Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- More Germans think Berlin ‘lacks charisma’ than those who find it ‘fascinating,’ according to a survey
- The German government is reportedly considering sanctioning a Russian cultural center in the capital over the recent drone incident at Leipzig airport
- Nearly a quarter of German companies are facing a shortage of skilled workers
This is a roundup of the stories making headlines in Germany on Friday, August 21 2026:
Skip next section Germany’s gas stores at ‘historic low’ for time of year08/21/2026August 21, 2026
Germany’s gas stores at ‘historic low’ for time of year
Gas storage facilities in Germany are less full for the time of year than at any point since 2011, when records began.
The current gas storage level is by far the lowest ever recorded for this time of year in Germany,” Sebastian Heinermann, INES managing director told German news agency dpa. “It is therefore a historic low.”
Find out why Germany’s gas storage levels are so low in this in-depth report by DW’s Nik Martin.
https://p.dw.com/p/5JC1xSkip next section Panda twins celebrate second birthday at Berlin Zoo08/21/2026August 21, 2026
Panda twins celebrate second birthday at Berlin Zoo
Berlin Zoo held a birthday party for two of its most popular residents: twin pandas Leni and Lotti, who are turning two years old this weekend.
The panda cubs were treated to a special ice cake made of beetroot and carrot juice, which was waiting for them on the climbing frame in their outdoor enclosure, Berlin Zoo said in a statement.
“The two panda twins devoured the icy birthday surprise with obvious enthusiasm,” the zoo said.
Born on August 22, 2024, the sisters have grown from tiny cubs weighing less than 170 grams (under 6 ounces) each into giant pandas. Leni weighs more than 70 kilograms (154 pounds), while Lotti weighs around 61 kilograms.
“Two years ago, Leni and Lotti could still fit in our hands; today, together they weigh more than 130 kilograms. Watching them develop is very special for our entire team. As true Berliners, they have long since found many fans in the city,” said Zoo and Animal Park Director Dr. Andreas Knieriem.
The pandas’ names have a special connection to Berlin: Leni is named after iconic German actress and Berlin native Marlene Dietrich, while Lotti is named after Charlottenburg, which neighbors the zoo.
Their mother Meng Meng arrived in Germany in 2017 as part of an agreement with China, which has gifted pandas to friendly nations as part of its “panda diplomacy” policy.
China maintains ownership of the animals and any cubs that are produced, and virtually all cubs born outside China are eventually returned.
Knieriem said Leni and Lotti are “ambassadors for a species whose protection can only succeed through international cooperation. Because we mustn’t forget that fewer than 2,000 giant pandas live in their natural habitat.”
The giant panda is listed as “vulnerable” to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
https://p.dw.com/p/5JC0wSkip next section Berlin not as appealing to Germans today compared to 20 years ago — survey08/21/2026August 21, 2026
Berlin not as appealing to Germans today compared to 20 years ago — survey
A new survey has found that Berlin is losing its appeal to many Germans.
An Allensbach Institute poll published by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) on Friday found that 31% of respondents consider their capital city to be a “fascinating metropolis.”
The same survey found that 36% of the 1,039 people polled think Berlin lacks charisma.
The figures represent a sharp decline in Berlin’s appeal among Germans. A previous Allensbach survey from 2007 showed that 66% thought the capital was “fascinating,” with only 14% saying it lacked appeal.
Famously described by former mayor Klaus Wowereit as “poor but sexy,” Berlin has seen tens of thousands of workers move to the city, causing rents to soar.
This has in turn placed increasing strain on world-famous Berlin’s nightclubs, many of which are being priced out by property developers.
Hamburg (48%) and Munich (47%) lead the way for Germans who were asked which cities are particularly appealing.
Asked which cities they would not want to live in, Berlin scored 46%, making it the least popular city alongside financial capital Frankfurt am Main.
https://p.dw.com/p/5JBptSkip next section Welcome to our coveragePublished 08/21/2026Published August 21, 2026last updated 08/21/2026last updated August 21, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Karl Sexton | Zac Crellin Editor
Guten Morgen! from Bonn, where the long-overdue rain from the past two days has eased ahead of the weekend.
We begin our coverage of Germany today with the news that Berlin, widely considered one of the world’s coolest cities for its vibrant cultural and nightlife scenes, is losing its appeal to many Germans.
Boosting the German capital’s appeal — at least for today — is the second birthday celebration of panda twins Leni and Lotti at Berlin Zoo.
In other news from Berlin, the federal government is considering sanctioning a long-standing Russian cultural center in the capital over the recent explosive-laden drone that was found at Leipzig Airport this month.
Bleibt dran as we bring you more on these headlines and plenty more besides.
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