WASHINGTON (AP) — The co-architect of a new budget deal in Congress concedes the political accommodation is modest, but says it moves a fiscally challenged government "in the right direction."

Eurozone industrial output fell sharply in October, stoking concerns a fragile recovery from a record recession could be stalling, official data showed on Thursday. Industrial output in the 17-nation eurozone slumped 1.1 percent in October compared with September when it fell a revised 0.2 percent, the Eurostat statistics agency said. In the full 28-member European Union, industrial production dropped 0.7 percent after a marginal gain of 0.1 percent in September, Eurostat said. "October’s marked drop in industrial production indicates that the eurozone is struggling to regain even modest economic momentum," said Howard Archer of IHS Global Insight.