Wiesbaden, Germany - A record 40.3 million people were employed in Germany last year, according to figures released by the Federal Office of Statistics on Friday.

It was the highest number since German unification in 1990, the figures showed.

The number of employed people increased 1.5 per cent from 2007 to 582,000, partly due to the economic boom that lasted well into the first half of the year, according to the statistics office.

The economic downturn in the second half of 2008 did not have a major effect on employment, it said. Germany's jobless rate hit a 16-year-low in November when 7.5 per cent of the workforce, or 3.15 million people, were without jobs.

Wiesbaden, Germany - As cars become safer, Germany's road toll this year is set to sink to its lowest level since cars came into widespread use early in the 20th century, statistics Friday showed.

Using data for the year so far, government statisticians estimate 4,800 people will be killed this year in German car accidents.

The German road toll peaked at 21,000 four decades ago in 1970, but even back in the 1930s the toll was higher than today. In 1938, there were 7,354 road deaths, although Germany then did cover a larger territory than now.

Wiesbaden, Germany - The regional parliament in the German state of Hesse dissolved itself on Wednesday, clearing the way for early general elections in January.

All five parties represented in the 110-member legislature voted in favour of the move.

The state has been ruled by a caretaker government headed by conservative Prime Minister Roland Koch since inconclusive elections in January 2008.

Wiesbaden, Germany - German exports recorded a surprise increase in September despite the global economic slowdown, official figures showed Friday.

The Federal Statistics Office said exports rose 6.9 per cent to 87.1 billion euros (112 billion dollars) in September compared to the corresponding month of 2007.

Imports climbed 14.1 per cent in the same period to 72.2 billion euros, to give the world's biggest exporter a trade surplus of 15 billion euros, the figures showed.

The current account balance, which takes into account transfers and services as well as exports and imports, also recorded a surplus of 15 billion euros.

Wiesbaden, Germany - German exports recorded a surprise increase in September despite the global economic slowdown, official figures showed Friday.

The Federal Statistics Office said exports rose 6.9 per cent to 87.1 billion euros (112 billion dollars) in September compared to the corresponding month of 2007.

Imports climbed 14.1 per cent in the same period to 72.2 billion euros, to give the world's biggest exporter a trade surplus of 15 billion euros, the figures showed.

The current account balance, which takes into account transfers and services as well as exports and imports, also recorded a surplus of 15 billion euros.

Wiesbaden, Germany - Plans for a provincial alliance between Germany's co-ruling Social Democrats (SPD) and the small opposition Left party foundered Monday, with four dissenting legislators in the state of Hesse withdrawing their support.

The fragile link-up, drafted by the state SPD leader Andrea Ypsilanti, had been described by opponents as possibly a model for a federal government after a general election in September next year.