Principal content
Prodi quits after foreign policy defeat
Romano Prodi resigned as prime minister of Italy after a parliamentary defeat on foreign policy. His decision raised fears that Italy was returning to the days of short-lived governments and paralysis in policymaking.
US builds pressure on Europe over bases
Calls for tougher stance toward Kremlin
Goldman hands out bumper bonuses
Bank’s co-presidents awarded $53m each
Related content and features
Yen falls as BoJ raises rates
BoJ raises rates to highest level in a decade
Mittal predicts further round of mergers
Steelmaker reports 3.5% drop in income
Nintendo’s Wii outsells rival consoles
Opens big lead over Sony’s PS3
Democrats seize on UK troop cuts
’Stunning rejection’ of US surge policy in Iraq
US visit to Asia likely to shore up N-deal
Negroponte may visit N Korea
Battle for Capitalia nears showdown
Pressure mounts on Matteo Arpe
Heineken blames Australian drought for higher costs
Brewer predicts bill to rise by €180m
Lex
ABN under fire
If ABN’s management fails, there is now little question that the market, led by funds such as TCI, will pursue a more radical solution: dismemberment.
Comment
Hong Kongers should be given the vote now

A politically tin-eared government presides over a citizenry that displays a steadily growing political consciousness, writes Guy de Jonquières.