A foreign currency exchange sign hangs above a shop in Hong Kon ©AFP 6:39pm

High vaultage

Central banks have become crucial but controversial participants in currency markets

Africe ©Bloomberg Mar 10, 2013

Africa calling

The continent is attracting investors eager to take advantage of a flourishing market

Supporters of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) take part in Managua on July 19, 2009 in the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution which overthrew the Somoza dictatorship in 1979 ©AFP Mar 8, 2013

What’s left of the Latin left?

As Chávez’s death focuses attention on the economic failings of radicals, pragmatists are proving more successful

H.E.Dr Gulnara Karimova ©Getty Mar 7, 2013

Uzbekistan: The leading lady

Investigations are shedding new light on the business dealings of an autocrat’s pop-singing daughter

A picture of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is seen on a religious altar in Caracas ©Reuters Mar 6, 2013

Venezuela: To the heir, a poisoned chalice

Many forgave Chávez for his economic blunders but such generosity is unlikely to be shown to the next leader

Members of the European Parliament take part in a vote on Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement ©AFP Mar 5, 2013

Europe: A loaded chamber

The EU parliament’s capping of bank bonuses shows it has matured as a political force

Alchemist's Workshop, by Jan Van der Straet ©Getty Mar 4, 2013

Wall Street’s latest idea

Banks have high hopes for the collateral transformation business – but regulators are raising concerns

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ©Corbis Mar 3, 2013

Japan: Hey, big spender

Shinzo Abe has ambitious plans to shake Tokyo out of its economic torpor but his expansionary agenda carries risks

Mar 1, 2013

Apple: The $137bn conundrum

The company and its shareholders are competing for the vast cash pile

Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, and Kurt Bjorklund of Permira ©Bloomberg Feb 28, 2013

Finance: An inequitable divide

US and European private equity groups have enjoyed contrasting fortunes

Feb 27, 2013

Turkey: The prisoner on Imrali

Ankara is negotiating directly with the Kurdish leader to end a deadly conflict

Feb 26, 2013

US budget: Another crisis looms

If the White House and Republicans cannot agree on how to fund $1.2tn in deficit reduction, the fallout will be dire

Feb 25, 2013

Equities: A sentimental wager

Timing the peaks and troughs could depend on when fear or greed dominate

Feb 24, 2013

20,000 miles to the plate

Monitoring the global food supply chain presents regulators and governments with a tough test

Feb 22, 2013

Science: Contours of the mind

Projects to map the brain herald a possible golden age of neuroscience

From LEX Feb 21, 2013

América Móvil: time to buy in bulk?

Stock in Carlos Slim’s telecom powerhouse looks cheap but investors fear regulatory threats

Feb 20, 2013

Middle East: The strong arm of the law

Egypt is becoming more volatile as people increasingly stand up to security forces

Feb 19, 2013

Markets: In search of a fast buck

After disrupting the equity markets, high-speed trading is moving rapidly into bonds, currencies and derivatives

Feb 18, 2013

Housing: The long climb back

Investors made a killing after the US bubble burst, but for average Americans the recovery is likely to be gradual

Feb 17, 2013

South Africa: A faded rainbow

Protests and disaffection threaten the ANC’s hegemony but President Zuma insists the ruling party is not to blame