AP - RARE OPPORTUNITY: Homeowners can now lock in a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage at a rate of less than 4 percent, the lowest in decades.

Reuters - The demand for mortgage applications to purchase homes rose last week for a third straight week as interest rates tumbled, the Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday.

AP - Greece has made "remarkable" progress implementing an austerity program to tackle its debt crisis and is expected to receive the second installment of rescue loans next month, the IMF and EU said Thursday. They warned, however, that the country still faces significant challenges.

AFP - EU and IMF officials were reporting on Thursday the results of a two-week audit into Greek finances which will determine whether the debt-hit nation can unlock fresh funds from a massive bailout loan.