The eurozone's current account surplus grew to 21.5 billion euros ($29.3 billion) in April, European Central Bank data showed Friday.

The monthly figure is higher than a surplus of 19.6 billion euros in March, according to revised data.

Oil prices were mixed in Asia Friday but retained support near a nine-month peak as dealers track the unfolding sectarian conflict in Iraq fearing it could cause a major supply disruption. 

Brent crude for August fell four cents to $115.02 in afternoon trade, after rallying to $115.06 in London, its highest since early September. 

Oil prices soared Thursday to a new nine-month high point on escalating violence in Iraq, as militants attacked the major crude producer's biggest refinery and seized more territory.

Brent crude for August delivery rallied as high as $114.80 per barrel, reaching a level last seen in September 2013. It later stood at $114.50, up 24 cents from Wednesday's close.

Building work in quake-damaged Christchurch helped drive New Zealand's economy to its fastest rate of growth in more than six years, according to figures released Thursday.

Government agency Statistics New Zealand said the economy grew 3.8 percent in the first quarter from the same quarter a year ago.

Argentina's government has finally agreed to try to negotiate a payment plan for the $1.5 billion in bad debts and interest it owes to the U.S. hedge funds it demonizes as "vultures."

But before both sides sit down for talks in New York next week, President Cristina Fernandez wants everyone to know she still has some cards to play.

The Federal Reserve slashed its 2014 growth forecast for the U.S. economy Wednesday to 2.1-2.3 percent after a deeper-than-expected contraction in the first quarter of the year.

But the Federal Open Markets Committee left its forecast for interest rates largely intact, predicting as earlier that an initial increase of the benchmark federal funds rate from the current zero level would take place only next year, and the rate would not rise rapidly after that.

The European Union is expected to announce a ban on imports from Crimea next week in response to Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian territory, two sources told Agence France Presse on Wednesday.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Monday are likely to agree a move to ban imports from Crimea as from next week, notably its wine, said an EU diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity.

Germany's deputy chancellor Sigmar Gabriel hinted in a newspaper interview on Wednesday that France and Italy could be given more time to get their finances in order.

In comments which could restart a debate over austerity and growth in Europe, Gabriel struck a conciliatory tone to countries struggling to meet the EU's strict fiscal rules.

The dramatic departure of nearly 190,000 Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand threatens to hit labor-intensive industries hard, from seafood to construction, inflicting damage on the Thai economy just as it teeters on the verge of recession.

Panicked laborers -- who help keep major Thai businesses afloat but often lack official work permits -- have fled in droves, fearing a crackdown by the new military junta after it warned illegal migrants face arrest and deportation.

A stay-the-course message is expected from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday after it ends a two-day policy meeting.

The Fed will likely approve a fifth cut in its monthly bond purchases because the job market has steadily strengthened. But no clear signal is expected on when the Fed will start raising short-term interest rates from record lows.