Venezuela Assembly Passes Reforms

A package of constitutional reforms that strengthens the powers of President Hugo Chavez was given final approval by the Venezuela national assembly. One of the reforms is to vote in a December referendum that would scrap presidential term limits. Critics accuse Mr. Chavez of a power grab but those in favor say the changes will deepen Venezuela's democracy. Venezuelan troops had to use tear gas and a water cannon on Thursday to disperse the opponents of the planned reforms.

Fighters Seize Pakistan Troops

Scores of Pakistani soldiers are missing near the Afghanistan border amid claims from pro-Taleban militants that the have captured 300 men. More than 100 army personnel are unaccounted for, according to officials in the South Waziristan region. A Muslim militant group said it had taken the troops because the government was not honoring a recent peace deal.