Wuerzburg, Germany  - Some people have a long list including the names of their spouse, uncles, nephews, neighbours and even acquaintances they have made at the gym, for whom they intend to buy Christmas presents.

Before heading to the shops, people should take a few minutes to think about what they want to give. A Christmas gift, after all, is a statement about their relationship with the recipient. A suitable gift delivers maximum pleasure.

Hamburg  - People who work in the hotel and restaurant industries often are the target of sexual harassment on the job, says a report by a Bilbao-based European agency for security and health in the workplace.

Nearly 8 per cent of hospitality employees complain about sexual harassment on the job, according to the report, which was referenced by a German professional association for food and restaurants based in Mannheim. In other branches about 2 per cent complain.

In addition, about 12 per cent see themselves as the target of intimidation and 6.5 per cent have been confronted with physical violence. In other sectors, the figures are 8.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent, respectively.

Hamburg  - Germany coach Joachim Loew has said national team captain Michael Ballack knows "the consequences" should he again express criticism regarding the national team in public.

It follows a television interview by Ballack Tuesday in which the Chelsea midfielder said he did not regret a newspaper interview last month which led to him having to apologize to an angry Loew.

Loew told Wednesday's Bild newspaper: "Michael has a right to give his opinion and to express criticism. But he won't be doing it in public, you can be quite sure of that because he knows what the consequences are."

Cologne, Germany  - Bundesliga club Cologne have confirmed they plan to bring their long lost son Lukas Podolski back home from Bayern Munich.

Club president Wolfgang Overath and general manager Michael Meier said that Cologne have talked with the relevant parties and are now waiting for a signal from Munich on the future of the Germany striker.

However Meier told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa Wednesday a transfer during the forthcoming winter break could be ruled out.

"It's not an issue for this winter. Bayern have decided that he is staying for the time being," he said.

Berlin - German inflation dropped sharply in November to 1.5 per cent, the country's statistics office said Wednesday as falling oil prices and a slowdown in economic growth helped to ease inflationary pressures in Europe's biggest economy.

This month fall in annual inflation from 2.5 per cent in October is likely to help pave the way for the European Central Bank to cut interest rates at its meeting next week.

Berlin - Police in Berlin smashed a human trafficking ring and detained 26 people suspe