Berlin  - Unwanted files can cripple even speedy computers. Optimisation software promises to help, but in some cases it actually causes harm. It's often more effective to take out the data trash on your own.

"Many applications configure themselves to automatically start up when the operating system boots to look for updates," explains Peter Knaak, technology expert for the German consumer testing organisation Stiftung Warentest in Berlin. "That slows down the startup of Windows significantly."

Berlin  - Berlin's landmark Jewish Museum is proposing an expansion and bidding for a piece of land on the opposite side of the street from its current Daniel Libeskind-designed site, a spokeswoman said Friday.

A government owned flower market is to remain in occupation of the opposite site till the end of 2010,

The museum has been in talks with New York based architect Libeskind, who won praise for the existing building opened in 2001, on adding new space for offices, an archive and education space.

Berlin  - German international Arne Friedrich has extended his contract with Hertha Berlin by a further three years until 2011, the German Bundesliga club confirmed Friday.

The 29-year-old defender, whose current contract was due to run out at the end of the season, will see the deal automatically extended by another year if he manages to make at least 25 appearances in the final year of the contract.

Berlin - Air Berlin declined comment Friday on a media report that Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is interested in taking a share in the German carrier.

"We do not comment on market rumours," a spokeswoman for Germany's second biggest airline after Lufthansa said.

The daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported Friday that the board of the state-owned United Arab Emirates airline had been considering a taking a state in Air Berlin for weeks, but had not reached a decision.

Following the report, Air Berlin shares jumped more than 15 per cent to 5 euros (7 dollars).

Berlin - A German has succeeded in breeding a rare macaw that is believed to be extinct in the wild.

Frieda is the name of the female Spix's Macaw that was born nearly a month ago in Schoeneiche near Berlin.

It is the only offspring of the threatened species bred this year, a spokesman for a German preservation society for the bird said Friday.

The society is taking part in an international breeding programme for the Spix's Macaw, a member of the parrot family.

Berlin - Germany's parliament gave its approval Friday to the deployment of the German navy in a European Union anti-piracy operation off Somalia.

Bundestag deputies voted 491-55 in favour of participation in the EU's Operation Atalanta.

Under Operation Atlanta, which was formally launched on December 8, the EU expects to operate a flotilla of six warships and three reconnaissance planes off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden.

Germany has offered a naval frigate, the Karlsruhe, and up to 1,400 sailors, airmen and other military personnel.