UPDATE - Colombia says will not be provoked by Venezuela - at Reuters - Fri 10:55 pm ET
* Chavez's insults, dynamited bridges raise tensions * Colombian military chiefs meet, no troop build-up seen * Chavez says U.S. preparing for war in Latin America

Mexico FDI plunges 37 pct in first 9 months of 2009 - at Reuters - Fri 9:40 pm ET
Foreign direct investment in Mexico plunged 37 percent in the first nine months of 2009 as the world financial crisis bit into capital flows, according to data released by the government on Friday.

Obama job approval rating drops under 50 percent - at Reuters - Fri 6:23 pm ET
President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dropped below 50 percent in a second major poll in an indication he is suffering from the long healthcare debate and weakness in the economy, Gallup said on Friday.

CANADA STOCKS-Oil prices, profit-taking drag TSX lower - at Reuters - Fri 5:32 pm ET

CANADA FX DEBT-C$ falls with commodities as risk appetite wanes - at Reuters - Fri 5:15 pm ET

Mexico stocks slip as investors trim risk bets - at Reuters - Fri 5:00 pm ET
Mexican stocks fell on Friday as investors around the world cut exposure to risky assets and high-yield currencies amid worries about the strength of the global economic recovery.

Chile peso sinks on firm dollar, stocks up - at Reuters - Fri 4:52 pm ET
Chile's peso ended slightly weaker on Friday, recovering from earlier steep losses as traders sold U.S. dollars to lock in profits, while stocks shot up in late trading on a brighter market outlook.