Here’s your quick update on Wednesday, February 11 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 181 sources so you don't have to.

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📢 Public Sector Strikes

Public sector employees across Berlin and Brandenburg will stage warning strikes on Wednesday, affecting daycare centers, schools, and police departments. The trade union Verdi organized a major demonstration in Potsdam where workers will march from the Lustgarten to the negotiation venue. Berlin's public transport operator BVG is excluded from this specific walkout. (rbb24)

Unions are demanding a 7% monthly salary increase for state employees, with a minimum raise of €300 to support lower wage groups. Employers failed to present a concrete offer during the first two rounds of talks. Authorities expect significant traffic disruptions in Potsdam's city center between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. (Ntv)

Verdi is Germany's second-largest trade union, representing nearly two million service-sector workers. Because they represent critical sectors like transport and healthcare, their walkouts are highly visible and disruptive. Union leaders aim to ramp up pressure before the third negotiation round begins. Families should anticipate local closures, though specific impacts will vary by district and facility. (Berliner Zeitung)

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🚨 Gang Violence Increasing

Berlin Justice Senator Felor Badenberg warns that organized crime in the capital has reached a critical new level characterized by visible violence in public spaces. Rival gangs are increasingly engaging in wars over drug distribution and protection rackets using firearms and hand grenades against rival targets. (rbb24)

Police data from 2024 identifies 371 suspects across 55 major investigation complexes, with criminal groups causing roughly €6.9 million in damages. Although overall case numbers declined slightly from the previous year, the proportion of armed offenders rose by 8.6% as networks increasingly rely on intimidation tactics. (WELT)

To combat these shifting structures, Badenberg is demanding stricter laws that reclassify illegal weapon possession as a felony rather than a misdemeanor to facilitate easier surveillance. She also advocates for the use of AI to process massive amounts of seized digital evidence and calls for tighter restrictions on Hawala banking systems, an informal system that moves money across borders without physical cash transfers, often bypassing oversight. (Tagesspiegel)

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🥦 Organic Sales Hit Record Highs Despite Local Shortages

Germany's organic food market grew significantly in 2025, with sales rising nearly 7% to reach €18.23 billion. Despite this demand, domestic production has stagnated, forcing retailers to rely heavily on foreign goods. Recent data reveals that 40% of organic carrots and one-third of organic pork sold in the country were imported to meet consumer needs. (agrarheute.com)

Currently, about 11% of German agricultural land is farmed organically, far below the government's 2030 target of 30%. Expansion is hindered because leasing land for solar parks, wind power, or energy crops like corn often yields higher financial returns for landowners. Consequently, discounters and drugstores driving the sales boom must increasingly look abroad for inventory. (Deutschlandfunk)

Industry leaders warn this trend represents a major lost economic opportunity for domestic agriculture, as Germany remains Europe's largest market for organic goods. While nations like Austria and Estonia boast agricultural sectors with over 20% organic coverage, Germany risks permanently losing business to neighbors like the Netherlands and Spain due to insufficient local support. (Deutschlandfunk)

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⚡ Quick Hits

🇩🇪 Domestic violence in Berlin | Investigations for threats doubled between 2021 and 2025. Bodily harm accounts for over half of all cases. However, less than 3 percent of recorded incidents result in charges before a court.

🇬🇧 Oil refinery in Germany warns of risks from US sanctions | The refinery supplies 90% of Berlin's cars. Its US sanctions exemption expires on April 29. Management warns this threatens fuel security for the capital and Brandenburg.

🇩🇪 Berlin wants to enforce a ban on laughing gas | The city bans nitrous oxide sales online and at vending machines starting April 12. Minors cannot buy or possess the substance. New restrictions also apply to date-rape drugs.

🇩🇪 The BVG Muva driving service will end soon | The Muva service ends on February 28, 2026. Mobility-impaired passengers can now use the BAV service when elevators fail.

🇩🇪 Integration courses: Federal Office for Migration extends admission freeze | BAMF stopped admissions for asylum seekers, Ukrainians, and EU citizens indefinitely due to budget cuts. You can no longer apply for state-funded slots. You must now pay the full course fee yourself.

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📅 Events Today

🎟️ Film Preview: Wuthering Heights | February 11 | 20:00 - 22:00 | 7.50 - 9.50 € | This screening presents a new cinematic interpretation of a classic novel. Experience a gripping tale of forbidden passion and vengeance before the official theatrical release.

🎟️ Berlinale - Berlin International Film Festival | February 12 - 22, 2026 | €15, reduced €10 | Global cinema takes over the city with hundreds of films, red carpets and premieres. Watch future classics and spot stars in the wild at one of the most prestigious and largest film events in the world.

🎟️ This weekend: Date Night Berlin: Valentine's Special | February 14 | 21:00 - 05:00 | 14.00 € - 17.00 € | This singles event features speed dating, a dance class, and three floors of diverse music. Connect with new people through structured activities or casual dancing.

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💬 What Berliners Are Talking About

🗣️ Mieten in Berlin +82% in 10 Jahren. Ich habe die ZDF-Zahlen mal gegen unsere Gehältern gerechnet – es sieht düster aus. | Thread breaks down Berlin’s exploding rents, stagnant wages, and looming social timebomb.

🗣️ Dog owners in Berlin - could you advise regarding poisoning bait situation in Berlin | Dog owners downplay Berlin poison-bait fears, stressing street training and everyday caution.

🗣️ Want to find more dancing events in Berlin? I made a tool to help us connect on the dance floor | Berlin local shares a new app to discover dance events and partners.

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🧤 Word of the Day: Handschuhschneeballwerfer | Literal: Glove-snowball-thrower | Meaning: A wimp who needs gloves to throw a snowball. | Example: Wirf den Schneeball mit bloßen Händen, du Handschuhschneeballwerfer! (Throw the snowball with your bare hands, you glove-snowball-thrower!)

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

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