Patrick Doering, the designated FDP general secretary, sits at the traditional Twelfth Day Meeting of the FDP in Stuttgart on Friday (01/06/2012) while the FDP Chairman Philipp Roesler is speaking at the podium. Just in the end there were heated discussions between Roesler and Doering. The traditional Twelfth Day Meeting of the FDP has its roots in Baden-Wuerttemberg. For over 140 years the Liberals have been running a new political year on 6th January. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

The FDP party leader Philipp Roesler talks at Twelfth Day meeting of the FDP in Stuttgart on Friday (01/06/2012). The traditional Twelfth Day Meeting of the FDP has its roots in Baden-Wuerttemberg. For over 140 years the Liberals have been running a new political year on 6th January. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Patrick Doering (l), the designated FDP general secretary takes part together with the FDP chairman Philipp Roesler (m) and the Baden-Wuerttemberg state FDP leader Birgit Homburger in the opera house in Stuttgart for the traditional Twelfth Day meeting of the FDP on Friday (01/06/2012). The traditional Twelfth Day Meeting of the FDP has its roots in Baden-Wuerttemberg. For over 140 years the Liberals have been running a new political year on 6th January. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Birgit Homburger the chairman of the FDP of the state of the Baden-Wuerttemberg will speak on Thursday (01/05/2012) in the Liederhalle in Stuttgart at the state convention of the FDP. The Twelfth Day Meeting follows the state party in the opera house in Stuttgart on Friday (01/06/2012). The Liberals have lost in their home country of Baden-Wuerttemberg more than eight percent of its members in 2011, and finally stopped at 7350 members in the end. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

The EU Commissioner Guenther Oettinger (CDU) gestures at a conference in Stuttgart on Thursday (01/05/2012). EU Commissioner Guenther Oettinger wants to turn his back on Brussels in 2014 and start again at the age of 60 years. The former Prime Minister of Baden-Wuerttemberg is seeking a job in the private sector. He's not refusing to return to the regional policy. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

A woman walks via a pedestrian bridge over the river Rems in Schwaebisch Gmuend on Wednesday (01/04/2012). In southern Germany there are violent storms widely feared and a number of rivers bursting their banks. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw

A woman is photographing the sunset from a view point in a temple area over Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The temples of the ancient Khmer near Seam Reap are visited by millions of tourists annually.

A fishing boat is docked on a viewing platform on the Nam Ngum dam in Laos. The swim platform is used for a trip by many tourists.

A beautiful sunset appears over the sky at the Vietnamese island Phu Quoc. While the sun is going down on the sea horizon, the lights in the beach restaurant are lit under coconut palm trees. The island in South Vietnam is the only Vietnamese island, where a sunset can be observed above the sea.

Two tourists soar a lantern to the air. During the festival of lights countless Lao people parade through the city of Luang Prabang. Self-built boats with candles, build a fantastic light show and fireworks are lightened around the city, all offering to the pageant in the Mekong.

A young boy lights a firework. During the festival of lights countless Lao people parade through the city of Luang Prabang. Self-built boats with candles, build a fantastic light show and fireworks are lightened around the city, all offering to the pageant in the Mekong.

The night market attracts many tourists in Luang Prabang, which is set up every evening in the main street. Dealers try to sell their traditional products from Laos and Southeast Asia.

A young monk sits in front of his hut in the community Hosian Wat, Luang Prabang in Laos.

The streets in the UNESCO World Heritage city Sukhothai are flooded, the bus driver may enter his vehicle only with large steps. In Thailand, the largest floods are expected for eight years.

A woman gets in a pink taxi in Bangkok at night. After the monsoon rains, the water still remains in the streets of the Thai metropolis.

Some supporters of the name "Bud Spencer-tunnel" for a bypass tunnel in Schwaebisch Gmuend (near Stuttgart) stand with banners in front of the assembly hall before a council meeting in Schwaebisch Gmuend on Wednesday (7/27/2011).The Internet became a movement for a large number of citizens who voted for the name "Bud Spencer Tunnel". The council did not decide for this name, but followed the proposal to rename the public swimming pool after the actor. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Some supporters of the name "Bud Spencer-tunnel" for a bypass tunnel in Schwaebisch Gmuend (near Stuttgart) stand with banners in front of the assembly hall before a council meeting in Schwaebisch Gmuend on Wednesday (7/27/2011).The Internet became a movement for a large number of citizens who voted for the name "Bud Spencer Tunnel". The council did not decide for this name, but followed the proposal to rename the public swimming pool after the actor. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Grey clouds cover the sky in Schwaebisch Gmuend over the swimming pool on Wednesday (7/27/2011). The umbrellas stay closed. The German Weather Service forecasts changing weather in Baden-Wuerttemberg until Saturday. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

The entrance of the swimming pool of Schwaebisch Gmuend photographed on Wednesday (27/07/2011). Until now it is still the “Gmuender pool”, but after a compromise proposal from the city in dispute over the naming of a bypass tunnel, it could be named after the action hero Bud Spencer.In 1951 Bud Spencer was in the swimming pool andvictorious in an international competition . It's been 60 years ago, since Carlo Pedersoli has taken part with his real name in this competition. Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

At a Monday demonstration young people demonstrate with clenched hands for the so-called "Bud-Spencer-tunnel" in front of the main station in Schwaebisch Gmuend (near Stuttgart) on Monday (7/25/2011). In the council it will be voted for a name for the tunnel on Wednesday (7/27/2011). The Internet became a movement for a large number of citizens who voted for the name "Bud Spencer-tunnel activities". Photo: Jan-Philipp Strobel dpa/lsw +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

The Stuttgart striker Martin Harnik is desperate after a wasted opportunity. VfB Stuttgart was the better team in the match againstNottingham Forest in Aalen, but the visitors from England made two goals and won 2-1.

The stores invited to the late-night shopping in Schwaebisch Gmuend on Saturday evening. The illuminated shop windows attracted numerous customers to the stores until midnight.

The stores invited to the late-night shopping in Schwaebisch Gmuend on Saturday evening. The illuminated shop windows attracted numerous customers to the stores until midnight.

The stores invited to the late-night shopping in Schwaebisch Gmuend on Saturday evening. The illuminated shop windows attracted numerous customers to the stores until midnight.

A police officer is armed in front of the German Bundestag in Berlin. This week, Federal Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich (CSU) said he wants to extend anti-terror laws, and is also stressed: "The current security situation, however, does not allow a removal of the adopted red-green anti-terror laws, such as the FDP wants."

The silhouette of a bush disappears in the golden-colored evening sky, the sun shinesthrough the clouds from behind. With this great spectacle of nature, the sun says good bye on the longest day of the year in the night.

The silhouette of a bush disappears in the golden-colored evening sky, the sun shinesthrough the clouds from behind. With this great spectacle of nature, the sun says goodbye on the longest day of the year turning into night.

The band Scooter with singer H.P. Baxter performs at the Hessentag 2011 in Oberursel.

The band Scooter with singer H.P. Baxter performs at the Hessentag 2011 in Oberursel.

The band Scooter with singer H.P. Baxter performs at the Hessentag 2011 in Oberursel.

The band Scooter with singer H.P. Baxter performs at the Hessentag 2011 in Oberursel.

Comedian Oliver Pocher presents his new programm "superficial knowledge" at the Hessen-Palace in Frankfurt.

The Hoehner Rockin Roncalli Show performs at the Hessentag 2011 in Oberursel.

The Hoehner Rockin Roncalli Show with singer Henning Krautmacher performs at the Hessentag 2011 in Oberursel.

The meadows in Germany are in full bloom. The sensual image is delightful, but especially the allergy sufferers have heavy problems. Due to little rainfall in May the so troublesome pollen are spread throughout. The common dandelion is currently available on nearly every lawn and spreads its seeds, which are carried everywhere by the wind. In contrast to the allergy sufferers, the dandelion is pleasing most of the children.

The meadows in Germany are in full bloom. The sensual image is delightful, but especially the allergy sufferers have heavy problems. Due to little rainfall in May the so troublesome pollen are spread throughout. The common dandelion is currently available on nearly every lawn and spreads its seeds, which are carried everywhere by the wind. In contrast to the allergy sufferers, the dandelion is pleasing most of the children.

With 1-0 (1-0) the German U18-Junior National Team defeats his rival from Austria. More than 4000 fans celebrated the German victory in the Scholz Arena in Aalen, Germany. In the picture, Patrick Schmidt from VfB Stuttgart while shooting.

The train drivers union (GDL) follows its proclamations. The GDL boycotts since Wednesday evening, 20 clock, the freight traffic. The passenger traffic is now on strike from 4 to 10 clock. These three train passengers at Stuttgart main station are happy, that their train in the evening hours will run.

More than 70 000 people and many fouls visit the carnival parade on Carnival Tuesday in Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany. 85 regional groups are showing their silly side during the march through the historic town and are enjoying the sunshine.

More than 70 000 people and many fouls visit the carnival parade on Carnival Tuesday in Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany. 85 regional groups are showing their silly side during the march through the historic town and are enjoying the sunshine.

More than 70 000 people and many fouls visit the carnival parade on Carnival Tuesday in Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany. 85 regional groups are showing their silly side during the march through the historic town and are enjoying the sunshine.

Silke Spiegelburg (GER) of TSV Bayer Leverkusen jumps over 4.70 meters in the pole vault for women. The joy after crossing the bar is huge, because she won the ladies competition. The second place went to the Brazilian Fabiana Murer (4.64m). Even at the 25th anniversary edition of the Sparkassen-Cup in the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Hall World-class athletes were meeting again at the start.

Carolin Nytra (GER) in a duel with Lolo Jones (USA) over 60 meter hurdles in the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Hall in Stuttgart. With her win in Stuttgart Nytra has confirmed her superior year 2010 and proved that she has arrived at the top of the world rankings. Now she is optimistic towards the Olympic Games 2012 in London. Even at the 25th anniversary edition of the Sparkassen-Cup World-class athletes were meeting again at the start.

The German high jumper Ariane Friedrich is a guest at the anniversary edition of the Sparkassen-Cup in Stuttgart. But because of an Achilles tendon tear she can only be a visitor in the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Hall.

The line of 1.50 euro is already cracked, consumers fear how far the price will rise. Last time the fuel price was in year 2008 as high as now. But after the new onset of winter in Germany, experts fear further bottlenecks in the supply of fuel at petrol stations because fuel trucks either cannot drive or do not drive because of safety reasons. This could drive up the fuel price again and customers may have to dig even deeper in their pockets.

Facebook users should take a closer look at their profile in the next days. A new feature of the internet platform comes into force, the "instant personalization". Privacy advocates are sounding the alarm once again because of the new plans of the facebook group. The "instant personalization" obtains site access to data of user and friends for so-called partner websites. This function is activated automatically of course, if you do not want to use this service you have to deactivate it first in the privacy settings.

Currently, more people than ever are relying on their cars, because many buses and trains cannot drive anymore. Especially rush hour traffic then leads to heavy delays, also because many drivers then want to hurry home. But addictonally in the early evening hours, one should be particularly vigilant, as the slush can freeze on the roadway unexpectedly. On the B298 near Mutlangen there is a lot of traffic in the evening, the measures of snow are very difficult for motorists and clearing services.

Barly after the snow has gone and the river levels tend to normalize, the next white beauty comes from the sky. Near the A7 highway at Aalen-Westhausen thick snow covers the traffic roads. Snow ploughing service has been alerted. The snow melt could bring further flooding problems.

In Randersacker the water rose higher than has expected. The first tidal wave of the Main with 6.30m water level has hit the suburb of Wuerzburg. Even the high water warning sign is in the water. It is not possible to get along without a boat. But the worst is not over yet. In Randersacker people fear the second flood wave, because the Main could rise another two feet higher, so it could come to a water level up to 6.80m.

The flood wave hast reached the Main closed to Wuerzburg. A water level of 6.30m was measured by experts, but the situation does not seem to relax. The largest part of the city will be secured by temporary protective walls. For houses right beside the Main like the Main Mill (Alte Mainmuehle) there is no salvation. Many residents and tourists come and take pictures of the flooded coastal road, as you can see on the main bridge.

A picture seen in many places: Old bottles, garbage and crud pile up after New Years Eve. The disposal service of the cities often cannot make sure to dispose these trash in time. In times of tight budgets you can wait for weeks for disposal.

In almost every part of Germany fear increases of floods and high water levels. By melt water and rain the rivers have come dangerously close to the protective walls. Many signs and fences suggest it all: The flood is coming. In Wuerzburg the first tidal wave will soon roll and increase the water level of the Main up to 6.30m. The downtown area is secured with barriers.

In Leinzell the snow heaps pile up. After half a meter of fresh snow in many villages, there is stagnation. Even in cities the situation is tense due to the large snow heaps on the road. The snow interferes the space for parking.

Buying gifts right before Christmas is stressful. It happens in the streets of Wuerzburg. But retailers are glad, because after the year of crisis in 2009 the economic revival in Germany can be noticed considerably, not only during the consumer behaviour for Christmas shopping.

In front of 4000 fans the Band Unheilig (unsaintly) present their new album "Grosse Freiheit (Big Freedom)" in Ulm as a part of their tour. The band convinced with their song "Unter deiner Flagge (Under your flag)" on the Federal Vision Song Contest 2010 and won. Unheilig celebrated simultaneously its 10th anniversary in Ulm. In the picture Bernd Heinrich alias "The Lord" is seen.

The crisis in Ireland, to the satisfaction of Germanys Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble endanger the euro. "Our commen currency is at stake", Schaeuble said at the beginning of the budgetdebate on Tuesday in Berlin. "We have to take responsibility" he demanded.

Officials of the Federal Police Station in Weil, near Stuttgart,arrested two Dutch, who had smuggled 5.5kg of amphetamine and 5000 ecstasy pills from Holland. According to statistics the Netherlands is the neighboring country from which most drugs are smuggled to Germany. The transport of goods is mainly on the streets. Again and again authorities catch eye of minibuses fully loaded with contraband.

Dunkin of Coleman Collins (Ratiopharm Ulm) in the BBL-match (first basketball league in Germany) against Alba Berlin. The home team won against the clear favourite from the capital Berlin with 77:73.

Again the energy companies have announced a higher price for electricity, water and gas. The power poles near Wuerzburg bring electricity from the coal-fired power plant to the city. In the background of the picture there are wind turbines shown. In the future fossil based power stations shall be more and more replaced by renewable energies, which are currently not profitable for energy companies.

From now on you can apply for the biometric identity card in the format of a credit card. In addition to all amendments and optical security features the new ID card includes the online identification and the optional storage of fingerprints. However, privacy advocates and IT security experts fear that with increasing controls the surveillance state comes closer to the citizens.

The grape harvest in the vineyards around Wuerzburg is imminent. The vintners expect less crop for 2010 than last year, but they say that "what comes in the bottle is better".

Lousy times for animals. These baboons try to delouse themselves, but greater danger is currently the swine flu in the zoo.

Alone, dark, narrow, stuffy. A dangerous addiction is spreading among young people: the addicition of the media. In Particular, the young people sit isolated in front of their PCs in a small room, they see daylight only rarely. Friends will be replaced virtually, social contacts are rare. Whether computer games or just chat portals: All applications bring a high addictive potential with them, which should not be underestimated.

The Youths who had beaten manager Dominik Brunner to death were convicted to a long prison sentence. The District Court of Munich followed the demands of the prosecutor as far as possible and sentenced Sebastian L. for grievous bodily harm with following death to seven years in prison. Markus S. was sentenced for first-degree murder to nine years and ten months of imprisonment. The defense announced to appeal for revision. However, the fear on German railway station remains unsolved. Especially in the evening people do not like to go by train or bus.

FIFA-Referee Deniz Aytekin brandishes the red card to Andreas Schoen (VfR Aalen) for a cynical foul at Jermaine Jones (FC Schalke 04). The match between VfR Aalen and FC Schalke 04 is the first round of the German Soccer Cup (DFB-Pokal).

A Stuttgart 21-rival is standing in front of the full fence around the main station in Stuttgart and is looking at the posters. On her backpack is a sticker of the program K21, that wants an overground station as an alternative to the billion project of a running underground railway.

A small boy is standing in front of the fence around the main train station in Stuttgart. Here will the north wing soon be demolished. The boy has a sticker with a crossed out Stuttgart 21 sign. He shows his parents some posters on the fence.

Actually cyclist Jan Ullrich should take part in the Tour Charity "Gingko" from Schwaebisch Gmuend to Aalen and back. But doping allegations of his ex-manager on the day before showed again not a good picture of Ullrich, who then exposed. But even without him, there was a lot cycled for a good purpose.

For fitness checks of his players head coach Ralf Rangnick is implementing a lactate test among the preparation time. First it is endurance running for the first league players, then the prick in the ear follows. At each training the team of Hoffenheim is observed by many fans, the club has established itself not only in the small village as a brand.

Singer Kelly Hansen is standing only as a shadow on the stage. The light is directed to the 4000 fans who are wanted to sing strongly. Hansen knows how to animate the audience together with the old bands line-up.

To drive contrary to the sunlight in the evening is not only unpleasant but also dangerous. Without prevention it ends like a bad ride: A bus driver near Duesseldorf was glared by the low sun on the road. He injured 25 people and killed a 22-year-old woman. Investigation were carried out against the bus driver because of involuntary assault and murder by negligence .

A true spectacle of lights is reflected at the evening sky over Stuttgart. The dark storm clouds pull away from Stuttgart.

A new case of rape or at least an indictment because of that. This time it is a celebrity: The TV meteorologist Joerg Kachelmann is accused by his ex-girlfriend for raping her, but he denies it. This case reminds many people to think of their own security. The two women in the picture are reluctant walking in the city center of Wuerzburg at night and if there is a need they walk only in well-lit streets.

This quarry near Gschwend (Germany) attracts many spectators once a year. At the trial run in different classes you try to drive between and over pits, which were digged by the building machines.

Many tracks were collected by the officials of the police in the abduction case (and later known as a murder case) of Maria Boegerl - wife of a popular banker. This park is fenced-off, here are traces of the perpetrators suspected.

With the help of the Rescue dogs the kidnapped wife of a banker Maria Boegerl shall be found. After the bursting of the money transfer the death of Maria Boegerl cannot be excluded. A week later a jogger discovered the dead body of the woman under a pile of leaves in the forest.

Recent studies confirm that parents are still the biggest role models for their children and influence them heavily in their early childhood. Even if kids do not understand the importance of a green traffic light, the regular street crossing at a red traffic light can lead children to subsequent lawlessness.

Head coach Frank Schmidt of the third-league club FC Heidenheim gives his team instructions from outside. In the match against VfL Osnabrueck big snowflakes fall suddenly from the sky and cover everything, including coach Frank Schmidt.

Carnival time: All over the alcohol flows freely. But often the content of alcohol in the blood is estimated less than it really is. The ride back home ends in the police station. Also this year the police took away as many licenses as at no other time. Alcohol testers could provide peoples overestimation, but most of them are cheap devices and unreliable. Units of the police do have better attendance, but for home use they are often bulky and expensive.

With more than 1.5 per mill in her blood the Protestant Bishop Margot Kaessmann run through a red light with her car and was stopped by police in the city of Hanover. The Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, has been always a very critical and very enthusiastic supporter of adhering to ethical standards in society. The greater was the shock to the society after this drunk driving, especially during Lenten season. Still curious: A year ago, she said in an interview that for her it is taboo to drink alcohol during Lent.

After the suicide of the German football national goalkeeper Robert Enke (11/10/2009) criticism of the huge media pressure has been expressed. In the image professional handball player Torsten Jansen (HSV Hamburg) crowded around by many fans in the EWS-Arena/Goeppingen.

A doctor at the Stauferhospital in Mutlangen near Schwäbisch Gmünd shows a fast drug test. During more and more traffic police checks such tests are used and uncover partial the horrifying results of drug use in road traffic.

After a thunderstorm you can see a rainbow over Sontheim (Brenz) over the mountain range of the Swabian Alb.

After attacks with very strong and extensive laserpointers on pilots, the police shows now more presence at German airports. A police helicopter flies over the international airport in Stuttgart.

Directly near the emergency telephone: These passangers at the Tube-Station „Schlossgarten“ in Stuttgart play it safe. However no one can grant you to be safe for one hundred percent. On the 12th september 2010 two adolescents beat the manager Dominik Brunner in Munich to death. Now the calls from the public for security services at railway stations are getting louder.

Since the introduction of truck tolls in Germany in 2005 many Trucks make detours of well-developed highways. This is both for the streets and for the residents of the places an enourmous burden. A draft for taxation of the country roads for trucks is not available yet. The picture shows a truck on the German border coming from the Netherlands, which tries to avoid the truck tolls.

More and more Germans buy organic food. To follow the trend and remain competitive against cheap foreign products, more and more farmers in Germany adapt the "organic". Instead of mass treatment in the stable there is lush meadows and plenty of free running at Frickenhofener height near Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany.

A group of left-wing extremists are demonstrating against fascism in Stuttgart.

After a serious foul captain Christian Alder (VfR Aalen) must leave the field at a third-league match between VfR Aalen and Kickers Emden.

Young Skaters were banned from public places by the police. The adolescents with their skateboards are frowned apon by the authorities, because public places and buildings are no skating parks. They cause damage by driving the substrate. But young people often miss the space or an adequate device for skating in their hometown.

A witch of the carnival group from Cannstatt near Stuttgart swept through the streets downtown Bad Cannstatt the evening before the big parade. The Carnival is celebrated in the suburbia of Stuttgart with wide international participation. This has been an attraction in town for hundreds of people for many years.