Berlin - It was Europe's first multi-cultural radio station and was given a flamboyant launch in 1994, with more than 2,000 guests swaying to African and Balkan music at its inaugural bash in Berlin's Congress Hall.

Transmitting in 21 languages, Radio Multikulti was aimed primarily at the capital's 430,000-strong foreign community. Its programme planners hoped it would help bring about better integration of foreigners in the city and create more respect for immigrant cultures.

"We want to find an audience which is curious, eager to lean towards something else, and learn something in the process," the station's music director Johannes Theurer said when it was launched.

Berlin - While German banks began queuing up for a handout under the government's 500-billion-euro plan for shoring up the financial sector, rescue flags begun emerging across the lawn in front of the nation's parliament building, the Reichstag.

Swiss-born artist Enrico Centonze hopes to set up 500 flags altogether with each flag representing 100 billion euros of the rescue package that the government rushed through parliament last week.

"Art should always be a part of political life," said the 27-year-old artist.

Berlin  - The German Government unveiled on Monday conditions for banks applying for financial support from its 480 billion-euro (645.46-billion dollar) bank rescue package as Berlin considers moves to help boost Europe's biggest economy in the face of an expected sharp global slowdown.

Berlin - The son of Russian-Jewish immigrants in America, Richard Avedon would ultimately become one of the great figures in the world of photography. Now, four years after his death at the age of 81, a grand retrospective of Avedon's work is on show in Berlin.

The exhibition titled "Richard Avedon - Photos 1946-2004 - A Retrospective" has arrived via Paris and after its stay in Berlin's Martin-Gropius-Building through January 19, it will move on to Amsterdam.

The Avedon Foundation, which has its seat in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, has chosen more than 250 stunning portraits and fashion shots from among the photographer's half-a-million negatives for the Berlin presentation.

Berlin - Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) formally approved its leadership slate to take it into next year's federal elections at a party meeting in Berlin Saturday.

The party approved Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as its candidate for chancellor, with 95.13 per cent of the vote. He will oppose incumbent Angela Merkel, of the Christian Democrats, in the September 29, 2009 election.

"If I have your trust, then I am ready," he said ahead of the vote. He promised to make Germany "better and more humane."

Berlin - Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) forma