Africa

al-Sisi sworn in for a second term as Egypt’s president

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been sworn in for a second term as Egypt's president with a vow to fight "those who choose violence, terrorism and extremism". Sisi took the oath…

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UN Secretary General welcomes Paris declaration on Libya

The spokesman of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Stephane Dujarric, issued a statement expressing the Secretary-General António Guterres’ welcome to political declaration that was announced on Tuesday in the…

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The humanitarian situation in Derna is worsening – UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that the escalation of fighting in Derna - eastern Libya - has reached unprecedented levels due to…

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Libya: Ceasefire in Derna a must – Al-Mishri

The Head of the High Council of State (HCS) Khalid Al-Mishri, said a ceasefire must take effect in Derna, in eastern Libya, pointing out to the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA)…

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First human rights trial against former Tunisian leader Ben Ali

A Tunisian commission probing human rights violations stretching back 61 years brought its first case to court this week, with former President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and 13 other ex-officials…

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Libyan political rivals agree to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on December 10

Rival Libyan factions agreed on Tuesday on a declaration that would create a political framework to pave the way for U.N.-backed elections presidential and parliamentary elections on December 10, in…

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Tripoli’s Al-Ittihad footballers assaulted by Benghazi Saiqa Force in Libya Football League match

The Libya Observer reports that the players and members of Tripoli-based Al-Ittihad took a beating by Benina stadium security personnel and Saiqa Force fighters in Benghazi on Sunday while they were…

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Paris international conference on Libya scheduled for today

On Tuesday the French President Emmanuel Macron will host the four main rivals of Libya including Al-Mishri, the Head of the Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sirraj, the Speaker of the House of Representatives…

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Libya exports first natural gas shipment to Italy after four years

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) shipped on Wednesday its first quantity of propane gas from the Zueitina port to Italy, estimated at approximately 61,761 barrels. The NOC said in…

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Three Libyans arrested in Zuwara, accused of trafficking migrants, 20 injured in gun fire from trafficker

Zuwara Security Directorate said Tuesday it had foiled an illegal immigration attempt by over 200 illegal immigrants from different African countries, who were arrested in a farm west of the…

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Russia blocks UN sanctions on six Libyan people accused of human trufficking

The Libya Observer reports that Russia has blocked a proposal to impose sanctions on six Libyan figures accused of human trafficking and managing smuggling networks for migrants, giving as reason the…

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Libyan Central Bank mulling reduction of taxes on dollar exchanges to curb smuggling

The Libya Observer reports that the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) is considering to reduce 200% taxes on selling US dollars at the commercial banks to Libyans in coordination with the…

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Libya’s Elderly Council demands UN to intervene to end air strikes on Derna

The Council of Elders of Tripoli organized a protest Sunday outside the UN headquarters in Janzour district in Tripoli to express solidarity with the residents of Derna and demanded an…

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Libya: Flights to and out of Misrata airport to resume on Monday

Flights to and out of Misrata Airport are due to resume on Monday, May 21. All air traffic in the airport was closed for five consecutive days and all flights were…

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Earthquake in Tunisia

An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 was recorded at 1:18 local time in the centre of Tunisia. In other reports, the earthquake was said to have a magnitude of 4.6. According…

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France proposes 2018 elections plan to end Libya political stalemate

France has proposed an initiative to end Libya’s political impasse by holding parliamentary and presidential elections by the end of 2018 as per a United National timeline. “Political solution plus a…

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Egypt to open Rafah border for Muslim holy month of Ramadan

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according to his official Twitter account.…

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Land and air military operations in Derna, Libya

Forces loyal to Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar have launched fresh land and air operations against besieged Derna, one of the last eastern cities still outside of his control whose…

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Tunisia’s largest trade union considers preventing American ships from entering the country’s ports over US embassy move to Jerusalem

Tunisia's largest trade union is considering preventing the unloading and launching of American ships in the country's ports in response to the US decision to transfer its Israeli embassy to…

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WHO preparing for worst case scenario in new Ebola outbreak

An Ebola outbreak has been declared in the north-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are two confirmed cases of the virus and 17 deaths, the health ministry said…

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Tunisia fragmented political spectrum after local elections – Analysis

A highly fragmented political scene emerged from Tunisia's municipal elections. The surprise victory of independent candidates may challenge the longstanding Ennahda-Nidaa Tounes alliance ahead of next year's parliamentary and presidential…

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81 year old President Bouteflika urged to consider re-running for election

Earlier this week, Algeria's biggest union Algeria’s urged President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Tuesday to seek a fifth term in office in a further sign that the veteran leader will run in next…

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Nigeria’s military rescue 1,000 people held captive by Boko Haram

Nigeria's military, through Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, the army spokesman, said that it has rescued more than 1,000 people held captive in northeastern Nigeria by the armed group Boko Haram.…

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ISIS claims responsibility for Libyan election commission suicide bombing which killed 12

At least 12 people were killed and seven wounded as two suicide bombers have stormed Libya’s electoral commission in Tripoli. The attack claimed by Islamic State jihadists. The bloodshed comes…

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Libya: General Khalifa Haftar returns to Benghazi

Khalifa Haftar, a veteran general and the most powerful figure in eastern Libya, has returned to the eastern city of Benghazi following an extended absence, including reported treatment in a hospital…

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10 dead, over 17 operations as migrant journeys restart from North Africa

With the good weather and the calm sea, the departures of refugees from North Africa to Italy have resumed. Unfortunately, so did the tragedies and the need for rescue operations.…

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Woman accused of faking illness to avoid UK deportation died five days later

The Guardian reveals that a South African woman who collapsed during an attempted removal from the UK was accused by immigration officials of faking illness to avoid being put on…

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‘Ma Mandela dies at the age of 81

South African anti-apartheid campaigner and former first lady Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has died aged 81. She and her former husband Nelson Mandela, who were both jailed, were a symbol of the…

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Will the elections in Libya this year, lead to peace and stability?

Libya is gearing up for an election which should be held by the year’s end. Together with the cooperation of various member states, the United Nations is committed to helping…

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“No Such Thing as Free Money”: Employers Warn Against Election ‘Bidding Wars’

The Malta Employers’ Association today launched its Memorandum to Political Parties ahead of the gen...

Italy leans on Libya to plug energy gap caused by Iran war

A delegation of Italian lawmakers has traveled to Libya to explore potentially ramping up energy tra...

Cross-party MEPs united in push to safeguard standalone European Social Fund

MEPs David Casa and Marit Maij have struck a united front in defence of the European Social Fund (ES...

Updated – Malta News Briefing – Friday 8 May 2026

Updated 1040 Morning Briefing White Rocks Regeneration to Create Major Public Green Space Afte...

UK’s Labour Party suffers heavy early losses as Reform gains in elections

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suffered heavy early losses in elections on Friday, showing the ...

Fragile US-Iran ceasefire shaken by exchange of strikes in Gulf

The United States launched what it described as “self-defense” strikes against Iranian military targ...

Drone threat hangs over Moscow as tensions escalate before May 9 parade

Russia said on Thursday that air defences had destroyed 32 drones heading towards Moscow since the s...

UK voters cast ballots in elections expected to deal blow to Starmer

Millions of British voters cast their ballots on Thursday in local and regional elections that are e...

Severe storms batter Italy with heavy rain, hail and flood warnings

Italy remained in the grip of severe weather on Thursday as heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail swept...

Alleged suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein unsealed by federal judge

A federal judge unsealed an alleged suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein, the first time the docu...