Germany's deficit focuses minds

Germany's economy was in the spotlight last night as euro-zone finance ministers gathered for a talk on budgets. Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders was reported as saying he wanted ministers to send a message about the worsening budget position of one "large" EU member, not naming the offender. But his comments appeared to be aimed at Germany, Europe's biggest economy, whose deficit is getting close to danger levels according to the strict budget rules laid out in Europe's Stability and Growth Pact.