The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times says the news that George Abela is expected to become the next President has been well received. It also reports the safe emergency landing by an Ethiopian Airlines B757 and the rescue of 162 migrants in the first intake of 2009. In other stories, the newspaper reports the Israeli Prime Minister saying Israel is close to achieving its aims in Gaza.
l-orizzont says there is expectation for an official announcement that George Abela will be Malta's eighth President. It also reports on the emergency landing and the rescue of the migrants.
The Malta Independent says women and a child are among the rescued migrants.
In-Nazzjon says the Prime Minister is today to launch the process for the nomination of a new President during a Cabinet meeting, followed by a meeting of the PN parliamentary group. It also reports that the Housing Authority is to make more apartments available.
The Press in Britain
The Daily Mail quotes the father of the soldier at whom a racist slur was aimed by Prince Harry saying “Sorry’s not good enough”.
The Times says firms are to be offered cash incentives to train and employ people who have been out of work for a long time.
The Financial Times reports the £500m plan is designed to stop the recession creating an army of long-term unemployed.
The Scotsman says a slump in the number of jobs for people leaving university is a threat to economic recovery.
According to The Daily Telegraph, taxpayers' cash may be used to help the British car industry.
The Daily Express reports that the government's decision to allow more migrants into the country threatens British jobs.
Fares Akram, The Independent's correspondent in Gaza City, tells how he is fleeing with his nine-months-pregnant wife.
The Guardian reports new research means babies may soon be able to be screened for autism.
Reality TV star Jade Goody tells The Daily Mirror she has only a 40 per cent chance of surviving cancer.
And elsewhere..
Pravda says President Medvedev has declared as invalid a three-way deal to end the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, which has limited supplies to central Europe. He accused Kiev of secretly adding a handwritten note to the deal between Russia, Ukraine and the European Union. An EU Commission spokesmen said the paperwork would be checked but added that the Ukrainian note had no affect on the accord's overall validity.
Al-Jeezera says Israeli forces have advanced into the Gaza Strip's most populous area, killing at least 27 Palestinians. The Palestinian death toll has now passed 870. Hamas Militants fired anti-tank missiles and mortar bombs at Israeli security forces.
Haaretz says Israeli reservist units have been called up for military action on a day that saw some of the fiercest battles in the 16-day Israeli offensive. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his cabinet that Israel have achieved almost all of its military objectives.
The International Herald Tribune reports demonstrations against the Israeli offensive in Gaza ended in violent incidents in Brussels and Madrid while in other European cities pro-Israeli demonstrators, mainly led by Jewish groups, denounced Hamas.
US president-elect Barack Obama, who takes office on January 20, has promised rapid diplomatic efforts to find solutions to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He has told the US broadcaster ABC that his "best possible" people would deal with the Middle East situation. In a reference to Israel, he reiterated his stance that any country should protect its citizens.
Jakarta Post says searches are still looking for as many as 200 passengers and crew missing after a ferry capsized off West Sulawesi in rough seas. Government officials say six deaths have been confirmed so far and 18 people have been rescued. Survivors spoke of a huge wave that overturned the ferry at dawn on Sunday.
Variety reports British actress Kate Winslet has scored a double at the Golden Globe Awards in Hollywood. She won best actress for her role in Revolutionary Road and also clinched the best supporting actress gong for her portayal of a Nazi death camp guard in The Reader. Mickey Rourke won best actor for his portrayal of a washed-up prizefighter in The Wrestler. The late Heath Ledger won a posthumous best supporting actor award for his performance as The Joker in Batman movie The Dark Knight. Danny Boyle won the best director award for Slumdo.