FILE - Snow covers the Schneeferner glacier near the top of Germany's highest mountain 'Zugspitze' (2962 meters) near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. A man has died after being hit by lightning near the summit of Germany's highest peak, police said Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

Man dies after being struck by lightning on Germany’s highest peak

A man died after being struck by lightning near the summit of Germany’s highest peak, police said Monday.

Music and laughter coming to the KMC this weekend
A bird eye’s view of the hills and valley below Lichtenberg Castle – also known as Kusel Castle – can be seen from the top of a watch tower on the castle grounds. The castle ruins, which dates back more than 800 years, is one of the largest castle complexes in Germany. It’s located about 30 minutes from Ramstein Air Base in the village of Thallichtenberg in Kusel county, Germany.

Music, medieval days and more: Here’s what’s happening this weekend in the KMC
A swimmer cools off with a dip in the Bärenloch in Kindsbach, Germany, on a warm May day. The spring-fed lake is a popular Pfalz swimming spot surrounded by woods with hiking trails.

Swimming hole near Ramstein is a haven for humans and frogs this time of year

Surrounded by the Palatinate Forest, Bärenloch in Kindsbach is a popular spot for sunbathers, swimmers and tadpoles.

Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Venice launches experiment to charge day-trippers an access fee in bid to combat over-tourism

Visitors arriving at Venice’s main train station were greeted with large signs listing the 29 dates through July of the plan’s test phase, as well as new entrances separating tourists from residents, students and workers.

Kaiserslautern closes ice rink for the season
A Classic Babe's bubble tea and children's chocolate milk with boba pearls at Babe's Boba Tea in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

For a trendy treat, try Babe’s Boba Tea in Kaiserslautern 

Curiosity and a sweet teeth are two good reasons to sample one of the bubble tea shops that keep popping up downtown.

Marine Pfc. Nathaniel Laprade speaks to commanding officer Lt. Col. Christopher Kearny at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., on Aug. 25, 2023. At 4-foot-7, Laprade could be the shortest member of the Marine Corps in its history.

From heroism to history, here are the most-read Stars and Stripes stories of 2023

A missing soldier, a reenlisting country singer and stories about US military history in the Pacific were topics that caught the attention of Stars and Stripes readers in 2023.

Former airfield buildings are seen in the background at Alter Flugplatz in Frankfurt on Dec. 18, 2023.

Former US airfield in Germany is gateway to wilderness and military history

At former Maurice Rose Army Airfield in Frankfurt, nature has replaced Army helicopters, and the preserved runway is a haven for cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts.  

The farmer’s omelet at the 9 to 5 Cafe in Kaiserslautern comes with potatoes and tomato.

New Kaiserslautern cafe offers comfortable vibe and break from sausage and carb overload

New 9 to 5 Cafe offers modern brunch food and a comfortable place to linger over coffee.