SANTIAGO, Chile - A major earthquake rocked a large area of northern Chile on Wednesday, toppling power lines and closing roads. There were no immediate reports of injuries from the quake, which was felt in the capital as well as neighboring Peru and Bolivia.

LA PAZ, Bolivia - Bolivian President Evo Morales suspended U.S. anti-drug operations on Saturday as Washington's relations with his leftist government spiraled downward. Morales accused the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration of espionage and funding "criminal groups" trying to undermine his government.

I now see that seven Latin American countries have chosen to file briefs along with the government of Mexico in opposition to Arizona’s SB 1070. I have some choice words for the governments of Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru, and any other country that chooses to follow along this same route: The United States doesn’t interfere with your laws, so don’t interfere with our laws!

SAO PAULO, Brazil - In Latin America, some countries are taking draconian steps to stop bird flu before it even shows up. In recent days, five countries have banned poultry from Colombia. Then inexplicably, Colombia banned rice from Bolivia and Ecuador.

SANTIAGO, Chile - Three decades after the United States tried to oust a socialist president in Chile, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday's inauguration of a socialist leader represents the triumph of democracy over a troubled history.

CANNES, France - Unless it is one of his "Ocean's Eleven" casino romps, Steven Soderbergh never makes things easy for an audience. With his epic film biography of Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, Soderbergh defiantly has made the story he wanted to see, one that will prove a very tough sell to some audiences.

LOS ANGELES — Jaime Escalante transformed a tough East Los Angeles high school by motivating struggling inner-city students to master advanced math, became one of America's most famous teachers and inspired the movie "Stand and Deliver."

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez urged his Latin American allies on Saturday to begin withdrawing billions of dollars in international reserves from U.S. banks, warning of a looming U.S. economic crisis.

NEW YORK - It's been an "Amazing Race" indeed for Nick and Starr Spangler.

A Paradise Valley socialite has been indicted on charges she lied on an application to become a U.S. citizen.

Russell Pearce, guest commentary

ASUNCION, Paraguay - Former Roman Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo won a historic victory in Paraguay's presidential election Sunday, ending more than six decades of one-party rule with a mandate to help the nation's poor and indigenous.

The Bolivian-born wife of a prominent international businessman consented Wednesday to exile from the United States as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors involving the hiring of illegal immigrants.

Federal investigators who have charged a former Miss Bolivia with immigration fraud and perjury have now accused the woman of hiring illegal immigrants to work as servants in her Paradise Valley mansion.

Federal investigators who have charged a former Miss Bolivia with immigration fraud and perjury have now accused the woman of hiring illegal immigrants to work as servants in her Paradise Valley mansion.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad - President Barack Obama offered a spirit of cooperation to America's hemispheric neighbors at a summit Saturday, listening to complaints about past U.S. meddling and even reaching out to Venezuela's leftist leader.

The West Valley Arts Council’s Backyard Concert Series returns at 3 p.m. Nov. 6 with Alturas. The concert is in the Marley Park community, 13243 N. Founders Park Blvd., and is presented in conjunction with the Valleywide CALA Festival running through Nov. 16. General admission lawn seating for the outdoor concert is $10 adult and $5 student.

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA: It’s about freedom

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez won a referendum to eliminate term limits Sunday and vowed to remain in power for at least another decade to complete his socialist revolution. Opponents accepted defeat but said Chavez is becoming a dictator.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico - A Mexican beauty queen arrested in a truck filled with weapons was dating a suspected leader in the powerful Juarez drug cartel, police said Wednesday.

“Casino Royale” came along just as the James Bond franchise was sinking into a lazy rehash of all that had gone before. It jump-started 007 with its seamless mix of action and emotion, and now “Quantum of Solace” keeps it humming along — in a familiar, but forgettable, gear.

After a combined 65 years of teaching at Chandler High School, Rick Engelmann and his wife, Sally Boyle, have retired — but they won’t be sitting still.

Michelle Key has always played racquetball with the heart of a champion. Now the 18-year-old Arizona State freshman has the hardware that says she is a world champion.