1️⃣8️⃣ Sexual Crime Rate Rises 8.5% in Germany, Ryanair Cuts Berlin by 50% & Lufthansa Scraps 20,000 Flights + Weekly Events, IWB Highlights & More!
Hello again, IWBies! 💖
Can you believe April is almost over?
This week’s edition is packed: big news about rents in Berlin (spoiler: not great), Ryanair cutting even more flights from BER, Lufthansa scrapping 20,000 short-haul routes, a sobering look at sexual crime statistics in Germany, and a very full events calendar for the week of April 27th to May 3rd, including a Japan Market, a Drag Brunch, and yes, a May Day party or two.
Just a little reminder: we’re a small group of immigrant women doing this voluntarily, balancing work, life, and everything in between, while trying to keep this space informative, supportive and real for all of us navigating Germany together.
Take a deep breath, grab your coffee ☕, and enjoy your weekly dose of Berlin.
With love, Sabrina & your IWB team 💖
As immigrants, it’s important to stay informed about what’s happening in Germany. Here are the most important news updates you should be aware of:
✈️ Ryanair slashes Berlin flights by 50% from winter schedule: Valencia, Manchester, Madrid and more affected. Check your routes now.
🛫 Lufthansa scraps 20,000 short-haul flights this summer: fuel prices doubled since the Iran war began. Check your summer flights now.
🔒 Sexual crime rate in Germany rises 8.5% despite overall crime falling: new national police statistics released this week. Important reading for all of us.
🏠 Berlin rents are up 69% since 2016, the highest increase in Germany: the average cold rent is now €15.25/m². And landlords are charging illegally high prices in 94% of cases checked.
🔑 New Berlin portal lets you check if your landlord is charging illegally high rent: yes, really. Check yours now.
⛽ Germany cuts fuel tax by 17 cents per liter from May 1: small relief at the pump, but economists say it mostly benefits oil companies.
🤔 Will Germany bring back the €9 ticket?: with oil prices rising and cost of living squeezing everyone, the debate is back.
🪖 Germany unveils its first ever military strategy: range, speed and deterrence. What this means for Europe and for us living here.
🌱🍔 New vegan burger joint in Berlin, and they want to meet YOU!
Love Burger Berlin just opened and they are happy to get to know our community! To welcome the first 20 IWB members through their doors, they’re offering a free house drink. Just mention IWB when you arrive 🥰 #partnership
✨Want to advertise with us?
Send us a message at internationalwomeninberlin@gmail.com
👉 Week from April 27th to May 3rd - Berlin is a city full with events to suit all tastes. Here are some highlights that we think you and your friends would enjoy:
🚨 May 1st is a public holiday! Shops and supermarkets will be closed. Demonstrations across the city, especially in Kreuzberg and Neukölln. Stock up on Sunday and enjoy the energy on the streets
🧠 The Psychology of Self-Esteem: Understanding Yourself & Supporting Others: April 27
🎭 Marina Abramović: Balkan Erotic Epic: April 27 | Exhibition. Not your average Sunday afternoon
📊 AI in Action: Smarter Market Research & Competitive Analysis for PMs: April 27
⚡ Dance Fitness & Bollywood Hip-Hop: April 27 | Beginner-friendly, high energy, zero judgment
💻 Solopreneur Co-Working @ launch/anyway x ATworld: April 28
🏥 Health AI Forum: The Future of AI in Healthcare: April 28
🏓 Open Decks for FLINTA, Ping Pong for All: April 29
🔊 Heavy RAWtation: 7 Parties in 1 Night: April 30
🌹 Burlesque Inferno @ KitKat: Walpurgis Spring Ball with Setty Mois: April 30
💃 Latin Afterwork: April 30
🎉 WE ARE NOT ALONE: May Day Weekender: May 1
🍕 Pizza Connection: Mayday Edition: May 1
🖼️ Gallery Weekend Opening Vernissage: White Label Project: May 1 | Berlin Gallery Weekend is one of the best free art events of the year
☕ Espresso Martini Workshop: May 2
🍞 Bread & Bot: Sourdough, Microbes, Art & AI: May 2 | Only in Berlin would sourdough and AI share a workshop
👑 Drag Brunch: May 3
🇯🇵 JAPANMARKT BERLIN: May 3 | Food, culture, crafts. One of the most beloved markets in the city
IWB, with +40k members, is a very active community. Given that you might not have time to catch up on everything and some good posts may get overlooked, here are a few highlights from our group, from the last week:
👀 “Does anyone actually have a normal, healthy relationship anymore?”: this one broke the internet. Go read the comments
🤔 “My name sticker was removed, coincidence or intentional?”: very Berlin, very relatable. The comments are a whole experience
👻 “Me and my husband keep experiencing the same creepy thing at the same time”: we have questions. Many questions
💊 “How to get a Tretinoin prescription in Germany?”: the skincare struggle is real. Great advice in the comments
❤️🩹 “I’m noticing more and more that friends don’t put as much effort into friendships”: one of the most resonant posts of the week. Go read it
✈️ “What’s the risk of flights being cancelled in June due to the energy crisis?”: timely thread given the Ryanair and Lufthansa news this week
🏠 “Am I hallucinating or are landlords suddenly claiming their apartments back?”: you’re not hallucinating. And this week’s rent news explains why
💔 “Hard to say ‘I love you’”: vulnerable and beautiful. Go show some love 💜
🐶 “Your best dog insurance recommendations”: the community delivers as always
🧸 “Where to get second-hand toys for my baby in Berlin?”: great tips building up in the comments
We’re a small team of immigrant women (mostly women of color) doing this voluntarily, every week, to support this amazing community. As we grow, so do our invisible tasks to keep IWB running. As a community member, your help means everything. 💖 We aim to keep IWB free, independent, helpful and inclusive, while paying immigrant women fairly for their work. Help us in this mission, starting with ✨ONLY✨ 1€:
You’ll also get access to cool perks like anonymous posting, Telegram groups, discounts, and even free entry to IWB events (depending on your tier)!
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Wishing you a fantastic week ahead! 💖
Warm regards from the IWB Team