News In Brief

Bolivia says it's ready to talk with group demanding strike

The government announced Thursday it was ready to ''start a dialogue'' with the Bolivian Workers Central Organization, which has called a general strike to demand wage increases, price controls, and an end to food shortages.

The strike, which entered its second day yesterday, is costing South America's poorest nation $11 million a day in lost production, according to a report issued by the Planning Ministry.