Yesterday, 380 million USD were bought from banks at an exchange rate of 38,000 LBP/USD.

The central bank is trying to sell USD to people, to reduce the black market exchange rate.

This measure has reduced it from 47,000 to 42,000 LBP.

⋯ Despite that, the bulk of the USD is being bought by the rich or large businesses, which explains the 380 million, a number much higher than what Sayrafa recorded in the past months.

About 12 billion USD has been injected into the market, yet failed to stabilise the currency.

⋯ With the further depletion of USD reserves, and the continuous printing of Lebanese pounds to pay government expenses, Sayrafa is not expected to last long in terms of unlimited purchase of USD.

Exchange rates are expected to sharply rise shortly after it's limited again.

The rich are getting rid of their worthless Lebanese currency to get USD, and increasing wealth.

For the 99%, they are buying USD to sell it, for extra income.

If you buy $1,000 at a rate of 38,000. That's 38 million LBP.

You then sell it for 42 m, profiting 4 million.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called for a joint session at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, to follow up on the capital control bill.

⋯ CCTV footage of the attack by Israeli Jews against Christian graves in Jerusalem.

A report in Arabic about the abundance of Turkish handguns in Lebanese markets, especially in northern Lebanon.

Turkish handguns are the cheapest, with a starting price of $150.

Western made handguns range between $1,000-3,000 due to rarity.

Israel: The Border Police chief decided to arrest an officer and other soldiers for leaving behind a female soldier during a military operation in the town of Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem.

🔴 The Israeli Supreme Court revokes the decision to appoint Aryeh Deri as Interior Minister, and orders Netanyahu to dismiss him immediately.

He was dismissed a decade ago, in both cases for being convinced of financial corruption.

The General Security directorate decided to stop receiving exceptional requests to book appointments for passports.

Due to the overload and months-long queues, this mechanism shortened the waiting period for those with valid reasons.

Pre-step appointments are not affected.

Another ex-Hezbullah fighter recruited by Mossad... with sex tapes

Al-Akhbar News tells the story of Mohsin S., expelled from Hezbullah for disciplinary reasons, and emigrated to Sierra Leone (Africa) for work. While drinking a beer at a restaurant, he saw Charlotte, a blonde who caught his eye. Invited to her house, they had sex during two days.

She made notice of his ‘313’ tattoo (a symbol for the Mahdi's army at the End Times), but he lied and said it's football related. He told her he served in the Lebanese army.

Later, he received his sex tape with Charlotte from an unknown number on WhatsApp. Calling this number, he was told by a man named Amir: “Calm down baby, don't play with fire. I'm from the Israeli security service Mossad.”

Story continues

⋯ ‘Amir’, the Mossad handler, messaged Mohsin and threatened him with sending the video to his friends and families.

Mohsin, afraid, eventually asked for proof of not-a-scam. During a Skype call, he saw 3 ⁠men, one of them in Israeli military uniform. Mohsin told Amir his readiness to collaborate.

Two days later, Amir introduced ‘Daniel’, and tasked the latter with questioning Mohsin on his history in Hezbullah and the training he underwent. Mohsin revealed he joined Hezbullah in 2010, and underwent many military courses, and participated in battles in Syria. He denied having joined any specialized course in anti-armor or air defense units. But Mossad expressed interest that he undergo those courses if he joins Hezbullah again.

⋯ In Liberia, Mohsin met with his Mossad operator ‘Amir’ at a hotel, and was ordered to pretend searching for a job, in order to mingle with the local Lebanese community.

Again at the hotel, he met ‘Ibrahim’, was physically searched, and ordered to change of clothes, in preparation for a lie detector test. Transfered to an apartment in a four-storey building, he was welcomed warmly by four people. Amir's work was done; there were now 4 handlers, including one named ‘Ahed’.

Mohsin was asked about Hezbullah, the military skills he acquired, the weapons he trained on, the training sites, and his battles. He was required to pin everything on a map. There were questions about Hezbullah's light and medium weapons, medical and topography courses, telecommunications, and personal defense. On the nationality of Hezbullah's instructors, he said they were “Lebanese from the Beqaa” but does know their names. He was asked about the members who had traveled to Africa.