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!

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

Following the sudden resignation of Benedict XVI, the search for a new pope is dominating the conversation in the corridors of the Vatican. Precisely how a new pope is selected is explained in this informative video.
"Copyright DPA"

The rush is on at the nearest tire service station as soon as the first snow falls! Besides being able to avoid those long waiting lines, there are other important reasons for having those winter tires mounted early. Check it out for your own safety! Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

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.

It is the sporting event of the year: five years after the summer fairytale, Germany is again hosting a soccer world championship tournament — this time the women's. The anticipation is rising, with fans and Federal President Christian Wulff full of expectations.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

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]

Just before the Bundestag vote over longer running times of nuclear power plants, Greenpeace activists have occupied the roof of the CDU headquarters in Berlin. They hung up a ten-meter-long banner. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

On the second anniversary of the Lehman crash, the people are taking to the streets again to claim their lost money.

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