
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised key interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point in an attempt to curb near double-digit inflation. The rise was the second in a month and was in line with analysts' forecasts.

Some 171 civil servants are paid more than Prime Minister David Cameron's £142,500-a-year salary, according to Cabinet Office figures. The salaries of those earning over £150,000 were revealed for the first time in a bid to aid transparency.

European confidence in the economic outlook unexpectedly worsened in May and inflation accelerated as the Euro region’s debt crisis shook markets.

China warned that Europe's struggle to contain soaring debt posed a risk to global economic growth, raising the spectre of a double-dip recession.

German President Horst Koehler unexpectedly resigned due to a storm over comments he made about military action abroad in a move that could cause conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel a headache.

Budget Minister Francois Baroin indicated on Sunday that France should not take for granted its AAA rating, which allows Paris to borrow relatively cheaply on international markets and finance its big budget deficit.

Experts are warning that European governments rush to cut budget deficits with draconian austerity measures could mean a blow for Europe's tentative economic recovery.

Economics Nobel Prize Joseph Stiglitz said it was time to end with the “authority” that countries have deposited in risk assessment agencies and which “have not done things correctly” and have been an essential factor in giving “the global crisis a nice boost”.

Risk rating agency Fitch downgraded Spain’s sovereign debt on Friday one notch from AAA to AA+ with an outlook of stable, saying that the country’s economic recovery is likely to be difficult and prolonged.

The IMF sees global economic growth of 4.25% this year and next, faster than previously expected, the head of the multilateral lender said on Friday.