Drought, medals, eclipse glasses, and heat (Wednesday, August 12)

The drought in the Netherlands is very severe, says Rijkswaterstaat (the Dutch Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management). There is 615 cubic meters per second less water flowing through the Rhine than ever before. The Meuse, the groundwater, and the IJsselmeer lake are also low, and this can last until December.

Nadine Visser won European Championship gold in the 100-meter hurdles in Birmingham. The 31-year-old Dutch athlete ran 12.67 seconds and won after a photo finish. In Paris, Marrit Steenbergen won European Championship gold in the 100-meter freestyle in 51.90 seconds.

Many people are still looking for eclipse glasses, one day before the partial solar eclipse. The glasses are often sold out at stores, drugstores, opticians, and webshops. Where glasses are still available, queues sometimes form, and prices are high on Marktplaats (a Dutch online marketplace).

Starting next month, Spotify will indicate whether an artist was created with AI (artificial intelligence). Those profiles will receive the label AI Personas. Music from these artists will no longer appear in personalized recommendations.

Because of the heat, orientation weeks are taking measures for new students. This week, such weeks are taking place in Groningen, Leiden, and Utrecht. The National Heat Plan applies on Wednesday in four provinces and on Thursday throughout the Netherlands.