News Summary: Rare good news for eurozone economy

News Summary: Despite record unemployment, raft of figures suggest hope for eurozone economy

The Associated Press

RARE SIGNS: There were rare hopeful signs for Europe's struggling economy on Friday.

GOOD DATA: Data for the 17 European Union countries that use the euro showed that unemployment was lower than feared in December, there are hopes for some growth in the manufacturing sector, and that inflation unexpectedly fell.

LONG ROAD: The day's news was in sharp contrast to some of the grim days the eurozone has witnessed over the last three years. But no one has any doubt that the eurozone's economy, which is currently stuck in recession, has a long way to go.