Venezuela's new Mussolini

Venezuela's National Assembly has given final approval to special powers for President Nicolas Maduro.

Under the measures Mr Maduro will be able to govern without consulting Congress for 12 months.

After signing the bill, he promised to keep prices down and conduct a "ground-shaking" anti-corruption offensive.

The president says the aim of the new powers is to tackle the economic crisis. However, critics fear he may use them against the opposition.