The Eurozone’s current account surplus grew to 12.7 billion euros ($15.7 billion) in June from 10.3 billion euros the previous month, European Central Bank data showed on Friday.

The current account on the balance of payments, which includes imports and exports in both goods and services plus all other current transfers, is a closely tracked indicator of the ability of a country or area to pay its way in the world.

Syria's chief economic negotiator this weekend will pay his second visit to Moscow in two weeks for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the country's ambassador said on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil will probably arrive in Moscow on Saturday and meet Lavrov either on Monday or Tuesday, Syrian Ambassador Riyad Haddad was quoted as saying by Interfax.

German leader Angela Merkel on Thursday pressed for a quick wrap-up of talks on a free trade pact between Canada and the European Union, calling it crucial to much-needed global economic growth.

"Once I go back to Germany, I will see to it that these negotiations come to a speedy conclusion because... Canada and Germany are convinced free trade is one of the best engines of growth that we can have," Merkel said in Ottawa.

World oil prices tumbled in Asian trade Friday as traders cashed in gains from a recent rally, analysts said.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light sweet crude for delivery in September, was down 37 cents to $95.23 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for October delivery sank 67 cents to $114.60.

Eurozone inflation was unchanged in July for the third month running at an annualized 2.4 percent, still above the European Central Bank's target, EU data showed on Thursday.

The figures from the Eurostat agency, a second estimate confirming a release earlier in the month, marked the 20th consecutive month that inflation came in above the ECB's medium-term inflation target of just below but close to 2.0 percent.

Swedish furniture giant Ikea plans a one-billion-euro move into the hotel sector, opening at least 100 hotels in Europe, according to a company executive cited by a Swedish daily.

"We've been searching for property across Europe for a while and we'll announce in a few weeks where we'll open our own hotel," Svenska Dagbladet quoted as saying Harald Mueller, the Ikea group executive in charge of the project.

Brazil announced an economic stimulus scheme Wednesday to modernize the country's aging infrastructure by selling road and railway concessions to the private sector.

The private investment measures come amid an economic slump -- growth is forecast at just two percent this year -- and as the country prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

As Britain loses faith in its banks and feels shockwaves from the euro crisis, one city is trying to keep local wealth in local pockets with the launch of its own currency.

The Bristol pound -- usable only with member businesses in the city in southwest England -- is to launch in September, and organizers are deluged with local firms wanting to sign up.

Singapore Airlines has said it plans to introduce revamped seats and cabin interiors with an upgraded in-flight entertainment in a bid to stay ahead of Asian and Middle East rivals in the premium travel market.

SIA is regarded as a trendsetter in aviation and is famous for its cabin service, but rivals like Cathay Pacific in Asia and Etihad, Emirates and Gulf Air from the Middle East have been closing the gap while offering lower fares.

Australia's biggest banking group, the Commonwealth Bank, on Wednesday posted a record full-year net profit despite subdued revenue growth with customers cautious about global instability.

The country's top home lender said profit for the 12 months ending June 30 rose 11 percent to Aus$7.09 billion (U.S. $7.43 billion), from Aus$6.39 billion the year before.