used tear gas and fired warning shots to disperse crowds China's state-run Xinhua news agency has blamed groups close to the Dalai Lama for instigating the protests. The Tibetan spiritual leader denies the charge. The demonstrations follow a growing international campaign to challenge China's rule of the Himalayan region.
Washington Post quotes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice saying that Russia's new openness towards the controversial missile defence programme has prompted her and Defence Secretary Robert Gates to make last-minute plans to visit Russia on Monday. She declined to say which aspects of the programme will be the focus of the talks. The US says the installations in Poland and the Czech Republic - now NATO members - would counter a looming Iranian threat or potential threats from states such as North Korea. Moscow disputes Washington's contention and says it believes the real aim is to weaken Russia.
Jomhury-e Eslami leads with initial reports from Iran's parliamentary elections which suggest conservatives are overall in the lead but reformist candidates have also shown strong results in cities where they were given a chance to compete. Many opponents of hard-line President Ahmadinejad, who had hoped to capitalise on public discontent about inflation now running at 19 percent, were barred from taking part in the elections.
The British Medical Association's journal The Tablet quotes the results of a research which shows that highly-educated parents are more prone to stop their children having controversial MMR injection following a scare over the vaccine. A University of London report into attitudes towards the jab against the measles, mumps and rubella found a lower take-up rate among parents who had gone on to further education. The study found they were also less likely to have their children immunised against other diseases after the scare.
Variety reports that the World War Two sitcom 'Allo 'Allo has been sold to its most unlikely audience yet - the Germans! The hit show - which was set in Nazi-occupied France and poked fun at the Gestapo - will be seen by German audiences after BBC Worldwide struck a deal with broadcaster ProSiebenSat1. But the comedy accents could end up lost in translation as the whole show will be dubbed into German.