Berlin - Germany and Kuwait pledged Friday to step up efforts to strengthen their economic ties in the face of the world financial crisis that threatens to push the global economy into a sharp and protracted downturn.

German Minister for the Economy Michael Glos and Kuwait Economics Minister Al-Abdullah met in Berlin to consider moves for bolstering the economic ties between the two nations.

"During times of extreme international market turbulence it is important that we discuss with our partners from Kuwait and the Gulf states, how we can strengthen our common economic relations," said Glos.

Berlin - The German Government said Friday it had been forced to substantially boost borrowings to meet plans for spurring economic growth amid signs that a sharp contraction has taken hold in Europe's biggest economy.

A late-night marathon meeting of the parliamentary budget committee signed off on the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel's 2009 budget proposals, which includes raising new borrowing to 18.5 billion euros (23 billion dollars).

German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck had forecast in the middle of the year that new borrowings would total 10.5 billion euros.

Berlin, Nov 21: A unique three year research project has determined that there are more than 11,000 alien species present in Europe, that have biologically invaded the continent.

Known as DAISIE (Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventory for Europe), the research project, with more than 100 European scientists, provides new knowledge on biological invasions in Europe.

Biological invasions by alien species often result in a significant loss in the economic value, biological diversity and function of invaded ecosystems.

Alien species are plants, animals and micro-organisms that have been moved by humans to new environments outside of the range they occupy naturally.

Berlin - Zimbabwean prime minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai said Thursday he was confident of an end to the political impasse holding up the formation of a government of national unity.

Speaking after talks with German officials, he said this would come after issues relating to the definition of the prime minister's powers and the allocation of government ministries had been resolved.

"We will find a solution. It may take some time, but we will find a solution. The position of President Robert Mugabe is untenable," he said in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

Berlin - A silver medal minted for collectors by Germany's post office caused outrage in Germany Thursday with the discovery that it honours a 1946 act of communist dictatorship.

German Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee demanded that the Deutsche Post company melt the "scandalous" medals down.

Berlin - A world economic confidence index released Thursday and drawn up by leading German institute dropped to its lowest level in 20 years amid worries that the global economy faced recession.

The Munich-based Ifo institute said its world economic climate survey fell in the fourth quarter to 60 points from 73.4 points in the third quarter.

"Altogether the data points to a global recession," the institute said releasing the report, adding that the expectations for the coming six months have worsened further.