As economy slows, new ECB head Lagarde faces big challenges

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Europe's economy is losing steam. Top officials at the European Central Bank are at odds over policy. And it's even unclear whether they can do much to help anyway. It adds up to a full in-tray for Christine Lagarde as she takes over as ECB president on Friday. The former head of...

Draghi stepped in during euro's darkest hour

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Mario Draghi leaves as head of the European Central Bank credited with having rescued the eurozone from disaster with a well-timed phrase and bold action to back up his words. He expanded the bank's arsenal of crisis-fighting tools with new and unconventional policies, measures...

'Whatever it takes:' Key moments from Draghi's time at ECB

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Here's a look at key moments and decisions from Mario Draghi's eight years at the head of the European Central Bank, the monetary authority for the 19 European Union countries that use the euro as their currency. ___ Nov. 1, 2011: Draghi takes over as European Central Bank...

Asian shares mixed after US gains amid global uncertainties

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mixed Friday, after Wall Street indexes posted modest gains, cheered by solid profits and forecasts from U.S. technology companies. Global uncertainties over the U.S.-China trade war and Brexit weighed on investor sentiments. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 inched up less than...

Outgoing ECB chief defends legacy against stimulus skeptics

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Mario Draghi ended his eight-year term as head of the European Central Bank by defending his most recent stimulus package and reminding that the eurozone is now in better shape than during the days when the Greek crisis threatened to break it apart. Draghi resisted extensive...

The Latest: Draghi says his legacy not dented by criticism

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The Latest on the European Central Bank and Mario Draghi's last new conference as its president (all times local): 2:55 p.m. As he winds up his eight-year term, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi says his legacy isn't dented by the unusual public criticism by some ECB...

European Central Bank leaves rates, stimulus unchanged as Mario Draghi wraps up 8 years as president

World shares advance as earnings remain in focus

BANGKOK (AP) — Stock markets rose on Thursday after some upbeat company earnings and as investors awaited the European Central Bank's monetary policy decision and news conference. The FTSE 100 in London advanced 1% to 7,330 while Germany's DAX gained 0.6% to 12,875. The CAC 40 in France picked up 0.5% to...

'Whatever it takes:' Key moments from Draghi's tenure at ECB

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Here's a look at key moments and decisions from Mario Draghi's eight years at the head of the European Central Bank, the monetary authority for the 19 European Union countries that use the euro as their currency. ___ Nov. 1, 2011: Draghi takes over as European Central Bank...

EU leaders rubber stamp Lagarde's ECB appointment

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders have approved the appointment of Christine Lagarde as the next president of the European Central Bank. The former International Monetary Fund managing director will replace Mario Draghi, who has served as ECB president since 2011. The European Council had already...