Most of the headline announcements in Alistair Darling's pre-budget report came out in advance, but still, a rise in the top rate of income tax and a cut in VAT from 17.5% to 15% are significant changes. Ruth Sunderland, the Observer's business editor, says yesterday was a watershed for the government's economic policy. Columnist Jonathan Freedland says that by raising taxes for the wealthiest 1%, a key plank of New Labour's thinking is jettisoned. Martin Wainwright gauges reaction of shoppers and shopkeepers in Leeds.
Rory Carroll looks at the weekend's regional elections in Venezuela, which delivered some setbacks for president Hugo Chavez.
Simon Tisdall argues that the west has a short attention span on Africa.
And Friends of the Earth's Joseph Zacune warns of a possible loophole in discussions on carbon trading at next week's UN talks on climate change.
