Upgraded Sebha library reopens
Upgraded Sebha library reopensBy Sami Zaptia. London, 4 August 2021:Sebha library has been refurbished and upgraded to serve more visitors, the UNDP reported today. UNDP informed that the UNESCO Library in Sebha was established in 1953 and was the first library in the south of Libya to spread culture, knowledge, and awareness in the community. It said many intellectuals, writers, poets, and lovers of reading have visited this library since its opening 68 years ago. The project also fulfils the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals number 11 which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Source:Libya Today
August 04, 2021 15:56 UTC
Experts reflect on performance of Egyptian exports to fellow African states
CAIRO – 4 August 2021: The Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) organized Wednesday a panel discussion displaying the opportunities and challenges impacting Egyptian exports to fellow African countries. Chairman of the Egyptian African Business Association Yosry al-Sharqawy proposed that if the size of Egyptian exports rises, the prices of shipping and transportation will by default become lower. He also suggests better integration with the international maritime transport system to ensure reliable access to African states. The agreement grants African airlines advantages like discounted fees and fewer requirements to get permits to operate flights among African states. As for competition with Egyptian exports, it comes mainly from southeastern Asian countries, particularly in the sectors of textiles and garments.
Source:Libya Today
August 04, 2021 14:15 UTC
Turkey criticizes US statement on resettlement of Afghans
August 3, 2021Ankara (Reuters) -Turkey criticized the U.S. program on Tuesday to offer the possibility of resettlement to Afghans who could be the target of Taliban violence through relations with the U.S. Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to mention Turkey as a migration route for Afghans in a statement, making Turkey a “third country”, one of the world’s leading refugee recipients with more than 4 million migrants. “As Turkey, we do not accept the irresponsible decisions made by the United States without consulting our country. If the United States wants to take these people to its own country, it will fly directly to its own country. With the rise of violence in Afghanistan, hundreds of Afghans have moved to Turkey in recent weeks, raising concerns about the influx of new migrants.
Source:Libya Today
August 03, 2021 23:37 UTC
New York City requires vaccination certification for indoor activities
In New York City, people will soon need a COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter indoor restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday that the new requirements for New York, the first major city in the United States, will come into effect on August 16. Biden also announced on Tuesday that the United States has donated more than 110 million vaccines to more than 60 countries. In other countries, there aren’t enough walls or sea widths to protect us from COVID-19,” Biden said. ► Israel requires all persons arriving from the United States and 17 other countries to be quarantined for two weeks starting August 11th, regardless of vaccination status.
Source:Libya Today
August 03, 2021 23:26 UTC
President Biden deals with the country as COVID cases continue to surge
President Joe Biden was poised to address the country on vaccination on Tuesday afternoon as concerns about the surge in COVID infections increased. According to a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins University data, the United States currently reports 2,500 deaths per day. Some “breakthrough” cases have occurred in vaccinated people, but only a small percentage of the total cases, and the majority of breakthrough cases are mild. 📈 Today’s numbers: According to data from Johns Hopkins University, more than 35 million COVID-19 cases have been identified and 613,600 have died in the United States. Global total: more than 199 million cases and 4.23 million deaths.
Source:Libya Today
August 03, 2021 12:56 UTC
Migrants: Ocean Viking calls for safe port for 555 aboard - General news - ANSAMed
MARSEILLES - The ship Ocean Viking, in an "unsustainable situation" with 555 people aboard, asked to be assigned a safe port for landing, according to the NGO SOS Mediterranée. "We asked all the competent authorities: Malta, Tunisia, Libya, and today, Italy," the NGO said. More than 700 migrants who tried to cross the Mediterranean aboard makeshift boats were rescued at the weekend during operations carried out by the Ocean Viking and ships with the German NGOs Sea-Watch and ResQship. "The situation aboard is unsustainable," said a spokesperson with SOS Mediterranée. Some fainted on deck due to the heat and the ordeal they've lived through," tweeted a medical team leader with the NGO.
Source:Libya Today
August 03, 2021 10:07 UTC
The LPDF Bridging Proposals Committee unable to agree on constitutional basis for 24 December elections – four proposals referred to LPDF plenary
The LPDF Bridging Proposals Committee unable to agree on constitutional basis for 24 December elections – four proposals referred to LPDF plenaryBy Sami Zaptia. London, 3 August 2021:The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum’s (LPDF) Bridging Proposals Committee concluded its fourth virtual yesterday with reaching agreement on a constitutional basis for the 24 December 2021 elections. UNSMIL reported today that its Coordinator, Raisedon Zenenga, had facilitated the fourth and final virtual session of the Proposal Bridging Committee (PBC) of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) yesterday. The aim of the PBC meetings was to agree on one or more bridging proposals, building on the Legal Committee’s draft, for a constitutional basis for the upcoming national elections on 24 December 2021. Furthermore, three committees have been previously tasked to prepare a constitutional basis for the elections: the House of Representatives- High Council of State- Joint Committee, the LPDF Legal Committee, and the LPDF Advisory Committee, without conclusive outcomes.
Source:Libya Today
August 03, 2021 08:37 UTC
One-third of all COVID cases reported in Florida and Texas; US reaches 70% of partially vaccinated adults: COVID-19 updates
Florida and Texas had one-third of all COVID cases reported last week, White House COVID-19 Response coordinator Jeff Zients said during a Monday news conference. On Friday, Kentucky reported 1,648 new cases of COVID-19, the highest since February, before vaccines became widely accessible. ►The mayor of Maui County is calling on Hawaii officials to postpone students’ return to in-person learning amid rising COVID-19 cases throughout the islands. 📈Today's numbers: The U.S. has had more than 35 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 613,600 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 198.8 million cases and 4.23 million deaths.
Source:Libya Today
August 03, 2021 07:52 UTC
US COVID watchdog places Malta on ‘very high risk’ travel list
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has added Malta to its ‘very high risk’ travel list along with 15 other countries. According to the CDC website, a risk designation of “Level 4: Covid-19 Very High” means people should avoid travel to these locations. Those who must travel should be fully vaccinated first. The CDC said that destinations that fall in the “very high” risk category had more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. 385,049 people are fully vaccinated.
Source:Libya Today
August 02, 2021 21:22 UTC
HNEC extends voter registration for another two weeks – to 17 August
HNEC extends voter registration for another two weeks – to 17 AugustBy Sami Zaptia. London, 2 August 2021:Voter registration for Libya’s planned 24 December 2021 elections has been extended for an additional two weeks – ending 17 August. The revelation was made at a press conference today by Emad Sayeh, the head of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) held at HNEC’s Media Centre in Tripoli. Voter registration, which had been opened on 4 July, had closed on 31 July with 348,998 new voters registered. This brought the total registered voters since voter registration was opened in the lead-up to the 2014 elections to 2,689,094.
Source:Libya Today
August 02, 2021 16:18 UTC
Former Electricity Minister under Zeidan government refutes being appointed new GECOL chairman, says random decisions will not solve current electricity crisis
Former Electricity Minister under Zeidan government refutes being appointed new GECOL chairman, says random decisions will not solve current electricity crisisBy Sami Zaptia. To eliminate this crisis, integrated practical and technical solutions based on studies and proper planning must be put forward.’’, he continued. Taking a swipe at the current government he stated that ‘‘Improvising solutions and randomness in building stations and adopting patchwork solutions will not solve the crisis but will make it worse. The electricity sector needs some kind of stability in its structure and enforcement of the principles of governance and good governance within it in order to overcome this accumulated crisis.’’, he concluded. It will be recalled that Libya still suffers between 3-4 hours of daily power cuts rising up to 12 hours during periods of peak demand.
Source:Libya Today
August 02, 2021 15:11 UTC
Voter registration for Libya's upcoming elections extended for 2 weeks
CAIRO - 2 August 2020: Libya's Higher Commission of Elections announced on Monday that the voter registration for the upcoming elections has been extended for two additional weeks to end on August 17. In July, Libya’s interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh has called on all Libyan political parties to make concessions to render the election process a success and prioritize Libya's interests over personal demands. In a speech marking the inauguration of the media center of the Higher Election Commission, he said all parties are in a race against time to hold the elections. The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), a 75-member body from all walks of life in Libya, concluded its five days of talks in a hotel outside Geneva on Friday, the UN support mission in Libya said. Others sought to establish preconditions to hold elections as planned, the mission said.
Source:Libya Today
August 02, 2021 13:40 UTC
Dabeiba meets with Italian FM to examines mutual cooperation and investment
The Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid Dabeiba, and the Cabinet of Ministers welcomed Italy’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio, who arrived in Libya today at the head of a sizable Italian delegation. The meeting, attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Najla Al-Mangoush, the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, and the Head of Government, Adel Juma, discussed a variety of bilateral issues. Following the meeting, an extensive session between the Libyan and Italian sides will be held to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, as well as to coordinate positions on several regional and international topics of mutual interest, according to the Information Office of the Government of National Unity. Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, in an earlier statement upon arrival, hailed the coastal road’s inauguration, saying that this visit comes only days after the road’s opening, highlighting the importance of this significant milestone. The Italian Minister also emphasized his country’s readiness to collaborate and work with Libya in a variety of economic, commercial, and other sectors, especially in Libya’s south.
Source:Libya Today
August 02, 2021 13:30 UTC
HoR starts today’s session, postpones voting on 2021 budget at government’s request. Government to make further amendments to budget
HoR starts today’s session, postpones voting on 2021 budget at government’s request. London, 2 August 2021:Official House of Representatives (HoR) Spokesperson Abdalla Belheeg confirmed that the HoR had started its official session today in Tobruk. However, he revealed that voting on the draft 2021 budget bill has been postponed, based on a written request from the government. He said the government wishes to make further amendments to the contested budget. Belheeg said the HoR had begun today to discuss the draft law to elect the president directly by the Libyan people.
Source:Libya Today
August 02, 2021 13:18 UTC
1.2 million Sinovac vaccines arrived in Tripoli today with 800,000 Sinovac doses expected tomorrow and another 500,000 of Pfizer and Astra-Zeneca expected soon
1.2 million Sinovac vaccines arrived in Tripoli today with 800,000 Sinovac doses expected tomorrow and another 500,000 of Pfizer and Astra-Zeneca expected soonBy Sami Zaptia. London, 2 August 2021:1.2 million doses of the Chinese-made Sinovac anti-Coronavirus vaccines arrived by plane at Mitiga airport today. The largest consignment had previously been 500,000 doses of Sputnik V which had arrived on 19 July. The arrival of today’s 1.2 million Sinovac doses brings the grand total of all the four brands to arrive (Sputnik V, Astra-Zeneca, Pfizer and Sinovac) to 2,481, 052. Libya had announced it had ordered a total of 12 million doses for its population of 6.9 million people.
Source:Libya Today
August 02, 2021 12:56 UTC