BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina's president announced a $3.2 billion annual increase in cash handouts for the poor, students and pregnant women Wednesday, saying the programs will reach nearly 700,000 additional children, pay their families 35 percent more and encourage consumer spending i what is an election year.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Three former Ford Motor Co. executives have been charged with crimes against humanity in Argentina for allegedly targeting union workers for kidnapping and torture after the country's 1976 military coup.

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba has authorized individual imports of appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and microwave ovens, lifting a ban imposed in 2005 amid a wave of energy shortages and blackouts.

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Former dictator Efrain Rios Montt was taken to a military hospital Monday after fainting while on his way to a court hearing, Guatemalan prison authorities said.

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — At least 10 Colombian soldiers were killed and six wounded Wednesday in a pre-dawn attack on an army patrol with homemade explosives by the country's second-largest leftist rebel band, the military said.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — First milk, butter, coffee and cornmeal ran short. Now Venezuela is running out of the most basic of necessities — toilet paper.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Preliminary autopsy results say former Argentine dictator Jorge Rafael Videla died from fractures and a hemorrhage suffered in a fall in the shower while he was serving a life sentence for human rights violations.

MERCEDES, Argentina (AP) — Argentines in the hometown of former dictator Jorge Rafael Videla are upset at the prospect that he may be buried there.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — A former Cayman Islands premier who faces 11 criminal charges and was ousted from leadership last year is heading into Thursday's general elections with an outside chance of returning to power in the British Overseas Territory.

VILLA TUNARI, Bolivia (AP) — Since taking office seven years ago, President Evo Morales has tried to persuade the world that he has no tolerance for cocaine and that Bolivia's thousands of acres of coca plants can be dedicated to such traditional uses as fighting fatigue as well as whipping up wholsome treats like sweet breads and coca puffed snacks.