- 4d ago
Rhine hits record low at Kaub, 24 cm, as drought disrupts shipping and threatens German growth
The Rhine fell to 24 cm at Kaub on Tuesday, the lowest since measurements began in 1880, as a prolonged drought paralyses shipping on Europe's busiest waterway and economists warn of a hit to German GDP.
- Jul 26
From topless debate to UV shirts: German outdoor pools mirror society's shifting norms
A dpa feature on 26 July 2026 uses the open-air swimming pool as a lens for conflicting German lifestyles, from tattoos and topless bathing to full-body swimwear and the quiet crisis of decaying infrastructure.
- Jul 10
Deutsche Bahn starts five-month closure of right-bank Rhine line, night-time restrictions in Rhine-Main
From Friday, Deutsche Bahn closes the right-bank Rhine line between Wiesbaden and Troisdorf for five months of modernisation, while night-time works disrupt S-Bahn and regional services in the Rhine-Main area until late September.
- Jun 21
German pools turn to AI drowning detection, but DLRG warns ‘AI cannot rescue, resuscitate or take responsibility’
Swimming pools in Rhineland-Palatinate are adopting AI-powered camera systems that alert staff when swimmers show signs of trouble. The German Life Saving Association (DLRG) calls the technology an ‘extra pair of eyes’ but stresses it can never replace human vigilance.
