The Public Works Parliamentary Committee, the caretaker ministers of energy and finance, Electricite du Liban, the private oil companies and the state-run oil facilities held a meeting Tuesday in the presence of a central bank representative, al-Jadeed TV said.

The army has seized fuel from gas stations to curb hoarding amid crippling shortages, as the central bank chief stood firm on his decision to scrap fuel subsidies.

Lebanon is grappling with a financial crisis branded by the World Bank as one of the planet's worst since the 1850s.

Michael Hamati emerged from a long queue at a Beirut bakery sweat dripping from his forehead, as Lebanon's economic collapse sparks increasing shortages including over bread.

Severe fuel shortages and wide power cuts have paralyzed Lebanon, with some businesses temporarily closing down as top security officials met to discuss the situation.

Lebanon has for decades suffered electricity cuts, partly because of widespread corruption and mismanagement. The Mediterranean nation of 6 million, including 1 million Syrian refugees is near bankruptcy.

Greece's economy will weather the twin blows of the Covid-19 pandemic and massive wildfires this year, aided by better-than-expected tourism arrivals, the finance minister said Friday.

Russian oil giant Rosneft on Friday reported a leap in second quarter earnings, benefiting from an increase in global crude price.

Germany's bluechip stocks index on Friday breached 16,000 points for the first time following more record highs on Wall Street overnight as investors shrugged off data showing fresh US inflation pressures.

World stocks mostly rose Friday ahead of more economic releases that could hint at how the delta variant is affecting growth.

France's CAC 40 climbed 0.2% to 6,895.50, while the DAX in Germany added 0.3% to 15,985.45. Britain's FTSE 100 picked up 0.4% to 7,223.49 in early trading.

There are discussions aimed at preparing a draft law that would allow the central bank to continue subsidizing fuel imports following the bank’s latest controversial decision to halt subsidies, a ministerial source told the Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.

President Michel Aoun had warned Thursday in a Baabda meeting in the presence of Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh that the latter’s decision would have “dangerous social and economic repercussions that would affect all sectors.”

Cryptocurrency investors have been transfixed over the past few days by the antics of a mysterious hacker who stole more than $600 million -- before giving some of it back.

But is the thief a good Samaritan who stole the money to expose a dangerous security flaw, or did they simply realize they were about to be caught?