Economics Brent crude slipped below $111 a barrel on Friday, weighed down by concerns that oil demand will be hurt if China's economy continues to sputter, the euro zone remains weak and automatic spending cuts are enacted in the United States. More from Reuters An unofficial ministerial meeting has failed to open a window of hope for a compromise solution between the government and labor unions over an ongoing strike. More from The Daily Star The US has pledged for the first time provide direct assistance to Syrian rebel forces fighting to overthrow the regime of Bashar Al Assad. More from Reuters Tunisia's ongoing political crisis may harm the economy, the central bank warned on Thursday, when it also said economic growth rebounded to 3.6 percent in 2012 after the 2011 revolution plunged the country into recession. More from Reuters Bahrain’s rulers have made no progress
