The German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia has the biggest COVID-19 outbreak in Germany, and is therefore introducing stricter measures to ensure social distancing. Among other penalties, restaurants that stay open will have to pay up to 4000 euros in fines, while individuals who meet in groups will have to pay 200 euros.

School is back in session in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populated state. To protect against coronavirus infections, masks are mandatory in school buildings and classrooms. How are the students and teachers dealing with the new requirements? Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

In this German PSA, Javelin throw world champions Johannes Vetter and Christina Obergföll recall the Corona winter of 2020. They longed to be training outdoors while the government was ordering everyone to stay home. After some lazy months of lockdown, they eventually found a way to keep fit.

“The Carolin Kebekus Show” is a Grimme Award-winning satirical variety program. In the first “Forgotten Heroines" segment, we meet the fictional Elisabeth Bemmendorff, who allegedly came up with the idea of putting greasy rémoulade on sandwich rolls — the influence of which on German cuisine should not be underestimated!

Katharina’s not having a great night out on the town: The bartender keeps getting her order wrong – on purpose? – and her friend Stephan is somehow unable to find the venue. A bizarre evening indeed!

The Alps are a vast mountain range spanning central Europe, from Slovenia to France. In the first part of this series, we meet photographer Matevž Lenarčič, who captures this region from the air.

We continue our journey with pilot and photographer Matevž Lenarčič and see impressive landscapes such as Lake Bled in Slovenia and the Nock Mountains in Carinthia, Austria.

Nicole and her family run a traditional farm and create unique ice cream flavors using their own milk. We also get to discover the protected area surrounding Nockberge National Park.

Hans-Jörg Aschbacher runs the Karlbad, a traditional farmer’s bath in the Nockberge. The family lives entirely without electricity, offering guests a way to escape the stress of daily life and focus on wellness.

In this part, the journey continues to the Nock Mountains and to Friesach—to castles, old silver mines, and a very special bat population.

In an old silver mine in Carinthia, rare bats find a safe winter shelter. Then we continue to Wörthersee, which is not only the warmest Alpine lake but also rich in history.

In Ferlach in the Rosental valley, a rare craft has been kept alive: gunsmithing. Young people have the opportunity learn the traditional methods.

Located in Styria between vineyards and gentle hills, the Hornegg Estate has a long tradition in sustainable fish farming. We accompany Heinrich Holler and learn not only about fish, but also about respectful interaction with nature.

Ottl the catfish has been part of the family for decades. Instead of ending up as a feast, he has become the "boss of the pond" and is now over two meters long.

Whiskey production in Styria? Michael Weutz, who is actually an engineer by profession, tells us how it came about and what distinguishes his product.