☀️ Guten Morgen, Berlin!
High: 4.4°C | Low: -1.8°C
Chance of Rain: 45%
Sunrise: 8:17 AM | Sunset: 3:59 PM
Here’s your quick update on what’s happening around the city on Monday, December 29 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 191 sources so you don't have to.
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🧊 Black Ice Causes Chaos in Berlin and Brandenburg
Berlin and Brandenburg faced dangerous road conditions this weekend as freezing rain turned into "black ice." Police in the capital reported 565 traffic accidents between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, a significant jump from the usual 152 reports. (rbb24)
"Black ice" is a thin, transparent glaze that forms when liquid rain falls on surfaces that are below freezing. Because this ice layer is highly transparent, it allows the dark color of the pavement to show through, making it nearly invisible and extremely hazardous to drivers and pedestrians compared to white ice. (Wikipedia)
Transport and infrastructure were also heavily impacted by the weather. In Potsdam, city bus traffic was completely suspended on Saturday morning due to road risks, while Berlin saw a severe 12-car pileup on Märkische Allee. Operations at BER airport faced minor delays as pilots opted for pre-flight de-icing procedures to ensure safety. (Berliner Morgenpost)
🕷️ Berlin Hits Record High for Lyme Disease Cases
Berlin registered 1,406 Lyme disease infections by mid-December, setting a new record since mandatory laboratory reporting began in 2013. This figure significantly exceeds the typical annual range of 700 to 800 cases observed in previous years. (WELT)
Favorable weather conditions played a role in this. The capital experienced a particularly wet summer with 185 liters of precipitation per square meter, creating the damp environment that ticks prefer. Furthermore, shorter, milder winters are failing to regulate populations naturally, allowing more parasites to survive and begin seeking hosts earlier in the year. (rbb24)
While only about 20 percent of ticks in Germany carry the bacteria, the consequences of infection can be serious. Unchecked cases may lead to chronic fatigue, memory impairment, and neurological deficits. Experts advise wearing long clothing and performing thorough body checks after visiting forests, gardens, or parks to prevent transmission. (Berliner Morgenpost)
🏘️ Subsidized Housing for Apprentices
Berlin Senator Cansel Kiziltepe announced a new "Azubi-Wohnen" project starting in summer 2026 to help apprentices find affordable housing. The initiative will initially offer 150 spots in small apartments or shared flats (WGs). The goal is to eventually expand the program and add counseling services for young trainees. (Berliner Zeitung)
Rents will be subsidized to approximately €350 per month, significantly lower than the typical market rate of €600 or more. The cost difference will be covered by companies purchasing occupancy rights, the Senate for state employees, or a hardship fund for those with limited financial means. (Ntv)
This initiative addresses a critical barrier to entry for the labor market, as high rents prevent many young people from accepting training positions. With businesses desperate for skilled workers, ensuring apprentices can afford to live in the city is essential for maintaining Berlin's attractiveness as a training hub. (Berliner Morgenpost)
⚡ Quick Hits
🇩🇪 24 projects that will make Berlin better in the coming year | The article highlights 24 Berlin projects planned for 2026, from faster rail links to new trams and autonomous BVG tests.
🇩🇪 AI in medicine: how it saves Charité doctors time, saves lives and promotes prevention | Charité doctors are testing AI that transcribe visits, cutting documentation that can take 30% to 50% of work time. Researchers also use AI to flag ICU complications and collect prevention data via sensors (including in a BMW).
🇩🇪 New Year's Eve party and big demo in Berlin: these are the closures in Mitte | Two rival New Year’s Eve events will close major roads in Mitte and Tiergarten for days. The closures start Dec. 29. Tens of thousands are expected. BVG runs all night, but Brandenburger Tor station closes from 4pm.
🇩🇪 43 subsidized apartments: City and state plan new building on Sonnenallee in Neukölln | Stadt und Land, Berlin’s state-owned housing company, plans 43 subsidized flats and a 200-square-meter ground-floor commercial space on Sonnenallee. Construction should start in early 2026 and finish by 2027.
🇩🇪 New year, new rules: What's changing in 2026 | Families get slightly higher benefits, and workers get a €13.90 minimum wage. Welfare rules tighten for 5.5 million recipients. Consumers gain repair and warranty rights. Commuting and fuel costs rise.
📅 Events Today
🎟️ Final Countdown: Food Rescue with Berliner Tafel | December 29 | 17:00 - 21:00 | Free | Volunteers sort rescued fruit and vegetables for redistribution to social institutions. The evening combines efficient charity work with upbeat music and a festive atmosphere.
🎟️ This weekend: Swingin' Easy Jazz Jam | January 04 | 16:00 - 18:30 | Free | Live musicians lead an easy-going jazz concert and open jam session. Bring friends for relaxed drinks and coffee and enjoy spontaneous solos.
🎟️ This weekend: Alice's Wonderland: An Immersive Tribute to Lewis Carroll | January 04 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 6.00 € - 12.00 € | Enter a 360° digital retelling of Lewis Carroll's tale. International artists use projections and surround sound to create a surreal, half-hour dreamscape.
📊 Chart of the Day
Avoid a €50,000 fine this Silvester by using our interactive map here to see every restricted street in Berlin.
🤔 Word of the Day: Treppenwitz | Literal: Staircase joke | Meaning: The witty comeback you think of when it's already too late (i.e., on your way out, on the staircase). | Example: Gestern Abend fiel mir der perfekte Konter erst auf dem Heimweg ein – ein klassischer Treppenwitz. (Last night, the perfect comeback only occurred to me on the way home – a classic staircase joke.)
👋 That's a wrap! Thank you for reading.
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