The Japanese economy grew faster than any other G7 country in the first quarter of the year, reflecting the benefit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's expansionary policies.
The final Inflation Report of governor Mervyn King's term has seen the Bank of England revise up growth forecasts but caution inflation will still likely peak above 3% this year.
Global banking giant HSBC has warned a further 14,000 jobs are at risk over the next three years.
Japan's benchmark index has broken through the 15,000 barrier for the first time since 2008 as investors continue to cheer policymakers' efforts to weaken the yen.
The French economy has officially entered its third recession in four years after shrinking in the first quarter of 2013, data released today has revealed.
Former BlackRock fund manager Mark Lyttleton was arrested last month on suspicion of insider trading, according to reports.
Concerns raised by ratings agencies, analysts and hedge funds have pushed bank shares lower this morning as the FTSE 100 snaps seven straight days of gains.
M&G has lost its number one spot at the top of the widely followed Pridham report, after sales at rivals BlackRock and Standard Life surpassed the Prudential-owned asset manager.