The World Trade Organization admitted Russia as its newest member on Friday, giving a boost to its biggest trading partner, the European Union.
Divisions over Europe within the British coalition government were exposed when David Cameron's deputy said an EU summit that ended with the prime minister deploying his veto was a bitter disappointment and bad for Britain.
Global stocks and the Euro rallied on Wednesday after the world's leading central banks agreed to cut the cost for European banks to borrow much-needed dollars.
The United States and European Union agreed on Monday to develop a plan to capitalize on already strong economic ties to create more jobs and fuel economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.
The European Union has been forced to accept a 2% rise in its budget next year, much less than the increase it wanted of around 5%.
Intense European pressure forced debt-stricken Greece to seek political consensus on a new bailout plan instead of holding a referendum after EU leaders raised the prospect of a Greek exit from the Euro to preserve the single currency.
If Greece decided to leave the Euro, it would also have to quit the European Union, according to the terms of the EU treaties, the European Commission said on Thursday.
Brazil's government is encouraged by Europe's announcement of a plan to resolve the nagging debt crisis, though more details are needed on the proposal to determine its viability, Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega said Thursday.
European Union leaders announced an agreement early Thursday in Brussels on debt crisis measures including a hard-fought deal with private sector investors to write down Greek bonds by 50%.
Foreign Secretary William Hague has urged Tory MPs not to vote for a referendum on the UK remaining in the EU, saying it would be a distraction.