These are the leading stories in today's local newspapers. 

The Times of Malta focuses on exam results, which were published yesterday and which indicate that two out of every three sitting for their MATSEC exams failed to earn the marks needed to enter University.

In a secondary story, the paper reports on the race to become Labour Party deputy leader, with Chris Fearne and Edward Scicluna to compete for spot after Helena Dalli was eliminated. 

The Malta Independent reports that PN leader Simon Busuttil avoided celebrations following Wednesday's vote in favour of marriage equality because he wanted to avoid antagonising more conservative members of his party. 

The newspaper also highlights a court case in which a man stands accused of trying to set a woman and her son on fire.

L-Orizzont leads with the PL deputy leadership race, also noting that party leader Joseph Muscat was confirmed with flying colours. The newspaper also gives prominence to the court hearing concerning the alleged arson attack. 

In-Nazzjon leads with news of the court application filed by PN leader Simon Busuttil yesterday, in which he asked the courts to open a criminal investigation into whether Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri broke money laundering laws when they opened secret companies in Panama.