But the dramatic changes in the pecking order mask a lack of more profound change in the system of finance itself.

ECONOMIST: The financial industry

To cope with air pollution in China, artist Matt Hope produced a "Breathing Bike, " that consists of a fighter pilot's breathing mask attached to a pedal-powered air filtration system.

ENGADGET: blogger-avatar

As things stood until recently, an unhealthy sort of system linked northern and southern Europe, with subsidies and tourist euros from the north helping to mask and preserve dysfunctional politics and sclerotic societies south of the Alps.

ECONOMIST: History��s most important sea