
FIFA boss Sepp Blatter on Friday hit back at criticism over work conditions on World Cup venues in Qatar, accusing European companies and saying France and Germany pushed the bid for economic interests.

Argentine Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich announced on Friday the government sent a bill to Congress raising taxes on luxury goods such as premium model cars, recreation boats, motorbikes and aircraft, and underlined that ”those who want to buy luxury goods will have to pay more,” he warned.

President John F Kennedy was murdered by a CIA conspiracy including groups linked to the anti-Castro and Sicilian mafias because he was 'weak' with Cuba, claimed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro who remembered events of 50 years ago in Dallas.

The US Federal Reserve officials said they plan to begin trimming the central bank's stimulus efforts in the coming months. They believe that the US recovery is strengthening, according to minutes their October meeting.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter was granted a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican at lunchtime on Friday. During the discussions, the Holy Father asked FIFA to use football to promote peace in the world and to help the poor.

Argentine Defense Minister Agustín Rossi met his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Amorim and agreed to incorporate all South American countries in their bilateral treaty on cyber-defense. The decision was made after several reports indicated the United States engaged in espionage activities against the countries in the region.

The United Nations maritime tribunal has ordered Russia to free a Greenpeace vessel and 30 people detained after an oil drilling protest in the Arctic. The court in the German city of Hamburg said a bond of 3.6 million Euros should be posted.

Spain’s President Mariano Rajoy has declared his intent to sustain both good relations with Britain and tough controls on Gibraltar at the border. The remarks came in an interview with Radio Nacional de España in which he defended Spain’s attitude to Gibraltar.

Fiat Argentina CEO Cristiano Rattazzi said that Argentina is on fire because of inflation and called on the newly appointed cabinet chief Jorge Capitanich and Economy minister Axel Kicillof to work hard to bring inflation down.

Argentina's flag carrier Aerolíneas Argentinas CEO Mariano Recalde said that the company's goal, as requested by president Cristina Fernández, was to provide a quality service over profit.