Berlin

A far-left party has won the Berlin election, running on a pledge to nationalise housing in the German capital. The result points to strong voter support for radical measures against rising rents and housing shortages in Berlin, and is likely to spark debate in Germany over public ownership of residential property and the future direction of the city's housing policy.

Germany and Russia have held their first direct talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to Deutsche Welle. The talks mark a notable shift in Berlin's stance after years of frozen contacts with Moscow. Observers are asking why the meeting is happening now and what it could mean for the war in Ukraine and European diplomacy.

A complete list of results, times and standings for the Berlin Marathon 2026 has been made available via Olympics.com, covering finishers' times and rankings. The race is one of the World Marathon Majors, and full result lists typically draw attention from runners checking their official times, clubs tracking athletes, and fans following elite performances in the German capital.

Germany's foreign minister has met Russian counterparts in a rare encounter, urging Moscow to abandon what she called a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. The direct appeal highlights renewed diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow as fighting continues and Western allies weigh further support for Kyiv.

Germany has moved to close Berlin's 'Russian House', which remained open throughout Russia's war in Ukraine and despite EU sanctions. Its survival was protected by a reciprocal arrangement: Moscow allowed the Goethe-Institut to keep operating in Russia, and Berlin tolerated its counterpart in return. The situation changed after Germany accused Russia of sabotage, prompting Berlin to act against the cultural centre.

Russia and Germany have held their first high-level diplomatic talks since 2022, taking place on the margins of the United Nations. The meeting marks a significant thaw in relations that had been frozen since Germany shifted its stance after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Observers are watching closely for signs of whether the contact signals a broader diplomatic opening between Berlin and Moscow.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is hosting talks with EU counterparts aimed at tightening the European migration pact. The discussions, held in Germany, focus on strengthening the bloc's shared asylum and migration rules. The move signals Berlin's push for a harder line on migration policy at the European level, a subject of ongoing debate among member states.

Tigst Assefa's attempt at a world record at the Berlin Marathon fell apart when cramps forced her off record pace, with Guye Adola taking the men's victory in the German capital. Berlin has long been the stage for marathon world records, making the missed mark a notable talking point among distance running fans.

Coalition negotiations in Berlin are being closely watched not only for the city's next government but for their effect on the Bundesrat, Germany's upper chamber, in 2026. Commenters note that at the start of 2026 the Union still supplied eight of the sixteen state premiers, all men, and argue the wrangling is largely about shifting national power balances between parties rather than purely local politics.

The women's DFB-Pokal is in full swing in Germany, with several second-round fixtures making headlines. Schalke started fast against Essen, Blau-Gelb Marburg hosted Leipzig in what was called their match of a lifetime, and Werder Bremen reached the round of sixteen thanks to Ulbrich. 1. FC Köln won in Berlin, while Turbine Potsdam and Hertha BSC's women were knocked out.