Market gains, tensions in the Middle East, and the arrest of a former Syrian general among the day’s top stories
The most important economic news of the day came from Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq closed at new record highs on Friday. The rise was driven mainly by major technology stocks, such as Nvidia, while Sandisk is also mentioned. With this result, the two indices recorded a sixth consecutive week of gains, their longest positive streak since 2024.
This picture shows that U.S. markets remain strong, with investors continuing to place their money mainly in the technology sector. The new records for the main indices are considered an important sign of confidence in the market’s direction, even though international uncertainties remain.
In the Middle East, oil prices moved higher as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz rose again, one of the most important passages for the international transport of oil. Brent contracts rose by as much as 3% on Friday, as markets worry about possible effects on energy supply.
Despite today’s increase, oil recorded an overall weekly decline of 6%. This shows that the energy market remains highly volatile, with prices changing quickly depending on geopolitical developments and estimates for demand and supply.
There was also important international news from Syria. The Syrian Foreign Ministry announced the arrest of a former general, who is accused of involvement in a chemical weapons attack in 2013. The case is linked to one of the most serious and controversial episodes of the Syrian war.
This arrest carries particular weight because it concerns the possible responsibility of a high-ranking official for an attack that had prompted international condemnation. So far, no further details have been provided in the brief text, but the Syrian ministry’s announcement brings back into focus questions of accountability for crimes from the war period.
Overall, the day was marked by three main developments: new records and multiweek gains on Wall Street, a rise in oil due to tensions in Hormuz despite the sharp weekly decline, and the arrest of a former Syrian general accused of a chemical attack. These stories show how the economy, energy, and geopolitics remain closely interconnected.