Munich - Art auction houses are not all gloomy about prospects in 2009 despite the global financial and economic crisis.

While art works remained unsold at auctions last autumn and the flurry of record prices in recent years has given way to a more sober-minded market, art buyers with bags of money are still out there, said the president of Sotheby's Germany.

Berlin  - Couples need not wear matching balloon-silk jogging suits to be an eyesore, fashionistas warn. Identical pullovers or outdoor jackets are off-putting as well. Matching clothes make couples look too similar and interchangeable, which runs counter to style sense.

"Men and women have been wearing different clothes for centuries. Though women wear trousers nowadays, the desire to blur differences with matching outfits results in one of them no longer looking like a man, or no longer like a woman," explained Berlin fashion expert Bernhard Roetzel.

Tel Aviv - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
arrived in Israel early Thursday in a renewed attempt to push for a
Gaza ceasefire as Israel's campaign entered its 20th day.

Steinmeier returned to the Middle East only days after a previous
visit, when he proposed a work plan to create conditions for a
ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The German foreign minister is scheduled to meet with Israeli
President Shimon Peres in the morning, followed by talks with Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Steinmeier is to

Hamburg  - Sometimes people's behaviour at the gym can put an abrupt end to their fellow gym-goer's comfort and relaxation.

For some, an example might be a woman in her 30s shaving her legs in the shower. For others it could be the older man sitting in the sauna without a towel under his bottom.

During winter, many people flock to pools, saunas, gyms and fitness studios and wellness services are gaining popularity. But not everyone knows how to behave in these facilities. Morals and manners are one thing; other rules are critical for hygiene.

Frankfurt  - The European Central Bank (ECB) meets later Thursday amid market expectations that dwindling inflation and slowing economic growth will force it to deliver another rate cut.

The consensus among economists is that the ECB's 22-member rate-setting council will cut interest rates from 2.5 per cent to 2 per cent for what is shaping up to be a tough economic year.

But some economists believe that the Frankfurt-based bank might decide to leave monetary policy on hold or deliver only a modest reduction of 25 basis points.

Bremen, Germany  - Hiking has long since transformed from a sport for senior citizens to an activity with a cult-like following.

Thanks to a hiking club in Bremen, northern Germany, enthusiasts have a special opportunity in 2009 to practice their hobby and get rid of some of the pounds they may have piled on over Christmas.

The year-long event 10,000,000 Steps - Fit through Germany began