The British Embassy in Beirut has announced that it is "deeply concerned" by the closure by some Lebanese banks of certain accounts belonging to account holders in Lebanon who are nationals or residents of the United Kingdom.

Mount Lebanon Prosecutor Judge Ghada Aoun on Thursday issued an order asking the Customs administration to prevent six Lebanese banks from sending money abroad, al-Jadeed TV said.

The Russian stock market opened Thursday for limited trading under heavy restrictions for the first time since Moscow invaded Ukraine, coming almost a month after prices plunged and the market was shut down as a way to insulate the economy.

Trading of a limited number of stocks, including energy giants Gazprom and Rosneft, took place under curbs meant to prevent a repeat of the massive selloff on Feb. 24 that came in anticipation of Western economic sanctions.

The Germany government has announced a package of measures to help cushion the blow of high energy prices for consumers, with fuel subsidies, discounted public transport, tax benefits and additional support for the poorest.

Senior lawmakers unveiled the measures Thursday after lengthy haggling between the three parties that make up the center-left governing coalition.

French automaker Renault moved to pause production at its Moscow plant in an apparent move to fend off mounting criticism, breaking ranks with other major French companies that have defied pressure to keep operating in Russia.

The company's board of directors voted Wednesday night to suspend "activities at the Renault Moscow plant." It came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the company and others in France of aiding Russia's war effort during an emotional virtual address to parliament.

In response to growing food security needs in Lebanon, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing nearly $64 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help feed vulnerable people in Lebanon.

"Lebanon is facing increased food insecurity amid the country’s ongoing economic crisis, as well as prolonged impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the August 2020 Beirut port blast," The U.S Embassy in Beirut said.

The Lebanese pound reached 25,000 against the dollar on Thursday, after having been relatively stable in the past months following a central bank circular that had allowed banks to buy dollar banknotes from the BDL.

The central bank intervention in January had led to a major recovery of the Lebanese lira value as it strengthened to around 20,000 after it had reached a low of 34,000.

Judge Nicolas Mansour issued Thursday an arrest warrant against Raja Salameh, the brother of Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, after questioning him.

Mount Lebanon Prosecutor Judge Ghada Aoun had ordered last week the detention of the businessman Raja Salameh, after questioning him for several hours.

The European Union's executive arm proposed Wednesday that all natural gas storage facilities in the 27-nation bloc are topped up to at least 80% capacity for next winter as it seeks to reduce its reliance on Russian energy in the future.

On the eve of a two-day summit of EU leaders, the European Commission said the bloc must quickly revamp its energy policy before next winter and another price crisis leaves millions of EU citizens with bills they cannot pay.

The Egyptian pound slipped further against the dollar on Wednesday, after Egypt's Central Bank raised its main interest rate and devalued the local currency by 14%.

The moves by the Central Bank of Egypt were meant to combat inflationary waves triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine, which hiked oil prices to record highs.