Federal Reserve leaves interest rates alone and pledges to continue stimulus

The US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and reaffirmed its pledge to maintain its massive stimulus program amid further signs of a split in the central bank's committee and speculation that chairman Ben Bernanke is preparing to step down.

Euro on pace for worst month against dollar since December

NEW YORK: The euro slid against the dollar on Monday and was on track for its worst month since December, pressured by nagging euro zone stresses as German retail sales were softer than expected and Spain slipped back into recession.