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Sunrise: 4:42 AM | Sunset: 9:32 PM
Here’s your quick update on Thursday, June 18 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 219 sources so you don't have to.
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🔫 Push for Stricter Federal Gun Laws
On June 16, 2026, the Berlin Senate approved a Bundesrat initiative to significantly tighten Germany's federal gun laws following a 68% spike in weapon-related crimes in 2025. The proposed bill reclassifies the illegal possession and handling of semi-automatic firearms from a misdemeanor to a felony. (Berlin.de)
Local police report that half of all shots fired in the capital involve Turkish organized crime gangs extorting local business owners. Many of these illegal handguns are smuggled directly from illicit factories in both the Czech Republic and Turkey, prompting state authorities to seek stronger nationwide legal tools. (SZ.de)
The felony upgrade raises the minimum prison sentence to one year. It also expands wiretapping and surveillance powers, allowing investigators to track phone communications of smuggling suspects. Berlin plans to submit this legislative proposal to the Bundesrat in early July for an official federal decision. (taz)
⚖️ AfD Politician Blocked From Police Promotion
The Administrative Court of Berlin has ruled that a former local AfD politician has no legal right to join the higher ranks of the criminal police. Despite a prior hiring commitment, Berlin authorities remain justified in denying him the position due to serious doubts about his loyalty to the constitution. (tagesschau.de)
The applicant, a Berlin officer since 2011, resigned his previous post in anticipation of starting his new studies in April 2026. However, the state revoked its offer in March after discovering he had served as an AfD faction leader in a Brandenburg municipal council, where the local party branch is classified as right-wing extremist. (Spiegel)
Judges rejected his emergency appeal, ruling that his late resignation of his political mandate did not prove a sincere ideological break from the party. The ruling establishes that active participation in a right-wing extremist party branch justifies exclusion from civil service, though the applicant can still appeal to the Higher Administrative Court. (DIE ZEIT)
🍄 EU's First Compassionate Psilocybin Program
Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has launched the EU’s first psilocybin compassionate use program. The regulatory initiative targets adults suffering from severe treatment-resistant depression, granting licensed psychiatrists the discretion to legally administer the unapproved psychedelic compound to patients who have exhausted traditional pharmaceutical options. (Drug Science)
Currently, only two medical centers are authorized to deliver the therapy: the OVID Clinic Berlin and the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim. Program organizers are actively coordinating with public and private German insurers to establish reliable coverage, utilizing outpatient day clinics to circumvent the high administrative costs associated with inpatient hospital stays. (Psychedelic Alpha)
Because the program is strictly an exceptional-use pathway rather than a standard drug approval, medical experts must perform a rigid risk-benefit assessment for every applicant. Clinicians anticipate that demand for the treatment will significantly outpace limited hospital capacity, making the screening process exceptionally rigorous. (ZI Mannheim)
In partnership with The Analog Circle.
🫶 Struggling to Build Meaningful Friendships?
Making real friends in Berlin is hard. Especially for internationals in their 20s to 40s. You go out, meet new people and put in effort — but after a few meetups, the relationships slowly fade. You have no one to call in an emergency and no group that truly has your back.
Inner Circle is a curated community for expats in Berlin who want deeper, lasting connections. When you join, you’re placed in a hand-selected group of 8 people who meet regularly. Seeing the same people over time makes it easier to build trust, move past small talk, and form real friendships. Those conversations turn strangers into people you can rely on.
Members also get access to spontaneous hangouts, community events, and more. If you're looking to build deep connections that last, apply now to join.
The next cohort launches at the end of June and there are limited spots available.
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⚡ Quick Hits
🇬🇧 New S-Bahn line to Hauptbahnhof opens in Berlin | After years of delays, Berlin's new S15 directly connects Gesundbrunnen and Hauptbahnhof, cutting travel time from the northwest to the central station to six minutes.
🇩🇪 841 concerts, 300 stages, no tickets: Berlin celebrates the Fête de la Musique | On Sunday, Berlin will celebrate the Fête de la Musique, offering 841 free concerts across 300 stages.
🇩🇪 Fighting the oak processionary moth with flames and helicopters | Berlin and Brandenburg are fighting toxic oak processionary caterpillars using sprays, vacuums, and fire, but local districts warn they are running out of funds and staff.
🇩🇪 Limitations for traffic fines will be extended | From July 1, Germany will double the statute of limitations for traffic violations to six months, giving understaffed offices (like Berlin's) more time to process fines.
🇩🇪 Up to 35 degrees and thunderstorms | Berlin and Brandenburg expect hot weekend weather with temperatures up to 35 degrees and potential thunderstorms, followed by cooler conditions next week.
🇬🇧 Cassiopeia faces eviction in 2 weeks | Cassiopeia and other cultural venues face eviction by the end of June after site owner Kurth Group withdrew from development negotiations.
💬 What Berliners Are Talking About
🗣️ Best English speaking Fahrschule in Berlin + cost recommendations? | Tips on Berlin’s English-friendly driving schools, costs, wait times, and which ones to avoid.
🗣️ Best Asian Restaurants? | Standout Korean, Vietnamese, and broader Asian eats.
🗣️ Landlord not approving the dog i want to have | Tenant hopes to convince strict landlord to allow dog in flat.
🧊 Word of the Day: Kühlschrank | Literal: Cool closet | Meaning: A refrigerator. | Example: Stell bitte die Milch zurück in den Kühlschrank. (Please put the milk back in the cool closet.)
👋 That's a wrap! Thank you for reading.
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