Film Character Robin Hood in front of Cityscape ©FT Graphic 6:46pm

Robin Hood tax: A long shot

European plans for a financial transaction levy are likely to be diluted

Weird computer ©Alamy May 19, 2013

China: More crooks than patriots

The biggest threat is posed by online criminals the state is ill-equipped to police, says Kathrin Hille

Pavel Durov of Vkontakte ©Getty May 17, 2013

Russia: Vanishing act

The mysterious case of the social networking site founder

Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (R) speaks with Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Major General Zaw Win ©Reuters May 16, 2013

Myanmar: An uneasy alliance

Aung San Suu Kyi and the ex-generals must overcome their fractious past to help the country push ahead with reforms

©Lloyd Thatcher May 15, 2013

India: Patents and precedents

Pharmaceutical companies fear that the battle raging in India over patents will inspire other countries to change their laws

A serious drought hit Hubei over half a million people suffer from shortage of water in Yichang, Hubei, China ©Alamy May 14, 2013

China: High and dry

Water shortages put a brake on economic growth

Masked Somali pirate Abdi Ali stands near a Taiwanese fishing vessel that washed up on shore after the pirates were paid a ransom and released the crew, in the once-bustling pirate den of Hobyo, Somalia. The empty whisky bottles and overturned, sand-filled skiffs that litter this shoreline are signs that the heyday of Somali piracy may be over - most of the prostitutes are gone, the luxury cars repossessed, and pirates talk more about catching lobsters than seizing cargo ships ©AP May 13, 2013

Somalia: Oil thrown on the fire

Energy companies scrambling for reserves risk opening up dangerous faultlines

May 12, 2013

An unhealthy state

Barack Obama’s goal of universal healthcare could be set back significantly by Texas Governor Rick Perry

May 10, 2013

Finance: In search of the big idea

Mediocre results have raised questions about the very basis of the hedge fund industry

Chinese workers check arrays of solar panels on the rooftop of an enterprises building in Changxing county, east Chinas Zhejiang province, 7 February 2012. The United States Commerce Department said Tuesday (Mar. 20) it would impose tariffs on solar panels imported from China after concluding that the Chinese government provided illegal export subsidies to manufacturers there. The tariffs were smaller than some American industry executives had hoped for - 2.9 percent to 4.73 percent - which could blunt their effect on the market. But additional tariffs could be imposed in May, when the Commerce Department is scheduled to decide whether China is dumping solar panels into the United States at prices below their actual cost. A finding of dumping would result in additional tariffs that could be far larger than the anti-subsidy tariffs ©Corbis May 9, 2013

Trade: Solar flares

Some EU companies fear a showdown with China over solar equipment imports

From LEX May 8, 2013

HP and Autonomy: Lynched

Hewlett-Packard appears to be in a difficult position whatever the court rules on its disastrous purchase of the software group

May 7, 2013

Indian economy: An unfinished project

New Delhi has introduced reforms to revitalise business. But many disillusioned investors are not convinced

May 6, 2013

South Africa: New power generation

Investment in renewables is surging. But will wind and solar be enough to meet the country’s needs?

May 5, 2013

France: End of the affair

One year into office, François Hollande’s economic management has sparked fears of a social breakdown

May 3, 2013

Barack Obama: Captive on Capitol Hill

The president’s second-term agenda remains stymied by hostile Republicans, writes Richard McGregor

May 2, 2013

Malaysia: Climate for change

Despite impressive economic growth, there is pressure for change ahead of Sunday’s election

May 1, 2013

North Sea: Up from the depths

Despite fears over the UK’s offshore oil industry, investment is set to hit a record as complex projects are pursued

Apr 30, 2013

Out to break the banks

US regulators and lawmakers fear large institutions are still too big to fail

Apr 29, 2013

Ireland: Bleak houses

The country faces a mortgage crisis that could trigger mass evictions and jeopardise stability

Apr 28, 2013

The Caribbean: A darkening debt storm

The region is beset by economic fragility that is exacerbating the dangers posed by organised crime