Oil prices rebounded by more than 5 US dollars a barrel on Thursday as another missile launch by Iran stoked worries that escalating political tensions in the Middle East could cut off supplies out of the region.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries earnings from oil exports are expected to reach a record 1.251 trillion US dollars this year, about 73 billion more than previously estimated, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
The Argentine government asked on Thursday a judge to appoint an administrator for the country's main airline and flag carrier Aerolineas Argentinas, a move seen as a possible step toward a state takeover of the company and a potential controversy with the Spanish government.
Headlines: A Royal gift; Ships to sound horns in protest; New policy man joins Falklands government; Inside Penguin News
The Consumer Prices Index in Argentina increased 0.6% in June and 4.6% in the first half of the year. Wholesale prices jumped 1% in June totaling 6.3% in the first six months of 2008, both percentages according to the official Statistics and Census Office, Indec
Workers from Brazil's government managed oil corporation Petrobras confirmed on Friday they will begin a five-day strike at the country's main fields in the off shore Campos basin on Monday, regardless of whether the company presents a proposal before then.
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe signed several agreements to promote closer ties, after months of political tension.
Colombia guerrilla group FARC said on Friday it was betrayed by its own men in last week's military rescue of the former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages that added to a string of recent setbacks.
Brazilian president Lula da Silva visiting Vietnam described the war against the United States which ended with the country's union and full independence as a victory of the oppressed.