 On the economy, the European Central Bank left its key interest rate unchanged Thursday as its rate-setting counsel and President Christine Lagarde take their time to make sure stubborn inflation is firmly under control before lowering rates again. The decision leaves the deposit rate at 3.75%, where it stood after a single quarter-point cut at the previous meeting in June. That means homebuyers and businesses hoping for lower rates in Europe are going to have to wait until at least September for more affordable credit, and possibly even longer.