Venezuela to Make Changes in Oil, Gas, Electricity

Venezuelan lawmakers said Monday they would give President Hugo Chavez special powers to make changes to the country's oil, gas and electricity industries by presidential decree.

National Assembly President Cilia Flores said lawmakers loyal to Chavez would approve an "Enabling law" allowing the leftist leader to pass measures by decree for 18 months in the "Energy sphere" in addition to 10 other areas announced earlier, ranging from the economy to defense.