UN experts* today expressed deep concern about a discriminatory policy issued by the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) in April 2023 that effectively restricts the rights of women and girls to travel abroad without a male guardian or mahram. They were also concerned by reported attempts by the Libyan Internal Security Agency (ISA) to intimidate human rights defenders, including women, who have spoken out against these policies. In addition to being discriminatory, the policy has restricted the freedom of movement of women and girls, including students who study abroad. “The restriction marks a further erosion of the rights of women and girls in Libya and sends the wrong signal,” the experts said. “Women’s equality and dignity must be ensured.”The experts urged the authorities to withdraw this discriminatory requirement and to prevent all intimidation, harassment and attacks against women and human rights defenders who have protested against this discriminatory policy.

Sanctions alone won’t shut down Libya’s illicit economies2023-07-20Twelve years on from Libya’s revolution, the country remains fragile. Severe human rights violations are also linked to illicit markets, particularly human smuggling. Penalties are generally aimed at those linked to human smuggling, though some have targeted contraband fuel or drug traffickers. While these are valid criticisms, they overlook how sanctions have forced changes in the nature of Libya’s illicit markets. This involves closely assessing trends around Libya’s illicit economies, with designations designed to dovetail with the changing dynamics.

TELF AG, a full-service international physical commodities trader, has published its 2023 Market Roundup Week #29 report, providing insights into the industry. Regarding freight, TELF AG explores the positive performance of the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) and the increase in activity across all vessel segments. TELF AG’s 2023 Market Roundup Week #29 article also looks at the ferro-alloys market, providing insights into the chrome ore and ferrochrome (FeCr) sectors. Its flexible, customer-focused approach allows TELF AG to create tailor-made solutions for each producer, thereby facilitating long-term partnerships. TELF AG: Maximizing Market Insight – The Key to Adapting to Changing Market Environments

In addition to being discriminatory, the policy has restricted the freedom of movement of women and girls, including students who study abroad. The experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. UN Human Rights, Country Page – State of Libya

Libya’s Airports Authority held meeting on Tuesday, at its Tripoli headquarters, with Italian company Iter Chimica. The meeting included the LAA Director of the Construction and Facilities Department, some heads of departments and management employees in the LAA, with the technical director of Iter Chimica and the director of the Golden Beam Company for the import and maintenance of road equipment and materials. The meeting was for Iter Chimica to present its work and products in terms of technologies, additives, and processing of asphalt pavement. The LAA reported that Iter Chimica ‘‘showed its willingness to provide technical and logistical support by proposing solutions to the problems of asphalt pavement and modified design mixtures at airports, in a way that guarantees airport coverage with the highest technologies, contributing to the application of security and safety standards consistent with the geographical location of each airport and its climatic environment’’. The LAA reported that it was agreed to carry out several experiments of Iter Chimica’s products at airports.

Severe human rights violations are also linked to illicit markets, particularly human smuggling. Penalties are generally aimed at those linked to human smuggling, though some have targeted contraband fuel or drug traffickers. While these are valid criticisms, they overlook how sanctions have forced changes in the nature of Libya’s illicit markets. But such approaches don’t generally stop human smuggling — instead, they lead to a more nuanced and deliberate approach. This involves closely assessing trends around Libya’s illicit economies, with designations designed to dovetail with the changing dynamics.

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Revenue from oil is Libya's main source of income, where almost every citizen gets cash from the government in one way or another. And nor did he offer any clear way for how oil money should be allocated in the first place. However, halting oil production and exports is no solution. It is unlikely that Haftar will go to war to settle the issue of oil revenue sharing. General Haftar went to war before over oil and political power when he attempted to take Tripoli in 2019.

The Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAoL) discussed the latest developments between Libya and Greece regarding cooperation in the field of electricity and renewable energies. The discussions took part last Monday between Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba’s Advisor for Electricity and Renewable Energy Affairs, Osama Al-Darrat, with Agapios Kalognomi, Chargé d’Affaires of the Greek Embassy in Tripoli. The meeting was in the presence of both Abdul Salam Al Ansari, Chairman of the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAoL), and Aseel Artema, Chairman of the Renewable Energy Holding Company. Meeting resulted in several recommendationsREAoL reported that the meeting resulted in several recommendations that emphasized the need to move forward with the implementation of the provisions of the agreements concluded between Libya and Greece. These agreements related to the field of electric energy and renewable energies, to enhance communication periodically through the Electrical Interconnection Committee, and to coordinate investment efforts in the field of energy.

Recently at the Joint Security Area, an off-duty American soldier who was visiting the "truce village" stepped over the border into North Korea. He was then grabbed by North Korean soldiers and his current whereabouts are still unknown. Veuer’s Tony Spitz has the details.

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Cases had already been lodged against the both suspects at the FIA police station here. With these arrests, the number of arrested suspects has reached 41. These suspects were arrested from Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin and Wazirabad areas in the crackdown launched on the agents involved in sending boat tragedy victims abroad. Moreover, at least five more cases have been lodged with local FIA police station against the human traffickers, taking the number of such cases to 130. The DNA samples of at least 120 people belonging to the families of the victims had been collected at the FIA police station.

An Egyptian entrepreneur has developed a lightweight and more affordable exoskeleton with the goal of giving patients suffering from paralysis the chance to move again. The exoskeleton is compact and designed for easy assembly and disassembly, further adding to its practicality and usability. Yair Ben-Dor has more.

Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, met Monday with the Deputy President of French company Total Energies, Laurent Vivier, to discuss cooperation in the field of solar energy, gas, and oil. The Libyan government reported that Aldabaiba emphasized Libya’s desire to cooperate and invest with leading international companies such as Total Energies, focusing on the solar energy file. This comes through the aim of creating investment opportunities for entrepreneurs working with Libya, and diversifying energy sources in the country. The Deputy President of Total Energies, the Libyan government reported, provided a briefing on the executive procedures for launching the project to generate 500 megawatts with solar energy contracted between Total and the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAoL), which is a pilot project, as well as a report on cooperation with the National Oil Corporation for exploration in the field of oil and gas. Survey work overseen by Total Energies on 500 MW solar project at Sadada (libyaherald.com)REAoL hold follow up meeting with Total Energies on start of Sadada 500 MW solar project (libyaherald.com)REAoL delegation visits renewable energy firm Infinity in Cairo (libyaherald.com)German GTG Holding consortium and German Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy start Tawergha solar project (libyaherald.com)Total Energies, GECOL and REAoL launch 500 MW Sadada solar power plant project (libyaherald.com)Libya and Total Energies sign preliminary agreement to establish 500 MW solar power project (libyaherald.com)NOC and Total Energies installing local solar electricity installations (libyaherald.com)GECOL and Total discuss necessary arrangements to launch implementation of solar power plant project (libyaherald.com)NOC and Total discuss increased production, reduced emissions, renewables and capacity-building (libyaherald.com)GIZ ”Kick-off workshop” in Tunis to launch solar energy in Libya – LibyaHeraldU.S. firm Solarcode meets Acting Economy Minister to discuss investment opportunities in Libya’s renewable sector – LibyaHeraldZadco Renewables launches Libyan-made outdoor sun sheltered seat with solar powered laptop and mobile charger – LibyaHeraldPIB makes progress in energy generation investment by private sector – licenses first 200 MW solar investment project – LibyaHeraldLibya Solar Energy expo – Tripoli 6 to 8 March – LibyaHeraldFrance’s Total Energies discusses alternative energies with PIB, including 500 MW solar projects – LibyaHeraldLibya-U.S. discussions on agricultural cooperation include food security, solar energy, private investment, pest control and training – LibyaHerald

The young bear that was rescued from a tree in Roanoke’s Market Square Monday was euthanized, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. The young black bear had wandered into the city with an older bear before they became separated and the cub scaled a tree. Authorities were called to retrieve him around 4 p.m.DWR wildlife biologists, city police and fire department personnel worked together to sedate the youngster before carrying him down a ladder. “A healthy yearling should be twice as large.”The department said the bear was “not a good candidate for release or rehabilitation.”The bear was “severely underweight for its age and unlikely to thrive or survive,” the DWR said. Photos: Downtown Roanoke bear rescue