The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.

Times of Malta quotes an expert saying there are no chemical weapons in Libya.

The Malta Independent reports comments by Lawrence Gonzi that there are no simple answers on Libya.

In-Nazzjon says workers at the freeport are being discriminated because they are not labourite. 

l-orizzont says exports are down €20m because of the situation in Libya.

The overseas press

Relatives of Western hostages that were beheaded by the Islamic State say they want the militant “Jihadi John” to be captured alive to face justice. The Washington Post and the BBC first reported the man who appeared wearing black in several ISIS videos, had been identified as 26-year-old Londoner Mohammed Emwazi, who was born in Kuwait and brought up in Britain. The Daily Mail quotes the daughter of David Haines, one his victims, saying her family would not rest until there was a bullet between the killer’s eyes.

British security services were under pressure last night to explain how they failed to stop Emwazi who was known to MI5 for at least six years. The Guardian says e-mails and other documents showed that security services had been tracking Emwazi since 2009, starting when he was refused entry to Tanzania, until the middle of 2013 when he had crossed over to Syria.

The New York Times says UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after Islamic State followers were filmed smashing 3,000-year-old statues with sledgehammers – an act she described as “a cultural tragedy”. The reported destruction of the statues followed recent reports that IS burnt down Mosul Library, which housed over 8,000 ancient manuscripts.

The Washington Times quotes the US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper telling a congressional committee that cyber attacks posed a greater security risk than terrorism. A report issued by his office said Russia’s military was setting up a cyber command to carry out “offensive activities”. The report also describes China, Iran and North Korea as leading threats.

Clarin says that a federal judge in Argentina has dismissed claims that President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her foreign minister covered up alleged Iranian involvement in a bombing of a Jewish centre in 1994. The judge concluded that “there was not a single piece of evidence that pointed to the head of state”. The accusation came from special prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who was found dead last month in his flat.

El Universal reports that the parents of the 43 Mexican students who went missing last September have led a march through the streets of Mexico City demanding a full investigation. Thousands of people joined the protest, carrying banners and pictures of the missing trainee teachers.

Al Jazeera and The Guardian have said they would be publishing a portion of “hundreds” of leaked spy documents covering nearly the last decade, centring on South Africa’s spy agency and involving “the CIA in America, MI-6 in Britain, Israel’s Mossad, Russia’s FSB and even Iranian operatives, “as well as dozens of other services from Asia to the Middle East and Africa”. They said the documents offered “an unprecedented insight into operational dealings of shadowy and highly politicized realm of global espionage.”

ABC News says a multi-billionaire hedge fund owner could be on the hook for nearly $1 million a month in child support, according to newly filed court documents in an Illinois case that threatens to be one of the biggest divorce settlements in the country. Ken Griffin filed for divorce last year from his wife Anne after 11 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple is the parents of three children, ages 2, 4 and 7. In those court filings, Anne reported how much it costs to raise their children each month, including $14,000 for food, $300,000 for a private jet, $160,000 for vacations and $2,000 for stationery. Illinois law decrees children of divorce are entitled to continue the lifestyle they enjoyed during the marriage.

The Los Angeles Times reports a $150,000-dress, worn to the Oscars ceremony last Monday, has been stolen. The pearl-studded gown was taken from the hotel room of the Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o.

Madonna has been accused of faking her BRITs fall to pull off a massive publicity stunt. The Daily Star says led by DJ Chris Evans, fans have accused her of trying to boost sales of her new music and concert tickets. They pointed to her careful positioning with her back to the audience. And they claimed the fall was perfectly synced with a “Let me fall, I’m gonna carry on” song lyric. Since the 56-year-old tumbled down the stairs, there has been a 134 per cent spike in ticket sales. And “Living For Love” has shot to number two in the download singles chart.

 

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