German exporters shrug off crisis as shipments rise

German exports rose in August for the first time in three months.

Shipments grew 3.5% over the month, according to seasonally adjusted data from the Federal Statistics Office.

About 90.5bn euros ($122.9bn, £78.5bn) of goods were exported. Imports were unchanged at 76.7bn euros.

Eurozone bailout fund faces key Slovakian vote

Slovakia faces a key vote later on measures to bolster the powers of the eurozone bailout fund, seen as vital in combating the bloc's debt crisis.

With one coalition party vowing to abstain, the goverment looks set to lose the vote, but may keep trying.

After Malta approved the plans late on Monday, Slovakia is now the last of the eurozone's 17 member states to vote.