Here’s your quick update on what’s happening around the city on Monday, February 02 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 201 sources so you don't have to.

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🛑 Verdi Public Transport Strike

Commuters would face significant disruptions on Monday as the trade union Verdi launches a 24-hour warning strike starting at 3:00 a.m. The action halts most BVG subways and buses, though Deutsche Bahn's S-Bahn and regional trains remain unaffected. While passengers are barred from boarding, the BVG will operate empty trams to prevent overhead lines from freezing. (rbb24)

This unusual measure of running "ghost trams" follows a recent service collapse caused by ice rain, which froze power lines for days. To mitigate chaos, the S-Bahn is increasing S1 line frequency to five-minute intervals, though construction at Schöneweide still requires bus replacements. Traffic officials advise using car-sharing or working from home to avoid expected gridlock. (Spiegel)

Verdi is escalating pressure ahead of Tuesday's negotiations, demanding improved working conditions rather than just higher wages. Specific requests include a 35-hour work week, 33 days of vacation, and minimum rest periods of 11 hours between shifts to relieve overburdened staff. These talks focus on the framework collective agreement, following a previous deal that secured a 20% pay rise. (Tagesspiegel)

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❄️ Free Gravel and Targeted Support

Berlin’s municipal waste management and street cleaning provider (Berliner Stadtreinigung or BSR) has committed to supporting district authorities by supplying gravel and equipment to clear ice from public spaces. Under a new agreement with the senate, BSR teams will specifically target high-priority areas including schools, medical facilities, supermarkets, and access routes to public transit stops. This coordinated effort aims to mitigate dangerous conditions on city streets following a severe onset of winter weather. (Berliner Zeitung)

To assist residents amid a retail shortage of de-icing materials, the agency is distributing free gravel at three depots in Wilmersdorf, Friedrichshain, and Neukölln. BSR allocated approximately 100 tons of material for this initiative, allowing individuals to collect up to 10 liters for personal use. Officials emphasized that while road salt is now legally permitted, mechanical removal remains the preferred method due to significant environmental concerns. (Berliner Morgenpost)

Despite increased support, the agency rejected proposals to fully manage winter service for all Berlin sidewalks, citing insufficient personnel and financial resources. A spokesperson noted that the city's pedestrian pathways cover nearly 12,000 kilometers (roughly the distance from Berlin to New York and back). Further coordination meetings are scheduled for Monday to assess the ongoing effectiveness of these joint safety measures. (Ntv)

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🧂 Berlin Approves Sidewalk Salt

Berlin Transport Senator Ute Bonde issued an emergency decree allowing the use of previously banned de-icing agents like salt on sidewalks to combat dangerous ice. The decision follows intense political pressure and widespread injuries, with critics calling the delayed response a near scandal. Mayor Kai Wegner directed the move to prioritize safety, despite legal uncertainties surrounding the environmental reversal. (Berliner Morgenpost)

Under local laws, property owners hold the primary responsibility for clearing public sidewalks bordering their buildings, though compliance has been inconsistent. The Berlin city cleaning service clarified it will not apply salt to footpaths itself, citing limited supplies reserved for major infrastructure. Conservation groups like NABU strongly criticized the blanket approval, warning of severe long-term damage to urban trees and groundwater. (Tagesspiegel)

Victims of falls on icy pavements may claim significant compensation, with payments for serious injuries like fractures reaching €12,000. Liability typically falls on property owners or the district if they neglected their clearing duties. To succeed in court, injured parties must urgently document the incident with photographs and medical reports to prove a breach of duty and avoid claims of contributory negligence. (B.Z. – Die Stimme Berlins)

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⚡ Quick Hits

🇩🇪 Hospitals in Berlin: Authorities warn of espionage and sabotage | Berlin facilities report recent drone overflights, arson, and ransomware attacks. A safety study estimates nationwide security upgrades will cost 2.7 billion euros. Stricter access controls and digital ID checks at hospital entrances might be coming.

🇩🇪 Down to minus 14 degrees: Severe frost in Berlin and Brandenburg | Monday morning will feel like -17 degrees in Berlin due to wind chill. The cold will persist until Friday. Air quality may drop as winds carry coal smoke from Poland.

🇩🇪 Berlin's gigantic waste problem | Inspectors are checking trash for personal data to enforce strict new penalties. Fines reach €3,000 for cigarette butts and €11,000 for illegal dumping. Recycling centers accept three cubic meters of waste for free.

🇩🇪 Tips for combating the Berlin winter blues | Prioritize exposure to morning daylight and outdoor movement to regulate sleep hormones. Short walks effectively combat low energy. Balance the body's natural need for rest with active social hobbies or cultural events.

🇩🇪 Eight-hour day coming to an end | The government plans to replace daily work limits with a weekly maximum. This targets the tourism, hospitality, and nursing sectors. The proposal includes tax breaks for overtime hours.

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📅 Events Today

🎟️ Christian Löffler Live at Philharmonie Berlin | February 02 | 19:00 - 23:00 | 54.90€ | Experience a seamless fusion where electronic beats meet classical composition. A joint piano quartet bridges the gap between club culture and orchestral art.

🎟️ Dr. Schlaugust: The Entertaining Pub Quiz | February 02 | 19:30 - 22:30 | 4.00€ | Gather your smartest friends for an entertaining trivia night prioritizing fun over fierce competition.

🎟️ The Vagina Monologues | February 12th & 13th | 19:00 - 20:30 | €25 | V Ensler's award-winning play comes to Berlin. An evening of powerful, funny, and deeply moving stories celebrating women's bodies and experiences. Proceeds support young survivors of sexual violence. (Partner event)

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💬 What Berliners Are Talking About

🗣️ Weder Google noch BVG App geben gute Weg Vorschläge | Berliners trade horror stories and app tips after navigation tools give absurd routes.

🗣️ Tuesday Weekly Meetup (February 3rd) | Casual Berlin bar meetup invites newcomers for friendly, English-speaking socializing and connection.

🗣️ Looking for someone to hike with | Solo hiker seeks a long-term weekend trail buddy, sparking friendly interest.

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📊 Chart of the Day

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👋 That's a wrap! Thank you for reading.

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