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Here’s your quick update on what’s happening around the city on Saturday, September 27 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 100+ articles, posts and events so you don't have to.

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🇩🇪 Berlin initiative wants to socialize 220,000 apartments with referendum

Berlin’s “Deutsche Wohnen & Co. Enteignen” initiative unveiled a draft law to transfer up to 220,000 apartments from large private landlords into public ownership, with compensation of €8B–€18B set below market value and financed over 100 years.

Voters backed socializing big landlords in a 2021 Berlin referendum, and the city’s coalition pledged enabling legislation. The proposal targets firms with over 3,000 units, exempts public, nonprofit, religious, and cooperative owners, and bases payouts on building replacement costs while excluding land-value gains.

A new binding referendum on the draft is likely no earlier than 2027; watch whether Berlin’s government advances its own bill and how major landlords respond to potential socialization and planned rent increases. (rbb24, 2 minute read)

🇩🇪 Tens of thousands expected at Gaza demonstration in Berlin on Saturday

Berlin expects tens of thousands to join a pro-Palestinian “All Eyes on Gaza” demonstration Saturday at the Großer Stern, with organizers targeting more than 50,000 participants; authorities will impose central road closures starting Friday.

Backed by 50 organizations, the protest opposes the Gaza war and calls for stopping German arms deliveries to Israel. Organizers moved the rally from the Reichstag to the Victory Column and aim to exceed Berlin’s previous largest pro-Palestinian turnout.

A march begins 2:30 pm from Alexanderplatz to the Großer Stern, followed by a 5-9 pm rally; artists are slated to perform. Expect significant traffic restrictions along the route and around the Victory Column through Saturday night and early Sunday. (rbb24, 2 minute read)

🇩🇪 Cases of sabotage at Deutsche Bahn - who is behind it?

Germany is facing near-daily sabotage of railway infrastructure, causing closures and delays, with investigators probing suspects ranging from Russian-directed “low-level agents” to left-wing extremists.

Security services cite increased Russian activity and the use of paid “low-level agents,” while some attacks have claimed left-wing motives. The EU is tightening rules to protect critical infrastructure, and German officials urge closer federal-state coordination and greater public reporting.

Investigators will pursue leads across ideological and foreign-influence angles, with three suspects facing trial in Munich over alleged Russia-linked sabotage plans; expect heightened rail security and more public updates as authorities refine attribution. (tagesschau.de, 3 minute read)

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💬 Fun Fact: Berlin’s unofficial slogan is “Poor, but sexy.” The city’s former mayor Klaus Wowereit joked in 2003, “Berlin ist arm, aber sexy,” capturing how Berlin, despite budget woes, has a magnetic appeal for creative people worldwide.

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