Latest news with #Berliners
DW
an hour ago
- Business
- DW
Germany updates: Cabinet approves 2026 draft budget – DW – 07/30/2025
German lawmakers will scrutinize the €520.5 billion budget, which includes increased spending on infrastructure and defense next. Meanwhile, Berliners were told the party at the Brandenburg gate is over. DW has more. The German government approved the 2026 draft budget, which includes planned investments totaling €126.7 billion ($146.4 billion) and borrowing of €174.3 billion. It came with a warning from Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil that significant austerity measures will likely be needed starting in 2027. Meanwhile, Germany's economy shrank by 0.1% in the second quarter of the year, according to preliminary data released by the federal statistics office, German Cabinet has approved Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil's 2026 draft budget, which outlines spending of €520.5 billion ($600.3 billion) and new borrowing totaling about €174 billion. Europe's largest economy is shifting away from decades of fiscal conservatism to revive economic growth, modernize its aging infrastructure, and boost military spending. German lawmakers are expected to begin discussions on the budget by the end of September, with final approval anticipated by year's end. Berlin's large New Year's Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate will not take place this year, organizer Benedikt Alder told the German news agency, DPA. The cancellation follows a decision by the Berlin city government to withdraw financial support for the celebration. Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner told DPA that the city will no longer fund the show, which has drawn thousands of revelers and millions of TV viewers over the decades. "In my opinion, it's not the job of taxpayers to finance such events," Wegner told dpa. "Especially not in times of tight budgets." With no financial backing secured, organizers were left with no choice but to call off the festivities, Alder said. Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is reviewing the nationwide use of security software developed by the US company Palantir. A ministry spokeswoman told magazine that the evaluation is ongoing and no decision has yet been made. The software was specifically developed for security agencies and is used by intelligence services, the military, and police. "Palantir is not a neutral IT provider but closely linked to U.S. intelligence agencies with clear geopolitical aims,"Johannes Schätzl, a Social Democrat lawmaker, said. He added that German security forces should not use the company's software. Green Party deputy leader Konstantin von Notz said that at a time when the US government is becoming less reliable, cooperation with Palantir should be ruled out. Dobrindt generally supports the use of such software and received backing from Jens Spahn, a fellow member of the ruling conservative CDU/CSU. Spahn said Palantir "would greatly help" police, adding that criminals use all digital tools available and "the state must keep up within the law." Last week, the Society for Civil Rights and the Chaos Computer Club filed a constitutional complaint against Palantir's use in Bavaria, arguing that it violates privacy rights by linking unrelated individuals to criminal data. The software is used on the state level in Bavaria, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. Germany's economy shrank in the second quarter, according to provisional data released on Wednesday. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.1% compared to the first quarter, the federal statistics office Destatis said. This follows a modest revision of Q1 growth to 0.3%. Destatis said the quarterly decline was due to lower investment in machinery, equipment, and construction. However, consumer and government spending provided some support. Year-on-year, GDP remained flat when adjusted for prices, but showed a slight increase of +0.4% when calendar effects were also considered. A rescue mission is underway in northern Pakistan for German Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier, who was seriously injured in a rockfall on Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range. The 30-year-old was climbing at around 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) when falling rocks swept her away. Her climbing partner raised the alarm after being rescued. Officials say helicopter access is impossible. "The conditions at the altitude where she was injured are extremely challenging, and a team of foreign climbers will launch a ground rescue mission today," Areeb Ahmed Mukhtar, a senior local official in Ghanche district, said. Dahlmeier, a seasoned mountaineer, made history at the 2018 Winter Olympics, winning both the sprint and pursuit events. German news channel Welt TV is launching a weekly program entirely produced and hosted by artificial intelligence. Titled KI-Welt, the show covers topics like AI, robotics, and future tech, with all editorial processes, from research to presentation, handled by AI with human supervision. Jan Philipp Burgard, Welt TV's editor-in-chief, said the experimental show is to show what is already possible with AI. "We won't be able to stop the AI revolution, so we should embrace it and help shape it," he said. A computer-generated avatar anchors the show. The first episode will air on Thursday. Profits at German carmaker Mercedes-Benz have fallen by 55.8% in the first half of the year, the company says. The Stuttgart-based carmaker said post-tax earnings plummeted from €6.1 billion to around €2.7 billion in the first half of the year. The business cited tariffs, lower sales volumes, and costs linked to efficiency measures as reasons for the decline. Looking ahead, Mercedes now expects full-year group revenue to fall significantly below last year's level. The German government is expected to approve the 2026 draft budget on Wednesday, which outlines spending of €520.5 billion ($600.3 billion) and new borrowing totaling about €174 billion. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil's budget includes €126.7 billion in investments earmarked for modernizing the country. The government, in office since May, has pledged to increase spending to upgrade infrastructure and strengthen the military. Officials also hope the budget will help improve the economic climate, which is projected to recover noticeably in 2025 and 2026 after two years of stagnation. Klingbeil, however, warned this week that significant austerity measures will likely be needed starting in 2027, when a funding gap of approximately €172 billion is expected. from the Bonn newsroom, still staffed by humans. That's no longer entirely the case over at Welt TV, where a new weekly program will soon be produced and presented entirely by artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, the German government is tackling the 2026 draft budget the old-fashioned way, without AI assistance, at least as far as we know. In a notable shift from its long-standing tradition of fiscal restraint, Germany is now spending big: aiming to jumpstart the economy, modernize its aging infrastructure, and boost military investment. We'll be keeping an eye on those stories, and more, right here in this blog.
Web Release
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Indulge in a Unique Season of Sweetness with the Limited-Edition Berliners at Millie's Lounge in The Ned Doha
Indulge in a Unique Season of Sweetness with the Limited-Edition Berliners at Millie's Lounge in The Ned Doha Satisfy your sweet tooth's cravings at The Ned Doha this season when it turns up the flavour with a new twist on one of its most loved delectable treats. The iconic Berliners from Millie's Lounge are making a bold statement with limited-edition flavours that promise to delight dessert lovers across the city. Pick up a box to share or just scoff them all yourself, as these Berliners are the ultimate way to sweeten up your cravings. Located within the stylish surroundings of The Ned Doha, Millie's Lounge are beloved for their inventive take on classic favourites. From all-day international dining to comforting signature dishes and showstopping desserts, these venues are the perfect places to press pause and enjoy a well-deserved treat. The new Berliner collection adds to their already impressive pastry line-up, cementing their reputation as a must-visit destination for dessert aficionados. For those unfamiliar with the classic German delight, a Berliner is a pillowy, yeast-based doughnut traditionally filled with fruity jam and dusted with sugar. Unlike standard doughnuts, Berliners skip the hole in the middle and instead focus on generous fillings and melt-in-the-mouth texture. With this new limited-edition, guests can expect playful and vibrant flavour combinations like Matcha Raspberry and Strawberry Passion, each one handcrafted to perfection. Available from 27th July, the limited-edition Berliners can be enjoyed while dining in Millie's Lounge, as a takeaway treat, or ordered straight to your doorstep via the Snoonu Food Delivery App. Each box includes six Berliners and is priced at QAR 225. Ideal for sharing with friends or savouring solo, they're a deliciously stylish way to beat the heat. With their bold flavours, elegant presentation, and perfect balance of indulgence and fun, the new Berliners from Millie's Lounge are set to become a seasonal favourite. Available for a limited time only, these irresistible treats are offered daily from 12pm to 11pm for takeaway and delivery. Don't miss your chance to try them before they're gone! When: Available daily, starting 27th July, from 12pm to 11pm Where: Millie's Lounge (Available for Dine In, Takeaway & Snoonu app) Offer: Berliner limited-edition boxes with 6 Berliners Price: QAR 225 per box Contact: 4406 1111
Hypebeast
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Staying on the Pulse of the Pace with JBL's +1 Run Club
'We like to call it a safe space,' sharesChristian Zellin, co-founder of fashion labelAnte. Gearing up for a run with fellow creatives in Berlin, Zellin, along with the brand's other co-founders, has taken a minute out to chat about its weekend run club. 'Everyone's got their schedule, but they can hang out and express themselves in the most unpretentious, authentic… and sweaty way possible.' This particular running meet, however, is unlike any of its typical runs. Collaborating withJBL, Ante has called on its community to take the audio brand'snewly updated Flip 7speaker to the streets. As well as simply road-testing the device, they are set to trial its acclaimed portability and drop-proof design. Hypebeast captures the action behind this special activation, discovering how they harness the power of sound to widen their circle and cultivate new connections with the invitation extended to +1s of all abilities. Congregating atLAP café– a cultural hub in the fashion-forward district of Mitte – the evening event kicks off with attendees grabbing a coffee and meeting new faces in the group, as per Ante's regular routine. With everyone at the dedicated starting point, co-founderMarcus Butlergets the runners amped up in a short warm-up, soundtracked by smooth house tracks. 'It's amazing how much a song can influence your mood,' he mentions. 'You can be feeling one way, but once you listen to a certain song, you can have a big emotional switch-up.' As the group sets off, Zellin and the third co-founder of Ante,Julian Weigl, secure the devices with the handy carabiner and activate the game-changing Auracast™ function to connect their speakers for amplified sound. Using the music to set the pace, they weave through the chaos of inner-city Berlin and make their way down the scenic riverside to the Brandenburger Tor monument. At this halfway point, the tempo rises with Ante's go-to tech-house beats – a genre favored by many local Berliners – giving them a final push on the home stretch. Making their way down Tiergarten, an unexpected appearance from the sun brings the finish line of the Gleisdreieck park into plain sight. It's here that a wave of cheers and sighs fills the air as the group slows down. Gathering around in a circle, Butler once again leads a cool-down, at which point the speakers turn from playing heavy beats to groovy, funk-house in a smooth transition of genres. Although the run has come to an end, the runners stick around with their LAP café brownies and coconut water in hand, and connect with other members. 'When we introduced our run club, it was a natural thing that came from a group of our friends wanting to meet once a week,' reflects Weigl. 'Now, it's become big because it's so accessible. It frees your mind when you run, you have a lot of time to think about things, and let your ideas flow.' Whether it's connecting with creatives or shedding off the weight of the day, it's clear that run clubs have been popping up across the city. And, with JBL's Flip 7 bringing music to every stride, they're only set to become bigger among Berlin's creatives. Feel the pulse of Ante's pace by looking back at the +1 Run Club event above and tuning into its dedicated Spotify playlist. To shop the JBL Flip 7, head to the brand'swebsiteand partner retailers.
Local Germany
01-07-2025
- Local Germany
Seven of the coolest places in Berlin and Brandenburg to visit on hot summer days
As much as Berliners dream of summer sun through the cold, grey winter, nobody wants to be stuck in the city on a sweltering day in the middle of a heatwave. But there are some select spots where you can seek a break from the sweltering heat, and make the most of what would otherwise be a hellish day. Here's our guide to seeing the sights and staying cool in Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg. Get wet Unlike other major cities in Europe, Berlin is surrounded by miles of forest and farmland – and literally thousands of lakes. Brandenburg alone boasts over 3,000 lakes and there are more than 100 in the city itself. Visit Berlin has a useful " swimming map ' of various lakes and swimming pools which you can reach by public transport. Everyone in Berlin has their favourite lake. If you ask them nicely, they may let you into the secret. READ ALSO: Freibad - The etiquette rules you need to know for Germany's outdoor pools If they're determined to keep it to themselves, afraid of seeing their sacred spot overrun, then check out this interactive guide to swimming in Brandenburg. Go underground in Berlin Dive beneath the surface of the German capital with Berliner Unterwelten (Berlin Underworlds), which offers guided tours through historic bunkers, tunnels, and air-raid shelters. Tours generally last about 90 minutes and a jacket or jumper is recommended: the temperature is usually between 8 and 12C. Advertisement Tickets start at €15 per adult. Bear in mind that children need to be over seven to take part, and sometimes over 13 depending on the individual tour. Go underground in Brandenburg Twenty kilometres south of Berlin, Wünsdorf's Bücher- und Bunkerstadt (Book and Bunker Town) is famous for its unexpected combination of antiquarian bookshops and vast underground bunker complexes. Once a German military command centre, later a Soviet Cold War base, the site features guided tours through extensive subterranean tunnels and bunkers – guaranteed cool on even the hottest days. Guided tours usually take place on Saturdays and Sundays between 11am and 2pm, with extra tours during the school holidays. READ ALSO: What's on in Germany - Ten unmissable events this July Visit a gallery The thick walls of an old bunker keep the exhibition rooms beautifully cool at the Boros Collection. Photo: picture alliance / dpa / DB Boros Bunkers seem to be unavoidable in Berlin and Brandenburg, for anyone looking to escape the heat. The last one on our list houses the renowned Boros Collection of contemporary art. The massive concrete walls of the WWII bunker add mystery to the work on display – and keep the temperature inside blessedly low. Visits are by guided tour only, meaning the gallery is never over-crowded, and usually take place from Thursdays to Sundays. Book your visit via the collection's website. Advertisement If art is your happy place, and the heat of the city has truly become too much to bear, take a trip out to leafy Potsdam and spend an air-conditioned day at the Barberini . The museum is open daily from 10am to 7pm (except Tuesdays) and offers international exhibitions of impressionist and modern art in a beautifully reconstructed 18th century palace. Get some education Housed in a restored 13th-century Dominican monastery in Brandenburg an der Havel, the Archäologisches Landesmuseum Brandenburg (Brandenburg Archaeological Museum) showcases 50,000 years of regional history - from Stone Age tools to medieval treasures. The ancient stone walls of the monastery also keep the interior pleasant on even the hottest days. The museum is closed on Mondays, but open the rest of the week from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free for children under ten. Advertisement Visit the Spreewald A UNESCO biosphere reserve about 100 kilometres south of Berlin, the Spreewald is famous for its labyrinth of over 200 natural waterways, lush floodplains, and rich biodiversity. Together, the waterways span more than 1,300 kilometres and wind through forests, meadows, and traditional villages. Cool off with a boat tour in one of the region's traditional flat-bottomed punts ( Spreewaldkähne ), followed by a generous helping of locally made pickles. Get tropical As counter-intuitive as it may sound, a trip to Brandenburg's Tropical Islands might be just the thing. The huge dome is climate-controlled, keeping temperatures steady at around 26 to 28C and you're protected from direct sunlight -- which means you can spend all day in your swim suit without worrying about getting burned. READ ALSO: RANKED - The best urban beaches in cities around Germany For anyone who has never been, Tropical Islands is Walt Disney's idea of an indoor pacific paradise packed into a former zeppelin hangar in the Brandenburg countryside (one of the largest free-standing buildings in the world). Cherished by people who spend far too much time trapped in endless grey winters, it offers a fleeting and entirely surreal glimpse of tropical gardens, sandy beaches, pools, slides, saunas, spa areas, and restaurants. Pro Tip: Wherever you go, take advantage of Berlin's comprehensive 'cooling map' The Berlin Cooling Map ( Erfrishungskarte ) shows cool, windy, and shady areas in the city, as well as places that are particularly suitable for cooling off and relaxing in summer (including picnic areas and drinking fountains).
Boston Globe
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
We are like frogs boiling in Trump's water
Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up I tried to set objective reference points. I told myself early on that if the government began deporting citizens without cause, I'd be protesting nonstop or leaving the country. But when those deportations Advertisement Like parboiled frogs, many of us have a tendency to grow numb to escalating threats, explains psychologist Scott Allison of the University of Richmond. 'Detaching is a protective mechanism,' he says. 'Numbness or checking out becomes our emotional armor.' One way to distance ourselves is to steer clear of the news altogether. Another is to get so swept up in the day-to-day — the flurry of kid activities, the serpentine of Zoom meetings — that the broader arc of history grows faint. Advertisement In the short term, getting used to the water often is adaptive; we need to do it to some extent to get through the day, to tackle meal prep and to-do lists. But it breeds complacency in the long run. During the Third Reich, Berliners used to As we linger in the pot, many of us seem to be waiting for just the right moment to jump out, and we assume we'll know that moment when we see it. But our capacity to adapt can make it hard to recognize such moments and act decisively. When a significant change happens — say, immigrants start getting sent to foreign prisons without due process — people subconsciously base their reaction to this change on how What's more, once we've adapted to a certain level of chaos, it gets harder to take in each new chaotic development, just as it's hard to hear a cry for help over a blaring siren. This is a longstanding problem: When Harvard psychologist Gordon Allport collected the life histories of Advertisement Since our minds are so predisposed to inertia, what, if anything, can compel us to jump out of the pot? The first step is recognizing just how hot the water actually is, and sometimes, that recognition needs to be visceral. People are more likely to fully grasp a change when what's happening disrupts their familiar rhythms and routines — as when Milford High School students felt 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes da Silva's absence at graduation. Immigration agents had detained him, which spurred Students walked out of Milford High School last Monday to protest the detention of Marcelo Gomes da Silva. The student had been on his way to volleyball practice. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Once an unsettling change sinks in, O'Brien's research suggests we're more likely to act decisively when Paying what Allison calls 'selective attention' to what's happening — volunteering for a single, specific cause or Advertisement Just as crucially, selective attention can connect you to communities whose members are organizing broader repair efforts. Because most people weigh how useful a given response is likely to be before they carry it out, courageous action often rests on sophisticated social processing, as people observe others' efforts and decide whether to follow suit. By modeling your own way forward, you can shape other people's assessments. When they see examples of meaningful intervention, they may be more likely to decide action is beneficial, not self-defeating. Entire social movements can But even as you range beyond familiar routines and traditions, you don't have to renounce them. Don't feel guilty for going all out to celebrate your cousin's wedding or your kid's graduation. In fact, enjoying these peak moments can My own life hasn't yet changed radically amid the national chaos. I'm still arranging kid playdates and attending end-of-year band concerts. But while the water around me keeps getting hotter, I no longer feel fully submerged. I'm paying selective attention in my own way, joining advocacy groups and checking in with threatened members of my community. Though I don't always know where these efforts will lead, I know jumping out of the pot is better than getting cooked. Advertisement
