Articles

Sexy, cheap and available? The Berlin housing myth

Living prices are climbing and poor residents are being squeezed out. More Berliners are trying to beat the speculators with alternative housing projects.

Oct 25, 2010 by in People (4 Comments)

The future belongs to geeks

Following Jamba’s breakthrough five years ago, high-tech businesses have been thriving on Berlin’s abundant creative talent and low living costs.

Apr 9, 2010 by in Zeitgeist

2012: Armageddon is back. Are you ready?

At the European premiere of the doomsday blockbuster 2012 - held in Berlin on the 20th anniversary of the Mauerfall - its star John Cusack was questioned by a fawning fan: “What do you think about the future, John?”

Apr 1, 2010 by in People

The death of Germany?

“Birth rates at an all-time low!” “The Germans are dying out!” The headlines couldn’t be more alarming, but the statistics behind them lead to more complex conclusions. We picked apart Germany’s demographic anxieties.

Mar 27, 2010 by | in People

The end of the world: a timeline

The Mayan calender prophecy is the latest in a long line of cosmic events that were said to spell the end. Here are some of the most anticipated apocalypses in history - all of which, needless to say, fizzled.

Jan 1, 2010 by in People

Photo by Sebastian Lang

Occupied!

After two months of intense protests, students at universities in Berlin and across the country are determined to continue the fight until their demands are met. At stake? The future of German higher education. We met the rebels.

Jan 1, 2010 by in People

Photo by Alice Harrison

Oldies but goodies

Some Berlin pensioners are recycling their past to inspire a new generation.

Jan 1, 2010 by in People

What Berliners can do about climate change

Green Party politician Michael Schäfer wants to see Berlin reduce its carbon emissions by over 40 percent (compared to 1990 levels) in the next 10 years. Young and charismatic, Schäfer came to politics after working as an ad writer; he has been a member of the Berlin Parliament since 2006.

Jan 1, 2010 in People

Climate catastrophe: is Berlin moving fast enough?

It’s August 2050. The Spree has run dry as temperatures edge up to 40C. The nights are tropical; the days, scorching. Your elderly neighbour was found dead: her air conditioning broke down weeks ago...

Jan 1, 2010 in Zeitgeist

Photo by Sam Williams

The climate circus

If the world is a stage, then all the actors were in Copenhagen last month to play out a pre-scripted apocalyptic drama. Our reporter paid an unofficial visit to the front lines of the UN climate change conference.

Jan 1, 2010 by in Zeitgeist