Studio Berlin

Tune into the second part of a special, two-part episode in honor of KCRW Berlin's last week on air.

Tune into the first part of a special, two-part episode in honor of KCRW Berlin's last week on air.

With the end of the year fast approaching, we're highlighting some of the big news stories from 2020. In this Studio Berlin episode, we revisit our discussion on President Donald Trump's plan to withdraw 9,500 U.S. troops from Germany, which first aired on July 8.

This November, we're highlighting some of the big news stories from 2020. In this Studio Berlin episode, we revisit our discussion on Germany's abortion law, which first aired on Feb. 1.

This November, we're highlighting some of the big news stories from 2020. In this Studio Berlin episode we revisit our discussion on the Black Lives Matter movement, which first aired on June 10.

Angela Merkel is the second-longest serving chancellor in modern German history. Recent polls show that German confidence in her is high, but the chancellor has made it clear she will not seek a fifth term in next year's election. What were Merkel's accomplishments and missteps over the past 15 years? And who is her possible successor?

Nov. 9 marks 31 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. East and West Germany were officially reunited the following October, which the late Chancellor Helmut Kohl called a “dream come true." But the process of growing together brought trials and tribulations that sowed animosity between East and West Germans. Thirty years later, what does German unity look like? Host Sumi Somaskanda discusses the ups and downs of Germany's transformation. (This show first aired on Sept. 16.)

Mismanagement, corruption charges, dubious design plans and a series of technical mishaps led to delay after delay since the first scheduled opening of the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in 2011. So ahead of the much-beleaguered airport's official "takeoff" on Oct. 31, we’re hearing from people who have been following and a part of this story since the beginning.

As novel coronavirus cases skyrocket across Germany and Europe, we talk about what we've learned since the start of the pandemic. How can we best stop its spread, what are the new treatments and is a lockdown imminent or even wise?

This week, we measure the political climate in the U.S. in the lead up to the presidential election. With less than three weeks to go, what’s going on in the nation's capital? And what special role does the southern state of Georgia? We also explore how the next American president will shape politics on both sides of the Atlantic.

A recent survey by the children’s charity Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk found a majority believe that children’s interests have been neglected during the coronavirus pandemic. Host Sylvia Cunningham unpacks these findings with Nina Ohlmeier from the German Children's Fund; 16-year-old Mathilda Gross who is a member of the Children's and Youth Council at the charity, and Dr. Stephan Gerbig, a researcher and policy adviser for the German Institute for Human Rights.

The debate over unconditional basic income is not a new one, but it has gotten more attention in the wake of the COVID-19 health crisis. Find out more about the arguments for and against. (This show originally aired on Sept. 2.)

Two weeks after a fire destroyed the overcrowded refugee camp Moria on the Greek island of Lesbos, asylum policy is high on the EU Commission's agenda. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition agreed to take in 1,500 additional refugees from Greece, a decision hotly debated by the opposition in the German Bundestag. Some critics say the number's not nearly enough, while others say it's time for other EU member states to step up. Host Sylvia Cunningham discusses the current situation on the Greek island of Lesbos and German aid efforts.

On Oct. 3, 1990, less than a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, East and West Germany were reunited. But the process of growing together brought trials and tribulations that sowed animosity between East and West Germans. Thirty years later, what does German unity look like? Host Sumi Somaskanda discusses the ups and downs of Germany's transformation.

Cases of COVID-19 are rising and despite warnings from Berlin to remain alert, a growing number of Germans are pushing back against hygiene and social distancing rules even as their neighbors — the French — embrace those measures to try and avoid another lockdown. Host Sumi Somaskanda explores the subject.

The debate over unconditional basic income is not a new one, but it has gotten more attention in the wake of the COVID-19 health crisis. A new long-term study on how society would change if people were to receive a basic income is underway in Germany. Host Sylvia Cunningham explores some of the arguments for and against.

This week we revisit a controversial discussion that started earlier in the summer. Amid nationwide and international protests against racism, Germany's Green Party proposed to change Article 3 of the nation's Basic Law by removing "Rasse" - in English, "race" - from the text. Proponents of removing the word say it’s linked to Nazi ideology and this change is long overdue. Others say this move is too hasty and would actually harm people of color. Host Sylvia Cunningham finds out more.

Back in June, Berlin passed a hotly debated anti-discrimination law. It is the first of its kind in Germany and allows victims to pursue legal remedies against state officials — including police — for discrimination related to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation and more. But is the new law the panacea its proponents claim or is it villainizing the police as the law's critics contend? Host Sumi Somaskanda explores the issue.

Berlin schools reopened this week amid fears of a second COVID-19 wave, with about 370,000 students returning to the classroom. What measures are in place to minimize the risk of coronavirus outbreaks, and how are students, teachers and parents adapting to the "new normal"?

With the COVID-19 health crisis still at the top of Germany's agenda, have climate change policies fallen to the wayside? Or has the pandemic provided a test run in crisis management?

German authorities are investigating a series of death threats sent via email to politicians and other prominent figures. The threats were signed with the name NSU 2.0, a reference to a neo-Nazi terrorist group. Investigators found that some of the cases of these threats involved data accessed from police computers in the state of Hesse. Host Sumi Somaskanda discusses the latest developments.

Berlin lifted more pandemic restrictions this week, but the city's clubs remain closed for the foreseeable future. What does that mean for Berlin's iconic clubbing culture and the city's reputation? Host Sumi Somaskanda examines the future of the scene.

In the wake of nationwide and international protests against racism, Germany’s Green Party wants to change Article 3 of the nation’s Basic Law by removing “Rasse” – in English, “race” – from the text. The conversation is not new, but controversial. Proponents of removing the word say it’s linked to Nazi ideology and this change is long overdue. Others say this move is too hasty and would actually harm people of color. Host Sylvia Cunningham finds out more.

President Trump’s announcement of a drawdown of American forces from Germany caught German leaders, NATO, and the U.S. Congress by surprise. There’s a bipartisan effort to prevent the White House from following through. What are the chances the U.S. troops will be moved and what’s at stake for American ties with Germany? Host Sumi Somaskanda finds out more.

More than 14 million people have downloaded Germany’s COVID-19 contact tracing app. Before its launch last month, the German government project came under fire over data security and privacy concerns. So does it work? What are users saying? And what questions about the app still need to be answered? Studio Berlin host Sylvia Cunningham breaks down the pros and cons of the “Corona-Warn-App.”

Germany takes the helm of the EU Council on July 1. The presidency comes at a crucial time as Europe grapples with recovery measures to handle the unprecedented health and economic crisis. What are the expectations and challenges ahead? And what are the other topics on Germany’s agenda during its six-month presidency? Host Sylvia Cunningham finds out more.

Berlin passed a hotly debated anti-discrimination law this month, the first of its kind in Germany, that allows victims to pursue legal remedies against state officials — including police — for discrimination related to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation and more. But is the new law the panacea its proponents claim or will it lead to a villainization of the police as the law’s critics contend? Host Sumi Somaskanda finds out more.

Host Sumi Somaskanda delves into modern-day discrimination in Germany and its history of racial injustice.

The Bundesliga resumed this month with soccer teams playing to empty stadiums. It’s the first major sports league in the world to restart amid the coronavirus health crisis. But is this a manageable solution in the pandemic era for soccer and other sports? And how are fans reacting to the so-called “ghost games”? Host Erik Kirschbaum finds out more.

Restaurants and cafes are back open in Berlin, but how has the pandemic changed the experience of dining out? And protests against coronavirus-related restrictions, so-called “hygiene demonstrations,” are gaining attention across the country. Who are these protesters and what are they asking for? Host Sylvia Cunningham finds out more.

It’s high time to book that summer vacation, but what options for leisure travel are there in the time of a pandemic? Is it even safe to travel domestically or internationally? And what will happen to tourism in Berlin? Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores these questions and more.

Lawmakers from across the European Union are urging transparency from China, with growing calls for an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus. How will the COVID-19 pandemic change Europe and Germany’s relationship with Beijing? And among the many challenges to globalization, is this pandemic the biggest? Host Sumi Somaskanda finds out more.

Developers worldwide are working on contact tracing apps that track the spread of the coronavirus through Bluetooth technology – that means, if you’ve come into contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, you’ll be notified. But how much do these apps actually help, and how much privacy do users have to give up? Host Sylvia Cunningham finds out more.

This week Germany is trying to restart part of its economy and public life, but is loosening restrictions the right way out of the COVID-19 crisis? Host Sumi Somaskanda examines Germany’s plan for a gradual return to normality and takes an in-depth look into the medical effort to contain the coronavirus.

Few leaders in EU states agree on what should happen to people who flee to Europe to escape war and poverty. Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores this sensitive topic.

This April is a holy month for Christians, Jews and Muslims that would normally be one in which families and friends gather and people get together to pray. But how can the faithful observe their respective holidays given the COVID-19 pandemic? Also, what toll are the bans, closures and increasing isolation taking mentally on all of us? Host Sylvia Cunningham finds out more.

Germany has abandoned its balanced budget to soften the blow the pandemic is delivering to the economy. Will this historic aid package get Germany through the crisis? And what is happening on the European level? Host Sumi Somaskanda finds out more about the relief efforts.

German Chancellor Merkel has called the coronavirus pandemic the biggest challenge to her nation since World War II and is receiving praise around the world for her government’s handling of the crisis. But is that praise deserved? Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores that question and the impact of COVID-19 on Berlin, Germany and the EU.

In the first six weeks of 2020, five cyclists were killed in road traffic in Berlin, propelling cycling advocates to demand more protection for people on their bikes. In this episode, host Sylvia Cunningham takes a closer look at the city’s cycling infrastructure and Berlin’s mobility law. When the law came into effect in 2018, it was meant to mark a “paradigm shift” in the city’s transport policies. So where are we now?

The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing our lives. This week, host Sylvia Cunningham looks at where we are in this health crisis and what measures are being taken to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.

Despite laws to close the gender pay gap, Germany’s gap remains one of the largest among all EU countries. As Berlin celebrates the second official International Women’s Day, host Nikki Motson takes a look at how far Germany has come and speaks with Berlin women who are working for greater gender equality.

Berlin’s five-year rent freeze came into effect last Sunday. Will it lead to positive changes for Berlin’s renters, or will it slow down housing construction and scare away new investors? Host Erik Kirschbaum takes a closer look.

A new law will go into effect on March 1: the Skilled Immigration Act. Why is Germany in need of skilled workers from non-EU countries and is Germany ready to welcome them? Host Sumi Somaskanda takes a closer look.

Following the appointment of new leadership, will 2020 be the start of a new era for Berlin’s International Film Festival? Host Monika Müller-Kroll discusses the program of the 70th edition of the Berlinale.

What’s next for Germany’s troubled carmakers? Noah Barkin takes a closer look at the growing challenges for the German auto industry. There’s Brexit, renewed tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, and Elon Musk’s announcement to build a Tesla factory just outside of Berlin.

It’s been almost a year since the German parliament voted to amend Paragraph 219a, regarding the advertisement of abortion services, in the country’s criminal code. What does this look like in practice, and what are abortion rights activists and opponents calling for in 2020? Host Sylvia Cunningham takes a closer look.

Berlin’s Grüne Woche wraps up this weekend, reason enough to take a closer look at the debate over Germany’s agricultural future with host Monika Müller-Kroll.

It’s being called Europe’s “man on the moon moment”: The European Green Deal is Europe’s ambitious plan to become the world’s first climate neutral continent. The deadline is 2050, and the price tag starts at 1 trillion euros. Host Nikki Motson dives into the details of the historic deal.

What are the big challenges facing Germany in 2020? Host Sumi Somaskanda discusses the crucial questions of German domestic and foreign policy.

Hertha BSC has had a tough Bundesliga season so far, but there’s hope on the horizon. German soccer legend Jürgen Klinsmann took over as head coach in late November. Can he save Hertha? Studio Berlin host Erik Kirschbaum finds out more.

As 2019 comes to a close, it’s time to look back at the important news stories that we’ve covered on Studio Berlin. Hosts Sumi Somaskanda, Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Erik Kirschbaum discuss some of the big news stories of 2019 that left a mark on Berlin.