Water and geopolitics: New challenges ahead

As German cities heat up, the federal government has announced plans to increase the number of public drinking fountains to help ease the impact of the changing climate. The plan also has other environmental benefits.

Climate change threatens to dry up the planet and the global water crisis sees the competition for water becoming ever more fierce. Conflicts over the scarce commodity are increasing everywhere. Even in Germany.

It might look plausible; a "how-to" video with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen showing how to wash your hands without wasting water. But it has been misappropriated - edited and taken out of its context. We explain how.

Water has started receding in parts of Pakistan after the worst monsoon floods in history. But now, a second disaster is looming with cases of water-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever rising, as stagnant waters have become breeding grounds for mosquitos. We take a closer look.

Over 1 million Somalis have been displaced by a devastating drought that has destroyed livelihoods in the Horn of Africa leaving families hungry. Affected Somalis are struggling to cope with the impact of conflict, climate shocks and a rise in global food prices as experts warn of an impending famine.

Pakistan is dealing with its worst climate disaster on record. UN figures estimate some 1,700 people have lost their lives. Millions remain displaced. In the Sindh province, most villages are either still underwater, or surrounded by stagnant, dirty water leading to a spike in waterborne diseases.

The region's worst drought in decades has left residents of the Toliara region in dire need of food and water. The region in the southern part of the island is bracing for difficult times due to anticipated low rainfall.

Starting on November 6, Egypt will host the COP27 climate change conference. Nearly 100 heads of state are expected in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Egypt itself has been experiencing first-hand the effects of climate change, as a lack of water threatens agriculture. The waters of the Nile, a symbol of prosperity in Egypt since ancient times, are no longer enough to support the needs of a growing population. Our correspondents Edouard Dropsy, Justine Babin and Matthew Thompson report.

The health of millions of people in Lebanon — especially children — is at risk because of a limited supply of safe water, Unicef has warned. The water crisis, which is largely because of a severe lack of electricity, is also affecting hospitals, health centres and schools.

A Swiss company has built what is being called a giant water battery deep under the Alps that provides energy storage capacity equivalent to 400,000 electric car batteries. It could be a game-changer.

Police said parts of the building, which also contains a hotel, cafes and a chocolate store, were damaged as 1 million liters (264,000 gallons) of water poured from the aquarium shortly before 6 a.m. (0500 GMT). Berlin's fire service said two people were slightly injured.

Europe is facing its worst drought in at least 500 years, with two-thirds of the continent in a state of alert or warning, reducing inland shipping, electricity production and the yields of certain crops, a European Union agency said on Tuesday.