3️⃣5️⃣ Merz Says Welfare State Unsustainable, KitKat Club Safety Debate, Berlin to Raise Littering Fines + Weekly Events, IWB Highlights, Housing Offers & More!

Unfortunately, this week we’re not bringing great news: KitKat Club has confirmed a r*pe case on its premises. For many women and for our community, sex-positive spaces often feel like safe havens. But cases like this show why safety must be addressed openly and why prevention needs to be a non-negotiable priority.

We’re also looking at Chancellor Merz’s recent statement that Germany’s welfare state can no longer be financed. This is tough because it directly impacts the most vulnerable, including many immigrants, and could mean significant policy changes ahead.

Just a reminder: we’re a small group of immigrant women, doing this work voluntarily because we care about keeping this community connected, informed, and inspired. As always, this week’s edition is full of events, housing offers, and group highlights, so scroll through, and enjoy!

With love,
Sabrina & your IWB team 💖

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KitKat Club (photo: Berliner Zeitung)

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:

• 🇩🇪 German welfare state 'can no longer be financed', says chancellor Merz

• 😓 Kitkat Club confirm alleged r*pe on premises.

• 🤨 In the same topic, a question arises: How safe are sex-positive spaces?

• 🏆 Germany well represented at the Oscars with “Sound of Falling” and the importance of giving women a voice.

• 🗓️ Majority in Germany against relaxing Sunday opening hours

• 🚊 New train will connect central Berlin with airport in 23 minutes

• 📚 Munich was voted the fourth best student city in the world, and Berlin ranks seventh.

• 🗑️ Berlin to raise fines for illegal rubbish dumping from 500 to 11.000 euros

• 💸 European comparison finds Germany most worried about financial future

• 🤑 Finance Minister Lars has hinted that the German coalition government will increase taxes on high-income earners

• 🇩🇰 Couples married in Copenhagen entitled to refund for wedding fee

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Los Bitchos will be playing at the festival Pop-Kultur

👉 Week from August, the 25th to August, the 31th - Berlin is a city full with events to suit all tastes. Here are some highlights that we think you and your friends would enjoy:

• 🎉 Pop-Kultur Festival 2025. August, 25-30

• 💡 Join Forward Festival Berlin 2025 for two days of inspiring talks, bold ideas, and networking in the heart of the creative and design scene. August, 28-29

• ⚡ The Alternative 80s Party • Astra Berlin. August, 30

• 🎨 Späti Art Walk by Counterculture: lots of block parties and creative workshops! August 28-30

• 👠 Friends In Fashion, a networking party for creatives who work in fashion. August, 30

• 😏 Rise and shine, baby. It's time to work on your flirting skills. August, 27

• 😋 Grandma’s Kitchen Stories - An intimate evening of homestyle Bengali comfort food, cooked from the heart and steeped in memories you can taste. August, 30

• 👩‍💻 Are you a freelancer living abroad in Germany looking for an evening filled with good conversation and ideas? Then this event is for YOU! August, 25

• 🤣 Almost Asians - Stand-up Comedy. August, 29

• 🍾 Perfume and Prosecco - Sip, unwind, and meet new people while you create. August, 30

• 🍄 Everything you need to know about brewing kombucha at home. August, 27

• 💃 BERLIN BAILA DISTINTO – LATIN FIESTA CON MUCHO AMOR. August, 29

• ☕ Women's AI Breakfast. August, 26

• 💬 Morning Walk & Talk - 30 minutes of fresh air, light and intentional conversation. August, 27

• 🧘‍♀️ ​FLŌAT STUDIO Opening - Pilates, Yoga & Community Vibes. August, 30

• 🎹 Sunset Jams at Bar Clara - Special Guest: Sofia. August, 25

• 🥃 DRINK & WRITE: Art Show & Open Stage. August, 25

• 🥞 Crêpes & Open Decks. August, 27

• 🍴 XFood Tour - Berlim Mitte | Adventure World Tours. August, 25

• 🙀 CATS in Berlin. August, 30

• 😱 NARUTO THE GALLERY is coming to Europe for the first time - right in the heart of Berlin! August, 27

• 🤘 Oasis Party - A night for everyone who grew up with Definitely Maybe. August, 30

• 🌈 GAY PANIC - Queer Culture, Pop, Performance & Art! August, 31

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“Where can I shop African food?”

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:

• 😋 “Where can I shop for African food in Berlin?”

• 🥱 “Boredom in the office”

• 🤔 “Is there anyone actually happy they moved to Berlin?”

• 🔎 “What kind of hobbies do you guys have?”

• 💻 “Working from outside the EU”

• ⚖️ “Would anyone else like to join a 60-day tandem challenge?”

• 🛍️ “Best second hand store in Berlin that will sell some branded hiking gear and decent brand clothing.”

• 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Communication vs. exposure in relationships

• 🇵🇸 “Any group who meditates or prays for Gaza together, and the wars in general?”

• 🎸 Are you a metal girl? This is post is full of metal buddies

• 💔 “I caught my husband texting with various, mostly young girls on social media.”

• ☕ “Cafés where it’s cosy enough to spend time alone”

• 👀 “Where and how do you usually sell clothes you don’t wear anymore?”

• ❤️ Tips for partners living together for the first time.

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We know finding a place to stay in Berlin is a hard tasks, sometimes. That’s why we gather, every week, some links that might help you - from women to women:

• “Beautiful 3-Room Apartment in Berlin Kreuzberg Available for Sublet (October Start).”

• “I'm renting out my flat for 4 months”

• “Looking for a long-term, registered sublet tenant (Anmeldung possible) to share my spacious apartment in Schöneberg (near KaDeWe/Wittenbergplatz).”

• “My 55m2 sweet sanctuary next to the Charlottenburg Schloss will be available 01. October - 30. June (9 months)”

• “Room in 3 person wg available in alt treptow for long term. 450/month”

• “Looking for long-term tenants who will move in 1.10.2025 AND take over our kitchen!”

• “This stylish 3-room apartment in Berlin-Köpenick could be your next home!”

• “Is anyone interested in moving to Leipzig?! Anmeldung is possible”

• “I'm subletting my 4 rooms apartment for almost two years”

• “I'm renting out my cozy apartment in Tempelhof/Neukölln for 4 months”

• “We’re Trini and my boyfriend Max, both from Chile, and we’re looking for a friendly new flatmate to join our home.”

• “Private room available for a girl”

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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