Stories for December 16th 2006
Spanish airline Air Madrid suspends all flights
Privately owned carrier Air Madrid suspended all its flights on Friday, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded over Christmas and blaming its action on a development ministry threat to suspend its license.
Protests spark clashes in Bolivia
At least 50 people were injured on Friday in a clash between supporters and opponents of Bolivian President Evo Morales' government, according local press reports.
Cautious optimism in Latin América
Governments in Latin America and the Caribbean expect a fourth straight year of economic growth in 2006, topped by a jump of 12.5 percent in Cuba, according to a report issued Thursday by the UN economic agency for the region.
Chilean leader proposes soc. sec. reform
President Michelle Bachelet on Friday proposed a shake-up of Chile's widely admired but incomplete private social security system, urging a minimum government pension for 1 million elderly Chileans left out of the current program.
Chavez denies Castro cancer claim
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has dismissed suggestions that Cuban leader and ally Fidel Castro has cancer, but said he was fighting a serious illness.
Top Chilean General removed for praising Pinochet
The aftermath of General Augusto Pinochet's funeral, and legacy, continue to reverberate in Chilean politics and the Chilean Armed Forces: the General responsible for the Metropolitan Santiago area, one of the country's most important was sacked Friday following statements on support of the 1973 military coup and praise for the dictator.
First ever Spanish airliner lands in Gibraltar
An Airbus 319 from Iberia became Saturday December 16 the first ever Spanish airline to fly to Gibraltar signaling an event that after decades of tension Spain, Britain and Gibraltar are finally overcoming a centennial sovereign dispute by concentrating on cooperation and development.
Pulp mill conflict widens Mercosur rift
Escalating mutual recriminations and complaints between Argentina and Uruguay signaled the first day of deliberations at the Mercosur ministerial meeting in Brasilia in the same week that the group officially inaugurated its Parliament.
Argentina and Brazil promote bilateral trade
Argentina and Brazil signed in Brasilia a protocol for a bilateral trade payments system in local currencies which gradually eliminates the US dollar helping to reduce goods and services transactions costs.
London sq ft can reach as much as 5.860 US dollars
Brimming with posh stores and elegant shoppers, New York City has always held a certain cachet. But there is something that the US's largest city can no longer claim: the world's most expensive residences.
