News from Berlin
Temporary swimming pool at Volksbühne reopened
The temporary swimming pool in front of Berlin’s Volksbühne has reopened following a closure due to the cancellation of an event involving an association from the Black community. Before that, the “Volksbad” had been closed because of faulty showers prevented swimming operations. Subsequently, the Volksbühne and the association “Each One Teach One” cancelled an event scheduled for August 14, which was intended to allow children and young people from Black communities exclusive access to swim in front of the theater. The cancellation followed discussions and threats that included racist remarks from politicians. Source: web
Almost €80,000 raised for Eoto after Volksbad closure
The Volksbad pool closed last week after a racist media storm. On August 14, a campaign of incitement began in the right-wing media outlet Nius, leading to one CDU politician affirming that: “I’m not allowed to go swimming because I’m white.” All this whipped up such a climate of hysteria that the event, intended for the children of Black communities, had to be cancelled. The Volksbühne responded with a “Fickt euch” (“Fuck you”) giant banner. After this, a GoFundMe campaign (link available here) has managed to raise €78,000 of its €100,000 goal, for Eoto’s community, the association related to the action–despite drawing more threats of violence, though. Source: heistberlin
Passenger numbers at BER Airport dipped slightly in the first half of 2026
As the Berlin-Brandenburg airport operating company announced on August 17, 11.9 million passengers were recorded during the first six months of the current year—1.2% fewer than in the first half of 2025. Prior to the BER opening, in the record year of 2019, just over 17.5 million passengers were counted at Tegel and Schönefeld airports during the first half of that year. The number of takeoffs and landings at that time stood at 145,000. In contrast, the figure for the first half of 2026 was only 89,505—a 3.2% decrease compared to the same period for 2025. Source: rbb
News from Germany
Bundeswehr reaches personnel target for 2026
The Bundeswehr has reached its personnel target of at least 186,000 service members. As of the July 31 cutoff date, there were approximately 186,700 men and women in the armed forces, the Ministry of Defence announced. This is the highest number of people in 13 years. Since the beginning of 2026, all 18-year-olds have been contacted to ask if they wish to serve for at least six months. Men are required to complete the questionnaire, while women may do so voluntarily. Approximately 96% of the men and just over 4% of the women and individuals of other genders responded. Source: tagesschau
After days of wildfire, Eifel residents return home
A wildfire in the German western Eifel region that forced the evacuation of the village of Gey on August 14 has been brought enough under control that residents can return, local authorities have said. Around two-thirds of Gey residents, who are around 1,800, had returned by August 16 after being given the all-clear. The blaze, which has burnt out some 300 hectares (741 acres) has been described as the most serious wildfire in the recorded history of the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Climate scientists say that such conditions are occurring ever more frequently as the Earth warms owing to the human use of fossil fuels. Source: dw
Increase in voluntary departures by rejected asylum seekers
Voluntary departures by migrants and rejected asylum seekers has risen, according to figures from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). In the first half of 2026, 9,276 people returned to their home countries under federal return programs, newspapers belonging to the Funke Media Group reported, citing the BAMF. By comparison, just under 7,300 people had voluntarily departed via the humanitarian return support program in the first half of 2025. Furthermore, data from the Central Register of Foreigners showed that a total of 258,845 people were required to leave the country at the end of June 2026. Of these, 199,271 held “tolerated” status (*Duldung*). Source: tagesschau
Majority likely for Basic Law Amendment on Climate Adaptation
Should climate and heat protection be enshrined in the Basic Law as a joint task? A majority appears to be emerging in the Bundestag for the SPD’s proposal to anchor climate adaptation in the Basic Law as a joint task shared by the federal and state governments. The Greens and The Left have indicated a willingness to support such a constitutional amendment. However, reservations have been raised by the Chancellery. State Minister Philipp Amthor (CDU) spoke out against “abstract discussions about a constitutional amendment.” Currently, responsibility for heat protection lies primarily with the federal states and municipalities. Source: t-online
Warning strike brings seaports to a standstill
A 24-hour warning strike began at the Port of Hamburg on the night of Monday, August 17. The strike stems from collective bargaining negotiations between the trade union ver.di and the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS). According to ver.di, the warning strike in Hamburg affects the port’s four major container terminals. The union has also called for warning strikes at five other seaports: Bremerhaven, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven, Emden, and Brake. The union demands an 8.2% wage increase for the approximately 11,000 seaport workers, based on a 12-month contract term. Source: ndr
