Big day looms for Venezuela
If a new constitution is approved Dec. 2, the nation's workday would be cut to six hours; street vendors, housewives and maids would have state-mandated pensions; and President Hugo Chávez would have significantly enhanced powers and be eligible for re-election for the rest of his life.

Russia blocks election monitors, OSCE asserts
Western election observers pulled out of a mission to monitor Russia's parliamentary elections on Dec. 2, citing restrictions imposed by the Kremlin on their work.

Korean leaders tout new initiatives
The prime ministers of North and South Korea announced a package of massive cross-border economic projects Friday after three days of talks in Seoul.

Realigning the yuan: Resistance from G-20
The U.S. and the EU face an uphill struggle for support on raising the value of China's currency at a meeting in South Africa.

Bhutto, freed from house arrest, rejects caretaker government
Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto renewed her demand that Musharraf resign.
- Militants in Pakistan gain despite decree by Musharraf
- Pakistani government resigns; caretaker government announced

No relief in sight in French walkout
Although a rift was opening Friday among unions, militants still had enough support to keep train, subway and bus travel disrupted.
- Train strike brings Germany to standstill

Growing artificial skin to change how cosmetics firm test products
Scientists in France are working to develop biotechnological tools to test cosmetics with new alternatives before an EU ban on animal testing comes into effect in March 2009.

Turks move to ban pro-Kurdish party
The Turkish authorities took steps Friday to ban the country's leading pro-Kurdish political party, the Democratic Society Party, and expel several of its lawmakers from Parliament on charges of separatism.

China's preference: Chinese goods
A recent pattern in which China issues regulations aimed at favoring Chinese industries over foreign competitors has raised American and European concerns.

A warning on 'fakes' that doesn't add up
The monopoly the Chinese state has long enjoyed over the right to control the news is under threat.

Bonds is indicted on 5 felony charges
Barry Bonds, baseball's career home run leader, has been indicted on five felony charges in connection with his testimony in 2003 that he never used anabolic steroids or human growth hormone.
- Bonds's trainer is released, but he isn't in clear yet