Monday's top story: June surge in drowning deaths prompt calls for more swimming lessons
A sharp rise in drowning deaths during June has prompted calls for stronger prevention measures, including expanded swimming lessons and improved safety at popular bathing spots across Germany.
According to the German Life Saving Association (DLRG), at least 99 people drowned in June, the highest monthly total since the heatwave summer of 2003. More than 90 percent of the victims were male, with most deaths occurring in lakes and rivers.
The DLRG said many accidents were linked to risk-taking behaviour, with men particularly likely to underestimate dangers such as currents, cold-water shock and their own physical limits. Alcohol and drug use also played a role in some cases.
Other contributing factors included poor swimming ability, overconfidence and medical emergencies.
The figures have sparked political calls for action. Green Party politicians want drowning prevention incorporated into local heatwave strategies, including more lifeguards and better warning signs.
The Left Party called for increased funding for swimming pools, safe bathing areas and free swimming lessons for children, while SPD representatives stressed the importance of expanding access to professional swimming instruction.
The DLRG urged swimmers to use supervised bathing areas, avoid alcohol before entering the water and ensure children are constantly supervised. The organisation also warned against overestimating swimming ability, particularly during periods of extreme summer heat.
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New CDU candidate for Berlin mayor calls for spending cuts and budget discipline
Stefan Evers, the CDU’s proposed lead candidate for Berlin’s state election, has called for a tougher approach to public finances, arguing that the capital can no longer afford to spend more than it generates.
The intervention comes ahead of the Berlin state election on September 20th. The current Finance Senator is set to take over as the CDU’s lead candidate after Governing Mayor Kai Wegner withdrew from the race following criticism of his handling of a major power outage earlier this year.
Speaking ahead of his expected nomination, Evers said Berlin must focus investment on areas where there is a clear need while reducing spending elsewhere. He acknowledged that “painful steps” towards fiscal consolidation had already been taken but said further savings and clearer priorities would be required.
Evers suggested that Berlin should reconsider costly regulations, including some building and data protection rules, and questioned policies that provide free school meals to high-income families.
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He also argued that welfare recipients who are able to work should contribute to the community, for example by helping to keep the city clean.
On housing policy, Evers welcomed federal plans to ban the socialisation of private housing companies, saying the debate had damaged Berlin and worsened the housing crisis. Instead, he argued, funds should be directed towards building new homes and infrastructure.
Germany probes suspected rail sabotage
German police are investigating a new suspected act of sabotage on a major railway line which disrupted traffic and has been claimed by a far-left group.
On Friday morning, technicians noticed a fire in a cable duct near a station in Leverkusen, a city close to Cologne, the police said in a statement published on Saturday afternoon.
The material damage led to disruptions to Deutsche Bahn (DB) traffic on this heavily used route in North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous region in the country.
"Investigators currently assume that the fire was started deliberately," the police added, as they appealed for witnesses.
In a letter published Saturday morning on the far-left online platform Indymedia, a group calling itself "Kommando Angry Birds" said it was "responsible for the sabotage of the railway line north of Leverkusen."
The same group has made similar claims in the past.
Already strained after decades of underinvestment, Germany’s rail network has seen acts of sabotage against it multiply in recent months, the vast majority of which remain unsolved.
Germany is on alert over attempted sabotage, disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks attributed in particular to Russia.
Klopp reaches 'understanding' to take over as Germany coach
The German Football Federation (DFB) announced that it was close to an agreement with Jurgen Klopp for him to become the new Germany coach.
However, before the 59-year-old makes his return to the touchline, the DFB said it still needed to secure the approval of his current employer, the Red Bull Group.
"DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke held an initial in-depth discussion with Jurgen Klopp in New York on Friday regarding his potential appointment as national team coach," the DFB stated in a press release.
"During this constructive discussion, an understanding was reached on the key points of a potential contract.
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"Discussions will continue next week. Both parties are confident that the negotiations -– subject to an agreement with Klopp's current employer, Red Bull –- can ultimately be brought to a successful conclusion," the statement continued.
Klopp has been the DFB's preferred candidate to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned following Germany's round-of-32 World Cup exit after losing on penalties to Paraguay.
World cup round up
The final two quarter-final matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place on Saturday night and Sunday morning, deciding the last spots in the semi-finals.
In the first match, England progressed to the next round after defeating Norway 2-1 after extra time in Miami, thanks to a decisive brace from Jude Bellingham.
Later that evening in Kansas City, the defending champions Argentina also secured their progression with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland after extra time, with late goals from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez after the Swiss were reduced to ten men.
The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday at 9pm (France vs Spain) and Wednesday at 9pm (England vs Argentina). This marks the first time the top-four seeded teams have all made it to the final four of a football World cup.
With reporting by AFP.
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