Chavez humbled...East-West winter conditions...Vietnam remains

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says his electoral defeat has taught him that "Venezuelan democracy is maturing." Voters refused to give him the right to stand indefinitely for re-election and change to a socialist state.

BALI, Indonesia (AP) Most of the world's nations are represented at a major U.N. conference in Bali, Indonesia, on climate change. Conferees are trying to forge a pact that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol. Australia signed the protocol today, leaving the United States the lone opponent among wealthy nations.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) December is roaring into the Northeast, with winter storm warnings posted for much of New England, along with parts of New York state and Michigan. Three feet of snow in western Colorado has postponed the season opener for the Silverton Mountain ski resort.

Washington (AP) Capitol Hill springs to life today in an abbreviated holiday session that promises fireworks. Partisan fights are brewing on several fronts, including wiretapping, the Iraq war, taxes and farm subsidies.

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) Remains believed to be those of three U.S.

airmen who died during the Vietnam War have been sent back to the United States for forensic analysis. The remains were recently recovered from three northern provinces in Vietnam.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-03-07 0436CST | save this article / add to your favorites list