In his enthralling Sea of Troubles Ian Rutledge offers a grand overview of the tensions that led to the decline of the Ottoman Empire and locates their source in the spread of capitalism and the ensuing inter-imperialist struggle. Ultimately, he argues, this competition, fuelled by industrial capitalism, would result in the First World War. The Ottoman Empire was far from the ‘sick man of Europe’, but it was certainly starting to look unwell. This view would contribute to the genocide of Armenians and Assyrians during the First World War. But modernity had a bloody price tag for many in the lands of the Ottoman Empire.

TbCo has agreed to pay an initial sum as a sign of good faith and to unlock the deadlock. The Joint Statement, Libya’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals said, expressed the desire of the two parties to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Can the thousands of stalled contracts and projects across Libya with tens of companies and countries be resolved following a similar formula? Do they consider Libya an important future strategic business partner or not – or will they move on to ‘‘easier’’ markets? The resolution of the TbCo-IVECO impasse seems to suggest that Italy does indeed view Libya as a strategic future partner across the mediterranean.

However, maximum temperature is relatively high in southern regions, ranging between (37-43 °C), but expected to record a decline tomorrow in the southwestern regions. The weather forecast in Libya on Sunday, 26 May 2024, is as follows:1. Al-Jufra - Sabha - Ghat - Ghadames – Hamada (South West of Libya):- Sky condition: Clouds are also increasing today over some areas of Al-Jufra, Sabha, Ghat, Ghadames, and Hamada. The Oases - Sarir - Tazirbo – Kufra (South East of Libya):- Sky condition: Sparsely cloudy, increasing today in Jalo and Al-Jaghbub with the possibility of light rain. - Wind: Moderate northerly wind in most areas.

Two fugitives found in Libya this week were hiding out in a large villa in a mountainous town, after narrowly evading capture in Italy. Marzia Calleja Maatouk was found dead. Jomic Calleja Maatouk was captured alive, close by. Jomic Calleja Maatouk was until recently on Europol's 'most wanted' list. Intelligence sources believe they leveraged Jomic Calleja Maatouk’s knowledge of the dark web to make enough money to get by.

Two Libyan olive oil brands from the mountain city of Gharian have won gold at the 9th Athens International Olive Oil Competition (AIOOC) 2024. The results were announced last Monday (20 May) but the competition was held 25 to 27 April in Sparta. The winners were from the Almoshkat and Alajnaf olive presses. ‎The Libyan olive oils were able to outperform participants from 24 countries and more than 600 olive oil samples from around the world after the samples were evaluated by an international jury of 30 experts and tasters in olive oil quality.‎‎Libyan olive oils have won many international awards over the past years (see links below).‎Two Libyan olive oil brands win gold at Geneva’s European International Olive Oil Competition (EIOOC) 2024 (libyaherald.com)Advancing the diversification of Libya’s economy through planting high density olive trees for olive oil production (libyaherald.com)Libyan winners of Japanese and Norwegian international olive oil competitions honoured (libyaherald.com)Libyan olive oils win three prizes at the Japan Olive Oil Prize 2023 (libyaherald.com)An olive oil industry can diversify the economy and earn foreign currency: Head of SME programme (libyaherald.com)First National Olive Oil Prize launched (libyaherald.com)Libyan olive oil from Gharian wins two international prizes during May (libyaherald.com)Libya’s Libico olive oil from Gharian wins another international prize (libyaherald.com)Libyan olive oils win prizes at Berlin awards – plans to increase production | (libyaherald.com)Libico olive oil exported to Italy | (libyaherald.com)Libyan Export Promotion Centre discusses with Italian Chamber export of olive oil, dates and tuna to Italy and Europe | (libyaherald.com)Libya organizes non-oil exports conference – Tripoli, 16-17 March | (libyaherald.com)Libya considering allowing fish exports to EU | (libyaherald.com)Libyan dates exported to Morocco through Benghazi port | (libyaherald.com)Libya takes first steps towards exporting fish to Europe | (libyaherald.com)Oil and olive oil fair opens in Tripoli | (libyaherald.com)Never mind the oil, what about the olive oil? | (libyaherald.com)Eighth Libyan Dates and Associated Industries exhibition opens in Tripoli | (libyaherald.com)

Osama Hammad, prime minister of the unrecognized government of eastern Libya, today underlined the need to strengthen "the capabilities of law enforcement in countries of origin and transit" to address the issue of irregular migration. The Government of National Stability (GSN, designated by the House of Representatives) reports this in a post on Facebook. “The General Command of the Armed Forces, together with the security agencies under the government of eastern Libya, has shown great concern about the issue of migration and migrants. The Prime Minister said: “There must be programs for development and growth in countries of origin to help provide a safe and stable life, thus avoiding the choice of migration. Hammad said that the "wrong policies" adopted by some countries intended to receive migrants are one of the causes of the "death of thousands of them at sea".

The weather conditions in Libya, Saturday, 25 May 2024, are as follows:1. - Wind: Northeasterly moderate in speed, sometimes active in the north, while southwesterly in the rest of the regions, moderate to active speed, stirring up dust and soil, changing in the evening from northerly to northeasterly, moderate speed. - Wind: Southeasterly to easterly, moderate speed, sometimes active, gradually turning tomorrow to northerly to northeasterly. The Oases - Sarir - Tazirbo – Kufra (South East of Libya):- Sky condition: Clear to few clouds, sometimes increasing over some areas. - Wind: Easterly to southeasterly moderate speed, sometimes active.

The Government of National Unity has revealed plans to host an international conference on air sovereignty. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Khalil Issa attended the meeting, during which participants emphasized Libya's prioritization of air sovereignty in the face of regional challenges. The conference will feature scientific papers on air sovereignty protection, aviation security, and safety. It will include Arab and international experts and specialists in security and defence, decision-makers, and relevant international and regional organizations in civil and military aviation. The event is expected to conclude with essential recommendations to enhance regional air security and stability.

The wife of fugitive criminal Jomic Calleja Maatouk, was found dead yesterday after her husband was apprehended in Libya, on the strength of an Interpol arrest warrant. Within hours, Maltese-trained Libyan troops were dispatched to the area where a dead body that matched the description of Marzia Calleja Maatouk was found. The Polonium plot: how Jomic Calleja trawled dark web for explosives and radioactive poisonJomic Calleja Maatouk was caught and arrested on Thursday evening following a search of the surrounding area. The Maltese authorities were informed that his wife, Marzia, 24, had been found dead. Jomic Calleja Maatouk is expected to be convicted in Malta where he is wanted for having skipped bail.

US Chargé d’Affaires and Libyan Chief of Staff discuss security challenges http://lyo.ly/5k2tLibyan PM Dbeibah attends ceremony for swearing in Chadian President http://lyo.ly/5k2sLibya joins Arab countries with national renewable energy strategies http://lyo.ly/5k2mDbeibah vows support for UN efforts to hold fair elections http://lyo.ly/5k2iActing Minister of Foreign Affairs discusses cooperation with European Union countries http://lyo.ly/5k2hLibyan-American talks on cooperation in information and communication technology http://lyo.ly/5k2fAl-Baour, Khoury stress the need to continue supporting all efforts to hold elections http://lyo.ly/5k2eLibyan Embassy in Jordan emphasises commitment to safeguarding investments http://lyo.ly/5k2lEducation Ministry cancels exams of 42 students, suspends 25 exam committee officials due to cheating http://lyo.ly/5k2gU.S. charge d'affaires meets Libyan minister of state to discuss economic issues http://lyo.ly/5k2kIOM has voluntarily returned 80.000 immigrants to their countries from Libya since 2015 http://lyo.ly/5k26Libyan, Canadian officials meet to boost ties http://lyo.ly/5k21Menfi, Dbeibah discuss key issues including elections http://lyo.ly/5k20Italy shows interest in strategic mineral partnership with Libya http://lyo.ly/5k1zHealth Ministry unveils plans for national kidney patient program http://lyo.ly/5k22Urso: Italy and Libya make up natural bridge between Europe and Africa http://lyo.ly/5k27Libya accuses Greece of illegal prospecting in sovereign waters http://lyo.ly/5k24

Arresting officers told Maltese authorities that his wife, Marzia, 24, was found dead. Caught in LibyaOn Wednesday morning, the Calleja Maatouk couple was located roughly 90 minutes east of Tripoli, and Libyan authorities were immediately informed through diplomatic channels. There, they are understood to have found a dead body that matched the description of Marzia Calleja Maatouk. Marzia Calleja Maatouk was also on the Europol list. Maltese police were tipped off about that shipment and caught Calleja Maatouk through a controlled delivery operation.

Human Rights Watchpolitical analyst who had been arbitrarily detained in eastern Libya for nearly seven months died under dubious circumstances on April 19, 2024, Human Rights Watch said today. Libya authorities should immediately and impartially investigate the death of the political analyst, Siraj Dughman, in the Benghazi General Directorate for Internal Security. Libyan authorities had not charged any of them with a recognizable offense. The failure of Libyan authorities to charge the men with a recognizable offense for nearly seven months led to their arbitrary detention. Libya's criminal justice system is weak, with serious due process concerns, Human Rights Watch said.

Last Wednesday (22 May) Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, ‎Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, followed up in a meeting at his office on the results of the visit of the Acting Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Abdel Sadig, to the United States. Abdel Sadig not Aoun still Oil and Gas Minister? The follow up meeting by Aldabaiba with Abdel Sadig is revealing in that it still confirms that Aldabaiba still considers Abdel Sadig as the Acting Oil and Gas Minister. Aldabaiba meeting Abdel Sadig could mean the ACA letter is fake, or it has not made its way through Libya’s bureaucracy and reached Aldabaiba, or that Aldabaiba is ignoring/ rejecting it. The controversial NC7 oil dealAoun had resisted the NC7 Hamada oil deal with a consortium of foreign investors which Aldabaiba was pushing.

American oil companies, led by ConocoPhillips, intend to participate in Libya’s future oil projects. ‎The news was reported by the Tripoli Libyan government after Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, ‎Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, followed up, Wednesday (22 May), on the results of the visit of the Acting Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Abdel Sadig, to the United States. Abdel Sadig had held meetings during his U.S. visit with major U.S. oil and gas companies. The follow up meeting by Aldabaiba with Abdel Sadig is also revealing in that it still confirms Aldabaiba still considers Abdel Sadig as the Acting Oil and Gas Minister – and not the suspended Mohamed Aoun. See here for comment.

A majority of Labour MEP candidates has signed up to the Maltese hunting fraternity’s manifesto from the European hunting lobby FACE. Arnold Cassola, the independent candidate, declared to the FKNK that he would not sign the FACE manifesto. The FKNK lobby asked MEP candidates to sign up to the FACE manifesto principles to signal their commitment to hunting, trapping and conservation in Europe. “The European elections, scheduled for 6-9 June, will be decisive for the future of hunting, trapping and conservation in Europe. Currently, 80% of the national rules and regulations affecting hunting, trapping and conservation today come from Brussels,” FKNK said.