The coming days

The week ahead

China's leader visits Europe to discuss the worsening state of the world economy

• CHINA’S prime minister, Wen Jiabao, begins a week-long visit to Europe on Tuesday January 27th. His “trip of confidence” will take in Germany, Spain and Britain and is intended to reassure Europe that China is keen to help in tackling the world’s economic and financial ills. But relations with America are set to sour. Timothy Geithner, America’s incoming treasury secretary, has accused China of “manipulating” its currency to keep Chinese exports cheap.

For background, see article

• AMID deepening economic gloom America’s Federal Reserve begins a two-day meeting on Tuesday January 27th. As financial institutions continue to wobble and grim economic news is released the world over, America’s central bankers have little room for manoeuvre: interest rates are close to zero and will stay there for some time. On Friday the extent of the damage to America’s economy will become more apparent with the release of figures for fourth-quarter GDP.

For background, see article

• ANOTHER stop for the Chinese leader will be in Davos. The Swiss ski resort is hosting its annual get-together of the world business and political elite (and a bunch of journalists) beginning on Wednesday January 28th. The mood at the World Economic Forum is likely to be sombre. But many bosses of financial institutions will feel relatively happy if they are there at all; many of their erstwhile peers will not be making the trip, victims of the credit crunch.

For background, see article

• AFRICAN leaders will have a busy week. On Monday January 26th the 15-country Southern African Development Community holds a special summit in Johannesburg to discuss the ever-worsening situation in Zimbabwe: cholera deaths are nearing 3,000; President Robert Mugabe still looks to be unwilling to consider sharing any real power with the opposition. The crisis in Zimbabwe may also loom large at a meeting of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which kicks off on Sunday February 1st.