Russia’s Medvedev takes power

Russia’s new president Dmitry Medvedev held out the prospect of a thaw after the democratic restrictions of the Putin era, pledging to develop civil and economic freedoms during a stately Kremlin inauguration ceremony

• Slideshow: Russia’s Victory Day parade
• Putin steals Medvedev’s limelight

John Gapper: On the pot-holed highway to hell

Transport and communications infrastructure symbolises a nation’s economic development and the US is starting to look like the third world. In fact, many developing countries look and feel better. Does the US have the will to solve this challenge, asks John Gapper

Merrill, Citi chiefs tap former employers

Recently installed chief executives at Merrill Lynch and Citigroup are reaching deeply into the ranks of their former employers as they seek to recruit staff

Mixed response to holding interest rate

The Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates at 5% disappoints the housing industry, but other business leaders welcome the move to keep inflation in check

The Short View: Euro and oil

John Authers on the relationship between the single currency and the price of crude oil

Clinton lends campaign further $6.4m

Hillary Clinton is scrambling to raise new money to keep her presidential hopes alive amid speculation that she can not afford to continue the battle against Barack Obama

London edges up after rate decision

London equities edged slightly higher after the Bank of England left interest rates on hold

Rising costs hit laptop makers

Retail prices for laptop computers are poised to rise as manufacturers increase prices for the first time amid soaring raw material and assembly costs