Pakistan: Riots over routes

ISLAMABAD — Thousands of anti-government protesters demanded Thursday that Pakistan shut the route along which supplies are ferried to U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, adding to the growing pressure on Islamabad's beleaguered leadership.

The demonstration by more than 10,000 people in the northwestern city of Peshawar also focused on a recent series of U.S. missile strikes against suspected al-Qaida and Taliban targets in Pakistan's lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border and Pakistani military offensives against Islamic insurgents in the area.

Venezuela: No term limits?

CARACAS — Venezuela's National Assembly on Thursday began considering a proposal for a referendum on abolishing term limits, which could let President Hugo Chavez run for re-election indefinitely.

Lawmakers are expected to approve plans for the vote after a second and final debate next month. Election officials say the referendum could be held in March.