IMF's Lagarde says can't do much about reform without U.S. support

(Reuters) - International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said on Sunday that there was not much she should could to push reform at her organization and give emerging economies a bigger say without the support of the United States.

The Dutch, Europe's apostles of austerity, feel the economic pain

(Reuters) - The Netherlands, outspoken advocate of fiscal pain as a cure for euro zone ills, found itself in unwelcome company this week as the bloc's economic recovery left it among a handful of laggards still in recession.

Consumers more confident, less worried about jobs: Survey

LONDON: Global consumer confidence rose in the second quarter with more optimistic perceptions about jobs, personal finances and spending intentions in the United States, China and Japan, a survey shows.

Analysis: Easy Fed softens fiscal policy punch on economy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve's aggressive easing of monetary policy is proving surprisingly effective at blunting the blow to the economy from tighter fiscal policy, according to economists who have been scrambling to raise their growth forecasts.

Spanish Scare Roils Europe Markets

Spain's borrowing costs rose and its stock market fell sharply on the eve of Madrid's announcement of new austerity measures, putting the shaky economy again at the center of Europe's race to preserve its currency union.

U.K. Sticks to Budget Cuts as Coalition Eyes Speedier Investment

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron said his government will continue with its deficit-cutting plans amid calls from opposition lawmakers for a rethink as the economy struggles to recover from a double-dip recession.

Greece must remain in eurozone, says Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras

ATHENS: Greece must remain in the eurozone, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said in an interview published Sunday ahead of a week of crucial meetings between the prime minister and EU officials.