The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times leads with US President Obama’s full first day agenda. It also reports on the trial by jury of a man accused of stabbing his former girlfriend. The defence counsel said he never had the intention to kill.
The Malta Independent reports the Prime Minister’s visit to Hamburg, where he visited the Lufthansa Tecknik offices. It also reports that the energy benefit is set to be capped at €75 per person per year.
l-orizzont highlights the hospital waiting lists problem and a statement about it issued yesterday by the PL. It reports how 11 trade unions said they were even more concerned following the Deloitte report on the workings of the utility bills. The newspaper also reports that Joseph Muscat turns 35 today.
In-Nazzjon says Lufthansa Tecknik is to engage 200 more workers. It also reports on the signing of the university lecturers collective agreement.
The Press in Britain
The Guardian says President Obama is expected to sign orders later today to close Guantanamo prison in Cuba within a year, fulfilling his campaign promise to shut down a facility that critics around the world say violates human rights.
The Independent claims he called the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in a quest for peace in the Middle East.
The Times say the flurry of calls from the Oval Office were attempts from Mr Obama to "usher in a new era of peace", making arrangements for a withdrawal from Iraq and opening a dialogue with Iran.
The Daily Mirror praises the President's peace drive.
The Sun shows Mr Obama in full dance-floor swing.
The Daily Mail mentions the Obamas' dance through 10 different balls following the inauguration, but bonuses at Northern Rock dominate the front page which reveals staff at the bank will get nearly £9m in rewards.
The extra cash for Northern Rock employees begs the Daily Express to question 'what planet' the Labour government is on.
The Financial Times fronts with the sterling dropping to its lowest rate against the dollar since 1985 and reveals Manchester United sponsor AIG is selling its prized Asian life assurance unit.
And elsewhere…
The Washington Times reports that Barack Obama has retaken the US presidential oath of office, after the inauguration blunder that was heard throughout the world. In a rare move, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the oath at the White House and went through the drill again out of what an official called "an abundance of caution".
The International Herald Tribune quotes EU officials saying they have received assurances from Israel that it would allow humanitarian aid through to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, in Brussels for talks with EU officials, said Israel was ready to cooperate to ensure effective relief in Gaza, but also stressed the need to prevent weapons smuggling.
Haaretz reports the Israeli military would investigate charges that its forces used white phosphorous inappropriately during Israel's three-week offensive against Hamas militants. Under international law, the highly flammable substance may be used to create smoke screens, but is not to be deployed in civilian areas.
Börzen Zeitung says the German government expects the country's economy to shrink by 2.25 percent this year – its worst performance since World War II. The government predicts exports, a key driver of Europe's largest economy, will decline by just under nine percent.
Die Welt says Germany has banned a synthetic cannabis-like drug known as ‘spice', becoming the fourth nation to ban the substance after Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. German health officials found the drug contains an ingredient similar to that found in marijuana.
USA Today says struggling Detroit car manufacturer General Motors has received the second instalment of its federal loan package. The Treasury Department transferred $5.4 billion to GM, bringing the total federal money loaned to the company to $9.4 billion dollars.
De Telegraph reports that an Amsterdam court has ruled that the right-wing politician Geert Wilders is to be prosecuted for inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims. On several occasions Wilders had referred to Islam as a "backward culture" and the Koran as a "fascist book".
Kosovo’s Gazeta Besa says the country has launched a new security force made up of 2,500 civilians and paramilitaries, despite protests from neighbouring Serbia. The NATO-trained force will carry light weapons and include members from all ethnic groups.
Moscow Times reports lawyers and politicians have condemned the shooting of a human rights lawyer in Moscow and called for a thorough investigation.
O Globo reports Exxon announced it has discovered oil in deep water off Rio de Janeiro, near massive fields that could hold as much as 80 billion barrels.
Variety says Matt Dillon has pleaded not guilty to a speeding charge after police claimed they spotted the actor doing 106mph on an interstate highway.