World

Hollande's balancing act

Tue, 15 May 2012 04:08:00 GMT

France needs "projects, solidarity and growth”, says the new French president François Hollande as he prepares to meet Angela Merkel for the first time. Hugh Carnegy, Paris bureau chief, says Mr Hollande has some room for manoeuvre but he won't be taken seriously in Berlin unless he tackles the debt issue.

Where the Greek crisis goes next

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:59:00 GMT

What happens if Greece exits the euro? As the possibility increases following the country's recent election and a vote against austerity, FT leader writer Peggy Hollinger and capital markets editor Richard Milne discuss the implications with FT analysis editor Frederick Studemann.

Egypt's military promises power transfer

Fri, 04 May 2012 15:08:30 GMT

Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has said it remains commited to hand over power to civilians by the end of June, following violent clashes during protests against their rule.

London 2012 legacy takes shape

Thu, 03 May 2012 02:36:00 GMT

With the Olympics less than 3 months away, attention is turning to the prospects for the Olympic Park after the Games. Can the UK government's hopes that the regeneration will create a new business and residential district be realised? Roger Blitz discusses the issues with John Burton of Westfield, operator of the Stratford retail complex, and Stafford Lancaster of Delancey, part of the consortium planning to turn the athletes village into almost 3,000 new homes

Alternative energy in China

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:30:06 GMT

Shale gas has provided the US with abundant cheap energy, China is looking to its own alternative gas resources to do the same. The FT's Leslie Hook visits Shangxi province to see how the country is exploiting its coal bed methane resources

Aun San Suu Kyi swears in as an MP

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:01:10 GMT

After a week long stand off and pressure from UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, the Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has agreed to back down over her opposition to the parliamentary oath. The FT's Gwen Robinson examines what Ms Suu Kyi's entrance to parliament will bring to the politics of Myanmar

Automakers fight for China market

Tue, 01 May 2012 17:31:13 GMT

Foreign carmakers have over 70 percent market share of China's auto market, while domestic auto manufacturers are struggling to build brand loyalty. The FT's Josh Noble looks at how Chinese brands are trying to win over consumers and move up the value chain.

Lifting Malaysia out of the middle income trap

Tue, 01 May 2012 08:27:59 GMT

Idris Jala, the Malaysian minister in charge of economic development, tells the FT's Sarah Mishkin how his department is seeking to lift Malaysia out of the so called middle income trap through economic and labour market reform

Avalanche aftermath in Pakistan

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:11:25 GMT

On April 7, an avalanche buried a Pakistan Army base at Gayari at the foot of the Siachen glacier under 200 feet of ice, snow and rock. The FT's Matthew Green visits the area to observe the scale of the disaster and the relief effort.

Second hand cars in China

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:04:10 GMT

At the moment, China's car buyers usually purchase new vehicles, but a market for used cars is starting to develop. The FT's Patti Waldmeir visits a luxury second hand car market to investigate.

An Afghan dispatch from Andy McNab

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:56:00 GMT

The Afghan National Army is now leading missions against the Taliban, advised by the British. Armed with a camera, the bestselling author of Bravo Two Zero, ex-SAS soldier Andy McNab (a pseudonym) joined them on their most dangerous operation so far. This is his personal dispatch.

China's blind lawyer issues demands

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:24:52 GMT

In a video published on YouTube after his escape, Chen Guangcheng directs questions at Premier Wen Jiabao about how he and his family have been treated.

How the German model survives

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:40:00 GMT

Amid the eurozone gloom, is Germany, the one bright spot, truly a model for others to follow? Analysis editor Frederick Studemann discusses the German model with Frankfurt bureau chief Ralph Atkins and European economic correspondent Michael Steen.

UK faces local elections fight

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:23:00 GMT

Britons are about to elect 5,000 local councillors in a momentous mid-term test of sentiment towards the UK government's austerity programme. Hannah Kuchler, UK news reporter, visits Derby, a key battleground, and finds voters are dispirited with all main parties.

Moscow: life on the edge of history

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:21:27 GMT

Not long ago, Moscow was beyond the reach of most foreigners. Now the economic powerhouse of around 12 million inhabitants is home to thousands of expats who call the Russian capital home. Charles Clover, the FT's Moscow bureau chief, meets some of them to hear what aspects of the city most excite - and frustrate - them.

French far right may be decisive

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:52:00 GMT

After the strong showing of the far-right National Front party in the French presidential election, both Nicolas Sarkozy and the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande must now work to win over the disaffected, says the FT’s Paris bureau chief, Hugh Carnegy reports.

China falls for the US car dream

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:41:16 GMT

With more than 230 million drivers, the car is profoundly changing Chinese society. The FT's Patti Waldmeir looks at how the automobile is transforming the way Chinese people live and play.

Gas fracking transforms rural US

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:28:11 GMT

To the envy of its New York neighbours, a once sleepy dairy enclave in Pennsylvania has been completely revitalised by shale gas fracking. But the farmers of Troy tell the FT’s Christopher Booker that even if drilling is allowed in New York, problems remain ahead.

Rage in Bahrain against Grand Prix

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:27:24 GMT

Bahrain riot police have fired tear gas and stun grenades at anti-government activists ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix. Organisers have ignored appeals to call off an event that was canceled in the Arab Spring last year.

Sierra Leone's new chapter

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:05:00 GMT

Sierra Leone has come a long way since its civil war ended in 2001. The resumption of its iron ore exports, more than 30 years after the industry collapsed, an increase in diamond production and a budding tourism sector are all contibuting to its new-found stability. Katrina Manson reports.

IMF sees breathing space

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:29:23 GMT

With the IMF maintaining a positive outlook on global growth, David Lipton, the IMF's first deputy managing director tells the FT's Gillian Tett that the challenge for the fund is to convince countries that they have some breathing space.

India test fires long range missile

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:12:10 GMT

With the successful test of its Agni V missile, India has the capability to launch intercontinental nuclear weapons

Signs of recovery in key US election swing state

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:36:09 GMT

During what has been a contentious political season, finding clarity about the trajectory of the US economic recovery will most likely remain difficult – particularly for those caught in the no-man's-land between political rivalries. But in the key swing state of Pennsylvania, real estate agents say the past two months have been the best they have seen in five or six years

North Korea admits to failed launch

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:04:55 GMT

North Korea's state television station, KRT, announces that the mission to put a satellite in orbit has failed

Tokyo battles falling prices

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:55:55 GMT

Japanese consumers, accustomed to falling prices after a decade and a half of almost constant deflation, are starting to see the cost of everyday items creep up. The FT's Ben McLannahan examines the Bank of Japan's inflation “goal” of 1 per cent and what this means for the country's economic prospects.

Sarkozy faces difficult election

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:15:00 GMT

News editor John Thornhill and Paris bureau chief Hugh Carnegy discuss Nicolas Sarkozy’s chances of winning the French presidential election. How much does his record stand in the way of re-election? could the worsening eurozone crisis help his prospects?

What to do in a race without Rick

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:21:53 GMT

After only one day without Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney started measuring the drapes in the White House. Meanwhile, Barack Obama solidified a key campaign issue.

Strong yen hits Japanese exporters

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:03:05 GMT

Japanese manufacturers are under pressure from a high yen and cheaper Asian competitors. The FT's Jonathan Soble visits one small Tokyo SME that is trying to survive by producing high end components for the Japanese defence and space industries.

The expat view from Buenos Aires

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:43:30 GMT

The capital city of Argentina lures foreign executives with a seamless blend of history and dynamism. Jude Webber, FT Buenos Aires correspondent, reports

Beijing trash

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:07:49 GMT

The city may look spotless, but behind the scenes, Beijing has a growing problem with trash. The FT's Leslie Hook visits landfill sites, recycling centres and an incineration plant to take a look at how the city is coping with its ever increasing quantity of rubbish.

Romney trifecta kicks off general election

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:07:55 GMT

With primary wins in Washington DC, Maryland and most notably, Wisconsin, Edward Luce, the FT's US commentator, says that Mitt Romney has now, finally, confirmed his position as the inevitable Republican nominee for president. Despite Rick Santorum's vow to fight on, Romney has moved all of his efforts toward the general election and the defeat of Barack Obama

Amsterdam's 'integration paradigm'

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:54:00 GMT

Amsterdam has always been a city of immigrants. But in recent years many native Dutch have come to resent the new wave of arrivals, especially Muslims. Matt Steinglass, Amsterdam correspondent, looks at how the city has become more segregated over the past 15 years, not less.

Spanish cuts miss bigger problem

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:14:00 GMT

Spain's cut its budget of €27bn has failed to impress investors as borrowing costs for the country rose sharply after Wednesday's disappointing bond auction. Lex's Vincent Boland and Richard Stovin-Bradford evaluate the effectiveness of the Spanish government's strategy with particular regard to the nation's struggling banking sector.

Kenya should mind the trade gap

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:09:00 GMT

The Kenyan economy is expanding by around 5 per cent a year. Economists say that to maintain the pace there needs to be a shift in focus away from domestic retailing and towards exporting manufactured goods. Katrina Manson, east Africa correspondent, reports.

Prizes for breaking up the eurozone

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:37:00 GMT

The Wolfson Prize offers £250,000 for the best plan to break up the single European currency. Lex's Vincent Boland and Nikki Tait discuss the benefits of such a competition and the complications that the shortlist has revealed.

Buy Myanmar?

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:37:00 GMT

The elections that took place in Myanmar during the weekend are a step forward for the country politically, but what of its economic future? Lex's Vincent Boland and Julia Grindell consider the progress of the government's apparent reforms and what the country has to offer foreign investors.

Slum redevelopment

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:29:33 GMT

Life in Mumbai's slums is hard and attempts to replace informal slums with public housing have failed to get past India's notorious bureaucracy and corruption. The FT's James Crabtree visits the slums to examine if there is a more effective way to improve the housing of India's poor

Fear and optimism greet Leung victory

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:33:49 GMT

In the wake of one of Hong Kong's most controversial and scandal-ridden elections, the FT's David Pilling looks back at the role the city's raucous media played in shaping the election.

Inside Obama re-election headquarters

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:59:50 GMT

As the Republican primary season drags on, the Obama re-election campaign has fired up its engines. This week on Luce Talk, Ed Luce takes us inside the Chicago headquarters and speaks with Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt

Osborne’s generation game

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:30:00 GMT

The fallout from Chancellor George Osborne’s so-called ‘granny tax’ highlights the challenge of spreading the pain of the UK’s austerity measures fairly across all generations. Seb Morton-Clark reports on the economic disparity facing the young and old in Britain and how government policies are affecting the imbalance.

Tokyo to ease toxic blowfish controls

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:56:05 GMT

Food safety officials in Japan's capital are preparing to ease controls on the sale and preparation of fugu, a toxic blowfish and one of the country's most famous delicacies. The FT's Mure Dickie examines what the proposed measures will mean for consumers and Tokyo's restaurateurs.

Oil highs threaten recovery

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:30:00 GMT

In recent weeks the price of Brent crude has approached levels not seen since the start of the financial crisis back in 2008. Javier Blas, commodities editor, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, talk to the FT's Daniel Garrahan about increasing tensions between the west and Iran and how high the price could go.

Monti flexing labour

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 03:17:00 GMT

Mario Monti, Italy's technocrat prime minister, is seeking to make the country's labour laws more flexible. Lex's Richard Stovin-Bradford and Vincent Boland discuss the importance of the move and the chances of its success.

Romney gains some breathing room

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:46:29 GMT

Fresh off his victory in Illinois, Mitt Romney finally has some wind in his sails and after gaining some key endorsements it seems clarity might finally be coming to the contest. Reporting from an unseasonably warm Chicago lakefront Ed Luce looks at where this primary goes next

A brake on change

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:47:44 GMT

Northwestern University's Victor Shih tells the FT's Josh Noble that the demise of Bo Xilai will serve as a warning to China's politicians that radical change is dangerous to their careers and that there is little prospect of a change to China's investment driven growth model.

Rebuilding Tohoku's shattered economy

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 02:01:44 GMT

One year after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the FT's Mure Dickie meets small companies trying to rebuild their businesses.

Middle classes lose out in Budget

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:37:00 GMT

Matthew Vincent, personal finance editor, talks to the FT's Daniel Garrahan about whether reducing the top rate of tax to 45p will raise additional revenue for the chancellor and if retired people and the middle classes will benefit from changes to state pensions and child benefits.

Osborne's 50p gamble

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:12:00 GMT

George Parker, political editor, tells the FT's Daniel Garrahan that this year's Budget sets the scene for the general election but won't move markets.

A budget for politicians

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:03:00 GMT

Much of George Osborne's 2012 budget was leaked and the Chancellor in any case had little room for manoeuvre. Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator, discusses with senior investment columnist John Authers the cuts to corporation tax, the changes to stamp duty and the lack of initiatives on growth.

Fighter jet lands UK in controversy

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:54:00 GMT

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the biggest military programme in history but a series of delays and technical difficulties have caused years of delay and billions in cost overruns. Now, British Prime Minister David Cameron is in the midst of changing his government’s orders, causing both domestic and international consternation. Carola Hoyos, defence correspondent, reports.