BDL ban on al-Qard al-Hassan: Repercussions for Hezbollah's economy
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L'Orient-Le Jour
2 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Generator rates rise in July despite fuel tax suspension
The price per kilowatt-hour (kWh), produced and sold by private or neighborhood electricity generators, increased again in July, according to the rate schedule published Tuesday by the Energy and Water Ministry. These rates do not appear to have been affected by this month's suspension by the Council of State of the tax on certain fuels, nor by the price of diesel, which followed its own path, having risen by nearly $100 per kiloliter just after these same taxes took effect at the end of May, according to the ministry's prices. The price per kilowatt-hour has thus risen from 31,634 Lebanese lira (a little over $0.35 at the exchange rate used by the ministry, set at 89,700 pounds to the dollar) to 32,790 pounds (nearly $0.37), after already increasing by 3,845 pounds between May and June. It is still increased by 10 perecnt for operators in mountainous (over 700 meters altitude) and/or rural areas, bringing it to 36,069 pounds (a bit more than $0.40). To calculate their bill, each subscriber must multiply the fixed price by the number of kWh corresponding to their consumption, as indicated on an individual meter that the operator is meant to have installed for them. The average price of diesel used to set this rate is 1,542,785 pounds per 20 liters (+4.4 percent and more than 20 percent since May). Fixed fees remain unchanged: 385,000 pounds ($4.29) in July for a maximum intensity of 5 amperes (A), and 685,000 pounds ($7.64) for an intensity of 10 A. The ministry also imposes a surcharge of 300,000 pounds ($3.34) for each additional 5 A increment above 10 A. For installations connected to a three-phase meter (such as elevators), an additional fixed rate must always be calculated based on a reference capacity. Thus, for an elevator powered by three phases capable of supporting 15 A each, the generator owner should only charge 985,000 pounds ($10.98) and not 2,785,000 pounds ($31.05). Private generators continue to be tolerated, as they have been for decades, due to the persistent shortcomings of Electricité du Liban (EDL).
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Far-right Israeli lawmakers seek to visit Gaza to 'explore settlement possibilities'
Release of two Australian nationals detained on humanitarian ship Handala Tan Safi and Robert Martin, two Australian nationals detained by the Israeli army aboard the humanitarian vessel Handala bound for Gaza, have been released, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, as reported by Al Jazeera. The Handala, carrying food and medicine along with 21 unarmed civilians, was intercepted by the Israeli military off the coast of Gaza on Saturday night. According to the same source, Safi and Martin were released from Givon Prison in the city of Ramla and have since been transferred to the Australian Embassy in Jordan. Far-right ministers and MPs request visit to Gaza to 'explore settlement possibilities.' Israeli far-right ministers and members of the ruling coalition have asked Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for permission to visit the northern Gaza Strip to "explore the possibilities for settlement", according to Haaretz. They argue that the area is fully under Israeli military control, is empty of Palestinians, and poses no significant security restrictions. Signatories include Likud ministers Miki Zohar, May Golan, and Shlomo Karhi, as well as Itamar Ben-Gvir, Amichay Eliyahu, and Yitzhak Wasserlauf from the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, the left-leaning Israeli daily reports. 12:12 Beirut Time Syria denies claims that Sweida is under government siege Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine el-Baba stated that allegations claiming the southern province of Sweida is under siege by the Syrian government are "completely false and misleading," according to the official Syrian news agency SANA. He added: 'The Syrian government has opened humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to our civilian compatriots in the province, in cooperation with local and international humanitarian organizations, and to allow the temporary departure of those wishing to leave areas controlled by outlawed groups.' Israeli drone drops bomb near cemetery in Aita al-Shaab, South Lebanon An Israeli drone dropped a bomb near the cemetery of Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, according to our regional correspondent. No casualties were reported. 12:08 Beirut Time UK rejects criticism that recognizing Palestinian state rewards Hamas The United Kingdom has rejected criticism suggesting that its move toward recognizing a Palestinian state amounts to rewarding Hamas. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued an ultimatum to Israel, giving it until September to take steps to improve the situation in Gaza and advance peace efforts. This prompted a sharp response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed it was tantamount to "rewarding Hamas and punishing the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack." Asked about this criticism, UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, speaking on behalf of the government during a round of media interviews, said: 'This is not a reward for Hamas. Hamas is a vile terrorist organization that has committed horrific atrocities. This is about the Palestinian people. It's about the children we see starving in Gaza.' 'We need to increase pressure on the Israeli government to lift restrictions and allow the return of humanitarian aid to Gaza,' she told LBC radio. 11:34 Beirut Time France and 14 countries, including Canada and Australia, are calling on the international community to express their willingness to recognize a Palestinian state, according to the French Foreign Minister. " In New York, along with 14 other countries, France is issuing a joint appeal: we express our intention to recognize the State of Palestine and invite those who have not yet done so to join us," wrote Jean-Noel Barrot on X, following the 'New York Appeal' made after a ministerial conference at the UN aimed at advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel reportedly considering 'alternatives' to Gideon's Chariots Operation in Gaza Israeli radio has reported that Israeli security organizations are exploring several "alternatives" to the military's 'Operation Gideon's Chariots' in Gaza, which they consider to have failed, particularly regarding the release of hostages still held in the enclave. These alternatives include an 'extreme option' involving territorial annexation, a total blockade of populated areas in Gaza, and a ban on all food aid. However, these plans remain "theoretical," according to a source cited by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, pending progress in negotiations with Hamas. 11:27 Beirut Time South Lebanon: Machine gun fire on Kfar Shuba Israeli machine gun fire has reportedly targeted the outskirts of Kfar Shuba, in the Hasbaya district, as Israeli drones continue to fly over the entire South. 11:25 Beirut Time Naim Qassem to speak at 6:30 p.m. in tribute to Fouad Shukur In the context of these ongoing Israeli violations and attacks, and debates over Hezbollah disarmament, Hezbollah's deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem is scheduled to give a speech at 6:30 p.m. today to commemorate the first anniversary of the assassination of Fouad Shukur, a former military official of the group, killed on July 30 last year in an Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut. 11:24 Beirut Time French-led diplomatic appeal for recognition of Palestine France and 14 other countries — including Canada and Australia — are calling on the international community to express their support for recognizing a Palestinian state, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has announced. 'In New York, with 14 other countries, France is issuing a collective appeal: we express our will to recognize the State of Palestine and invite those who haven't done so to join us,' Barrot posted on X. This 'New York Appeal' was made following a ministerial conference at the U.N. focused on advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Washington repatriates minor from camp in northeast Syria
The United States announced Tuesday that it repatriated an American minor last week from a camp in northeast Syria. "Our efforts have enabled this child, who has never known anything but life in the camps, to have a future free from the influence and dangers of terrorism from the Islamic State group," the State Department said in a statement. According to Washington, "about 30,000 people from more than 70 countries" still live in two displacement camps in northeast Syria, most of whom are children under the age of 12. Since the defeat of ISIS in Syria more than five years ago, Kurdish forces have controlled several camps and prisons in the area, where tens of thousands of people suspected of links to the jihadist organization are held. In February, the Kurdish administration announced, in coordination with the United Nations, its intention to empty the camps in the northeast of displaced Syrians and Iraqis, including suspected relatives of jihadists, by the end of 2025. Kurdish authorities have for several years been calling on countries to repatriate their nationals, but most have only allowed limited returns, citing security concerns. "The only sustainable solution to the humanitarian and security crisis in these displacement camps in northeast Syria is for countries of origin to repatriate, rehabilitate, reintegrate, and, where appropriate, ensure accountability for their nationals," the State Department said. Syria is governed by a coalition of Islamists who overthrew President Bashar Assad in December and took power after more than 13 years of a devastating civil war.
