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November 25
SPIEGEL ONLINE
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on November 25, 2009, 06:04 PM CET
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'MY SECOND BIRTH'
Discovering Life in Vegetative Patients
For over 20 years, doctors thought Rom Houben was brain dead. But then, neurologist Steven Laureys discovered that the Belgian was very much awake. Experts say that up to 40 percent of those thought to be in a persistent vegetative state are, in fact, quite conscious.
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'CITY GETTING BLANDER'
Berlin Clears One of its Last Remaining Squats
One of the last remaining squats in Berlin was cleared on Tuesday. After a long-drawn out legal battle, 600 police descended on Brunnenstrasse 183 to evict the occupants. Berlin's days as a squatter's paradise and alternative mecca are long gone.
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FROM SEATTLE TO COPENHAGEN
Climate Change Summit Becomes a Target for Protest
Is global warming the new globalization? Environmental activists are hoping that demonstrations at next month's climate summit in Denmark can forge a protest movement like the anti-globalization movement seen after the WTO riots in 1999. But the Danish authorities have other ideas.
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GLOBAL CRIMINAL NETWORK
Congolese Rebels Laundering Money in Germany, UN Report Reveals
According to a leaked United Nations' report, the rebels in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo are out of control. Despite the UN having been present in the country for 10 years, there is still no end in sight to the conflict that has seen thousands of civilians raped, tortured and murdered. |
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'Westerwelle Is Like a Would- Be Facebook Friend You Can't Ignore'
Guido Westerwelle has concluded his first trip to Israel as Germany's new foreign minister. Germany's past and his own made the trip a tense one. Although German commentators are happy he didn't rock the boat, they still feel that he didn't -- and won't -- accomplish much in the Middle East.
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CLIMATE CHANGE'S CLEAR WINNERS
Europe's Wild Boar Population Exploding
Europe is waging war on the boar, whose numbers have been surging as a result of global warming and the large-scale cultivation of maize and rapeseed for biofuel. While violent confrontations with humans are on the rise, the animal is respected for its intelligence -- and remains dear to German hearts.
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THE VACCINE RENAISSANCE
How Big Pharma Profits from Swine Flu
Once spurned by drugmakers as low-margin and risky, vaccines to fight diseases such as H1N1 are now a growing business for Novartis and others. |
PAYING FOR GERMAN REUNIFICATION
Court Rules 'Solidarity' Tax Is Unconstitutional
A regional German court has taken a decision that could cost the government billions of euros. It has ruled that the "solidarity" income tax surcharge introduced in 1991 to help rebuild eastern Germany is unconstitutional. The matter will now go before Germany's top court. |
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SPIEGEL ONLINE
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on November 24, 2009, 06:14 PM CET
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INTERVIEW WITH US SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE
'We're Not in Afghanistan to Build a Perfect Democracy'
The US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, spoke to SPIEGEL about Washington's goals in Afghanistan, President Obama's new war strategy and the prospects of handing over responsibility to the government in Kabul.
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BRAZIL'S PRESIDENT LULA
'Father of the Poor' Has Triggered Economic Miracle
Brazil is seen as an economic success story and its people revere President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva like a star. He is on a mission to turn the country into one of the world's five biggest economies through reforms, giant infrastructure projects and by tapping vast oil reserves. But he faces hurdles.
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SPLITTING THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT
Expellee Leader Steinbach Puts Merkel in a Tight Spot
Erika Steinbach, the controversial head of an association of Germans expelled from Eastern Europe after World War II, is proving to be a thorn in Merkel's side. What to do about Steinbach has driven a wedge through the new government, and Merkel's attempt to buy Steinbach off with a lucrative government post has failed. |
GM'S QUEST FOR STATE AID
Is Germany Reeling in the Opel Life Ring?
General Motors is trying to convince EU countries to foot the bill for restructuring costs related to its operations in Europe. But Germany, once eager to do whatever necessary to save Opel, has become reluctant to help out. |
POLICE RAID IN MUNICH
Germany Suspects China of Spying on Uighur Expatriates
German investigators on Tuesday morning searched the residences of four suspected Chinese spies. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL ONLINE, the suspects had been spying on Munich's Uighur community on orders from the Chinese government. |
VESTIGES OF 'GENOCIDAL SYSTEM'
Poland to Ban Communist Symbols
Reforming Poland's hate-crime legislation may mean criminalizing communism. An amendment to the criminal code awaiting the president's signature would ban a broad category of communist symbols. Left-wing politicians say the law does more to violate human rights than protect them. |
MODELING THE FUTURE
The Difficulties of Predicting Climate Change
Climate researchers use some of the most powerful computers in the world to run their models. Still, the sheer amount of data that must be crunched mandates that many details are simply left out. How accurate are the results?
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DYING TO LIVE IN EUROPE
What Happens to Immigrants Who Don't Make It?
Not one single government in Europe registers how many immigrants die attempting to get across its borders. Nor do they try to find out who they were. But they have stories, if you know where to look. |
A GERMAN ROBIN HOOD
Bank Worker Sentenced for Shifting Funds From Rich to Poor
A bank worker who shifted money from the accounts of well-off customers to help cover the overdrafts of poorer ones has been sentenced in Germany. The media are describing the woman, who took no money for herself and is now repaying €1.1 million from a tiny pension, as a female Robin Hood. |
SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH IRAN'S NUCLEAR AMBASSADOR
'We Have Nothing to Hide'
Ali Asghar Soltanieh serves as Iran's ambassador to the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In an interview with SPIEGEL, he discusses why Iran will continue with its uranium-enrichment activities whether the world likes it or not and why the West should help rather than threaten it.
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'Bing Has Little Chance against Google'
In the world of search, Microsoft's Bing search engine is the David to Google's Goliath. Now Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. is hoping to be the pebble that brings the giant down by only offering its content via the Microsoft site. German commentators are skeptical about the new alliance's chances. |
CLIMATE CHANGE AND COPENHAGEN
What If Global Temperatures Rose by 4 Degrees Celsius?
World leaders will soon gather in Copenhagen in the hopes of coming up with a binding agreement aimed at limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. But what if we're not successful? Kirsty Lewis of the Met Office Hadley Centre, a leading climate research group, introduces a new Flash map which shows what might happen should temperatures rise by 4 degrees Celsius.
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November 23
SPIEGEL ONLINE
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on November 23, 2009, 06:34 PM CET
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THE DEATH PENALTY PROBLEM
9/11 Trial Puts German- US Relations Under Strain
The prosecutors in the forthcoming 9/11 trials in New York will be seeking the death penalty if the five defendants are found guilty. That could pose a problem for Germany, which is supplying vital evidence for the prosecution.
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US FOREIGN POLICY
Obama's Nice Guy Act Gets Him Nowhere on the World Stage
When he entered office, US President Barack Obama promised to inject US foreign policy with a new tone of respect and diplomacy. His recent trip to Asia, however, showed that it's not working. A shift to Bush-style bluntness may be coming. |
SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH SPANISH PRIME MINISTER
'The EU Is Already Playing in the Top League'
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, 49, talks to SPIEGEL about the European Union's new president and foreign minister, Spain's goals for its upcoming EU presidency and hopes for a new beginning in Europe.
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GERMAN-ISRAELI RELATIONS
'Merkel Should Get More Engaged in the Peace Process'
This week Guido Westerwelle makes his first visit as German foreign minister to Israel. Next week the Israeli and the German cabinets are meeting in Berlin. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE Dalia Itzik, floor leader for Kadima, the biggest opposition party, says she wants Germany to take a bigger role in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. |
NAZI CARS FOR SALE
Russian Investor to Shell out Millions for 'Hitler Limousine'
A Russian investor is about to pay millions of for a Mercedes limousine believed to have ferried Adolf Hitler. The classic car expert who tracked it down, Michael Fröhlich, has told SPIEGEL ONLINE about its chequered history -- and says a pharoah-like curse may be attached to the five-ton monster. |
KUNDUZ GOVERNOR OMAR
'It Would Honestly Be Better if They Left'
Security in the Kunduz province of northern Afghanistan has deteriorated markedly in recent months. In an interview with SPIEGEL, Kunduz Governor Mohammed Omar expresses his dissatisfaction with the German troops stationed there. |
EUROPE'S SAFE CHOICE
The Technocrats at the Top of the EU
Europe's leaders have chosen two competent but dull technocrats to be the EU's first president and foreign minister. The uninspired choice shows the determination of national leaders to hold on to power -- and the limits of what is currently possible within the bloc.
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'WHITE CHRISTMAS' CAMPAIGN
Uproar over Italian Town's Foreigner Registration Drive
Officials in the northern Italian town of Coccaglio are visiting the homes of foreign residents and expelling those with expired residency permits. The initiative, which is called "White Christmas," has caused a national uproar, but city officials claim their words have been taken out of context. |
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
Match- Fixing Scandal 'Struck at the Heart of Soccer'
The European match-fixing scandal is tragic for soccer fans whose faith in fair play risks being shattered, write German commentators. But corruption can infect any business, and the undercover police operation that exposed it is a positive sign, they add. |
GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS MIDDLE EAST
Westerwelle Under Close Scrutiny in Israel
Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, the leader of the pro-business Free Democrat party, is being closely watched during his current two-day trip to Israel, which hasn't forgotten his party's fierce criticism of Israeli policy in 2002. |
TRADING KETCHUP FOR RELISH
McDonald's in Germany Ditches Red for Green
Many in Germany associate McDonald's with obesity and litter. But the company is now trying to change its image -- by changing its colors. The burger joint has swapped out red for green in an effort to demonstrate its commitment to the environment. |
THE SUN PRINCE
Nobleman Wants to Build World's Largest Solar Park in Bavaria
Albert Prinz of Thurn and Taxis, the German billionaire known for his car racing exploits, wants to build the world's largest solar farm in Bavaria. The 115 million euro project could generate handsome earnings in green electricity sales for the family. First, though, they have to overcome local resistance. |
STILL STRUGGLING
A Chill in Britain
Signs of a rebound are mounting. But with more layoffs looming, the UK may still be struggling in 2010. |
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November 20
SPIEGEL ONLINE
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on November 20, 2009, 06:23 PM CET
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EUROPE'S NEW LEADERSHIP
'Who' for President, 'I Don't Know' for Foreign Minister
The appointment of Herman van Rompuy and Catherine Ashton to the European Union's top spots has many scratching their heads. The two are relatively unknown, but expectations are so low, they can only exceed them.
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PR WRIT LARGE
The Great Chinese Media Offensive
China's image in the world hasn't been the best lately. Now, Beijing is pumping billions of dollars into a global media campaign in an effort to reverse that trend. Chinese television may be coming soon to a TV near you.
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SHORT SELLING AMERICAN LIVES
Deutsche Bank Life Insurance Fund in Hot Water
Two Deutsche Bank funds were designed to profit from premature deaths in the US by buying up life insurance policies. But investors have seen precious little return on their investment. Angry customers are accusing the bank of fraud. |
'NEEDLES, PLIERS, A BLUNT SAW'
Rammstein Album Riles Censors, Finally
Rammstein has reached its goal. The band's best-selling new album "Liebe ist für alle da" ("Love is There for Everyone") has been taken off German shelves after offending government censors -- a first for the bad boys of German rock.
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FOOTBALL BETTING SCANDAL
Prosecutors Say up to 200 Matches Were Fixed
Prosecutors in Germany have revealed the scope of the match-fixing scandal that has shocked European football. Around 200 games are suspected of having been fixed, with more than 30 of those played in Germany. |
MORE THAN 'JUST A GAME'
Sport Turns into Ultimate Political Football
It's not often that sport becomes the stuff of diplomatic disputes. But two highly controversial World Cup qualifying matches have pushed football into the global headlines this week. Algeria and Egypt find themselves embroiled in a serious spat while the Irish government complained to Paris.
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GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Poor Women Bear Brunt of Global Warming
With the world struggling to come up with an agreement ahead of December's Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, one important fact has been overlooked: Women are hit hardest by the extreme weather shifts, according to a new UN report. |
THE VELVET REVOLUTION
Czech Students Look Back at What Their Forebears Started
The Czech Republic this week kicked off celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. Back then, it was Czechoslovakian students who took the lead. Nowadays, the country's youth are ambivalent about Prague-style democracy. |
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
Afghanistan 'Cannot Advance on Words Alone'
After a controversial election, Afghan President Hamid Karzai was finally sworn in for his second term this week. The high-ranking Western diplomats who attended the inauguration said it was a decisive moment for the strife-torn land. But German commentators are not impressed with Karzai's promises.
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NEW EU PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER
Europe Chooses Nobodies
Europe's leaders are relieved that the wrangling over the EU's new positions of president and foreign minister is finally over. But they have no reason to be proud. Once again, the EU has missed an opportunity to boost its standing on the global stage.
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NOT AT HOME IN GERMANY
Almost Half of Turkish Migrants Want to Leave
This week, results of the first study comparing opinions of Germans, Turks and Turks living in Germany were announced. There were some grounds to celebrate integration but there were also problems. Many immigrants say they feel out of place in both countries, almost half want to return home and Turkish youth are becoming more conservative than their elders. |
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SPIEGEL ONLINE
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on November 19, 2009, 06:24 PM CET
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INAUGURATION DAY IN AFGHANISTAN
Karzai Promises to Improve on Corruption
Afghan President Hamid Karzai was sworn in on Thursday for his second term in office with a number of Western diplomats in attendance. Under intense pressure from the West, he promised to step up the fight against rampant corruption in his country. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who was in Kabul for the ceremony, said that now is the time for action.
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THE BRUSSELS NAME GAME
Who Will Fill the EU's Top Jobs?
European leaders are getting ready for a long night of discussions as they prepare to choose the EU's first full-time president and foreign minister. There are plenty of candidates but no favorites, and member states aren't tipping their hands.
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MERKEL'S SHADOW
Finance Minister Schäuble's Outsized Influence
Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble is the most important member of Germany's new coalition government. He insists he is loyal to Chancellor Angela Merkel, but he could prove to be a thorn in her side. |
STAGNATING TEMPERATURES
Climatologists Baffled by Global Warming Time- Out
Global warming appears to have stalled. Climatologists are puzzled as to why average global temperatures have stopped rising over the last 10 years. Some attribute the trend to a lack of sunspots, while others explain it through ocean currents.
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PORTRAITS OF EUROPEAN APARTHEID
Photographs from Seven Years with the Roma
What began as a short visit to Hungary finished seven years later with a prize-winning book documenting the lives of the Roma people, from India to Eastern Europe. The photos are now on display in Germany. And with Berlin planning to repatriate up to 10,000 Roma, they are more than just pretty pictures.
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WHERE'S THE FÊTE?
Paris Fights Back Against Accusation of Boring Nightlife
Amid complaints that Parisian nightlife has lost ground to cities like Berlin and Barcelona, French officials are doing their best to buff up the city's reputation. But partygoers, perturbed by red tape and the closure of famous clubs, say that more has to be done to enliven the city in the wee hours. |
PIRATE SEASON UNDERWAY
Increased Violence on the High Seas
A dead captain, soldiers onboard civilian freighters, record ransoms and shoot-outs almost daily: After two months of relative calm, pirate season off the coast of Somalia has resumed. The stakes are higher than ever.
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
New EU President 'Will Only Add to the Current Confusion'
Leaders of the European Union meet on Thursday evening to discuss who should get the bloc's new top jobs. German commentators suggest that, before the meeting, the leaders should do some homework and put aside national differences -- or risk devaluing the whole process.
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November 19
SPIEGEL ONLINE
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on November 18, 2009, 05:48 PM CET
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GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT TACKLING CORRUPTION
Afghan Attorney General to Indict Five Leading Politicians
Just one day before Afghan President Hamid Karzai is sworn in for his second term, the country's attorney general has announced that he has prepared indictments against five top politicians on charges of corruption. It's now up to Karzai to take action. NATO has also said it is willing to help in the fight against graft.
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THE SISYPHUS FROM NAIROBI
How the UN's Climate Advocate Wants to Save the World
Achim Steiner heads up the UN Environment Program, a traditionally weak agency with an annual budget of just 200 million dollars. But Steiner is doing his best to transform the position into a soapbox for the environment -- and is having some success. |
THE LAND OF THE RICH
Medvedev's Desperate Fight against Corruption
A new novel has drawn attention to the depth of corruption in Russian society. President Dmitry Medvedev has taken steps to combat the problem, but his appeals for improvement are falling flat.
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ATROCITIES IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Germany Arrests Rwandan War Crimes Suspects
The Hutu militia FDLR is responsible for much of the violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where murder, massacres, rape and kidnapping are widespread. The FDLR's leaders have lived untouched in Germany for years. Now the authorities have reacted -- far too late. |
GERMANY'S NAZI EXCEPTION
Constitutional Court OKs Curtailing of Free Speech
Germany's constitution strongly and explicitly protects the freedom of speech. Still, the country's highest court has now said that -- given the injustice and horrors of the Nazi regime -- it is constitutional to make an exception that bans speech glorifying Hitler's ideology.
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CREDIT CARD THREAT
Fear of Fraud Prompts Massive Recall in Germany
German banks are recalling at least 100,000 credit cards after being warned that a Spanish service provider stole data. The move is aimed at heading off a massive scam and customers of all German banks could potentially be affected. |
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'When Will the Government Start to Govern? '
Finding harmony in the new German coalition seems to be about as easy as herding cats. Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives have been at odds with their new coalition partners, the FDP, on almost every issue. German papers instruct the government to stop bickering in public and get on with running the country. |
SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT
Left Party Leader Oskar Lafontaine Has Cancer
Left Party leader Oskar Lafontaine has announced he is suffering from cancer. The news has shocked the German political establishment and raised questions about the future of the far-left party, which has recently been gaining more and more support.
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WORLD HUNGER
In Abidjan, the Food Crisis Is Anything but Forgotten
In Rome this week, the UN is discussing the fate of 1 billion people in the world who do not have enough to eat. But the industrialized world tends to forget that the food crisis is still very real for people in places like Ivory Coast. |
DIETMAR'S LUCKY BREAK
Stork Amputee Gets an Artificial Leg
A stork in the German state of Saxony had the bad luck to break his leg, resulting in an amputation. Now, though, Dietmar is being nursed back to health with the help of a prosthesis. |
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on November 17, 2009, 06:23 PM CET
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OPINION
Obama Has Failed the World on Climate Change
US President Barack Obama came to office promising hope and change. But on climate change, he has followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, George W. Bush. Now, should the climate summit in Copenhagen fail, the blame will lie squarely with Obama.
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SEX AND SECRETS
Trial of Gay Spy Threatens to Embarrass German Intelligence
An explosive trial about to start in Munich involves a spy accused of betraying state secrets to his gay lover. It promises to expose the shadowy world of Germany's foreign intelligence and may end up damaging the service. |
LISBON TREATY REFORMS
Europe's Bumbling Search for an International Voice
With the Lisbon Treaty soon to become reality, the European Union is struggling to find a president and a foreign minister. The dream of an EU diplomatic service is within grasp, but will it make a difference? Members of the European Parliament are already warning of a "bureaucratic monster."
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BERLIN BICKERING
Merkel's Coalition Heads for Marriage Counseling
The first weeks of Chancellor Angela Merkel's new government have been rife with incessant quarreling. From tax cuts to health care to history, the new coalition partners are struggling to find a common line. A two-day retreat may help. |
LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR CLIMATE SUMMIT
Can Copenhagen Still Be Saved?
The chances of a binding agreement being reached at the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen seem slimmer than ever. But environmentalists still see a small chance of progress at the December meeting.
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NOW IS OUR TIME
UN Secretary- General on the Copenhagen Climate Summit
In an open letter in the run-up to the the UN climate conference beginning on Dec. 7, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appeals to world leaders to come to Copenhagen and hammer out the foundation of what he hopes will eventually be an ambitious climate deal.
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SS MASSACRE
Former Nazi Charged with Murder of 58 Jewish Laborers
German authorities have charged a 90-year-old man with the murder of 58 Jewish forced laborers in 1945 after a university student researching the massacre discovered one of the perpetrators was still alive. |
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'Obama's Soft Approach on China Won't Succeed'
Though President Obama has not shied away from discussing human rights and censorship on his three-day trip to China, German commentators argue that growing US dependence on China has taken the thunder out of his rhetoric.
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LYON'S FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
A Dazzling Orgy of Colors
If you find yourself anywhere near Lyon in early December, make sure to stop by for the marvels of the four-day festival of lights. What began over 150 years ago as a spontaneous celebration when a storm cleared has grown to become a must-see event.
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November 18
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on November 16, 2009, 06:07 PM CET
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SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON
'Our Goal Is to Defeat Al- Qaida and Its Extremist Allies'
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke to SPIEGEL about her hopes for Afghanistan, her fears about al-Qaida's safe haven in Pakistan and her finite patience with Iran. |
HOLLOW THREATS
Why America Is Stuck With Karzai
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his ally, the United States, are hopelessly at odds, and yet they are condemned to the mutual pursuit of success in Afghanistan. |
TROUBLED CLIMATE TALKS
Merkel to Attend Copenhagen Despite Deal Doubts
The good news: German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she intends to attend the Copenhagen climate talks. The bad news: 21 other world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, have said they don't expect the talks to produce a binding treaty. |
GIRLS FOR GADHAFI
Libyan Leader Hands out Korans to Hundreds of Italian Beauties
Known for his quirkiness, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi may have outdone himself this week. In Italy for a global hunger summit, the colonel requested hundreds of "beautiful girls from all of Italy," saying he wanted to "exchange views." They got a Koran for their trouble. |
SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER GUIDO WESTERWELLE
'We've Had Enough of Faint- Hearted Politics'
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle talks to SPIEGEL about new government plans to tackle the economic crisis, Obama's Afghanistan strategy and his own contribution to German society's acceptance of homosexuality. |
VICTIM OF THE WEAK DOLLAR
Airbus Parent EADS Reports Heavy Losses
EADS took an 87 euro million hit in the third quarter, largely thanks to the weakening US dollar. The company, however, is also plagued with production delays on its aircrafts and slowing orders in a challenging economic environment.
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BIDDING ROBERT ENKE FAREWELL
Germany Mourns a Football Star
Tens of thousands of fans turned up on Sunday to pay their respects to Robert Enke, the German national goalkeeper who took his own life on Tuesday. The tragic death of the football star has opened up a debate on depression and the huge pressure sports stars face.
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LE MOBILE MIX-UP
French Café Owner Gets 46,000 Euro Phone Bill
A man living near the Belgian border was sent a massive bill by his mobile phone provider. Orange told the cafe owner at first that he had exceeded the data limit for his 3G flat rate, but then admitted he may have been accessing the Web via Belgium. |
SYMBOLIC SHOVE
Walesa's Injuries from Berlin Collision Worse than First Thought
Lech Walesa helped Berlin celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall last week. But he was also involved in an unfortunate collision with a cameraman on a Segway. Now, it appears that his injuries were worse than first thought. |
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'The SPD Still Has to Fight for its Survival'
At their first national conference after defeat in September's federal elections, Germany's Social Democrats promised a fresh start. A new, younger leadership said they would boldly reclaim the political center. But commentators wonder where the Social Democrats can actually go from here. |
NETHERLANDS ROAD FEES
New Pay- as- You- Go Tax for Dutch Drivers
Rather than an annual road tax for their cars, drivers in the Netherlands will soon pay a few cents for every kilometer on the road, in a plan aimed at eliminating chronic traffic jams and cutting carbon emissions. |
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November 16
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on November 13, 2009, 07:07 PM CET
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LETTER FROM BERLIN
Rising Star Guttenberg Embraces Difficult Defense Job
It hasn't taken long for German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg to make a mark in his new job. From referring to the Afghanistan mission as a "war" to announcing a slight increase in troop numbers, he has gained the support of the military. Back home, though, challenges await.
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CHAOS IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
Panic in Germany as Swine Flu Spreads
Fear of swine flu is running rampant in Germany as the number of reported cases -- and deaths -- continues to grow. Doctors' offices are inundated by people wanting to get the vaccine, which is in short supply. But health professionals are divided over how dangerous the virus really is.
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SPIEGEL PUB QUIZ
Bono and the Promiscuous Penguin
It's been an exciting time in Germany recently, what with the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. But there have also been penguins, panthers and Angela Merkel's cleavage to discuss. If you think you know why David Hasselhoff was in Berlin and if it had anything to do with German cars that drive themselves, then you'd best test your knowledge on the wild, wet and dangerously wonderful SPIEGEL Pub Quiz. Fireworks guaranteed.
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A WARMING ARCTIC
Greenland's Ice Sheet Melting Faster than Ever
Everyone knows that the ice sheet on Greenland is melting. But new research shows it is disappearing much faster than previously thought. The findings could mean that ocean levels are also rising more quickly. |
US DENIED
Berlin Against Anti- Terror Bank Data Deal
The new German justice minister says Berlin is not comfortable with an EU measure that would grant US authorities access to European banking data. Now it seems likely that the Germans may scupper the deal, which is supposed to be pushed through at an EU meeting in Brussels at the end of November. |
SWASTIKAS AND TINSEL
How the Nazis Stole Christmas
Swastika Christmas tree ornaments, "Germanic" cookies and made-up traditions: A new exhibition highlights how the Nazis tried to take Christ out of Christmas. But their attempts to hijack a festival that began with the birth of a Jewish child weren't entirely successful.
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
Medvedev's Plans For Russia 'Far From Reality'
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday gave his second state of the nation address since becoming the country's leader. While German commentators praised his grand vision to modernize the country, many doubted his ability to carry it out. |
ANALYZING A DEBACLE
Germany's Social Democrats Begin Search for Answers
Germany's once-proud Social Democrats suffered an historic defeat on election day in September. Now, the party is gathered in Dresden to begin the search for answers -- and for a fresh start. But a new poll indicates the road to recovery is, if anything, getting longer. |
WESTWARD EXPANSION
Gazprom's American Ambitions
Europe knows all about how tough Gazprom can be at the negotiating table. Now Gazprom, the bare-knuckled king of natural gas, is out to make its mark in America. |
CO2 AND CARBON SINKS
How Nature Helps Cancel Out Humanity's Sins
Carbon dioxide is the primary perpetrator of climate change and most efforts to slow global warming go into preventing CO2 production and aiding CO2 absorption. But a new study suggests that the more CO2 we make, the more nature absorbs. So do we really need all those rainforests? |
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November 12
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Compiled on November 12, 2009, 06:06 PM CET
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SPIES AND RACISM AT IKEA?
Former Executive Writes Shocking Tell- All
Ikea has been described as the "Teflon multinational" because of its unshakably positive image. But a new book by a former top executive paints a damning picture of corporate practices at the Swedish furniture giant. The author claims the company is run like a sect, complete with spies, lies and rampant racism.
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NOSTALGIA FOR THE OTTOMANS
Disillusioned with Europe, Turkey Looks East
As European opposition to EU membership for Turkey grows, Ankara is looking to forge closer ties to its neighbors. Turkey wants to once again become a leading power in the Middle East -- but its relationship with Israel may suffer as a result.
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ROGUE POWER
Emergence of Anti- Taliban Militias a Cause for Concern
To make up for a lack of manpower in the fight against the Taliban, the Afghan government has encouraged the formation of armed militias in Kunduz Province. But German soldiers fighting in the area are unsure how to deal with these roving bands of guerillas fighters.
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THE NETHERLANDS' FEARMONGER
Geert Wilders' One- Man Crusade against Islam
Geert Wilders wants to ban the Koran, impose a tax on headscarves and calculate the cost of immigration. The Dutch right-wing populist also plans to run for prime minister in 2011 -- and his party is currently leading in the polls.
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THE APPS BOOM
Gold Rush in the Smartphone Software Market
Programs for smart mobile phones are popular and currently applications for the iPhone by Apple are ruling the market. The hype, the marketing and the developers' rags-to-riches stories make for fascinating reading. But is anyone other than Apple actually making any money, or use, out of the apps boom? |
FLAMING ATMS
New Militant Group Torches Cash Machines in Frankfurt
A previously unknown militant group claims to be behind a series of arson attacks on banks in Frankfurt over the past two weeks. Police are still hunting for leads to the elusive group, while commentators are drawing links with Germany's notorious terrorist group the Red Army Faction. |
WINNENDEN SCHOOL MASSACRE
Charges Coming Against Father of Shooter
It was one of the worst school shootings in German history. Tim K. shot and killed 15 people before turning the weapon on himself. Now, officials say that negligent homocide charges are to be filed against his father for not locking his guns up properly.
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'Wearing a Headscarf in Germany Is a Potentially Deadly Risk'
A Dresden court on Wednesday handed down a life sentence to Alex W. for his brutal murder of an Egyptian woman in July. The verdict has recieved widespread praise, but German commentators say the incident has not left Germany unscarred. |
AIMING HIGH IN LOW TIMES
Fiat's 'Crazy' Chrysler Plan Just Might Succeed
Many think that Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of both Chrysler and Fiat, is a little brash for saying that he can save the troubled US automaker -- and double its sales. But even if he misses his bold sales targets, Fiat will have paid little for Chrysler's North American factories and dealer network. |
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November 11
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Compiled on November 11, 2009, 05:41 PM CET
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RELUCTANT PARTNERS
Global Crisis Makes US More Dependent on China than Ever
When US President Barack Obama visits China this weekend, he will encounter a rival that sees the financial crisis as more of an opportunity than a threat. America, on the other hand, has been fundamentally weakened by the global crunch -- and is more dependent on the goodwill of the rising superpower than ever.
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MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR RACIST MURDERER
Dresden Courtroom Killer Gets Life
Alex W., the man who stabbed pregnant Egyptian pharmacist Marwa al-Sherbini to death in a courtroom in Dresden in July, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday. The judge imposed the harshest possible sentence under the German system by ruling that W. will not be eligible for parole after 15 years. |
MERKEL AND THE FRANCO-GERMAN RELATIONSHIP
Sarkozy Relies on Past to Escape Present Troubles
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was in Paris on Wednesday to mark the 91st anniversary of the end of World War I. The event is exactly what French President Nicolas Sarkozy needed to deflect attention away from a growing list of negative headlines.
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LEBANON'S JEWISH COMMUNITY
Beirut Synagogue Gets a New Lease On Life
The Jewish community in Beirut keeps shrinking due to emigration and mortality. But the few Jews who remain hope to strengthen their ties by renovating a historic synagogue in the city center. |
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'Rarely Has A German Leader Shown So Much Chutzpah'
German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave an unusually punchy speech on the economy on Tuesday, warning Germans that things will get worse before they improve. Commentators say she has changed from the cautious "Mom" of the nation to a leader ready to take a massive gamble in the hope of boosting growth. |
SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH UMBERTO ECO
'We Like Lists Because We Don't Want to Die'
Italian novelist and semiotician Umberto Eco, who is curating a new exhibition at the Louvre in Paris, talks to SPIEGEL about the place lists hold in the history of culture, the ways we try to avoid thinking about death and why Google is dangerous for young people. |
TO KILL OR NOT TO KILL
Shy Panther on the Loose Near Belgian- German Border
Belgian police are hunting a large black cat, believed to be a panther, that has been spotted by hikers close to the border with Germany in recent weeks. Police say they may have to kill it, but a German zoo director is urging them to keep on trying to catch it alive. |
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November 10
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Compiled on November 10, 2009, 06:18 PM CET
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THE REBUFF FROM DETROIT
How the Opel Deal Went Sour
The bid by the German government to secure Opel's rescue has ended in fiasco after General Motors pulled out of a deal to sell its troubled European subsidary. Berlin lacks a strategy for how to deal with the country's most important industry.
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FLIRTING WITH HISTORY
Merkel Positions Herself as Crisis Chancellor
History is a fickle object of desire, but Chancellor Angela Merkel's ambitions are modest. Still, a lot can go wrong in her pursuit of a legacy. Tuesday marked her first tentative steps toward the history books. |
SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH ANDRE AGASSI
'I Really Hated Tennis'
Tennis legend Andre Agassi recently published "Open," a no-holds-barred memoir of growing up to become a reluctant champion. In an interview with SPIEGEL, Agassi speaks about how his father forced him to play a sport he never liked, how he used fake hair and crystal meth, and how his wife -- Steffi Graf -- has brought this high-flyer down to Earth.
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THE SEARCH FOR AN EU PRESIDENT
Europe's Politicians Vying for Top Job
The list of discarded names continues to grow: Tony Blair, Jean-Claude Juncker, David Miliband. But the search for candidates to fill the European Union's top two posts continues -- and the smart money is on the least-known candidates, like Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy. |
PARTICLE PHYSICS SLAPSTICK
CERN Collider Adds New Punchlines to Growing Collection
The list of problems encountered by the Large Hadron Collider, a super-sized particle accelerator in Switzerland, is long and becoming longer. It ranges from French bread to French terrorists, and from black holes to time travel, and makes for increasingly entertaining reading. |
WESTERWELLE'S AGENDA
German Foreign Minister Has Domestic Ambitions
Guido Westerwelle hasn't yet revealed what his agenda will be as Germany's new foreign minister. But one thing is already certain: his role model is Hans-Dietrich Genscher, the elder statesman of the Free Democrat Party. Westerwelle aims to use his new position to enhance his domestic standing -- that's his priority.
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IS ALEX W. SCHIZOPHRENIC?
Last- Minute Twist Could Delay Verdict in Dresden Murder Trial
It seemed inevitable that Alex W., a Russian-German on trial in Dresden for the murder of a pregnant Egyptian woman, would receive the most severe sentence possible. But now a last-minute piece of evidence has cast doubt on whether he can be considered responsible for his acts.
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MERKEL ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT
'Economic Crisis is Germany's Biggest Challenge Since Reunification'
Speaking in her first address to parliament since being sworn in for a second term two weeks ago, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said leading Germany back to growth is her top priority but warned that the nation faces a difficult 2010 as well as its biggest economic challenge since its 1990 reunification. |
REMEMBERING THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL
Merkel Pays Tribute to Courage of East Germans
Germany's ceremonies to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall culminated on Monday night in falling giant dominoes and a fireworks display over the Brandenburg Gate. Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed the courage of her fellow eastern Germans who fulfilled the nation's dream of unification.
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'The Official Ceremonies Simplify History'
The celebrations are over, the speeches have been given and the symbolic Berlin Wall -- built out of Styrofoam dominoes-- has fallen. But local media commentators say that, despite all the partying, Germans must not dismiss the historical facts and that the work that began with the reunification still goes on.
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Compiled on November 9, 2009, 05:32 PM CET
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SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV
'The Fall of the Wall United Us Again'
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev talks to SPIEGEL about how the fall of the Berlin Wall affected Russia, his controversial relationship to Vladmir Putin and possible sanctions against Iran.
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THE GUARD WHO OPENED THE BERLIN WALL
'I Gave my People the Order -- Raise the Barrier'
Lieutenant-Colonel Harald Jäger was in charge of the East Berlin checkpoint at Bornholmer Strasse on Nov. 9, 1989, and was the first border guard to allow East Germans to cross over to the West -- without an order from his superiors. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, he describes that historic night.
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US NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER JAMES L. JONES ON AFGHANISTAN
'We Will Not Solve the Problem with Troops Alone'
US National Security Adviser James L. Jones talks to SPIEGEL about his skepticism regarding calls for more US troops to be sent to Afghanistan, the chances of Pakistan's nuclear weapons falling into the wrong hands and President Barack Obama's leadership style. |
20 YEARS ON
Berlin Celebrates the Day the Wall Fell
Germany is celebrating 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall on Monday with a series of events, including ceremonial domino toppling, concerts and fireworks. As Chancellor Angela Merkel prepares to host world leaders at the celebrations, she acknowledged that much still needs to be done to ensure equal living conditions in the East and West.
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A FATEFUL DATE
November 9 Marks Highs and Lows in German History
November 9 is a key date in Germany's chequered 20th century history. It isn't just the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall. On this day in 1938, Nazi Germany launched a pogrom against its Jewish population in which more than 2,000 people died. SPIEGEL ONLINE looks at three events that occurred on this fateful date before 1989. |
AS THE WHEEL TURNS
Berlin's Cold War Carnival Ride Resuscitated for Art
Berlin-based artist duo Juan Linares and Erika Arzt gave passers-by a shock on Sunday afternoon when they got the Ferris wheel in a deserted amusement park going again. The carnival ride was bought in 1989 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the East German state and on the eve of celebrations marking the fall of the Berlin Wall, it was turning once again.
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TWO DECADES LATER
Clinton Takes Aim at 'Walls of the 21st Century' in Berlin
Berlin is in a partying mood, and a number of heavy-hitting politicians are on hand to assist in the Berlin Wall anniversary celebrations. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accepted an award at a gala dinner and warned that the real work lies ahead.
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STEALTH TRAVEL IN THE USSR
The East German Adventurers Who 'Escaped' The Other Way
Many East Germans dreamt of Disneyland and shopping in London. But an adventurous few went East instead, with the aim of climbing the highest peaks and rafting the wildest rivers in the Soviet Bloc. |
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'Nov. 9, 1989 Could So Easily Have Ended in Bloodshed'
As Berlin celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, media commentators hail the revolution that could so easily have ended in bloodshed, and express hope that the painful chapter of Germany's division will never be forgotten. |
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November 06
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Compiled on November 6, 2009, 06:18 PM CET
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SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERVIEW WITH LECH WALESA
'It's Good that Gorbachev Was a Weak Politician'
The world is looking to Berlin as the city celebrates 20 years since the fall of the Wall. But in an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Lech Walesa, the man who led Solidarnosc, says that the collapse of communism started in the Polish shipyards -- and that East German "deserters" endangered his ultimate success.
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OBAMA, EUROPE AND AFGHANISTAN
'We Don't Have Simple Answers'
US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon talks to SPIEGEL ONLINE about progress in Afghanistan, America's relationship with the new German government and the urgent need for the US to restore its moral authority. |
'SHOOT THEM IN THE HEAD'
World Cup Hosts Brazil and South Africa Crack Down on Crime
There are 50 murders a day in South Africa, the host country of the 2010 football World Cup. And Brazil, host of both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, also suffers from extreme violence. With a view to the high-profile events, the two countries are now attempting to crack down on rampant crime -- and are using ruthless tactics to do so.
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SPIEGEL BERLIN WALL QUIZ
Take a Bash At a Cold War Icon
It symbolized the divisions that split the world during the Cold War. Then on Nov. 9, 1989 the Berlin Wall came crashing down. But do you know when it went up? Who played rock'n'roll in its shadow? And who uttered the famous words that brought it tumbling down? Get those little gray cells working and brace yourself for the very revolutionary SPIEGEL Berlin Wall Quiz. |
WHERE THE BERLIN WALL FIRST FELL
Historic Border Crossing Finally Gets a Facelift
The former border crossing at Bornholmer Strasse may have been the spot where the Iron Curtain cracked wide open, but 20 years on there is little in this drab corner of East Berlin to indicate its historic significance. That is set to change now that Berlin has commissioned a firm of architects to create a new square to commemorate the events of Nov. 9, 1989.
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ACHTUNG BERLIN!
U2 Rock Out at Iconic Brandenburg Gate
Irish rock stars U2 preformed a free concert at Berlin's historic Brandenburg Gate on Thursday as part of the MTV European Music Awards. The six-set gig helped kick off celebrations to mark 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
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STASI FILES REVISITED
The Banalities and Betrayals of Life in East Germany
A West German dessert. A "flour box." A female driver. The East German secret police took an interest in all manner of banal details as it oppressed its citizenry. Now that Germany is celebrating 20 years since the fall of the Wall, more people than ever are taking a look into their Stasi files. |
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
On Nord Stream Pipeline, 'Germany Must Take a Selfish Stand'
The Swedish and Finnish governments have finally consented to the construction of an ambitious new gas pipeline from Russia to Central Europe after years of opposition. German commentators welcome the removal of this last obstacle to the project but express reservations about Russian geopolitical ambitions. |
HUGGING THE PANDA
Gerhard Schröder Opens Doors for German Companies in China
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has gotten a lot of criticism for his ties to Russian energy companies. But he also has become an "old friend of the Chinese people," helping German businesses forge links with Chinese companies -- and earning his own fair share of consulting fees.
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ANGER AT US CARMAKER
GM Management 'Reminds One of Socialism'
GM's about-face has angered both Opel workers and European governments. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, union leader and Opel board member Armin Schild blasts GM for mismanagement and says that the US company is uninterested in saving the Opel brand.
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November 05
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Compiled on November 5, 2009, 06:16 PM CET
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PATENT LIES
Who Says Saving the Planet Has to Cost a Fortune?
One of the nagging issues in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate summit are demands that the US and Europe provide massive aid so poorer countries can buy expensive emissions-free technologies. Activist David E. Martin claims many of the patents for today's low-carbon technologies -- including some used in wind power and hybrid cars -- are already in the public domain.
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AVOIDING A SECOND VIETNAM
'Obama Is Absolutely Right to Re- evaluate Afghanistan Strategy'
Gordon Goldstein's book on the lessons of the Vietnam War is required reading in the Obama White House. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Goldstein talks about why Obama should think long and hard about sending more troops to Afghanistan and not rush into the kinds of decisions that Vietnam-era politicians now regret.
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RARE EARTHS
High- Tech Companies Face Shortages as China Hoards Metals
Germany is pinning its economic hopes on future-oriented industries such as solar panel manufacturing. But high-tech companies are facing shortages of essential metals as China, which dominates the world market in so-called rare earths, begins stockpiling the highly sought-after resources.
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'GM Has Done Serious Damage to the Trans- Atlantic Relationship'
The decision by General Motors to hold onto its German subsidiary Opel has unleashed a wave of shock and despair on this side of the Atlantic, with politicians railing against American corporate duplicity and unions striking. But some commentators think that maybe the GM decision is actually good for Germany.
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36 CONTAINERS FROM IRAN
Israel Stops German Ship Carrying Weapons for Hezbollah
It was only weeks ago that a German ship was found carrying weapons intended for the Islamist militants of Hezbollah. Now, Israeli special forces have discovered another German-owned ship carrying 36 containers full of munitions and have accused Iran of having sent the cache to Hezbollah. |
THE GOSSIP ADVANTAGE
Small- Town Corner Shops Making a Comeback
Mega-supermarkets and discount stores killed the corner store in small-town Germany. But now they're making an unexpected comeback by offering mixes of products and services tailored to the local population and, of course, the town gossip you can't get in a hypermarket. |
ABU OMAR CASE
Italian Court Delivers Damning Verdict on CIA Renditions
A court in Milan has delivered its verdict in the spectacular trial of several CIA agents involved in the 2003 kidnapping of the Islamist Abu Omar. Some 23 American agents received prison terms after being found guilty in absentia. The court's decision is a condemnation of the anti-terror policies of George W. Bush.
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WESTERWELLE 'PLUCKS CHICKEN WITH PRESS SPEAKER'
Germans Poke Fun at Their New Foreign Minister
At his first press conference, Germany's new foreign minister insisted that he be asked questions in German, not English. The incident led to serious debate about what skills a foreign minister should have. But it has also resulted in a whole lot of jokes at Guido Westerwelle's expense. |
OUR BAD
Germany Still Looking for Freedom from David Hasselhoff
For years, the world has mocked Germany for its love affair with David Hasselhoff. And, for years, Germans have been hoping that the world would forgive and forget. But now that MTV has invited "the Hoff" to perform in Berlin, just like he did 20 years ago when the Berlin Wall came down, their hopes have been dashed. |
BLACK GOLD
Why Oil Majors Are Coming Back to Iraq
Global oil companies are finding it harder to resist the huge volume of crude in Iraq. But their change of heart could increase tensions in OPEC. |
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Compiled on November 4, 2009, 06:46 PM CET
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AUTO INDUSTRY POKER GAME ENDS
GM Makes Shock Decision To Keep Opel
After months of hair-splitting negotiations between Detroit, the German government and private investors, US carmaker General Motors has backed away from a deal to sell Opel. GM now wants to keep its Opel and Vauxhall subsidiaries in Europe. The decision could be a harbinger of job cuts and factory closures in Germany. |
THE OPEL-MAGNA DEBACLE
A Disgrace for the Populists
Magna, Magna, Magna. German politicians became so transfixed on one solution in the crisis at Opel that they fell into the populism trap and lost touch with reality. Now the government in Berlin is being shown, painfully, that it can't force General Motors into a deal it doesn't want. The episode shows the German government faces in trying to save companies. |
BUYING ITSELF OUT OF A RECESSION
Countries Ask How Germany Avoided Mass Unemployment
Germany, second only to China as the world's leading exporter of goods, has been particularly hard-hit by the collapse of global markets. But the mass unemployment some had feared has failed to materialize. Labor experts in many countries are wondering how Germany has done it.
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'WE CANNOT AFFORD FAILURE'
Merkel Lends Obama Support on Climate Change
In her speech to the US Congress, Angela Merkel called for a clear commitment by all nations to act on climate change -- a demand that plunged her into the heart of domestic political wrangling in America. But can foreign support help Barack Obama with the stalled climate change bill?
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'The War of Nerves over EU Reform Is Finally Over'
Close to a decade of wrangling over EU reform came to an end on Tuesday when Czech President Vaclav Klaus signed the Lisbon Treaty, paving the way for it to come into force by December. German newspapers welcome his decision but some warn that the hard work is just beginning.
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RENEWED DIVISION
U2's Free Berlin Concert to Take Place Behind a Wall
Berliners were ecstatic last week upon hearing about U2's plans to play a free concert in the heart of the German capital on Thursday evening. But it turns out that those without tickets will be prevented from seeing the show by a two-meter high barrier -- located close to the original Berlin Wall.
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November 03
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Compiled on November 3, 2009, 06:24 PM CET
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ANGELA THE GREAT OR JUST 'MOM?'
Merkel's Dream of a Place in the History Books
Angela Merkel may just have been reelected as German chancellor, but she is already thinking about how she will be viewed by future historians. She dreams of emulating her role model, Catherine the Great, but her contemparies prefer to nickname her "Mom." |
GREEN LIGHT FOR EUROPEAN REFORMS
EU Clears Last Lisbon Treaty Hurdle
The Czech Republic has abandoned its final resistance to the ratification of the European Union's Lisbon Treaty. This opens the door for EU member state leaders to select the bloc's first president and foreign minister. But critics say the reforms are already past their sell-by date.
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'Afghanistan is Back to Square One'
Hamid Karzai's legitimacy as Afghanistan's president has been seriously damaged by the fraudulent election and the chaos that ensued, and the West is partly to blame, write German commentators. As they see it, Afghanistan's leader should now consider giving tribal leaders a greater stake in government.
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ZOO LOVES ME, ZOO LOVES ME NOT
Picky Penguin Gets Her Man Back
It's a common tale: Man meets penguin, penguin meets man, they fall in love. A German zoo has witnessed a bittersweet love affair between two very unequal partners.
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ELECTION CHAOS IN AFGHANISTAN
Karzai's Fraudulent Victory Will Plague Obama
With the withdrawal of his sole challenger, Hamid Karzai has now won a second term as president of Afghanistan. But for the West, working together with the Afghan government will only get harder. US President Barack Obama will have to explain why he wants to support an undemocratically elected leader by sending more troops, and the debate in Germany is also likely to heat up.
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INTERVIEW WITH KOHL'S TOP AIDE ON GERMAN REUNIFICATION
'It Was Practically a Miracle'
Rudolf Seiters was a key negotiators during Germany's reunification. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Seiters speaks about being an insider to the events of 1989, Europe's 'year of miracles,' resistance to German reunification and why it's wrong to romanticize the GDR today.
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GERMAN PAPERS
Germany Released al- Qaida Terror Suspect
When something goes wrong with German laws, the fingers often start pointing at Brussels. But on Monday, the Federal Constitutional Court overturned Germany's law implementing the EU arrest warrant because it didn't take advantage of the flexibility Brussels envisioned. And that, the court said, is dangerous for Germans. The price of the sloppy draft: a suspected al-Qaida terrorist had to be released from jail. |
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November 02
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Compiled on November 2, 2009, 07:41 PM CET
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THE STORY OF 'OPERATION ORCHARD'
How Israel Destroyed Syria's Al Kibar Nuclear Reactor
In September 2007, Israeli fighter jets destroyed a mysterious complex in the Syrian desert. The incident could have led to war, but it was hushed up by all sides. Was it a nuclear plant and who gave the orders for the strike?
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THE GERMAN DEMJANJUK
Witness in War Crimes Trial Could Face Indictment
Samuel K. is expected to testify in the upcoming Nazi war crimes trial against 89-year-old John Demjanjuk. The witness himself has admitted in the past that he had aided the SS in its murderous practices. He has never been forced to answer before a court despite being "strongly suspected" of aiding and abetting the murder of 434,000 people. |
SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH AL GORE
'I Am Optimistic'
In a SPIEGEL interview, former US vice president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore, 61, discusses Barack Obama's environmental policies, the endless push by lobbyists to derail reforms and his hopes for a global deal at the climate change summit in Copenhagen next month. |
THINK TANK'S TRANS-ATLANTIC ADVICE
Europe Must Stop 'Fetishizing' American Relationship
In a week when European affairs are prominent, a study by an influential Brussels think tank suggests the EU is going about things the wrong way. The Europeans must stop being so submissive, they must present a united front on foreign policy and they must work toward a "post-American" state of affairs, the study says.
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SHOT ON THE BORDER
A Photographer's Two Year Hike On East German Frontier
In the 1980s, Jürgen Ritter spent all his spare time photographing the East German border. Years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, he returned to the same sites, camera in hand. He has shared some of his then and now photos with SPIEGEL ONLINE.
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'The US and NATO Are Responsible for the Afghan Fiasco'
The Afghan election fell apart on Sunday after Abdullah Abdullah pulled out of the run-off poll, leaving President Hamid Karzai as the sole candidate. Now the election commission has cancelled the vote and declared Karzai the winner. German newspapers on Monday question whether the government in Kabul can still have any credibility. |
SWINE FLU PANIC GRIPS UKRAINE
Electioneering with Tamiflu and Surgical Masks
Swine flu is spreading rapidly in Ukraine: 200,000 sick, 67 deaths and a dramatic call for foreign help. President Yushchenko and Prime Minister Tymoshenko were caught by surprise -- but with an eye on the presidential elections they are competing to portray themselves as their country's saviors. |
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October 30
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Compiled on October 30, 2009, 06:28 PM CET
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WINDS OF CHANGE FROM THE EAST
How Poland and Hungary Led the Way in 1989
Everyone remembers the iconic images from the dramatic breaching of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9, 1989. But the groundwork was laid elsewhere. The fate of Germany and the rest of Europe was decided in Warsaw, Budapest and Moscow.
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THE UNDERWATER OBAMA
Maldives President Leads the Charge against Climate Change
The Maldives Islands in the Indian Ocean could disappear by the end of the century. Global warming threatens to raise sea levels, submerging the low-lying archipelago. Newly-elected President Mohamed Nasheed has therefore set himself the task of holding back the tide of climate change.
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BEREAVING LAS VEGAS
Hard Times in the City of Sin
The financial crisis has mauled Las Vegas like no other city. What was once the land of luxury and excess is now the home of empty houses and broken dreams. While the city and its investors keep hoping for a turnaround, others see long, lean years ahead.
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TALE OF AN ALPINE MAKEOVER
Snowmaking Machine Helps Ski Resort Battle Global Warming
Global warming has left many ski resorts in the Alps struggling to maintain their snowy slopes -- and their business. But technology has come to the rescue of Austria's Pitztal Valley, which now boasts an Israeli-made snowmaking machine.
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EU SUMMIT DALLYING
Copenhagen Heads for a Crash
Angela Merkel is blocking aid commitments for climate protection and risking the failure of a global deal in Copenhagen. The chancellor is squandering an opportunity to demonstrate European leadership and show Barack Obama what it really means to be a "citizen of the world."
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
'Afghanistan Is Not a Computer Simulation'
A top German general says that a confidential NATO report has exonerated a Bundeswehr officer who called in a controversial air strike in Afghanistan in September that is believed to have resulted in a number of civilian deaths. German commentators are critical of the report and fear the incident may never be resolved. |
THE DAY BERLIN WAS DIVIDED
Kennedy Surprised by 'Such Strong American Outrage to the Wall'
US diplomat William R. Smyser was stationed in Berlin when the Wall went up in 1961. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, he explains how President John F. Kennedy was initially relieved by the construction -- and even tried to sell it as a success for the West. |
BERLIN RETURN FOR LOST CLASSIC
Film Festival to Show Restored Uncut 'Metropolis'
One of the most important works in cinematic history is to be shown in its complete uncut version at next year's Berlin International Film Festival. The restored version of Fritz Lang's silent classic "Metropolis" is to hit the silver screen 83 years after it first premiered in Berlin. |
HOME GROWN
Polanski Exhibit Draws Crowds in Lódz
A great artist and a benefactor for his friends. A current exhibit demonstrates that for the Poles, film director Roman Polanski is living history.
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October 29
SPIEGEL ONLINE
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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
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Compiled on October 29, 2009, 06:42 PM CET
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SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH JAMES MURDOCH
'News Corp. Has Always Been Rebellious'
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. is not only one of the world's largest media empires, it is also one of the most controversial. SPIEGEL spoke with James Murdoch about the company's image, speculation that he could take over for his father Rupert and the future of online news.
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CASHING IN
German Energy Giants Eager for US Green Transformation
Many climate change activists have been disappointed with the administration of US President Barack Obama so far. But German energy giants are ecstatic. With US money flowing into alternative energies, companies from this side of the Atlantic are eager to get their share. |
WE'RE WAITING, MR. PRESIDENT
Obama Must Provide Better Leadership on Afghanistan
Afghanistan and Pakistan are being shaken by attacks, and the Taliban is dictating the course of the war. US President Obama has been silent about the situation for far too long and European countries like Germany and France are correct to demand better American leadership on the issue of Afghanistan. |
THE CHANCELLOR'S DÉCOLLETÉ
Joop Advises Merkel to Don More Revealing Clothes
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is used to unsolicited remarks about her dowdy taste in clothes. Now, fashion designer Wolfgang Joop has come up with an unusual tip for the world's most powerful woman: Wear more low-cut tops.
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THE HATE PREACHER WHO LOST HIS VENOM
Infamous Islamist Imam Forswears Terror
Muslims should make peace with Germany, argues former hate preacher Mohammed El Fazazi, the man who once provided religious instruction to the men behind the 9/11 terror attacks. SPIEGEL ONLINE has published an abridged version of his open letter to Muslims.
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
Missing Votes for Merkel 'Too Many to Ignore'
Angela Merkel kicked off her second four-year term as Germany's chancellor on Wednesday, but the shine was taken off her success by a group of parliamentarians from her center-right coalition who refused to back her. Merkel, say German commentators, may not have the smooth second term she had hoped for. |
A RISING POLITICAL STAR
Meet the Youngest Member of Merkel's Cabinet
Phillip Rösler, a 36-year-old doctor, has had a meteoric political career -- and on Wednesday he was sworn in as Germany's health minister. But Rösler, born in Vietnam and adopted by a German couple, doesn't have much time left. He says he wants to leave politics by the time he's 45.
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SPIEGEL INTERNATIONAL is an
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