Hamburg - Metabolic Balance might sound like a meditation programme or the latest health trend from the United States - something rich and beautiful people are enjoying to enhance their quality of life.

In fact, Metabolic Balance is the name of a wellness programme that's become a topic among all kinds of people. It's not inexpensive, but it is extremely successful according to its founder.

Cologne, Germany - This summer's garden furniture designs are large and larger: Chaises and garden sofas are the "in" items, and they are impressive not only because of their size.

No design element is being spared as the trendsetters displace foldable lounge chairs and wooden benches that might have been stylish once, but are now better left in the shed. Several well-known designers have expanded their lines into garden furniture and have transformed once low-cost and functional furnishings into exclusive items.

Hamburg  - Goalkeeper Tim Wiese was Werder Bremen's cup hero as he saved three SV Hamburg penalties in a shoot-out that saw Bremen qualify Wednesday for the German Cup final 3-1 on penalties after the game had ended 1-1 after extra-time.

The will face Bayer Leverkusen in the final in Berlin on May 30.

Germany defender Per Mertesacker gave the visitors an early lead, but Ivica Olic equalized in the second half for Hamburg, who ended the game with ten men after captain David Jarolim was sent off in second half injury time.

Berlin  - An elderly German woman who was taken hostage by Islamists three months ago in Mali was released Wednesday evening, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in Berlin.

The 77-year-old retired teacher was one of four western tourists abducted on January 22 during a cross-country adventure tour in four- wheel-drive vehicles in Niger and Mali.

Munich  - Plans for a new mosque to be built in Munich got the official go-ahead Wednesday, after years of political wrangling.

The city council approved building plans for the 10-million-euro (13 million dollar) mosque to be built in the city centre, despite opposition from Bavaria's Christian Socialist Union (CSU) and another regional party.

A broad political majority voted in favour of the project, including Social Democrats (SPD), Federal Democrats (FDP), Greens and the Left Party, according to a city spokesman.

Angelb