Originally published August 22, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 22, 2007 at 2:05 AM
World Digest
Venezuela assembly approves term-limit removal
Venezuela's National Assembly, dominated by allies of President Hugo Ch..., gave unanimous initial approval Tuesday to constitutional...
Caracas, Venezuela
Venezuela's National Assembly, dominated by allies of President Hugo Chávez, gave unanimous initial approval Tuesday to constitutional changes that would allow him to run for re-election and possibly govern for decades.
Assembly President Cilia Flores said Chávez's proposed changes to the constitution, including lifting presidential term limits, were approved by all 167 lawmakers. Final approval is expected within three months, and voters will decide whether to approve the changes in a referendum.
Other proposed changes would create new types of property to be managed by cooperatives, give neighborhood-based "communal councils" administrative responsibilities usually reserved for elected officials and create "a popular militia" as part of the military. The workday would be reduced to six hours.
Government opponents said the changes would weaken democracy by permitting Chávez to become a lifelong leader.
West Africa
Dangerous virus found in fruit bat
Scientists have found the deadly Marburg virus in one type of African fruit bat, the first time it's been detected in an animal other than a monkey.
The bats were collected in the West Africa countries of Gabon and the Republic of Congo, but the test results support a theory that bats caused two recent Marburg cases in nearby Uganda, health officials said.
Marburg virus is a rare cousin of Ebola that can cause a rapid death in which patients may bleed from the eyes, ears and elsewhere.
Montebello, Quebec
Canada, Mexico, U.S. end summit
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President Bush and his counterparts from Canada and Mexico wrapped up a two-day summit Tuesday pledging to improve the North American "neighborhood" by making international commerce more efficient, improving border security without impeding trade and helping each other in times of crisis.
"If you're a U.S. citizen, you want people that live close to you to be prosperous," Bush said at a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderón.
Amid talk of cooperation, the leaders acknowledged that some of their views differ. The United States, for instance, does not support Canada's claim to the resource-rich Northwest Passage. A U.S. study suggests as much as 25 percent of the world's undiscovered oil and gas could be there.
"We believe it's an international passageway," Bush said, adding he's optimistic the two countries will "manage the differences."
Also
The explosion that caused a China Airlines Boeing 737-800 to burst into flames at Okinawa Airport on Monday likely was caused by a problem with the fuel pipes around the pylon that connects the engine to the right wing, the Japanese Construction and Transport Ministry's Aircraft and Railway Investigation Commission said Tuesday.
Seattle Times news services
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Biden: Israel free to set own course on Iran
Obama warns of 'difficult' days in Iraq, pledges support for troops
Top Iran clerics decry election, defy supreme leader
NEW - 07:00 PM
Honduran military told to turn back Zelaya's jet
UN official to accompany Honduran president home

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
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shopping

events for Sunday, Jul. 5th
- Emery's Garden Pink Flamingo Sale
- REI Summer Sale and Clearance
- Pink Ginger First Anniversary Sale
- Evo Independence Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Russell Branyan, Mariners fight off the Red Sox
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin takes to Web for hints of political future
- Fourth of July festivals and fireworks in Seattle, the suburbs and beyond
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- The Blotter | Man pistol-whipped after argument at nightclub
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Palin resigning as Alaska governor
783 - Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
247 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
161 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
122 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
111 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
110 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
101 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
88 - Anti-tax rally in Olympia attracts about 1,500
57 - Seeking your questions
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- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Close-up | Prison guards intercept carrier pigeon with a cellphone
- Pre-grill drill: marinate steaks
- Amtrak cleared for 2nd daily train to Vancouver, B.C.
- Concert Review | Green Day blasts off 4th weekend with KeyArena show
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
