
A US delegation will visit China next week for talks aimed at defusing the trade war between the world's two largest economies. The closely watched meeting follows a dismal week for US markets, with losses fuelled partly by trade fears.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Jay Powell took steps to reassure financial markets on Friday, saying that the US central bank would be patient about rate rises. He also defended his independence, saying he would not resign if requested by US President Donald Trump.

The US economy created many more jobs than expected in December, according to the latest government data. Employers added 312,000 jobs, far ahead of predictions of 177,000, the Labor Department said.

There is “no way” the Democratic Unionist Party will back Theresa May's Brexit deal, a leading figure has said. Sammy Wilson told the BBC he was “more alarmed” than ever about what the deal would mean for Northern Ireland.

Argentina industrial production plummeted 13.3% in October 2018 after plunging 6.8% in the previous month. It was the seventh straight drop and the sharpest decline since June 2002, as all categories fell excluding tobacco (+1.5%) and basic metals (+4.1%).

Three former Credit Suisse bankers have been arrested over their alleged role in a US$ 2bn fraud scheme connected to firms in Mozambique, according to US authorities. The men have been released on bail in London while the US seeks their extradition.

Options for the extension of the Falkland Islands' Mount Pleasant airport passenger terminal will be considered by the local elected authorities in the coming weeks. According to Penguin News, quoting lawmaker MLA Barry Elsby, options will be put before the Executive Council early in the new year.

Apple has rattled investors with news that its sales have been slowing, blaming economic weakness in China. In a surprise disclosure, the iPhone maker said it anticipated revenue of about US$ 84bn for the three months to 29 December. In November it forecast sales of at least US$ 89bn - a prediction that had already disappointed investors.

Galicia's Rampesca and the Falkland Islands RBC have ordered a new 63.7 meters long and 1.500 gross tonnage freezer trawler from Nodosa Shipyard, according to shipbuilding sources in Vigo. The new vessel is expected to replace the Castelao, and construction will begin this January. It will replicate much of the recently delivered Monteferro.

A record high for Brazil shares and a more than 2% gain in the Real, spurred by positive policy moves by the country's new government, helped Latin American markets make a strong start to the New Year and buck gloom in global markets on Wednesday.