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High: 1.3°C | Low: -0.4°C
Chance of Rain: 3%
Sunrise: 7:33 AM | Sunset: 5:07 PM
Here’s your quick update on Monday, February 09 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 219 sources so you don't have to.
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❄️ Freezing Rain Chaos Paralyzes Berlin Airport Operations
Berlin Brandenburg Airport suspended all flight operations Thursday night and Friday morning due to persistent freezing rain and black ice on runways. While takeoffs resumed by midday Friday, officials reported that de-icing procedures were taking up to an hour. That is twice the usual time required. (DW.com)
By late Friday afternoon, airlines had cancelled approximately half of the 500 scheduled starts and landings, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded overnight without clear information. Airport spokespeople attributed the chaos to extensive safety clearances needed for runways and rescue vehicles, citing safety as the top priority. (rbb24)
Travelers faced continued disruptions this weekend as the domino effect of cancelled flights impacts schedules. The German Weather Service warns of further black ice risks. Officials urged passengers to check flight status online before traveling, noting that normal operations will recover slowly due to the severe weather. (Berliner Kurier)
🇩🇪 AfD Youth Group Launches in Berlin and Brandenburg
The AfD's new youth organization, Generation Deutschland (GD), officially launched state chapters in Berlin and Brandenburg on Saturday. Members elected state parliamentarian Fabian Jank in Brandenburg and politician Martin Kohler in Berlin to lead the respective branches while hundreds of demonstrators protested outside both venues. (rbb24)
This group replaces the Junge Alternative, which disbanded in early 2025 after intelligence officials classified it as a confirmed right-wing extremist entity. Generation Deutschland is the official youth wing of the AfD, established in 2025 to replace the Junge Alternative. Its purpose is to recruit young people (aged 14 to 35) and train future party leaders. Integrated directly into the party structure, it promotes nationalist ideologies and requires members to join the AfD. (Tagesschau)
Officials stated that despite the rebranding, the new organization shows no signs of moderation compared to its predecessor. Authorities anticipate the group will likely receive the same extremist classification because many leadership figures maintain direct ties to the Identitarian Movement and former radical chapters. (WELT)
📢 Thousands Rally Against Iranian Regime
Police estimated 10,000 attendees gathered at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on Saturday to protest Iran's clerical regime. Organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the "Free Iran" rally featured addresses from opposition leader Maryam Rajavi and former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Participants marched to Potsdamer Platz, explicitly rejecting both the current theocracy and any return to the pre-1979 monarchy. (Reuters)
This mobilization coincides with the 1979 revolution's anniversary and follows nationwide uprisings sparked in December by severe economic hardship. These demonstrations rapidly evolved into political demands for regime change, leading to a violent state crackdown where human rights groups report over 3,400 deaths. The Berlin event garnered support from more than 340 international organizations and political figures, including former German ministers. (rbb24)
Speakers emphasized a democratic alternative for Iran's future, dismissing the exiled Shah’s son as an opportunist while calling for a secular republic. Former European Council President Charles Michel declared that Europe has learned its lesson regarding appeasement, asserting that silence equates to complicity. Rajavi urged the UN Security Council to intervene immediately to halt executions and hold the regime leadership accountable. (Tagesspiegel)
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⚡ Quick Hits
🇩🇪 Dobrindt reports numerous leads in connection with the arson attack in Berlin. | Police are offering up to 1 million euros for information on the Berlin power grid attack. The deadline to submit tips for the reward is February 24.
🇩🇪 Plans for Berlin's first magnetic levitation train are taking shape | The Senate proposes a magnetic levitation train connecting the former Tegel airport site (Urban Tech Republic) to Spandau. This replaces canceled tram plans.
🇩🇪 Parties welcome planned federal rent regulation | The proposed law caps annual index rent increases at 3.5% for all contracts. Short-term leases are limited to six months. Furniture surcharges are restricted to 5% of the base rent.
🇩🇪 Broadcasting license fee: Claim back up to €660 | Recipients of Bürgergeld (social welfare) must actively apply to waive the €18.36 monthly fee. This exemption is valid retroactively for three years. You can request a refund by submitting past benefit notices.
🇩🇪 Wedding: Shots fired at hookah bar | Police were called to Barfusstraße in Wedding on Sunday at 9:15 AM. The bar was open during the shooting. Investigators are checking for connections to recent protection money extortion cases.
📅 Events Today
🎟️ Critics' Week | February 09 - 17, 2026 | Watch curated premieres followed by post-screening debates and discussions.
🎟️ sly x Brown Forman: Woman Power Bar Takeover | February 09 | 18:00 - 23:00 | Free | Top female bartenders are taking over the shakers to mix unique cocktails for charity. Enjoy a DJ set while supporting LGBTQ organizations.
🎟️ Artists Meet Up & Jam Session | February 09 | 19:00 - 23:00 | 5.90€ | Creatives of all kinds unite here for a night of collaboration. Come for drinks, socializing and an open jam session.
Hosting a workshop or meetup? Click here to feature your event.
💬 What Berliners Are Talking About
🗣️ (Foreign) worker exploitation in Germany - Middle men agencies | Redditors debate agency scams exploiting foreign students in Germany, stressing preparation, legal awareness, and systemic failure.
🗣️ Berlin Korean BBQs | People swap recommendations for authentic, date-worthy Korean BBQ spots around Berlin.
🗣️ Long Curly Haircut and Dye in Berlin for English Speaker? | Curly-haired folks swap horror stories and share Berlin salons that actually understand curls.
📊 Chart of the Day
A list of the most profitable German companies.
📖 Word of the Day: Wortwörtlich | Literal: Word-wordly | Meaning: Literally; verbatim. | Example: Ich war so müde, ich bin wortwörtlich im Stehen eingeschlafen. (I was so tired, I word-wordly fell asleep standing up.)
👋 That's a wrap! Thank you for reading.
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