German lawmakers pass a stimulus plan as new data add to the economic gloom

Lawmakers here in Berlin have passed a 50-Bbillion Euro stimulus package aimed at kick-starting the German economy. The plan includes big spending on infrastructure like roads and schools -- and also provides incentives to buy new cars and tax cuts aimed at boosting personal consumption. The vote comes as new data showed the German economy shrank by 2-point-1 percent in the last quarter of 2008 -- the worst performance since Germany was reunified almost 20 years ago. +++SYN+++