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Here’s your quick update on what’s happening around the city on Friday, January 23 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 181 sources so you don't have to.
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🚲 Nextbike Ordered to Remove 6,500 Bikes From Berlin
Berlin’s Higher Administrative Court ruled that Nextbike must immediately remove its 6,500 rental bikes from city streets. The decision follows a legal dispute after the company failed to obtain a required special use permit. Nextbike continued operating privately after its public contract expired last summer, a move the court declared unauthorized (The Berliner)
This conflict began in June 2025 when Berlin ended its subsidized agreement with Nextbike due to budget cuts. The company transitioned to a private business model but neglected to apply for mandatory commercial road-use permits, leading the Senate to order the fleet's immediate removal to clear public space (rbb24)
Nextbike announced it will comply with the ruling by formally requesting the permits while reducing its fleet to 5,500 bikes. The provider aims to maintain service without interruption, arguing that cycling offers higher social value than other micro-mobility options and remains essential for Berlin’s climate goals (Tagesspiegel)
🕵️♀️ Suspected Russian Spy Arrested in Berlin
German authorities arrested a dual German-Ukrainian national, Ilona W., in Berlin for allegedly spying for Russia’s military intelligence service. Since late 2023, she reportedly gathered sensitive data on drone testing, arms manufacturing locations, and military deliveries destined for Ukraine. Prosecutors claim she used her political network to provide Russian officials with access to high-level events under false identities. (DW)
Investigators also targeted two former Bundeswehr officials, including a recently retired staff officer and a former technical director. The men are suspected of disclosing official information about military equipment and aircraft to the intermediary. While the suspects remain free, police searched properties across three states to determine if they knowingly assisted a foreign intelligence operation. (Tagesspiegel)
In response, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expelled a Russian diplomat identified as the woman’s handler. The government summoned the Russian ambassador to formally declare the official unwelcome and condemn the espionage as a hostile act. Officials emphasized that Germany will not tolerate intelligence activities being conducted under the protection of a diplomatic mission. (ZDFheute)
🚗 Reported 1,700 Job Cuts at Tesla
Reports indicate Tesla’s workforce at its Gruenheide gigafactory has shrunk by roughly 1,700 employees, a 14% decline since 2024. Business daily Handelsblatt cited internal documents for upcoming works council elections, which show the current headcount at 10,703 workers. This sharp drop contradicts previous suggestions that the European site’s staffing remained stable. (Reuters)
Tesla has officially denied the report, stating it has no plans to curb production or reduce staff. The company maintains that the number of permanent employees has not significantly changed since 2024. Management attributed the decrease to "completely normal" personnel fluctuations and a reduced need for temporary workers following the initial factory ramp-up. (US News)
Industry analysts suggest the discrepancy points to a "quiet downsizing" caused by stagnant European demand and overcapacity. While Tesla insists the plant's outlook is stable, critics argue the company may be letting temporary contracts expire to avoid formal layoff notifications. The site currently faces pressure from increased competition and potential labor union disputes. (Electrek)
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⚡ Quick Hits
🇩🇪 Just under 600 euros rent for eight square meters | Neukölln district is banning predatory short-term mini-room rentals to protect local housing and establish a vital citywide legal precedent.
🇬🇧 11 tips for cosy hours by the fireside | The guide maps 11 fireside escapes across Berlin, from spas and hotel lounges to lakeside inns. It also suggests winter extras like curling, mulled wine cruises, and fondue.
🇩🇪 2022 BVG withdraws 90 electric buses from service due to defects | Routine checks found frame cracks, so BVG has pulled almost all 90 Ebusco battery buses delivered in 2022. The outage hits about 30% of its e-bus fleet. The manufacturer faces financial strain.
🇩🇪 Farmers' protest in Brandenburg: highway around Berlin are blocked | Drivers around Berlin should expect long delays on the A10 on Friday. Tractors plan to block at least seven on-ramps from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Police allow it as a registered assembly.
🇩🇪 Persistent frost and new snow over the weekend | The German Weather Service has issued a level 1 warning for Berlin and Brandenburg. Temperatures will stay below freezing through Friday. Light snow or flurries could return Saturday and Sunday.
📅 Events Today
🎟️ International Green Week Berlin | January 16 - 25, 2026 | €11 - €18 | Taste your way through global kitchens, wander blooming indoor gardens, and meet very photogenic cows. Explore urban gardening ideas, cosplay chaos, live cooking shows, and jazz. This is Berlin’s countryside-meets-city festival.
🎟️ Days of Dance Berlin | January 08 - 24, 2026 | €10 - €15 | Emerging choreographers hijack contemporary dance and push it into wild territory. Political analysis meets pop, visual art and performance. Discover sharp new voices before they hit the big institutional stages.
🎟️ ORIGINS: An Immersive Journey to the Origin of Life | January 23 | 10:00 - 20:00 | 17.00 € - 22.00 € | Witness the birth of the universe through a mesmerizing fusion of science and digital art. This immersive showcase utilizes AI and macro photography to visualize evolution, complete with a VR experience (narrated by David Attenborough).
Hosting a workshop or meetup? Click here to feature your event.
🦨 Word of the Day: Stinktier | Literal: Stink animal | Meaning: A skunk. | Example: Sei vorsichtig, ein Stinktier kann sehr schlecht riechen. (Be careful, a stink animal can smell very bad.)
👋 That's a wrap! Thank you for reading.
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