Hezbollah delegation visits Georges Abdallah
A Hezbollah delegation led by the vice president of the party’s Political Council, Mahmoud Qomati, visited Georges Abdallah, one of France's longest-held prisoners, who was released last Friday...
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Israeli army says it targeted 'Hezbollah military sites' in south and Bekaa
The Israeli army said Thursday it targeted "infrastructure that was used for producing and storing strategic weapons," after a series of strikes carried out on southern Lebanon and the...
L'Orient Today staff, 31 July 2025
Restoration of Qamar al-Sharqi crossing between Lebanon and Syria begins
BEIRUT — The restoration of the Qamar al-Sharqi bridge in the Wadi Khaled region between Lebanon and Syria has begun, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region. This...
31 July 2025
'Collaborator,' 'agent': In Rmeish, a blue and white painted sidewalk ignites social media
The painting of a sidewalk in blue and white in Rmeish (Bint Jbeil) sparked a fierce controversy on social media since Tuesday. Some users saw it as a supposed reference to the Israeli flag, going...
Yara Sarkis, 31 July 2025
Damaged residential building collapses in south Lebanon
A residential building damaged by Israeli bombings in the village of Ain Baal (Sour) collapsed Thursday with no reported casualties, according to initial reports from L'Orient-Le Jour's...
L'Orient Today staff, 31 July 2025
Rai meets with new Iraqi ambassador
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai met on Thursday in Diman with the new Iraqi ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Rida Husseini, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). In a statement, the...
L'Orient Today staff, 31 July 2025
Meeting with Aoun, head of Centcom welcomes the deployment of the army in southern Lebanon
President Joseph Aoun met Thursday with the head of the U.S. Middle East Command (Centcom), General Michael Kurilla, who welcomed the army's deployment in southern Lebanon following the recent...
L'Orient Today staff, 31 July 2025
Alleged tobacco smugglers open fire on Lebanese customs at Palestinian camp entrance near Sour
BEIRUT — A Lebanese customs patrol came under fire from alleged tobacco smugglers on Thursday afternoon at one of the side entrances to the al-Buss Palestinian refugee camp near the city of Sour,...
31 July 2025
Accident at amusement park in Taif injures 23
At least 23 people were injured, including four seriously, in an accident Wednesday at Green Mountain Park amusement park in Taif, western Saudi Arabia, local media reported Thursday. Widely...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Gemayel and Moawad praise Aoun’s speech on arms monopoly.
BEIRUT — Leader of the Kataeb party, MP Samy Gemayel, hoped that the government will translate President Joseph Aoun's statement earlier on Thursday into "practical steps to enforce the...
L'Orient Today staff, 31 July 2025
Russia, Syria to bolster ties, review Assad-era agreements
Russia and Syria signalled Thursday they would bolster ties and review agreements made under the previous pro-Moscow government of Bashar al-Assad amid uncertainty over the future of two Russian...
AFP, 31 July 2025
'Every family from Bint Jbeil is tied to Dearborn': From south Lebanon to Michigan, a century of emigration
In early July, Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri received a letter. Sent from the “heart of the Dearborn community” in Michigan, United States, the letter listed “the deep concerns of a large...
Lisa GOURSAUD, 31 July 2025
US sanctions Palestinian Authority officials, PLO members
The United States is imposing sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, saying the groups are undermining peace efforts, the State...
Reuters, 31 July 2025
Portugal to consider recognising Palestinian state in September
The Portuguese government will consult the president and parliament on the question of recognising the State of Palestine at the UN in September, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's office said...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Before resuming talks, Washington must agree to compensate Iran, Tehran demands
The United States should agree to compensate Iran for losses suffered during last month's war before any resumption of nuclear negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the...
Reuters, 31 July 2025
Channel: 94 migrants rescued in less than 24 hours
Ninety-four migrants were rescued between Tuesday night and Wednesday as they attempted to clandestinely cross the Channel to reach Britain, French authorities said Thursday. Several separate...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Germany says Israel 'increasingly in the minority' on Palestinian issue
Germany's foreign minister said Thursday that Israel was increasingly isolated diplomatically over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the push by some countries to recognise a Palestinian...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Forests, visual history and memory: Where to be this weekend in the Middle East
When every weekend blurs into a never-ending scroll of flyers, exhibitions and underground gigs, having too many options can feel a lot like having none. This is why every Thursday, L’Orient Today,...
Marguerita Sejaan, 31 July 2025
Trump's envoy arrives in Israel as criticism mounts
U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday to discuss ways to end the crisis in Gaza, where nearly 22 months of grinding war and dire shortages...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Hermès launches its annual theme: Drawing, above all else
When Hermès unveils its annual theme, no one knows quite what to expect. This time, the invitation arrived with a whimsical surprise: an activity booklet reminiscent of those given to...
Fifi ABOU DIB, 31 July 2025
In Paris, Mardi café blends influences from around the world, from Lebanon to Sweden
On a Tuesday morning, Adi Salet — the French adaptation of his “real” name, Hadi Saleh — welcomed L'Orient-Le Jour together with his partner and business associate, Margaux Salgado, their...
Anne ILCINKAS, 31 July 2025
Senate rejects bids to block arms sales to Israel over Gaza
Two resolutions that would have blocked arms sales to Israel in response to civilian casualties in Gaza were blocked in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, although they garnered more support than...
Reuters, 31 July 2025
With a new income tax, Oman seeks to accelerate its post-oil future
This is the cutting edge of taxation in the Gulf. Last June, Oman became the first state in the region to propose an income tax, which is expected to take effect as early as 2028. It is the latest...
Thomas Duquesne, 31 July 2025
Parliament passed banking resolution law with little resistance
“It’s a good step forward,” said Minister Yassine Jaber with satisfaction. MP Alain Aoun believes the legislation meets the expectations of the IMF. Parliament adopted, on Thursday, the banking...
Philippe HAGE BOUTROS and Mounir YOUNES,, 1 August 2025
French-Saudi plan for a Palestinian state wins over other countries
“This is a historic step that reflects a growing international consensus,” said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on July 28, at the opening session of the international conference on...
Tatiana KROTOFF, 31 July 2025
'We deserve a say': Sit-in in Beirut for Lebanese diaspora voting rights
An hour before Thursday’s parliamentary session opened, about 50 demonstrators staged a sit-in in front of Beirut’s municipal building with a clear demand: full voting rights for Lebanese...
Lilia GEHA, 31 July 2025
Syrian foreign minister says he wants Russia 'by Syria's side'
The Syrian foreign minister asserted Thursday that his country wants Russia "by our side" during his first official visit to Moscow since the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad last...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Israeli army on Shukur assassination anniversary: 'Those who threaten Israel will find no safe haven'
BEIRUT — On the first anniversary of the assassination of Hezbollah's senior commander Fouad Shukur, the Israeli army's Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, recalled on Wednesday his...
L'Orient Today staff, 31 July 2025
Cabinet meeting on weapons: Will Hezbollah and Amal play along?
Since Tuesday evening, all eyes have been on Amal and Hezbollah. After it was announced that the Cabinet will hold a meeting on Aug. 5 to discuss the highly sensitive issue of Hezbollah’s...
Yara ABI AKL, 31 July 2025
UNIFIL's Western Sector Command detected 73 unexploded ordnance in last six months
BEIRUT — UNIFIL's Western Sector Command stated on Thursday that it detected 73 unexploded ordnance in Southern Lebanon and notified the Lebanese army about them over the past six months....
L'Orient Today staff, 31 July 2025
Iran denounces 'malicious' US sanctions
Iran on Thursday described as "malicious" the new U.S. sanctions targeting a fleet of oil tankers and container ships controlled by the son of a close political adviser to Iran's...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Salam: Exclusive state control over weapons is 'not a provocation for anyone'
BEIRUT — Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Wednesday to the Saudi daily Asharq al-Awsat that restoring the state’s monopoly on arms in Lebanon is "not a provocation for anyone."...
L'Orient Today staff, 31 July 2025
'Expecting Hamas to disappear from Gaza is unrealistic'
After 21 months of war and after killing over 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, the Israeli army claims it is still pursuing its "goal" of eliminating Hamas. While its “Chariots of Gideon”...
Interview by Tatiana KROTOFF, 31 July 2025
US envoy Steve Witkoff to visit Gaza Strip on Friday | LIVE
22:18 Beirut Time This concludes our coverage for today. Be sure to come back tomorrow for the latest updates. Goodnight! 20:45 Beirut Time Hamas-led factions...
Renee Davis Muntasser Abdallah Sarah Abdallah, 31 July 2025
‘Disorder’: Four Lebanese filmmakers on a nation in turmoil
A secret meeting of revolutionaries spirals into chaos. A young woman defies her mother’s grip to join the October 2019 protests. A depressed psychologist faces financial ruin. And comedian Chaker...
Zéna ZALZAL, 31 July 2025
War drives Q2 gold demand surge in Iran
Gold purchases soared in Iran in the second quarter, during a period marked by the war against Israel, despite particularly high prices, according to a report Thursday from the World Gold Council...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Japan lifts tsunami advisory after Russia earthquake
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced Thursday that it has lifted the tsunami advisory issued after one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded off the coast of Russia's Far...
AFP, 31 July 2025
‘This is Lebanon’… really?
We’ve all heard it. Worse, we’ve all said it. That phrase sums up our collective surrender to letting our country be nothing more than a chaotic mess. Sometimes it’s amusing, more often it’s...
Anthony SAMRANI, 31 July 2025
Aoun calls on Hezbollah and its supporters to 'bet on the Lebanese state' ahead of Army Day
BEIRUT — On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Lebanese Army, President Joseph Aoun delivered a forceful speech calling for the army and security forces to hold the exclusive right to...
L'Orient Today staff, 31 July 2025
Brazil needs assurance Lula won't face Zelenskiy-style embarrassment with Trump, says minister
Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said on Tuesday that any phone call between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump would require assurances that Lula would...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Lubnan Baalbaki: To honor Ziad Rahbani is also to honor yourself
At every concert led by Lubnan Baalbaki, a subtle exhilaration takes hold. His ethereal harmonies transport audiences into a dreamlike realm, beyond time. Whether performing alongside Arab music...
Rana Najjar, 31 July 2025
At least six dead in Russian strikes on Kyiv
At least six people, including a child, were killed Thursday in a series of Russian strikes on Kyiv, according to the head of the capital's military administration, Tymur Tkachenko. "So...
AFP, 31 July 2025
Canada intends to recognize Palestinian state at UN General Assembly
Canada plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday, a major policy shift that drew an angry response from U.S....
AFP, 31 July 2025
US hits Iranian shipping network with major new sanctions
The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Wednesday on over 115 Iran-linked individuals, entities and vessels, in a sign the Trump administration is doubling down on its "maximum...
Reuters, 31 July 2025
Israeli far-right eyes Gaza settlements, Lebanon moves on Hezbollah arms as party chief holds firm: Everything you need to know this Thursday
Want to get the Morning Brief by email? Click here to sign up.Thursday, July 31, 2025Compiled by Abbas Mahfouz.Some key things to watch today:10:00 a.m.: Finance and Budget Committee meeting...
