The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

By Julie Pace / The Associated Press Washington—United States President Barack Obama accused White House hopefuls of concocting “half-baked” ideas for solving the crisis in Syria, appearing to even dismiss his former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s call for a no-fly zone before later clarifying his view of the Democratic frontrunner. 

Banks in the Asia-Pacific region appear fairly well-padded against recent currency depreciations, according to a report, titled “Asia-Pacific Banks Seem Sufficiently Cushioned Against Currency Depreciation,” that Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) recently released.

By Jerry Maglunog China’s yuan, now the world’s sixth most traded currency, is just a matter of months away from becoming the fifth unit in the special drawing rights (SDR), which will make it a currency acceptable for global use.

Washington—The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said global growth will likely be weaker this year as the world economy confronts a host of problems, including a refugee crisis in Europe, an economic slowdown in China and a pending rise in US interest rates.

Lisbon, Portugal—When two Chinese companies appeared among the bidders to buy a troubled Portuguese bank this year, its staff took heart.

Washington— United States President Barack Obama vehemently rejected Russia’s military actions in Syria as self-defeating, and dismissed the idea that Moscow was strengthening its hand in the region. He vowed not to let the conflict become a US-Russia “proxy war.”

Kathmandu, Nepal—India’s unofficial blockade of Nepal has put a crunch on this Himalayan nation, with cars lining up for miles around gasoline stations, schools shutting down, vegetables in short supply and taxis charging four times the normal fare.

By Rob Harris / The Associated Press Zurich—Sepp Blatter defied calls from Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) sponsors Budweiser, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Visa to quit immediately as president of world soccer’s governing body, rather than cling on until the emergency election in February.

By Doug Ferguson / The Associated Press Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida—Jordan Spieth was voted the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour player of the year last weekend, giving him a sweep of all the significant awards.

Wuhan—Venus Williams won the Wuhan Open last Saturday when her Spanish opponent and fifth-seeded Garbine Muguruza retired with a left ankle injury while trailing 6-3, 3-0.