Britain's economy may be finally gaining some ground, with stronger-than-expected growth in the dominant services sector capping a week of relatively upbeat economic news.
Manufacturing across the world stumbled last month, underlining the fragility of the global economy and building the case for more action from leading central banks.
If Bangladesh were to lose its preferential trading status with Europe over conditions in its garment factories, it could face hundreds of millions of dollars in duties and limits on access to its largest trading partner.
The European Central Bank cut interest rates for the first time in 10 months on May 2 and held out the possibility of further policy action to support the recession-hit euro zone economy.
Japan's central bank governor and finance minister reiterated on April 22 that the Group of 20 countries accepted that Japan's monetary easing is not aimed at weakening the yen, potentially giving speculators licence to push the currency down further.