In a refreshing change from the decades-old trend of building out suburban strip malls while the inner city decays, the city of Griesheim in Hesse has found a brilliant means of improving the streets for its residents old and young: Lots of play areas for the kids and seating areas for the adults. Winning prizes throughout Europe for urban innovation, see this video to find out how Griesheim became the most playable and sittable city in Europe!

The "Sternsinger School":www.kgs-longericher-hauptstr.de/ in Cologne is "going to the dogs," and what could be better than that? See how the Border Collie Felix and the Toy Poodle Mo help kids to develop social and verbal skills. Even taking the dogs for a brief walk helps the kids to focus better on their work, a lesson in the value of taking a break now and then. Enjoy!

We know that cities use machines to clean the streets, but did you know that specially-designed sidewalks can clean the air we breathe? Learn about the new way that the city of Frankfurt is working to improve the environment in this fascinating report from Rhein-Main TV. Umweltverschmutzung? Nein danke!

The European Fountain Society, with its seat in Karlruhe in southwestern Germany, is committed to the preservation and care of historical fountains and emphasizes the importance of water for man and culture.

All-day schools are required to provide meals for their students. However, one frequently hears complaints of bland food of poor quality. Now, star chef Johann Lafer wants to change all of this with a project of his own. Nationwide the project is one of a kind. Learn more about it at food@ucation. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Stiff necks and sore backs - many office workers know all about them! In this clip, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Occupational Medicine in Dortmund provides some helpful tips for relaxing during one's daily routine. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

“Floh”, a female eagle owl, is a proud mother. Oddly enough, however not of baby eagle owls, but rather of baby chickens! She sat on the chicken eggs for 21 days in her hutch in Saarburg’s Greifvogel Park [birds of prey]. When the little ones hatched, she accepted them as her own. Viel Spaß!
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Pope Fransiscus: The New Pope Has a Lot to Do. That's putting it lightly! Here's a brief overview of the new pope's first weeks in office as the new church leader. In this informative report from Rome, you'll see that a very busy schedule awaits the Catholic Church's 266th pontiff. Copyright dpa

The worldwide Occupy Movement doesn't halt in Frankfurt either. Angry citizens take to the streets to protest against short selling, derivative and options trading.

Singer Christina Aguilera has joined the judging panel of America’s next TV talent show The Voice. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Thomas Raudnitzky is awarded the Metropolitan Prize for hosting the popular magazine RheinMain Szene.

Living in the countryside can be beautiful – and not just because of green meadows and the simple life. Six hand picked farm girls show us what the country has to offer, sharing a glimpse into their lives, as we take a look behind the scenes of the 2010 Jungbäuerinnen Calender together with München-TV.

Helene Fischer fans were horrified to see her being carried off stage bleeding after her accident back in June. Now she has recovered and, after a summer break, she's back on tour again.

Sabine reports on some newsworthy events, including a new opportunity for young people in Germany and France and developments in Russia.

This edition of Yabla's "slow news" looks at events that have taken place in England, the US, Germany, and Uganda.