Spanish, Italian Bonds Gain as ECB Signals Prolonged Low Rates

Spanish and Italian bonds advanced for a second week after the European Central Bank signaled it will keep interest rates low for longer, boosting demand for higher-yielding euro-area assets.

ECB leaves key rate unchanged

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- European Central Bank head Mario Draghi is reassuring markets that the bank is nowhere near ending its stimulus measures for the weak eurozone economy.

Debt crisis shrinks international use of euro

FRANKFURT, GERMANY: International use of the euro slipped last year because of the debt crisis in Europe, but the US dollar held its own as the world's leading currency for reserves held by central banks.

Euro-Area Inflation Accelerates to 1.6% Amid Recession

Euro-area inflation accelerated for a second month in June and manufacturing output contracted less than estimated, adding to signs that the 17-nation currency bloc is starting to emerge from a record-long recession.

Trucks pile up at border of new EU member Croatia

(Reuters) - A day after Croatia joined the European Union, a glitch in its EU-standard customs software caused huge delays at the border with Serbia, the bloc's new external frontier.