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:

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.

Welcome to our coverage

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.