Mr Hancock was also the founder, in 1992, of Romnet, an e-mail discussion group for and about gypsies. (Address: www.rroma.com.) A transnational ethnic group and a global communications medium seem a perfect fit, and Roma websites both official and unofficial are proliferating.

ECONOMIST: Gypsies in America

While SME lending has surged, according to official statistics, the truth is that local governments can classify small- and medium-sized businesses however they choose in order to make their statistics meet central government mandates that credit be extended to this sector, while not actually doing a better job of making credit available throughout the SME spectrum.

FORBES: Smaller Companies' Troubles Challenge China's Economic Policy

The official added, "It's not particularly difficult to fire off" short- and medium-range missiles.

CNN: U.S. dismisses latest missile provocation by North Korea