A round-up of today’s other stories in brief

Germany’s industrial orders surge 3.4%

Germany saw industrial orders surge in August, boosting the chances of its economy continuing to power growth across Europe even as the euro strengthens and the global recovery splutters.

Orders rose by a much larger-than-expected 3.4 per cent compared with the previous month, the Berlin economics ministry reported. That reversed a 1.6 per cent fall in July and backed up evidence from German business leaders of considerable momentum behind the country’s growth.

The news came as European Central Bank policymakers met for today’s interest rate setting meeting.

Topaz Shell deal queried

The proposed acquisition by Irish fuel group Topaz of a 50 per cent stake in Shell’s aviation fuel business here could be investigated by the European Commission on competition grounds.

In the latest edition of the EU’s official journal, the commission has invited “interested third parties” to make submissions on the proposed deal by October 15th. The entity would market aviation fuels to Irish airlines serviced by Shell and provide fuel services to the Anglo-Dutch group’s international customers at airports here. Five new jobs are to be created in Dublin.