Radio Spaetkauf Berlin

Have you been attacked by bugs at Tempelhof at lately? Swarms of June bugs are emerging at sunset to look for food, and are flying into people's heads. Radio Spaetkauf's insect expert Jöran explains what the bugs are up to. Should Berlin have a commuter ferry service along the river and canals? A pair of architects have come up with a bold proposal to extend the public transport system to the wate...

The U-Bahn Flat Rate Proposal by Radio Spaetkauf Berlin

The new rental price index comes out soon, which will give Berlin landlords an excuse to try to increase rents. At the same time, a new initiative is trying to force a referendum on rental issues by collecting signatures. Foreign residents aren't permitted to sign the petition, but Daniel and Joel argue that we should sign anyway to indicate our frustration at being denied political participation....

Radio Spaetkauf is back after a long break, and there's a lot of news to catch up on. New co-hosts Daniel and Jöran join Joel in our new studio at Donau115, a bar and creative space in Neukölln. On this episode, we discuss the drug crackdown in Görlitzer Park, which is now the most regulated space in all of Germany. Since March 31, it has become completely illegal to possess any amount of marijuan...

On our final episode for 2014: Berlin's most famous mural has disappeared under a coat of black paint. The Blu mural at Schlesisches Tor was erased by the original artists themselves. Maisie gives her tips on how not to be saddened by the city's constant evolution. Former mayor Klaus Wowereit is likely to be given a free U-Bahn pass as part of his post-job perk package. We discuss how both the top...

RS#16: Tear down this mall by Radio Spaetkauf Berlin

Berlin has a new mayor - Michael Müller, the man who headed the failed attempt to build on Tempelhof field. Will the city like being run by the man whose development plan they rejected? The 25th anniversary of the fall of the wall was celebrated with white balloons being released - and many of the stands being stolen. But the city says it won't hunt down those who nicked a stand. We talk to vistin...

Coming up: Rent controls are coming, but they might have some unwanted side effects. We'll tell you why it's better to get a job in West Berlin than in the old East. And there's some bad news for anyone wanting to open a bar in Kreuzberg - you probably won't be allowed to.

On Radio Spätkauf #13: The Klaus Wowereit legacy. How has he changed Berlin during his period as mayor? We will be analysing the soon to be former Major of Berlin before he official steps down in December. Would you believe it…. more of the Berlin Wall is undertreat and GEMA has again been disputing Berlin's music establishments. Berlin seems to be taking part in "build the fastest castle" as it's...

RS#Extra 2014: Yellow Press by Radio Spaetkauf Berlin

RS#12 2014: Hello Lenin by Radio Spaetkauf Berlin

Who wants free money? A Berlin entrepreneur is giving away 1000 EUR a month to a worthy candidate to test the idea of the grundeinkommen, or basic citizens' income. We talk about whether the idea could work for everyone. Enjoying the lakes? Take care - six people have died while swimming around Berlin this month so far. The lakes are getting warmer, too, which isn't always a good thing. What to do...

Radio Spaetkauf is Berlin's news show in English. Presenters Maisie, Andrew and Joel discuss local politics, urban development, public transport, bicycles, architecture and culture. On this episode, we dissect the refugee protest actions that have gripped Berlin over the past few weeks. Refugees are standing up for their right to move freely around the country, and are staging a series of sit ins,...

On this episode: After Berliners overwhelming rejected the city senate's plan for luxury flats on Tempelhofer Feld, politicians have already begun talking up another controversial top-down master plan - to bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games. When were Berliners ever asked if they liked the idea? The BER airport starting date has been set back until the end of 2016. The disastrous project is now ta...

Radio Spaetkauf is Berlin's English-langauge news show. On this episode: Should you buy a stolen bike? Maisie enters the murky world of second-hand bicycles. Have you ever seen a swarm of cyclists riding on around Berlin on a Friday night? You've probably just witnessed a Critical Mass procession. Our new correspondent David Ravensbergen joined a recent Critical Mass to find out what relevance the...

This is Berlin's news podcast. Tonight: Oranienplatz has been cleared out. The refugee camp has been replaced by a police camp. Politicians are claiming victory, and crass young conservatives are photographing themselves in front of the demolished camp. Now that the protesting refugees are hidden away in a hostel, will the city forget about their plight? Police have been busy lately. They also hel...

Radio Spaetkauf is Berlin's news update in English. Tonight: The old Spreepark has been bought by the city for €2M, ending years of uncertainty about its ownership. It is now likely to be resold and reopened as a theme park. What did the Planetarium sound like before it closed last weekend? Joel went along and recorded the retro soundtrack of the now-under-renovation DDR treasure. Why are proteste...

Radio Spätkauf is Berlin's English-language news programme. This week: Did you sign the Tempelhof petition? If you're not German, you weren't entitled to, as only citizens are allowed to have a say at regional and national elections and referendums. We talk to Walhrecht Für Alle about who can and can't vote. This month is your last chance to visit the Zeiss Planetarium in Prenzlauer Berg before it...

On this episode of Radio Spätkauf: as Berlin's building boom continues, will a new mega-hotel in Neukölln eclipse the skyscraper planned for Alexanderplatz? Does Marzahn really need a ski lift? And was a branch of Netto sacrificed for a higher purpose? Also on the show: Berlin's fare dodgers walk in the steps of Nazi resisters , Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg cleans up it's advertising act and the city...

On this episode, we interview a Japanese man who was attacked in Kurfurstendamm. Instead of seeking to punish his assailant, he attempted to offer him a job. In other news, the city government is cracking down on the infamous beer bikes by banning them from all major city streets, except for those leading east to Friedrichshain. Where should Berlin build new bike lanes? You can nominate a deservin...

A special update from Radio Spaetkauf: Opposing the obligatory TV and Radio fee. Have you recently received a letter demanding 18€ per month for your television and radio license, even if you don't use either service? It seems this has happened to many of us in Berlin over the last few weeks. This contribution towards broadcasting has become mandatory since January 2013 but one group thinks it's u...

Radio Spaetkauf is Berlin's English-language news and interview podcast. Tonight we bring you an update on the Tempelhof petition intiative: the movement against development on the former airport has gained enough signatures to trigger a referendum, but politicians are stalling by scrutinizing every signature. Clown and sex worker advocate Harvey Rabbit tells us about her upcoming show, Variete Ri...

On the first episode of Radio Spaetkauf for 2014, the Ordnungsamt has introduced a new fine for throwing sneakers over dangling wires or posts. It'll cost you €30 if you're caught. So don't do it, or don't get caught. Other new price hikes for the year include public swimming pools: it now costs €5.50 to take a dip in peak times, which has had its hours inverted. We re-visit the Amt für Werbefreih...

On this week's Radio Spätkauf: Berlin city's scientists have warned Christmas market shoppers to beware of bad glühwein. After testing market stalls, they found 8.6 per cent of mulled wine is not what it purports to be. Jöran Mandik has dispatched his final audio architectural tour (sadly, he's moving to Australia in the new year). He takes us on a walk around the concrete monolith that is the Int...

Berlin's fast-rising rents may be slowed by two political developments. The federal coalition between the CDU and SPD has promised to put in new controls on rental prices. Even new rental contracts, which have previously been uncapped, will now be limited to a 10 per cent increase. And on a local level, the Berlin senate has introduced tough new restrictions on the commercial use of apartments for...