NEW YORK (AP) — The euro fell against the dollar Friday because of worries that it may take longer than expected for the European Central Bank to announce its plans to ease the region's debt crisis.

Traders have been expecting that the ECB might announce plans to buy Spanish and Italian government bonds early next month.

According to currency analysts, the euro weakened after a report from Bloomberg News said that the ECB may wait to announce its plans until after Germany signs off on a proposed bailout fund. Germany won't make its decision until mid-September.

The euro fell to $1.2519 in late trading Friday from $1.2566 late Thursday. The British pound fell to $1.5810 from $1.5864.

The dollar rose to 78.70 Japanese yen from 78.47 yen and to 0.9592 Swiss franc from 0.9559 Swiss franc.

The dollar fell to 99.12 Canadian cents from 99.35 Canadian cents.