In the second part of her New Year's address, German chancellor Angela Merkel gives an overview of her policy goals for the coming year. She appeals to the citizens of Germany to join the discussion and work along side her in achieving those goals.

Hollywood director James Cameron dove once before into the depths of the ocean with his Blockbuster movie Titanic . Now he wants to reach the deepest point of the world's oceans — the Mariana Trench. But billionaire Richard Branson is also planning his own expedition into the deep.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

At the end of the year 2011, the German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel looks back upon the year's major natural, political and economic events. In her address, she encourages her fellow citizens to remain strong and resolute in the face of formidable challenges that lie ahead.

BMX riders are the cool rebels who do their awesome bike tricks on the back streets, right? Not quite: BMX has now hit the big time and made it to the Olympic Games.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Many children dream of a cute and loyal dog. But before parents grant their children's wish, they should be aware of the great responsibility that pet ownership entails, so as to prevent dogs from being neglected Christmas presents.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

The high jump has been an Olympic discipline since 1896 for men and since 1928 for women. In this clip, the predominant jumping technique, the Fosbury flop, is explained and demonstrated step-by-step. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

In this second episode of the series about the Domäne Dahlem, Eva invites us for a walk around the farm and shows us various crop plants and animals.

Diving from a tower is officially called platform diving, and has a long Olympic tradition, having been an official Olympic sport since 1904.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

The swimming style known as Butterfly (or previously as Dolphin-style), is recognised as an official swimming style since 1953. This video explains how top athletes achieve excellence in the pool.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Open air concerts, delicious food, many fun activities for kids of all age groups are on offer every summer at "The Festival" in Karlsruhe. Thousands of people gather each year in this beautiful city. Diane and the Yabla team had a look around for you and experienced many different things.

Concentration, agility and leaping ability... Beach volleyball sounds like an enjoyable leisure activity, but it is both an Olympic sport and and a tough, serious professional sport. Enjoy!
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

And our excursion into the realm of Karlruhe's water fountains continues, past expressive, carefully formed sculptures and gentle splashing waters. Enjoy!

In a hospital in Düsseldorf, soccer-crazed moms can choose to give birth to their children in the "Fortuna Düsseldorf" soccer team maternity room. The idea has proven surprisingly successful!
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Despite the cold weather, tropical parrots, such as the Ring-necked Parakeet, have taken up residence in some German cities. Ornithologists suppose that they descended from escaped pets.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Das Ding vor Ort

Colorful disks fly over the castle of Karlsruhe, hit a garbage can and are cheered on by a few guys… Welcome to disk golf Karlsruhe!

Water fountains: they not only give us fresh water, but they are also often architectural works of art. In this video Günther and Gaby Walz give us a tour through the city of Karlsruhe, showing us the most important fountains and explaining their significance. Enjoy this little plunge into Karlruhe's history!

Saint Christopher – the patron saint of travelers – is on a mission advocating more respect on our busy streets. In this episode he has an gentle admonition for cyclists.

Braced for up to 70,000 believers, Berlin’s Olympic stadium will be the site of Holy Mass celebrated by Germany’s own Pope Benedict XVI. Both wine and bread have important roles to play. The nuns at the Abbey of St. Gertrude will do their part as well. Learn about the cloister’s bakery, which has been operational now for decades, supplying congregations and cloisters throughout the region (and now the Pope himself) with this important holy emblem of the Christian faith.

So-called "super absorbers" normally see to it that, inside baby's diaper, everything's stays in its proper place. The Frankfurt company "Geohumus International", however, is taking this same granular material & pursuing far more ambitious goals. Enjoy this interesting and informative clip and learn how they hope to use super absorbers to fight climate change & transform arid regions of planet earth.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

The audience at the International Model Train Exhibition in Göppingen, Germany was mostly men. But when it comes to the landscape construction on a smaller scale, women have taken over. To all these fanatics, their model trains aren't just toys - they're much more than that!
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

An interesting discussion from the field of astronomy: Considered minor planets, asteroids are categorized according to their orbits. Also, contrary to sensationalistic Hollywood’s film portrayals, the probability of them posing a danger to planet Earth in the short-run is slight. To the science enthusiasts among our subscribers, enjoy! A documentary by WissensMagazin.

The new generation of bodybuilding women focuses on athletic and well-trained bodies instead of pure muscle mass — as Carmen Spindler demonstrates in her fitness studio.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

It is the latest hype on the internet: traffic planning in Schwäbisch Gmünd. A Facebook group has called out in grand style to find a name for the new city tunnel. Tens of thousands have voted for the "Bud Spencer Tunnel", named after the Spaghetti-Western film star!
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Since the death of her mother, this fawn is living under the roof of a hunting family. For eight months Anita Ackermann has raised this young fawn named Mia with the help of her family and dogs.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]