Frankfurt - A technical problem paralysed Frankfurt airport, for almost an hour on Thursday, forcing the cancellation of around 60 flights and the diversion of more than 20.

The hitch meant the German Weather Service was unable to transmit visibility data for pilots and air traffic controllers between 6:35 am and 7:25 am.

The air traffic controllers had no reliable visibility data at a time when there was a light early morning fog, said flight security spokesman Dirk Pulver.

Frankfurt  - There are many ways couples can save money when planning their wedding.

"The bridal gown most certainly can be rented for a reasonable price or bought second-hand," said Friederike Mauritz, chairwoman of the association of German wedding planners in Frankfurt. A second-hand dress may have to be altered, so that cost should be taken into consideration when considering the purchase.

Frankfurt - The European Central Bank (ECB) lowered its key interest rate by half a percentage point on Thursday, underscoring efforts to combat the recession gripping countries in the eurozone.

The reduction of the benchmark refinancing rate to 2 per cent came amid a slowdown in inflation and a flood of gloomy economic data in what is shaping up to be a tough economic year.

Frankfurt  - The European Central Bank (ECB) meets later Thursday amid market expectations that dwindling inflation and slowing economic growth will force it to deliver another rate cut.

The consensus among economists is that the ECB's 22-member rate-setting council will cut interest rates from 2.5 per cent to 2 per cent for what is shaping up to be a tough economic year.

But some economists believe that the Frankfurt-based bank might decide to leave monetary policy on hold or deliver only a modest reduction of 25 basis points.

Frankfurt  - Around 1,500 people gathering in the western German city of Frankfurt on Sunday to to demonstrate in support of Israel against Islamic extremist group Hamas.

Frankfurt - German carrier Lufthansa said Thursday that was not interested in taking a stake in Italian airline Alitalia.

A spokesman for the German airline said it had not made a bid for Alitalia, but had put forward a concept for cooperation with the airline group Star Alliance, of which Lufthansa is a member.

The spokesman was commenting on media speculation that the German carrier was interested in taking a financial stake in Italy's national carrier.

Aviation experts believe that the French-Dutch airline KLM-Air France will now take a stake in Alitalia.