Cover story
As the economic fog nestles densely across Europe, the German economy still seems to be standing as a beacon. Although Germany's light may have dimmed over the past few months, industrialists and economists agree that the weak fourth quarter was probably the bottom of the trough.
In its latest economic forecast for the EU 27, the European Commission says Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 3% in 2011, down from 3.7% in 2010, and employment reached its highest level in 20 years.
more >>