Chavez claims arrested US citizen could be linked to alleged plot to destabilize Venezuela

Ariana Cubillos/AP - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez waves to supporters during a campaign rally in the Antimano neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

By Associated Press, Friday, August 10, 10:41 AM

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez announced Thursday that security forces arrested a U.S. citizen and suspect he is a mercenary who could be involved in an alleged plot to destabilize Venezuela if the opposition’s candidate loses the upcoming presidential election.

Court observer: Gu Kailai, wife of Bo Xilai, confessed to murder of Briton in China

AP/AP - This video image taken from CCTV shows Gu Kailai, center, the wife of Bo Xilai, standing trial in the Intermediate People's Court in the eastern Chinese city of Hefei Aug. 9, 2012.

By Keith B. Richburg, Published: August 9

HEFEI, China — China’s most widely anticipated trial in a generation ended Thursday less than eight hours after it began, with Gu Kailai — a daughter of the Communist Party’s “red aristocracy” and the wife of deposed charismatic leader Bo Xilai — confessing that she poisoned a British businessman who she believed threatened her son, according to an inside observer’s courtroom account.

Colombia legal challenge could set precedent on gay couples’ familial rights in Latin America

Dominic Bracco II/Prime for the Washington Post - Ana Leiderman and Veronica Botero get their children ready to go home after spending time at their family lot outside of Medellin, Colombia, on July 13, 2012.

By Juan Forero, Updated: Friday, August 10, 8:00 PM

MEDELLIN, Colombia — Theirs is a storybook romance, from the time they became friends in the fourth grade to a love affair that blossomed when they were in their late 30s.