The euro crisis is following a predictable path. The bills have increased greatly, and are being passed around in the hope the problems will go away.
The economies of the 17 countries in the single currency block grew 0.8% in the first three months of 2011, up from 0.3% in Q4, figures released today reveal.
German bond yields are climbing as European leaders consider increasing the €750bn rescue fund to help countries needing bailouts.
The German economy made a strong bounce-back in 2010, growing by 3.6%, according to provisional figures from the national statistics office.
UPDATE 12pm: The FTSE is up a third of a percent and other key European markets have jumped 1.3% on news Portugal has succeeded in raising £1bn in a bonds auction, easing concerns over the country's need for an EU bailout.
Germany has refused to give any ground on Europe's rescue machinery despite the escalating political and economic crisis across much of the eurozone periphery, guaranteeing a bitter clash with EU partners at a crucial summit in Brussels today.
The FTSE 100 rose 1% to 5,871.5 points by 1.45pm today, propelled by the mining sector.