https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed A lake-side swimming pool in Saxony-Anhalt has introduced a controversial rule that states people who cannot speak German may be refused entry. https://www.thelocal.de/20260623/why-a-swimming-pool-in-eastern-germany-has-banned-non-german-speakers Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:13:05 +0200 why-a-swimming-pool-in-eastern-germany-has-banned-non-german-speakers Recent scandals have highlighted how some German politicians are using AI tools in practice, raising questions about transparency, accuracy and trust in leadership. https://www.thelocal.de/20260623/why-germany-is-considering-new-rules-for-ai-in-politics Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:00:13 +0200 why-germany-is-considering-new-rules-for-ai-in-politics From water use warnings and airplane evacuations to a spike in swimming accidents, here are some of the ways the on-going heatwave is affecting life around Germany - and how to find a place to cool down if needed. https://www.thelocal.de/20260623/how-extreme-heat-is-wreaking-havoc-on-daily-life-in-germany Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:57:30 +0200 how-extreme-heat-is-wreaking-havoc-on-daily-life-in-germany The extreme heat baking much of Europe this week is exposing the limits of rail infrastructure made during cooler times, leading to delays and cancellations along with warnings to travellers with health problems to avoid trips if possible. https://www.thelocal.de/20260623/why-the-extreme-heat-is-wreaking-havoc-on-europes-trains Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:47:44 +0200 why-the-extreme-heat-is-wreaking-havoc-on-europes-trains The UK voted to leave the European Union 10 years ago. We want to hear how it's affected your life in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20260623/tell-us-10-years-on-how-has-brexit-affected-your-life-in-germany Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:28:59 +0200 tell-us-10-years-on-how-has-brexit-affected-your-life-in-germany The European Union is moving closer to creating a digital euro as an alternative payment system for Europeans. But why are lawmakers so keen to create a virtual currency and how would it work for EU residents? https://www.thelocal.de/20260623/europeans-are-fully-awake-why-the-eu-is-pushing-for-a-new-digital-euro Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:28:04 +0200 europeans-are-fully-awake-why-the-eu-is-pushing-for-a-new-digital-euro The leaders of Europe's top military powers will meet this week in Berlin to discuss the Ukraine conflict and an upcoming NATO summit, the German government said. https://www.thelocal.de/20260622/european-leaders-to-meet-in-berlin-for-ukraine-talks-on-wednesday Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:08:40 +0200 european-leaders-to-meet-in-berlin-for-ukraine-talks-on-wednesday Crossing Europe by rail on a budget? A massive new direct train links Frankfurt Airport to Leipzig, Dresden and even extends as far as the Poland-Ukraine border, while promising affordable prices. https://www.thelocal.de/20260622/germanys-newest-long-distance-train-connects-frankfurt-to-eastern-europe Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:45:17 +0200 germanys-newest-long-distance-train-connects-frankfurt-to-eastern-europe Ordering parcels online from non-European Union countries will cost you a little more in future as a new EU customs duty comes into force on July 1st. https://www.thelocal.de/20251216/why-the-eu-will-slap-a-e3-customs-duty-on-small-parcels-in-2026 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:56:44 +0100 why-the-eu-will-slap-a-e3-customs-duty-on-small-parcels-in-2026 Sweltering heat and sudden storms are set to define the week ahead in Germany, with temperatures climbing further and more storms to come after a turbulent weekend. https://www.thelocal.de/20260622/when-will-germany-see-the-end-of-the-extreme-heat Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:50:45 +0200 when-will-germany-see-the-end-of-the-extreme-heat Organisers on Sunday suspended the final of the Berlin Open tennis tournament and have cleared everyone out of the event location due to "severe weather conditions". https://www.thelocal.de/20260621/berlin-open-final-suspended-due-to-severe-weather Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:39:56 +0200 berlin-open-final-suspended-due-to-severe-weather A collision between two goods trains in Germany killed a railway worker involved in overnight shunting operations, the Munich fire brigade said on Saturday. https://www.thelocal.de/20260620/rail-worker-killed-in-german-freight-train-collision Sat, 20 Jun 2026 16:27:23 +0200 rail-worker-killed-in-german-freight-train-collision German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann, who went missing in Syria in January and was later confirmed to be detained there, returned to Germany on Friday, her lawyer told AFP. https://www.thelocal.de/20260620/german-journalist-held-in-syria-back-home-lawyer-says Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:43:15 +0200 german-journalist-held-in-syria-back-home-lawyer-says The UN rights chief said on Saturday he deeply regretted the European Union's new migration rules, which allow much broader detention powers and the creation of deportation centres outside the bloc. https://www.thelocal.de/20260620/un-rights-chief-troubled-by-new-eu-migrant-return-rules Sat, 20 Jun 2026 13:42:14 +0200 un-rights-chief-troubled-by-new-eu-migrant-return-rules A decade after the Brexit referendum, the UK is experiencing a form of "divorce regret" with surveys showing most Britons now believe leaving the European Union was a mistake. https://www.thelocal.de/20260620/would-the-eu-take-britain-back Sat, 20 Jun 2026 11:07:06 +0200 would-the-eu-take-britain-back A German court on Friday handed a three-year jail term to a man who published online "death sentences" with calls to kill politicians, said to include former chancellors Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz. https://www.thelocal.de/20260620/german-court-jails-man-over-online-death-lists-of-politicians Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:27:25 +0200 german-court-jails-man-over-online-death-lists-of-politicians Whether you're supporting your home team, Deutschland or you're simply along for the ride, here's how you can catch the action from the 2026 football World Cup from Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20260602/how-to-watch-the-2026-mens-football-world-cup-from-germany Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:52:53 +0200 how-to-watch-the-2026-mens-football-world-cup-from-germany Much of Western Europe was baking in a gruelling heatwave on Friday with the mercury expected to continue rising in the coming days, shattering temperature records. https://www.thelocal.de/20260619/europe-swelters-in-new-heatwave-with-temperatures-set-to-rise-further Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:55:05 +0200 europe-swelters-in-new-heatwave-with-temperatures-set-to-rise-further From award-winning spaces to immersive history, the European Museum of the Year Awards have thrown a welcome spotlight on some brilliant museums in Germany – and just beyond. https://www.thelocal.de/20260619/germanys-most-innovative-museums-in-2026 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:49:34 +0200 germanys-most-innovative-museums-in-2026 The United States on Thursday started an investigation into Germany over its pharmaceutical pricing policies and other practices, in a move that could lead to fresh tariffs. https://www.thelocal.de/20260619/us-launches-trade-probe-on-germany-over-pharma-pricing Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:44:36 +0200 us-launches-trade-probe-on-germany-over-pharma-pricing