Euro weakens against dollar on ECB plans

NEW YORK (AP) — The euro is falling against the dollar because of worries that it may take longer than expected for the European Central Bank to announce its plans to ease the region's debt crisis.

Traders have been expecting that the ECB might announce plans to buy Spanish and Italian government bonds early next month.

Currency analysts say the ECB may wait to announce its plans until after Germany signs off on the plan.

The euro fell to $1.2533 in afternoon trading Friday from $1.2566 late Thursday.

The British pound fell to $1.5827 from $1.5864. The dollar rose to 78.65 Japanese yen from 78.47 yen.