Monetary authority managing currency and policy
Lebanon’s public prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant for former Palestinian ambassador Ashraf Dabbour after questioning him. The judiciary is preparing to inform the Palestinian Authority that Dabbour is detained in Lebanon, with documents to be sent for possible extradition to the PA. Dabbour had served as ambassador to Beirut from 2012 to 2025 and faces corruption and embezzlement charges linked to his tenure.
Global gold-backed ETFs have drawn $3 billion in July, ending two months of outflows as Western investment demand shows tentative signs of recovery. Europe led inflows, North America posted modest gains, and Asian funds boosted holdings, while prices rebound from earlier lows but remain below January highs.
Global government bond yields have risen to multi‑decade highs after renewed US–Iran fighting pushed Brent oil toward $90–$97 a barrel and raised inflation expectations. Markets are pricing tighter central‑bank policy; UK gilt yields and US Treasuries have climbed sharply, forcing higher mortgage and corporate borrowing costs and shrinking fiscal headroom for many governments.
The Moscow Times reports that Russian grain exports face substantial disruption after drone and missile strikes damage key terminals in the Azov-Black Sea basin. Three of nine major terminals have suffered serious damage, idling about 53 million tons of capacity while Russia seeks alternative routes through Baltic and Arctic ports. Conditions threaten domestic inventories and could push up global prices.
The Rial has weakened further against the dollar, trading around 2.688 million per USD, with inflation above 70%. State banks are moving to shore up the currency by selling up to $2 billion, as concerns grow about the economy amid sanctions and a blockade on oil exports.
Paraguay has impeached President Santiago Pena after a rapid scandal over Ueno Bank’s collapse, which has frozen millions of depositor accounts and drawn protests. Central bank actions and a widening investigation point to broader regulatory and political upheaval in a country long seen as stable.
Paraguay’s youngest president has been removed by the Senate after a bank collapse linked to his government ties. Prosecutors are pursuing charges of breach of trust and mismanagement as deposits falter and street protests erupt in Asuncion.