by newsweek.com -- North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un missed another national holiday on Saturday, fueling rumors and reports of his health. But U.S. intelligence sees no sign of unusual military activity that would suggest something amiss. "Regional militaries in the Western Pacific and Asia, including those of our partner nations, remain at readiness levels consistent with historical norms," a senior Pentagon official told Newsweek because they were not authorized to speak on the matter. "We have observed no indications or received any additional information to make a conclusive assessment on the status of North Korean leadership or health of Kim Jong-un," the official added. "We continue to monitor the situation."

But Kim Jong Un, believed to be 36 and usually the center of his society, was still nowhere to be seen Saturday as his country commemorated Military Foundation Day. The Stimson Center's 38 North monitor shared satellite imagery showing that a roughly 820-feet long train has appeared at the North Korean head of state's compound in the east coast city of Wonsan in recent days. The supreme leader has not appeared in public since his country's closely-controlled media published photos of him two weeks ago attending aerial exercises and presiding over a politburo meeting of the ruling Korean Workers' Party Central Committee. His failure to appear days later at Day of the Sun celebrations dedicated to his grandfather, national founder Kim Il Sung, first sparked speculation regarding his well-being that the official told Newsweek may not be unfounded. "With the presence of the train and his absence from two major events, there is certainly credibility to report that KJU is either in a serious health condition or potentially deceased," the official said. "Since he is perceived as a deity in NK, his death would instantly trigger nationwide indications, so there is potential that the government had delayed an announcement in order to have everything in place to maintain security across the country," the official added.

by naharnet -- Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri lashed out Friday at Prime Minister Hassan Diab and the rival political parties, accusing them of seeking revenge against “an entire era” while attempting to destroy “the free economic system.” In a strongly-worded statement responding to Diab's speech earlier in the day, Hariri accused the PM of delivering an “uncalculated” address and declaring a “coup” with a “military language.” “These are dangerous remarks seeking to manipulate people's sentiments and their social concerns and fear for their livelihood with the aim of distancing himself from the government's blatant dereliction,” Hariri charged. “This is the phase of revenge against an entire era and they have tasked the premiership with leading the attack,” the ex-PM said. He added: “Bravo, Hassan Diab. You did a good job. Here you are fulfilling their dreams in destroying the free economic system. They are clapping for you at the (presidential) palace.” “How can you ignore the party responsible for half of the public debt through subsidizing electricity and seven years of paralyzing state institutions? How can you not ask about the policies that harmed Lebanon's Arab and international ties? How can you disregard the responsibilities that should be borne by those practicing a new tutelage over the premiership? Is the central bank governor to blame for all of this?” Hariri asked, addressing Diab.

In his speech, Diab said he is holding Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh responsible for the downward spiral of the national currency, accusing him of pursuing "opaque" policies that sent the pound crashing against the dollar. The government has agreed with Lebanon's president to hire an independent international auditing company to review the Central Bank's performance, Diab said. The move, and the premier's speech, were an indication of a widening rift with the country's longtime chief financial decision-maker. Diab urged Salameh to speak openly to the public about the financial crisis, hinting that the governor has intentionally engineered the crash of the pound.

BEIRUT: Ziad Abdallah has watched with growing alarm as Lebanon's financial meltdown has threatened the savings he spent 25 years building up in his dollar account. First his Lebanese bank reduced dollar withdrawals, then it stopped them entirely. Now the central bank has issued rules saying any withdrawals must be in the collapsing Lebanese pound at a rate likely to mean he will face a loss. "This is appropriation of wealth," said the shop owner who returned to Lebanon from abroad after the 1975-90 civil war, joining a call to rebuild a nation that had long prided itself on offering banking stability even in the most turbulent times. This cornerstone of Lebanon's economy has now been shaken to its core, as long-brewing economic troubles and the country's mounting national debt spilled over into a full-blown banking crisis even before the coronavirus outbreak added a fresh blow.

Lebanon's fixed exchange rate has been a major casualty. The Lebanese pound has been pegged at 1,500 to the dollar since 1997, a guarantee that meant pounds and dollars were both widely used. It gave Lebanon's diaspora the confidence to repatriate capital, building deposits that helped finance the state. The official peg remains for some essential goods, but the currency has plunged to about 3,500 on the unofficial market. From this month, banks began allowing small depositors to cash out dollar savings, but at a rate of 2,600 pounds.

by gulftoday.ae — Lebanon has detained a man over the killing of 10 people including his wife, two brothers and two Syrian …