Stories for March 2013

Wednesday, March 6th 2013 - 20:00 UTC
Scientists solve mystery of the extinct Falkland Islands wolf

It was an animal that puzzled Charles Darwin, who wondered how on Earth a large mammal that looked a bit like a wolf and a bit like a fox had arrived on barren islands nearly 500 kilometres from the mainland. Now, say biologists, the mystery of the now-extinct Falkland Islands wolf may have been resolved.
Wednesday, March 6th 2013 - 11:47 UTC
Iberia strike cancels 1.300 flights; further industrial action planned for Easter Week

Unions at Spain's flagship airline Iberia began a second week of strikes on Monday, with 1.300 flights canceled and most passengers re-assigned to other flights. Iberia and three smaller airlines that it provides with ground services -- Iberia Express, Vueling and Air Nostrum --- have been impacted by the action, an Iberia spokesman said.
Wednesday, March 6th 2013 - 11:04 UTC
Obama calls for a ‘constructive’ future relationship with Venezuela

President Barack Obama said within hours of the death of President Hugo Chavez Tuesday that the United States was interested in a “constructive” future relationship with Venezuela.
Wednesday, March 6th 2013 - 10:59 UTC
As president for 14 years, “Chavez left a lasting impression on Venezuela and more widely”

The UK Foreign secretary has paid tribute to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who he said left a “lasting impression” on his country. Chavez, 58, died on Tuesday after being seriously ill with cancer, ending his 14-year rule.
Wednesday, March 6th 2013 - 10:54 UTC
Chavez funeral ceremony at the Military Academy, ‘cradle of the Bolivarian revolution’

The Venezuelan government declared seven days of national mourning and suspended classes until next Friday as it organizes the funeral of President Hugo Chavez that is scheduled to take place at the Military Academy, where he will lie in state beginning Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, March 6th 2013 - 10:50 UTC
Nicolas Maduro named interim president; elections within 30 days

Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro will take over as interim president of the country while elections are organized within 30 days following the death of Hugo Chavez, Foreign Minister Elias Jaua announced on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March 6th 2013 - 10:46 UTC
Santos pays special tribute to Chavez for his efforts to help bring peace to Colombia

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos regretted the loss of Hugo Chavez and attributed the advances in the peace process of his government with the FARC Marxist guerrillas (Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces) to the deceased Venezuelan leader.
Wednesday, March 6th 2013 - 10:43 UTC
Latinamerican leaders praise Chavez and prepare to travel to Caracas for his funeral on Friday

All Latinamerican leaders expressed their deep sorrow over the death of President Hugo Chavez, and several of them will be travelling to Caracas for his funeral scheduled next Friday.
Wednesday, March 6th 2013 - 02:06 UTC
Venezuela announces the death of President Hugo Chavez

Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolás Maduro announced during a nation-wide transmission that President Hugo Chávez “has died today at 4:25pm.”
Tuesday, March 5th 2013 - 21:51 UTC
The Swiss are also annoyed: windfall vote to limit “fat-cat executive pay”

The Swiss have approved a “fat-cat referendum” to limit executive pay by a crushing 68% to 32%, no great surprise perhaps given the current mood on bankers and other superrich around the globe. The referendum was the brainchild of Thomas Minder, the independent legislator who began his struggle to give shareholders in Swiss-listed companies the right to control the pay of executives and board members in 2006.