
Those hoping for quick fixes to the strains in the global economy will continue to be disappointed, writes the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in its 82nd Annual Report, released on Sunday.

Spain on Monday formally requested Euro zone rescue loans to recapitalise its debt-laden banks as the Euro and shares fell on investor scepticism about this week's EU summit.

European leaders will discuss specific steps towards a cross-border banking union, closer fiscal integration and the possibility of a debt redemption fund at a summit on June 28-29, according to a document prepared for the meeting.

Greece's new government should stop asking for more help and instead move quickly to enact reform measures agreed to in return for previous bailouts from its European partners, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said.

A memorandum of understanding with Mercosur and a deep sea port to the east of Uruguay were two of the main issues addressed by visiting Chinese PM Wen Jiabao with President Jose Mujica revealed the Executive Deputy Secretary.

Ambassador in Washington Jorge Argüello said that the Argentine Government is concerned with the deficit increase in bilateral trade with the US and is waiting for Barack Obama administration actions to increase the purchase of Argentine goods.

Chile's LAN Airlines completed a takeover of Brazilian rival TAM on Friday, creating the world's second-largest airline by market value in a deal that executives expect to yield up to 700 million dollars in costs savings within four years.

Russian investment bank VTB Capital and Brazilian peer BTG Pactual, two of the fastest-growing emerging market challengers to more established US and European rivals, are joining forces to help them to expand further.

Motomco Group of Brazil, a manufacturer of grain quality-control products, is opening a Canadian operation called Canada Moisture Analyzers in Winnipeg this summer. The shop will handle sales and service for its products, which measure moisture content in grain in North America.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Argentina Saturday on an official visit aimed at boosting trade with one of South America's top agricultural producers.