
Argentina and Brazil agreed on Friday to “increase” in the “short term” regional trade in a shared strategy to address the consequences of the global crisis. The commitment was endorsed by Argentina’ Industry minister Debora Giorgi and her Brazilian counterpart Fernando Pimentel.

The IMF recommended Uruguay greater flexibility in the management of macroeconomic policy, ahead of unexpected changes in the international scenario.

British PM David Cameron has defended his decision to block an EU-wide treaty change to tackle the Euro zone crisis, despite warnings it will leave the UK isolated.

Brazilian consumer prices rose faster than expected in November. Inflation as measured by the benchmark IPCA index, quickened to 0.52% last month from 0.43% in October.

Attempts to rescue the Euro will focus on a deal among the 17 nations that use the single currency, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said early Friday.

A United Nations expert urged Argentina to strengthen its measures to protect the human rights of indigenous groups as well as their rights to land ownership and education, adding that a mechanism to establish dialogue between them and the Government is urgently needed.

The European Central Bank cut interest rates by a quarter of a point Thursday to counter the twin threats of recession and deflation in the Euro zone, and is expected to unveil fresh measures to help banks hurt by the bloc's debt crisis.

Europe's banks must increase their capital by 114.7 billion Euros, more than predicted two months ago, to make them strong enough to withstand the Euro zone debt crisis and restore investor confidence, Europe's banking watchdog said.

The new Chair of the Falkland Islands Fishing Company Association condemned Argentina for their two month early opening of their illex (squid) fishing season, “with complete disregard for conservation of the stock”.

UK interest rates were held at a record low of 0.5% by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee on Thursday.