Madrid - A judicial investigation into the August 20 air crash that killed 154 people in Madrid has begun hearing witnesses, Spanish judicial sources said Wednesday.

Judge Juan Javier Perez will hear witnesses, including a stewardess who saw the accident from another plane, and airport employees for several weeks.

Madrid - Spain's main Ibex-35 index reacted to the slowdown on Wall Street, slipping 1.2 per cent to 10,103 points as trading opened on Wednesday.

Madrid - Santander, Spain's leading bank, plans to take advantage of the ongoing financial crisis to take control of Sovereign Bancorp, which has suffered recent losses, according to a media report.

Negotiations for the takeover are still underway, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, quoting Santander.

According to the report, Santander wants to offer about 1.8 billion euros (2.5 billion dollars) for Sovereign Bancorp, in which the bank already has a 25 per cent stake.

Santander bought that stake three years ago, when Sovereign's shares sold for 27 dollars. Now they are worth 3.80, which means Santander has lost about 2 billion euros on the investment.

Madrid - The Madrid stock market was dra

Madrid - Spain's capital Madrid will ban the "human ads" that had become one of the colourful features of the city centre, press reports said Friday.

An estimated 30 people walk around, mainly near the Puerta del Sol square, wearing placards on their chests and backs.

The placards advertise pawn shops, with the text "I buy gold," tattoo shops, and the like.

Using people as advertising supports violated their "dignity," mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon said. The ban was expected to enter into force in early 2009.

The human ads themselves, however, did not appreciate the city council's zeal to protect their dignity.