The US economy has returned to growth after a prolonged period of shrinkage in the first official recognition that the recession may finally be over.

The US recession is expected to be declared over today but economists insist that it is still too early to start celebrating.

The US recession is expected to be declared over tomorrow but economists insist that it is still too early to start celebrating.

GERMAN business confidence unexpectedly advanced in January to a three-year high, suggesting executives in Europe’s largest economy are optimistic they will overcome the effects of the euro’s appreciation.

US FEDERAL RESERVE chairman Alan Greenspan spent two months saying the war in Iraq was impeding the US recovery. Now that the fighting is over, the world is about to see whether he was right.