Forget the standard year in review and watch Malta's 23 key moments of 2023, all packed into a snappy 2 minutes and 30 seconds. EuroPride 2023: Pride March kicks off in FlorianaMalta hosted EuroPride 2023, a 10-day celebration of LGBTIQ+ rights across Europe. Team Malta dominates 2023 GSSE, wins over 95 medalsTeam Malta achieved an extraordinary feat at the 2023 GSSE, emerging as the top-performing nation in the medals table. The new proposal was unveiled on June 23 by Health Minister Chris Fearne and Justice Minister Jonathan Attard. International human rights bodies, including Amnesty International and Sea Watch, have also repeatedly called upon the Maltese authorities to drop the charges.

The intense use of new migrant routes from the coasts of Egypt and Libya to Gavdos, just south of Crete, has been recorded in recent months, while increased migration pressure has also been observed in the southeast Aegean and in particular Kos. On November 12, for example, one such boat with 33 migrants was spotted sailing south of Gavdos. They had sailed from Libya having paid $4,000 to the traffickers. In the 48 hours previous to writing, two more such incidents were recorded in the sea area south of Gavdos. During the autumn, migrants also followed the same route from Libya and Egypt to the coast of southern Crete, where also until recently no flows were recorded.

Rwanda on December 28, welcomed 153 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya, according to the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA). The ministry indicated that the asylum seekers are from five nationalities, namely 82 Sudanese, 56 Eritreans, five Somalis, nine Ethiopians, and one South Sudanese. Tonight, Rwanda welcomed 153 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya. They are from five nationalities: 82 Sudanese, 56 Eritrean, 5 Somali, 9 Ethiopian, and 1 South Sudanese. This is the 16th group of asylum seekers from Libya.

The Civil Protection Department (CPD) has announced the dispatch of 25 mine detectors to aid the war-stricken people of Ukraine. This marks the second time this year that Malta is extending humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, following the provision of generators in January. The donation of mine detectors is part of Malta's participation in the European Union Civil Protection mechanism. "Once again, Malta is sending humanitarian aid to another country. Through the European Civil Protection mechanism, we are sending mine detectors inside Ukraine to be used in a country where its people are currently suffering due to war."

May 23: The 6+6 Joint Libyan committee, tasked with preparing elections laws, concluded its meeting in Morocco with an affirmation regarding laws on Presidential and parliamentary elections. May 25: Libyan authorities said that they were eager to boost commercial exchange with Turkiye to reach USD 15 billion. Sept. 11: Whole residential districts have been wiped out and many people perish in flash floods sweeping East Libya. Oct. 1: The parliament, headquartered in East Libya, unanimously approves a bill for electing a head of the State and holding parliamentary polls. Dec 15: Mauritania and the European Union sign an agreement to establish a regional cell for the EU for coordination among Al-Sahel countries.

(MENAFN- African Press Organization)Earlier this month, 50 young people from across Libya took part in a Model UN simulation organised by the Dialogue and Debate Association of Libya and supported by UNSMIL. Participants built their debating and leadership skills and learntabout how the UN and its various mechanisms work. She highlighted that the values of multilateralism, international standards, and universal human rights are more needed than ever today. He added that they plan to expand model UN simulations across Libya to provide opportunities for youth from all backgrounds to participate and share skills and knowledge in future simulations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).--br- src="" alt="United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)" style="max-width:500px;"/>Download logo

As onshore drilling is expected to drive overall drilling activity in Africa in 2024, Libya offers several lessons for emerging onshore markets in attracting foreign investment and successfully bringing new discoveries online. An onshore oil discovery last May in Area 82 of Block 4 – located in the Ghadames Basin – represents the third discovery in the area. Typically producing over 300,000 bpd, the field serves as a testament to Libya’s onshore prowess and large-scale production capabilities. With the stated goal of increasing production to two million bpd by 2030 from its current rate of 1.2 million bpd, Libya’s onshore assets are set to play a decisive role in meeting this benchmark. As the costs of exploration and production become more competitive, African markets with untapped onshore potential could learn from Libya’s market prowess and robust pipeline of onshore projects.

The PeninsulaActing Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at the Government of National Unity of the State of Libya, H E Al Taher Salem Al Baour met Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya H E Khaled Mohammed Al Dosari, on Wednesday. During the meeting, they discussed cooperation and relations between the two countries.

Greece Moves to Mend Diplomatic Ties with Libya’s National Unity GovernmentIn a breakthrough move aimed at mending and enhancing diplomatic ties, Greece reaches out to Libya’s National Unity Government (GNA). Libya’s Strategic ImportanceGreece, like many nations, recognizes the strategic importance of Libya. Despite current legal constraints preventing Libya’s government from signing treaties, the main dynamics in the war-torn country are seen to be occurring in Tripoli. A New Chapter in Diplomatic RelationsThese developments mark the beginning of a new chapter in diplomatic relations between Greece and Libya. This approach, if successful, could bring about a transformative shift in regional dynamics and contribute to greater stability in the Mediterranean.

Earlier this month, 50 young people from across Libya took part in a Model UN simulation organised by the Dialogue and Debate Association of Libya and supported by UNSMIL. “I was particularly fascinated by the diplomatic interactions and discussions with other delegates on various issues, which varied based on the foreign policies of the countries we represented.”In her video address, the Deputy High Commissioner of Human Rights reaffirmed the critical role of youth in safeguarding the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She highlighted that the values of multilateralism, international standards, and universal human rights are more needed than ever today. He added that they plan to expand model UN simulations across Libya to provide opportunities for youth from all backgrounds to participate and share skills and knowledge in future simulations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Libya’s top financial auditor has sounded alarms over a tentative deal between the state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) and foreign energy majors to develop the Al-Hamada oil field in central Libya. Shukshuk identified numerous concerns with the current shape of the deal, most notably an “exceptionally high” production share allotted to the foreign consortium partners at 40%. “A stake of this size is unprecedented in Libya’s hydrocarbons industry and runs contrary to good governance practices,” he asserted. The auditor-general also questioned why local oil producers were not given priority in operating the Al-Hamada field, indicating they could fulfill this role with adequate financing channels and expert support. Shukshuk ultimately accused the NOC’s leadership of “unjustified stubbornness” in pushing ahead with the deal’s signing and implementation, despite acknowledging his bureau’s objections.

In the latest reshuffling of the pack in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Tripoli government in Libya has informed the United Nations of the Council of Ministers’ decision, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibeh, to declare a 12 nautical mile territorial waters zone and then, to declare a contiguous zone extending 24 nautical miles northward, as permitted by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. All of the lines are drawn in accordance with Libyan perceptions, and so extend eastward to the Egyptian border. Of course, Cairo is likely to respond to this delimitation with a letter to the UN, specifically to the Directorate for Oceans and the Law of the Sea, where the Libyan decision is now submitted. For Greece, the Tripoli government’s move does not substantially alter what was already known. This decision, however, was not accompanied by the corresponding decision to declare a 24-nautical mile border zone in the Ionian Sea.

In contrast, 72% of Democrats have high confidence their party will count votes accurately in its primary contests. The AP-NORC poll found a widespread lack of trust in both major political parties among U.S. adults overall. About half of U.S. adults are pessimistic about the future of the Republican Party, including one-third of Republicans and 45% of independents. Only three in 10 Democrats say they are confident the Democratic party's process will result in a candidate whose views represent most Americans. Similarly, about three in 10 Republicans say the GOP process will produce a candidate who represents a majority of Americans.

The state National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced yesterday that its subsidiary, Mellitah Oil and Gas Company, was able to successfully re-drill and test the fourth well in the El Feel field. It reported that the well has resulted in a production capacity of about 3,500 barrels of oil per day. The NOC said its Chairman, Farhat Bengdara, and the members of the Board praise all the national efforts that contributed to achieving this work. It said the well development is part of its plan to improve and raise the level of production across the sector.

A Libyan court recently released four members of a Hamas cell who had been imprisoned for operating in the country with the help of Qatari and Turkish elements. Thirteen other Palestinian Hamas operatives, one of them a woman, were also arrested for aiding Islamist groups fighting Haftar's LNA. "[5]Members of the Hamas cell being flown out of Libya in a private plane (Image: Telegram.me/gazaalannetz )This report reviews the allegations regarding this Hamas cell in Libya and its ties to Qatar. [19]In the June 2017 press conference, LNA spokesman Mismari said that "Hamas military commanders trained extremist elements in Libya [to make and use] explosive devices and boobytraps." The newspaper's report mentioned the names of two of the freed Hamas operatives, Nasib Shbeir and Marwan Al-Ashqar, and two additional Hamas operatives, Muhammad Al-Barash, deputy to Marwan Al-Ashqar, and Suleiman Al-Faq'awi.