Dear 20 Percent
The other day a ticket inspector approached me on the U6 near Mehringdamm. I briefly panicked. The internet never works on that stretch of U-Bahn. But after 30 seconds my DeutschlandTicket loaded. Phew.
According to the this story, S. wasn’t so lucky. The student had recently switched to a phone service with bad internet reception. He showed a BVG inspector a screenshot of his Semesterticket’s QR-code he had saved because he was afraid his app wouldn’t load. Which it didn’t. The inspector swiped S.’s screen then asked the 20-year-old to exit the train when he saw the QR-code.
S. logged into the station’s WiFi, loaded the ticket, showed it to the inspector but she had already issued the fine and refused to change her mind. The student had to bring his real ticket to a BVG office within seven days to get the fine anulled — or else pay €60 within 14 days. And he still had to pay a €7 processing fee.
One of the things I hate about Germany is this sort of stubborn, intractible pettiness. The failure to show the tiniest bit of human understanding. The guy had a valid ticket but instead of showing a smidgen of empathy, she powered through, ruined his morning and even created more unnecessary paperwork for another BVG employee. So freaking typical, somehow. How can you run a country like this?
Rant over. News below.
Maurice
Thanks to today’s sponsor, Hypofriend.
More cops at Humboldt Forum after fatal stabbing
A Syrian man died after being stabbed outside the Humboldt Forum museum in Mitte on Friday night. The 20-year-old and his two companions were allegedly attacked by a large group of men. Police say they have increased their presence in the touristy, central area. Three weeks ago, another stabbing near the rebuilt palace resulted in six men being injured. “The increase in violent crimes involving knives is worrying,” said Berlin’s interior affairs minister Iris Spranger (SPD) on Monday. “Ultimately, this is a problem for society as a whole that cannot be solved by police measures alone.”
Power cut: Repairs will take months
Last week’s blackout in southeastern Berlin lasted up to 60 hours for some households, making it the longest power outage since World War II. Network operator Stromnetz GmbH said repairs of electricity infrastructure damaged in what was probably a politically motivated arson attack could take until the beginning of 2026. Right now, the network is operating with an “interim solution”, according to the company. Around 50,000 people were affected by the blackout. Even trams and S-Bahns stopped in their tracks. Here’s the unhinged letter from the people claiming responsibility (in German).
Ants priced out of neighbourhood
This summer, a colony of European red wood ants was discovered at a giant construction site in Lichterfelde, where an entire new neighbourhood is supposed to house 6,000 humans in 2,500 units by 2033. About 540 of the flats being built will be social housing. The ants are a protected species, so the developer, Groth Gruppe, submitted a plan to the local nature conservation office to relocate the anthill. Groth has already relocated 993 sand lizards from the site. Officials rejected the ant-relocation application, saying the ants wouldn’t have time to prepare for winter if they were moved so late in the year. Groth says their construction schedule would be thrown off by a delay. Sounds silly, but in fact the whole story reeks of Groth PR that was blow out of proportion in tabloid BILD and the responsible official, Steglitz-Zehlendorf councillor for transport and the environment Urban Aykal (Greens) said he didn’t want to slow down the project: “If there is a demonstrable urgent need for action, I will do everything in my power to make it happen.”
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Events this week, curated by The Next Day Berlin
😂 Two Funny with Mark & Rohit Tuesday, 16.09, 8:30pm. The Wall Comedy, Grünberger Straße 84 10245 Berlin. Tickets: €12.90 Laugh with Berlin-based funny people, Londoner Mark Beadle and Bombay-born Rohit Bhatia, performing a double bill of stand up comedy in English. Both comedians bring to the stage years of experience, their best material and some light-hearted banter.
📺 Videoart at Midnight #153: Simon Dybbroe Møller
Friday, 19.09, midnight. Babylon, Rosa-Luxemburg-Str. 30, 10178 Berlin. Free entry
Screening by Danish artist Simon Dybbroe Møller, bringing together films, loops, music and fragments never meant for cinema, a playful mix of sculpture, image and sound in Babylon’s big hall.
☀️ Suncycle Open Air
Saturday, 20.09, 2–9:30 pm. Secret location - follow them on Telegram, Berlin. Tickets: €8
A communal open-air marking the equinox, with ambient and experimental sets from Ousia’s circle. All proceeds support the Flora festival, part gathering, part fundraiser, moving from summer into fall.
🎤 BaianaSystem
Sunday, 21.09, 8 pm. Astra Kulturhaus, Revaler Str. 99, 10245 Berlin. Ticket: €40.
BaianaSystem blends Afro-Bahian roots with heavy bass as a form of resistance, like any traditional band. It’s going to be a day to open the pit.
sponsored:
Tuesday, 23.09. 9am-5pm,
Join us on Tue 23 Sept at Techspace Eiswerk, Berlin: enjoy breakfast, lunchtime yoga, and a productive riverside workspace. Drop in, meet the team and experience where change-makers are made—sign up now.
Event page: https://luma.com/0zb2cmca
🍺 🥨 Germany-wide news 🥨 🍺
🗳️ NRW local elections: CDU wins but AfD support triples
😲 AfD politician visits White House
🏀 Germany are Euro basketball champions
Factoid
The Berlin Consumer Protection Center or Verbraucherzentrale (info in English) received a record 52,200 complaints in 2024, up from 51,300 in 2023. Many enquiries involved a surging number of fake online shops, dodgy online life or relationship coaches, or over-expensive appliance repair services. Confusing utility or phone contracts remain a perennial issue. The office warned that looming budget cuts could hinder its mission to provide advice to consumers.
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