In 1942, a Soviet submarine in the Black Sea torpedoed and sank the Struma, a ship filled with almost 800 Jewish refugees headed from Romania to the Holy Land. David Stoliar, the lone survivor, agreed to share his story with SPIEGEL ONLINE. By Marc Pitzke in Bend, Oregon more... [ Forum ]
Forget environmental concerns: When it comes to fracking, Germans are worried about how it might affect beer quality. In a letter to several ministries in Berlin, brewers expressed concern that the exploitation of shale gas could contaminate water supplies and thus violate the beer purity law of 1516. more... [ Forum ]
The timing couldn't be better. Just as football fans around the world prepare to watch an all-German Champions League final this Saturday, Berlin has been named host of the prestigious soccer event for 2015. more... [ Forum ]
Youth in several Stockholm suburbs have rioted for four nights in a row, throwing stones at police and setting cars on fire. Leaders have appealed for calm, but the violence has spread to the southern city of Malmo. more... [ Forum ]
Millions are fleeing from war and violence, but Europe is sealing itself off to those in need, a new report from Amnesty International alleged on Thursday. The human rights organization urged EU countries to act and save lives. By Theresa Breuer more... [ Forum ]
Companies in Germany that rely on exports are becoming increasingly concerned about the future of the country's economy, according to a new industry survey. The downturn in optimism is yet another indication that Europe may be in for a period of extended stagnation. more... [ Forum ]
Authorities are treating the brutal attack in broad daylight on Wednesday afternoon as an act of Islamist terror, with Prime Minister David Cameron meeting with top security officials on Thursday morning. Investigators are looking into a possible Nigeria connection. By Carsten Volkery in London more... [ Forum ]
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been a favorite target of hatred in recent months as the euro crisis continues to make life difficult for Southern Europeans. But a new BBC poll has found that most people actually have a positive view of Germany. more... [ Forum ]
It wasn't just the East German government that benefited from risky patient drug trials commissioned by Western pharmaceutical manufacturers decades ago. These companies also sent liaisons with lavish gifts to bribe and influence doctors to participate. By Nicola Kuhrt and Peter Wensierski more... [ Forum ]
Thomas de Maizičre has long been a close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel. But the defense minister now finds himself at the center of controversy after cancelling Germany's half-billion euro surveillance drone program last week. He has allegedly known about the project's problems for months. By SPIEGEL Staff more... [ Forum ]
Henry Kissinger, the hawkish national security advisor to Nixon who popularized realpolitik, turns 90 this week. Few would have expected President Obama to pick up his mantle, but the erstwhile idealist resembles Kissinger more every day. By Gregor Peter Schmitz more... [ Forum ]
The German left used to have a corner on the market when it came to progressive social issues. But Chancellor Merkel has transformed the conservatives, attracting huge quantities of women voters along the way. They've become a hot political commodity in this year's upcoming election, with the opposition struggling to catch up. By Christiane Hoffmann more... [ Forum ]
Prague will soon play the role of matchmaker by introducing dating cars on the Czech Republic's only metro. With brief average ride times of about five minutes, though, can Cupid's arrow strike where it is needed? By James Kirchick more... [ Forum ]
Not even a year ago, German intelligence predicted Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad's regime would soon collapse. Now, the agency instead believes the rebels are in trouble. Government troops are set to make significant advances, it predicts. By Matthias Gebauer more... [ Forum ]
German software development giant SAP is planning to hire hundreds of people with autism by 2020. The company hopes to benefit from their unusual skillset and says it's ready for any practical challenges. Advocates hope the program could set an example for others. By Martin Motzkau more...
The massacre at Sant'Anna was one of the most barbarous German crimes committed in Italy during World War II. Five suspected perpetrators are still alive today, but the top public prosecutor in Stuttgart has rejected reopening the case. By Felix Bohr more... [ Forum ]
Australia's Great Barrier Reef is rapidly losing its coral, to the point that UNESCO may soon place the natural wonder on its "in danger" list. Climate change is one culprit, but so is the country's booming extraction industry. Environmentalists warn that time is running out for the reef. By Samiha Shafy more... [ Forum ]
A marvel of nature, the lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara Desert have lasted thousands of years and withstood dramatic climate change. Now, a German geologist has analyzed lakebed sediments to shed light on a spectacular chapter in human history. By Johann Grolle more... [ Forum ]
After being released into the wild in Germany just last month, a herd of wisents has welcomed its first calf. The first European bison to be born free in Germany in centuries has been named "Quintus," and appears to be healthy. more... [ Forum ]
