
Spain's prime minister says the government will likely present this week new measures to help banks, a key source of worry over whether the country might need a financial bailout.

President Cristina Fernández said in relation to the controversial Olympic/Malvinas advert that “creativity can’t be censored”, on the contrary it should be “applauded” because it reflects the feelings of the Argentines. The head of state also rejected lifting the spot as demanded by Britain and the Y&R agency in New York.

Hundreds of veterans and members of the public gathered on Sunday in Portsmouth and Sheffield to mark the 30 years since the Falkland Islands conflict.

Spain-based energy group Repsol has sent letters to oil majors including Exxon-Mobil, Chevron and Conoco-Phillips warning it would sue them if they try to invest in YPF or its assets, reports the British newspaper The Financial Times.

Vladimir Putin, who was officially sworn in for a third term as president of Russia on Monday after four years of serving as the country’s prime minister, has nominated his predecessor Dmitry Medvedev to replace him as prime minister.

The Argentine decision to seize control of 51% of YPF oil and gas giant came into effect on Monday as a decree was published on the Official Gazette. From Spain a new barrage of criticisms in support of Repsol and condemning Argentina started the week.

European Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht expressed concern Monday over what he called a “growing tendency towards protectionism across Latin America” and warned Europe is preparing retaliation measures against Argentina after YPF expropriation

The controversial Malvinas/Olympics advert promoted by the Argentine government ahead of the London Games not only has had negative reactions worldwide but has also triggered deep concern among members of the Argentine Olympic team.

Argentine athlete Fernando Zylberberg involved in the controversial Malvinas/Olympics advert which is being aired by the Argentine government, contrary to his original statements, has admitted he knew the spot filmed in the Falkland Islands would be used by the government.

Trade between Asia and Latin America reached 442 billion dollars in 2011 growing at an annual rate of 20.5% in the last twelve years according to a joint report from the Inter American Development Bank and the Asian Development Bank.