President Michelle Bachelet on Monday announced a $4 billion plan to help Chile fight the global economic crisis and create as many as 100,000 jobs.

Cuba produced 70,400 tons of nickel in 2008, helping the industry surpass tourism as the communist-run island’s top source of revenue for the second consecutive year, state media reported Monday.

Gov. Bill Richardson’s gold-plated resume had never been tarnished as he moved up the political ladder from congressman and diplomat to governor.

Cuba on Monday began accepting requests for electronic access to more than 3,000 documents from Ernest Hemingway’s home on the island, including the unpublished epilogue of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and coded messages the author sent when using his yacht to hunt for German submarines during World War II.

Argentina accused a major natural gas distributor of “serious irregularities” on Monday _ a week after government officials said they may be forced to take over the company if its service falters.

Police say a woman who begged from a wheelchair was caught running from a crime scene on foot in Monterrey, Mexico.

Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller is suing the Minneapolis Police Department.

A northern Guatemala mudslide has left at least 22 people dead and 15 injured.

Chilean officials say the nation’s economy expanded 0.1 percent in November, its slowest pace since October 2003.

Former world rally champion Carlos Sainz of Spain negotiated blinding dust and a collision with a motorcycle entrant to win the second stage of the Dakar Rally on Sunday for the overall race lead.