News Summary: Eurozone debt hits new peak
News Summary: Eurozone debt burden rises to 90 percent of its economic output for first time
DEBT PROBLEMS GROW: Europe's debt problems are getting worse, as new figures show total government debt of the 17 countries that use the euro was worth 90 percent of their total economic output as of the end of the second quarter.
THE SIGNIFICANCE: That was the highest level since the shared currency was launched in 1999. It was up from the previous quarter's debt to gross domestic product ratio of 88.2 percent and the previous year's equivalent of 87.1 percent.
THE TAKEAWAY: The eurozone's economic problems are making it harder for countries to handle their debts. And it raises questions about the remedies being offered to resolve them.
