German economic recovery falters in Q4

  Its economy failed to build at all on the 0.7% growth in domestic product (GDP) enjoyed in the third quarter, data from the Federal Statistics Office reveal. Some economists forecasted GDP would expand 0.2%. The figures also show the German economy shrank 5% over the whole of last year. Meanwhile France reported a 0.6% rise in GDP for the same three-period - better than analysts expected. Germany emerged from recession last summer thanks to a recovery in its exports - on which it largely relies. Meanwhile, Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, mounted stiff resistance t...