Here’s your quick update on Friday, February 06 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 210 sources so you don't have to.

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🧊 Freezing Rain Halts Departures at Berlin Airport

Departures at Berlin Brandenburg Airport came to a complete standstill on Thursday morning after rapidly freezing rain rendered aircraft de-icing operations impossible. While incoming flights continued to land safely, ground crews could not treat outgoing planes until conditions improved late in the morning. Officials have warned passengers to anticipate massive delays and ongoing flight cancellations. (The Berliner)

The thick ice layer required a labor-intensive two-step treatment, extending the necessary de-icing time per jet to 60 minutes—double the usual duration. By midday, airlines had canceled 35 of the 180 scheduled take-offs, while Berlin's public transport authority suspended the U2 and U3 subway lines on above-ground sections due to dangerous ice formation. (DIE ZEIT)

This weather follows Berlin's coldest January in 16 years, with temperatures averaging nearly three degrees below modern norms. Meteorologists recorded 29 frost days last month compared to the typical 18, leaving the ground deeply frozen. Consequently, falling rain turns into dangerous black ice instantly upon contact with the cold surface. (Tagesspiegel)

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📦 Germany Orders Amazon to Repay €59 Million

Germany's competition authority fined Amazon €59 million after determining the company's pricing rules for third-party vendors violated antitrust laws. Officials stated that Amazon used algorithms to influence seller pricing and enforce caps, which constitutes an abuse of its dominant market position. The company must now repay profits gained from these specific practices. (politico.eu)

Regulators found that Amazon penalizes listings with higher prices by removing them from prominent display areas like the "Buy Box" section. This reduced visibility can cause significant sales losses for third-party merchants who account for 60% of items sold on the platform. The agency argued these tactics force sellers to lower rates against their will. (Engadget)

This marks the first time German enforcers have utilized new regulations from 2023 to seek financial damages directly for pricing conduct. While Amazon argues the order compels them to display uncompetitive offers to shoppers, authorities aim to preserve merchant autonomy. The outcome could reshape how digital marketplaces balance competitive pricing with antitrust compliance across Europe. (StockInvest.us)

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🤝 Merz Tours Gulf for Energy and Defense Deals

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz kicked off a three-day tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates Wednesday to forge stronger energy and defense alliances. Meeting with leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Merz pledged a "less restrictive" approach to arms exports while seeking increased liquefied natural gas imports to diversify supply chains. (Reuters)

Europe’s largest economy is pivoting away from reliance on American energy amid trade uncertainty under US President Donald Trump. Berlin currently imports about 30% of its LNG from the US, but Merz aims to expand Qatari shipments beyond the current 2 million tons annually. Qatar is already a major stakeholder in German giants like Volkswagen. (DW.com)

This marks a return to "hard power" politics as Berlin seeks to offset shrinking Russian energy supplies and unpredictable US ties. Merz openly stated that while Gulf nations may not share German values, they are essential for preserving global order, signaling a willingness to overlook human rights concerns to secure defense deals and energy access. (E&E News by POLITICO)

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⚡ Quick Hits

🇩🇪 Elderly man dies after falling through Halensee ice | The accident occurred at noon on Thursday at Halensee in Berlin-Grunewald. One helper also suffered minor injuries during the rescue. The fire department explicitly warns that stepping on ice surfaces is currently life-threatening.

🇬🇧 Salt war heats up in ice-glazed Berlin | A court ruled Wednesday that residents and businesses cannot use salt on icy sidewalks. You must rely on gravel or sand instead. Hospitals report a spike in injuries due to the slippery conditions.

🇬🇧 Germany's New Rules for Streaming Platforms and Local Investment | Platforms like Netflix must reinvest at least 8% of German revenue into local productions. The cabinet expects to pass this law by early April. Government funding will also rise to €250 million.

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📅 Events Today

🎟️ Berlin Independent Film Festival | February 05 - 08, 2026 | €11,82 | Indie filmmakers take over the big screen with tiny budgets and huge ideas. Fresh features, docs and genre gems share space with workshops and networking.

🎟️ The Early Days: Throwback Indie Party | February 06 | 23:59 | 13.90€ | This night brings back the golden era of indie music with a playlist of guitar-heavy anthems. Expect a dance floor filled with old hits.

🎟️ Camera-Ready Confidence Workshop | February 15, 2026 | €40 | Stop feeling awkward on camera. Join photographer Natasha Teague in Neukölln to master natural posing. This 3-hour workshop includes live coaching, digital images, and a VIP gift bag. Build confidence in a supportive studio environment designed to help the camera-shy feel grounded and present. (Sponsored)

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💬 What Berliners Are Talking About

🗣️ Large damage claim after minor incident – seeking Berlin lawyer recommendations! | Redditors debate whether the huge damage bill is legit or inflated, urging documentation checks, insurance, and legal help.

🗣️ How´s everyone´s morning commute in Berlin going today? | Berliners swap horror stories of icy commutes while home-office heroes stay cozy.

🗣️ Woken by Nina Alarm | Users talk about a 3:40 a.m. NINA cold-weather alert, blaming confusing app settings.

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📊 Chart of the Day

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📦 Word of the Day: Streichholzschächtelchen | Literal: Little-match-wood-box-let | Meaning: A small matchbox. | Example: Er kramte ein Streichholzschächtelchen aus seiner Tasche. (He dug a little matchbox out of his pocket.)

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

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