Top job at the ECB needs a real leader

Trichet’s successor must lead the institution as effectively as he has done – particularly true now, since there is a good chance the crisis will remain with us

• Weber throws ECB race into confusion
• Weber sets off debate on ECB succession

Women at the top

Josef Ackermann, Deutsche Bank chief, was right when he said more women should be appointed to top executive roles. But he revealed how far attitudes must change by a misplaced comment

• Editorial: Northern lights
• Analysis: Skirting the boards

Shining a light on Egypt’s Brothers

One result of the civic uprising in Egypt has been the emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood from a precarious, semi-clandestine existence into the light. It is important to keep it there

UK’s dark magic

Talks between the City and Westminster are unlikely to succeed. If the state cannot impose its will on banks it largely owns, what hope does it have with the others?

The importance of being British

David Cameron asked a vital question in his weekend speech on multiculturalism: how to confront the danger of violent Islamic extremism in our midst

Spreading a flawed gospel for Europe

The pact for competitivenes is Germany’s price for displaying a readiness to be the eurozone’s financial guarantor. But it smacks too much of a German attempt to recast the eurozone in its image

Cameron’s costly migration policy

International student numbers are still increasing rapidly. Britain should not lose its chance to pursue the best brains, regardless of nationality

A European date with Arab history

EU governments’ call for a quick, decisive but orderly transition of power in Egypt and their readiness to help in preparing free elections are positive signs

Getting caught on a commodity spike

Forest proposals lost in the woods

Fantasy football

Small earthquake in Brazil’s Planalto

France’s love of balanced budgets

The chancellor and the case for plan B

Dodging the deficit

The hour strikes for Hosni Mubarak

Pfizer’s bitter pill leaves bad taste

Bribery law will benefit business