Here’s your quick update on Wednesday, February 18 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 196 sources so you don't have to.

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📉 Germany's Population to Shrink 10% by 2070

A new analysis by the ifo Institute predicts Germany’s population will shrink by 10% by 2070, a much steeper decline than the previously estimated 1%. Researchers attribute this dramatic correction to updated data from the 2022 Census, which revealed the current population is actually 81.9 million rather than higher earlier projections. (Spiegel)

The revised forecast highlights significant regional disparities, with eastern states facing the most severe contraction while city-states like Berlin are expected to grow. The recalculation stems from a lower baseline population count and recent trends showing immigration levels dropped more sharply than prior models anticipated, compounding the effects of lower birth rates. (DIE ZEIT)

This demographic shift will place immense pressure on Germany's social systems. The pay-as-you-go pension system is structurally unsustainable because a shrinking pool of workers is being overwhelmed by the rising financial demands of a rapidly expanding generation of retirees. This translates to a future of "paying more for less," where rising social security deductions take more of your monthly take-home pay while the actual purchasing power of your eventual state pension continues to erode. (IFO Institute)

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🚕 Berlin Freezes New Taxi Licenses for One Year

The Berlin Senate announced a one-year moratorium on issuing new taxi licenses effective immediately to stabilize the struggling industry. This freeze applies to both new applicants and expansion requests from existing companies, though current operators may continue business as usual. Officials stated the measure aims to secure the trade's long-term functional viability amidst market saturation. (berlin.de)

Despite declining passenger demand, the number of registered vehicles in the capital surged from 5,400 in December 2024 to 6,600 by January 2026. Authorities noted that a fixed-price booking option introduced in July 2024 failed to significantly boost ridership. Consequently, many operators can no longer cover costs, creating a massive oversupply compared to actual needs. (Tagesspiegel)

Officials fear this economic pressure could force companies to break the law to survive, potentially leading to minimum wage violations or undeclared labor. This creates unfair competition for law-abiding businesses and threatens the entire sector's stability. The Senate plans to monitor the market closely and may lift the ban early if the industry stabilizes sustainably. (rbb24)

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🗑️ Districts to Keep Revenue From Illegal Dumping Fines

The Berlin Senate officially decided that all revenue generated from illegal dumping fines will now flow directly to the city’s administrative districts instead of the central state treasury. Mayor Kai Wegner affirmed that this financial restructuring aims to create a powerful incentive for local officials to strictly enforce environmental laws. In practice, this means the Ordnungsamt will become much more visible and aggressive in your neighborhood. (rbb24)

Enforcement relies on a strict penalty schedule introduced in November 2025 that allows authorities to charge €250 for a discarded cigarette and up to €100,000 for illegal construction waste. To support these efforts, the coalition government has allocated resources for two new field officers and one administrative processor per district. (Berliner Morgenpost)

Officials recognized that high monetary penalties are ineffective without consistent monitoring, noting that districts would essentially leave money on the street by failing to issue citations. This decentralized approach seeks to combat urban neglect and ensure the capital becomes cleaner by encouraging authorities to fully utilize their expanded legal powers. (berlin.de)

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⚡ Quick Hits

🇬🇧 Work on Berlin–Hamburg railway delayed for weeks due to winter weather | Restrictions will remain in place beyond April. Current diversions are adding 45 minutes to the journey, with service limited to one train per hour.

🇬🇧 Senate Commission: Housing construction is progressing | Officials expect 80,000 new homes in Berlin by 2026. This is still not sufficient to satisfy the growing demand, however.

🇬🇧 Proposal for social media restrictions for children | The proposal bans social media for children under 14. Users aged 14 to 16 would face restrictions on scrolling. German states must agree on these rules before they apply.

🇬🇧 Germany to extend border checks by six months | Spot checks at all land borders will continue until mid-September 2026. The extension officially begins after March 15. Travelers entering Germany should expect continued police inspections.

🇬🇧 6-year-olds in Germany could soon have retirement accounts | The government will contribute €10 monthly to pension pots for students aged 6 to 18. Payments likely start January 1, 2027. Funds grow tax-free but remain inaccessible until retirement.

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📅 Events Today

🎟️ Eat Berlin | February 19 to March 01, 2026 | This gourmet festival brings together over 100 chefs from Berlin and beyond for dinners, wine events and culinary shows across exclusive venues.

🎟️ This weekend: Open House at Kino International | February 22, 2026 | Free | A public open house inviting visitors to explore a freshly renovated historic cinema foyer and auditorium before regular film screenings resume.

🎟️ This weekend: Japanmarkt Berlin | February 22, 2026 | From 19 Euro | A Japanese-themed creative market featuring fashion, food, art, workshops and a kimono runway show with live music. Browse stalls, try dishes, join hands-on activities and pick up fresh inspiration from contemporary Japanese culture.

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💬 What Berliners Are Talking About

🗣️ Honest Review of the “45 Women + Men Walk” Event | Attendee shares a nuanced review of the walk, praising intent but criticizing format.

🗣️ Berlins Katzen 🐱 | Berliners debate chipped, registered cats, outdoor risks, and responsible pet ownership.

🗣️ Tattoo apprenticeship | OP asks how to land a tattoo apprenticeship in Berlin amid sketchy courses.

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🆘 Word of the Day: Erklärungsnot | Literal: Explanation-emergency | Meaning: The state of being desperately in need of a good excuse. | Example: Als der Chef ihn fragte, warum der Bericht nicht fertig ist, geriet er in Erklärungsnot. (When the boss asked why the report wasn't finished, he was in a real explanation-emergency.)

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

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