Once upon a time Bretton Woods ensured orderly exchange rates and the stability of the world economy. And then global currency trading mushroomed out of the control of nations´central banks. Can it still be contained and an all – out currency war averted?

Almost half of Irish people surveyed recently say they would rather the IMF or the EU took over the management of the country at least for the time being – rather than continue to be mismanaged by Irish politicians. Many want Ireland to the default and not take an €85bn loan, believing bank debts should not be paid by ordinary people

Since US midterm elections that were disastrous for the Democrats, attention has turned to America´s left. Inside and outside the two – party system, two distinct lefts are alive if not well – the one polite and established, the other made up of grassroots activist