The article by Jess Smee discusses the upcoming G7 summit in Biarritz, France, with a focus on combating inequality, a priority set by French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit will address issues such as tax havens, tax optimization, and the socioeconomic gap highlighted by the yellow vest protests in France. The G7's mixed record on promoting equal opportunities in developing countries is examined, referencing the Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGI) project. Gender inequality is also a key topic, with France leading G7 nations in women's parliamentary representation. However, the article notes the challenges Macron faces due to strained international relations within the G7, particularly with the unilateral stances of U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian President Matteo Salvini, as well as Brexit. The article suggests that Macron may limit the summit's scope to avoid public disagreements, a departure from the tradition of reaching fixed agreements at G7 meetings.

Berlin's public transport operator, BVG, is offering a 21% discount on fares for women on 18 March to highlight the gender pay gap in Germany. This 'Frauenticket' is part of an initiative to mark Equal Pay Day and draw attention to the fact that women in Germany earn on average 21% less than men. The discount reflects the pay gap and is intended to symbolize the additional days women would have to work to earn the same as men. The initiative has received mixed reactions on social media, with some praising it and others criticizing it as discriminatory or ineffective. BVG's first female CEO, Sigrid Evelyn Nikutta, has made the company profitable and is working to increase the percentage of female employees. Other businesses in Berlin are also offering discounts to women in support of Equal Pay Day.

Checkpoint Charlie, once a significant border crossing in the Berlin Wall, has become a tourist site filled with shops and fast-food outlets, disappointing visitors seeking its historical essence. Axel Klausmeier, director of the Berlin Wall Foundation, criticizes the commercialization of the area. Berlin politicians are debating a redevelopment plan that includes a cold war museum, housing, and commercial spaces. Tim Renner, former Berlin culture secretary, opposes the plan, advocating for more public space and artistic installations. The redevelopment faces a legal deadline in February 2020, after which the opportunity to create a public space may be lost. The article highlights the tension between preserving historical significance and meeting current urban needs, such as housing. It also touches on the memories of those who experienced Checkpoint Charlie during the Cold War.

The article discusses the challenges and developments in the green fashion industry, particularly focusing on organic cotton. It mentions a report by Financial Times Deutschland about batches of cotton labeled as organic but found to be genetically modified, affecting brands like H&M and Tchibo. The article highlights the complexity of international organic certification and the lack of guarantees about factory conditions. Despite these issues, the green fashion movement is gaining traction in Berlin, with new designers and established trade fairs like Bread & Butter showcasing eco-friendly products. However, some industry insiders, like Costo's founder Anders Bengs, believe that green fashion will remain a niche market for the foreseeable future.

The article discusses Germany's transition to renewable energy, highlighting the role of digitalization in this shift. It features a prototype smart home in Berlin, named F87, which generates its own power and has smart features to control energy use. The house, equipped with a power storage facility using recycled e-car batteries, represents the kind of innovation driving Germany's 'Energiewende' or energy transition. The country aims to source at least 80 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2050. The article also mentions companies like Tado and Sonnen, which are contributing to the energy shift with smart thermostats and energy storage systems, respectively. Smart grids are also discussed as a means to balance energy supply and demand. The article is part of a series leading up to the 23rd Climate Conference in Bonn, November 2017.

The 'Foto Album' exhibition at Berlin's Museum of Things, opening on October 20, explores the evolution of personal photography from private photo albums to the current digital age of social media. Curated by Sophie Schulz, the exhibition showcases thematic collections of historic photographs, revealing commonalities in themes and poses that transcend time. It also touches on German history, with images from different eras, including the time of Hitler and the division between East and West Germany. The exhibition questions the shift in how we document our lives due to digitalization and reflects on the continued desire for tangible photographic memories, as evidenced by the popularity of printed photo books and the resurgence of instant cameras like Polaroid. 'Foto Album' will be available for viewing until February 26, 2018.

The article discusses the political crisis in Europe caused by ongoing illegal immigration and the failure of politicians to address it effectively. It highlights the concern among Europeans regarding immigration, which has surpassed climate change. The piece examines the challenges faced by the incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, including the need to reform the EU's Dublin regulation and the division among European member states on immigration policies. The article also mentions the Bertelsmann Stiftung's SGI survey results on integration policies and the pressure on Greece due to new migrant arrivals. It touches on the potential reshuffle in the European corridors of power and the increasing polarization between European nations on immigration, indicating a growing challenge for von der Leyen to achieve compromise and unity within the EU.

The article discusses the evolving cycling infrastructure in Berlin, highlighting the city's efforts to improve safety and convenience for cyclists. It mentions the introduction of a new bike path near Hasenheide park, the rise in bicycle traffic, and the increasing use of safety gear among cyclists. The article also touches on the activism surrounding cycling safety, including the placement of 'ghost bikes' at accident sites. Despite Germany's reputation as bike-friendly, Berlin is seen as lagging behind cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen. The city's senate has passed a 'mobility law' to prioritize non-car traffic and has plans to create high-speed bike routes and additional bike parking. However, the article notes that bureaucratic delays mean new bike lanes take time to materialize, and cyclists must remain vigilant even on new paths.

Pyotr Verzilov, a Pussy Riot activist, likely experienced poisoning by an unidentified anticholinergic agent, according to German doctors at Berlin's Charité hospital. Verzilov, known for his anti-Kremlin protests, exhibited symptoms such as amnesia and vision loss. His condition is part of a pattern of Kremlin critics being poisoned under suspicious circumstances. The toxin remains unidentified, and while Verzilov is expected to recover, his life is still considered at risk in Russia. The incident follows a history of alleged state-sanctioned poisonings, including the recent case of Sergei Skripal in the UK. Verzilov's transfer to Berlin was facilitated by the Cinema for Peace Foundation.

The Berlin central station, designed by architect Meinhard von Gerkan, may require partial reconstruction after a judge ruled that modifications by owner Deutsche Bahn constituted a 'defacement' of the work of art. The railway company, which had installed a flat metal ceiling and shortened a roof to cut costs, is appealing the decision. The station, which opened in May for the World Cup, took eight years and €700m to build. The dispute has been described by von Gerkan as the most acrimonious of his career, and architectural experts have criticized Deutsche Bahn for compromising the station's intended aesthetic.