FIDEL'S DYING AND HUGO'S CAUGHT A COLD:

Hundreds of thousands rally to back Venezuelan opposition leader in presidential vote (The Associated Press, 11/26/06)

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans packed a major highway on Saturday in one of the largest demonstrations in years, waving flags as presidential candidate Manuel Rosales vowed to unseat incumbent Hugo Chavez in elections next weekend.

Shouts of "Dare to change!" arose from the crowd that filled the highway and nearby overpasses and streets. [...]

"They are scared," Rosales shouted, pumping his fists in the air and prompting loud applause from the crowd. "We are going to win on Dec. 3."

A dense crowed spilled for several kilometers along a broad highway beyond the major intersection where Rosales spoke. Some journalists estimated the crowd at roughly 800,000, but there were no official estimates.