
The European Central Bank (ECB) is to start withdrawing some of its special measures to support the economy. The bank is withdrawing some of its cheap short-term loans designed to boost the amount of money available in the markets and encourage bank lending.

Bolivian president Evo Morales is expected to be easily re-elected on Sunday but is desperately fighting to ensure a two thirds majority in the Senate which would enable him to pass a hundred bills to continue with the political and economic reforms he has pending from his first mandate.

Iran has trebled trade with Latinamerica and Argentina has become its second partner in the region (replacing Mexico) according to Latin Business Chronicle based on data form the International Monetary Fund.

A British government minister has told bankers to come back into the real world after Royal Bank of Scotland directors threatened to resign over bonuses. City Minister Lord Myners said it was unrealistic that bankers should expect to be paid million pound bonuses.

Chile does not want to start an arms race, nor does it have aggressive intentions toward its neighbours.

Brazil has threatened with trade reprisals if Argentina does not lift new restrictions to imports of Brazilian manufactured toys. Trade tensions between the two Mercosur partners and largest economies of South America have soured lately because of what Brazil considers “protectionist” measures and attitudes from Argentina.

Uruguayan president-elect Jose Mujica is scheduled to meet next Tuesday with Brazilian president Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the Mercosur summit to be held in Montevideo, according to diplomatic sources.

Honduras’ Congress overwhelmingly voted Wednesday against the reinstatement of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, a move that closes the door on his return to power after he was toppled in a June coup.

Medals belonging to a Falklands war veteran who wanted the cash because his injuries prevented him working have fetched a record £70,000 at auction. Captain Ian Bailey of Ash Vale, Surrey, was awarded the Military Medal for his part in an attack on two Argentine positions on Mount Longdon, in 1982.

Uruguayan President-elect José Mujica vowed to have the best possible relations with Argentina and isolate the conflict over the Botnia pulp mill, which has generated frictions in the bilateral relation.