Bashar al-Assad

PMI data released this week showed that most manufacturers have been expanding. The eurozone had the biggest success story as manufacturing PMI for the region rose to its highest level in over two years. Peripheral countries like the Czech Republic and even Turkey saw a boost as a result. The US...

Brent crude oil lost ground on Tuesday morning as concerns about a military strike in Syria eased. However, Brent held steady above $114 on hopes of a global demand revival sparked by the improving global economy. The commodity traded at $114.20 at 5:21 GMT on Tuesday morning. China, the US and...

US President Barack Obama called on Congress on Monday to vote on the authorization of military action in Syria. The President is expected to continue rallying for support on Tuesday as the Syrian government braces for an attack by evacuating military bases and the surrounding areas. Top News...

As military action began to look less and less likely, Brent crude oil withdrew from its previous highs. The commodity traded at $114.57 at 6:45 GMT on Friday morning. Britain announced that it would not join the US' efforts to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for his involvement in a...

A parliamentary vote in Britain on Thursday ended with the government declining to join the US’ efforts to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for his alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians. While the US could still act alone, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Obama...

Brent crude oil backed off a bit on Thursday as delays in the Obama administration's planned military strikes on Syria became more likely. The commodity traded at $115.10 at 7:45 GMT on Thursday morning. Concern about oil supplies coming from the Middle East has driven Brent prices since US...

Markets saw some relief as imminent military strikes in Syria became less and less likely. The US is facing opposition after the Obama administration declared that they would punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for his involvement in a chemical weapons strike. It is not likely that Obama will...

As the likelihood of military strikes in Syria rose on Wednesday, Brent crude oil prices jumped to six month highs as investors worried about what that would mean for oil supplies coming from the Middle East. Brent prices rose to $115.72 at 7:45 GMT on Wednesday morning as investors waited for...

Markets have been taking a beating as investors keep tabs on tension between the US and Syria over the Syrian government’s alleged use of chemical weapons against its civilians. The US government has taken a firm stance, saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s involvement in a...

Rising tension between the US and Syria kept Brent crude oil supported on Tuesday as suspicion about the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons continued. The commodity traded at $110.98 at 7:02 GMT on Tuesday morning after the US met with allies in Jordan for what some are speculating was a...

US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement on Monday saying there was undeniable evidence that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons against its own civilians. Now, as UN investigators gather information from the site where the weapons were supposedly used, the US is inching...

As the Fed taper approaches, emerging markets are finding it difficult to find solid ground. The fresh turmoil prompted policy makers at the Jackson Hole summit to consider the benefits of capital controls in such a situation. Over the weekend, a paper was presented at the summit which defended...

Brent crude oil stood poised to end the week on a high note on Friday morning following positive data from the US which has renewed hope that the number one oil consuming nation is getting back on track. The commodity approached $109 on Friday morning and traded at $108.80 at 6:40 GMT. The US...

WTI Crude futures spiked early Monday on reports that a Russian official had tweeted that Syrian President Assad had been injured or killed today in a fight. The news of a potential break down of the country into full-blown civil war sent oil higher by about $1 per barrel. However, the Russian...