Global economic jitters take oil prices downFebruary 26, 2013 - 13:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Global economic jitters and the prospect Italy will reignite Europe's debt crisis dragged oil down to near $92 a barrel Tuesday, Feb 26, The Associated Press reports. Benchmark crude for April delivery was down 89 cents at $92.22 per barrel at midafternoon Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 2 cents to settle at $93.11 on Monday. Markets were rattled by the possibility of political paralysis in Italy after near-complete results in crucial national elections showed no clear front-runner. The uncertainty bodes ill for the nation's efforts to pass the tough reforms it needs to overhaul its debt-laden economy. That could reignite Europe's long-simmering crisis of confidence in the euro common currency. Adding to the downbeat mood were weak manufacturing figures from China on Monday and looming spending cuts in the U.S. as political leaders in Washington remain at odds over how quickly to trim the budget deficit. In London, Brent crude was down 82 cents at $113.62 on the ICE futures exchange. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. Mkhitaryan raises arrest of former Karabakh leaders in Azerbaijan Inter Milan star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has shared a news story about the extension of the arrest of former Karabakh leaders. |