Legal Loopholes
It's German Chancellor Angela Merkel's pet project -- a new European Union fiscal pact to ensure members' budgetary discipline through stricter controls. But European legal experts have doubts about its viability, while critics say there are more important issues at hand. By Carsten Volkery in London more...
Resistant Bacteria
Antibiotics were once the wonder drug. Now, however, an increasing number of highly resistant -- and deadly -- bacteria are spreading around the world. The killer bugs often originate in factory farms, where animals are treated whether they are sick or not. By SPIEGEL Staff
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'Panda of the Plant World'
In 2010, Berlin's Botanical Garden received a rare and precious gift from the Seychelles: a nut from the Coco de Mer palm, prized around the world for centuries. Now that they've managed to sprout the fickle fruit, joy is matched with jitters as botanists in the chilly city strive to keep the tropical wonder alive. By Christoph Seidler more...
The World from Berlin
Greece is struggling to reach an agreement on debt relief with its private-sector creditors. But even if it ultimately does, the country may need vastly more funding than has been envisioned so far. German commentators on Friday say it's time for a bit of honesty from Europe's leaders. more...
Mecca Turns West
It is a premiere for Germany. Never before have artifacts from Islam's holiest site, the Kaaba in Mecca, been on display in the country. A new exhibit in Berlin's famous Pergamon Museum traces history on the Arabian peninsula from the birth of civilization to the 20th century. By Aaron Wiener more...
Hitler's 'Battle of the Colors'
It has been a tale of a friendship forged under the most unlikely of circumstances. African-American Jesse Owens and Aryan poster boy Luz Long went face to face when Nazi Germany hosted the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin -- and allegedly became fast friends. But is the story really true? By Michael Wulzinger more... [ Forum ]
Lunar Landings and Lies
The US Republican candidates' debate in Florida quickly devolved into a horror show of absurdities on Thursday night as candidates argued about immigration and moon colonies. Mitt Romney was branded the winner, but the real losers were the viewers, the truth and politics in general. A Commentary by Marc Pitzke more...
Collision Course
A new consortium of EU researchers is exploring options for dealing with an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Plenty of ideas are already on the table, such as deflection with projectiles or explosives and using gravity to pull it off course. But the project's complexity and costs are problematic. By Christoph Seidler more...
Speech in Davos
As fears mount that the euro crisis could trigger a global recession, all eyes are on Germany to take an even stronger lead in the rescue efforts. But Chancellor Angela Merkel has disappointed these expectations, warning against placing too many burdens on Germany. more...
Big Vision
An elephant at a Dutch zoo has become the first in Europe to be fitted with a contact lens. The pachyderm had injured her eye in a scrap with a fellow elephant, but her caretakers say it will now be able to heal. more...
Revenge for EU Sanctions
The European Union embargo on Iranian oil will only come into effect in six months, but the leadership in Tehran wants to act first: Exports to Europe are set to be halted immediately. It is a move which could mean added difficulties for struggling economies in southern Europe. more...
Inflated Incentive
German Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen has said he wants to cut subsidies on installing solar panels sooner than planned as the number of people taking advantage of the incentives continues to soar. As do costs to electricity customers. more...
Tension in Yemen
The security situation in Yemen is fragile -- but in recent days it has been even more so. Al-Qaida militants seized a city near the capital, threatening plans for President Saleh to step down. Although he has now left the country and the militants have abandoned the city, there is continued fighting and questions about the future. By Alexander Smoltczyk more... [ Forum ]
Misguided Slaughter
A group of fanatic bird killers in Germany known as "the Crowbusters" has been waging a war on the birds with military-grade weapons and crusader-like zeal. But their stated reasons for massacring these "feathered vermin" are unfounded, and their bloodthirstiness has irked even some hunting groups. By Renate Nimtz-Koester more... [ Forum ]
The World from Berlin
While delivering his annual State of the Union speech to Congress this week, US President Barack Obama took aim at the inequality he sees in his country and pledged that taxes would rise for the rich. On Thursday, German commentators disagree over whether this populist approach will really help him get re-elected. more...
The 'Vogue of the Veiled'
Every lifestyle has its own magazine, from sailors to hunters, athletes to musicians. But headscarf-wearing women have been forced to do without -- until now. The Turkish glossy Alâ has found a niche, and is fighting the 'battle against nudity.' By Daniel Steinvorth more... [ Forum ]
The Unfinished Revolution
Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of the revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak from power. But, rather than celebrating, the country's idealistic youth are taking to the streets once again to protest military abuses and the army's continued hold on power. By Juliane von Mittelstaedt and Volkhard Windfuhr more... [ Forum ]
Bridges and Benches
The Globe Theatre is part of the tour, complete with Shakespeare anecdotes. But so too are the benches retro-fitted to prevent the indigent from sleeping on them. Tours led by the homeless in London offer locals a whole new look at their city. By Carsten Volkery more...
Haircut Negotiations
The negotiations over the Greek debt haircut are becoming increasingly suspenseful, with euro-zone finance ministers and the IMF pushing investors to accept greater losses. Hedge funds, more than any others, stand to profit, and are betting that the voluntary debt rescheduling will fail. By Stefan Kaiser more...
The Freedom to Be Free
Recent weeks have seen spectacular arrests and mounting tension between those who would like to make it harder to share copyrighted material online and those who champion Internet freedom. Controversial US legislation has been shelved, but the battle continues. By Marcel Rosenbach and Gregor Peter Schmitz more... [ Forum ]
The World from Berlin
Time is running out for reaching an agreement with private investors on a Greek debt haircut, with negotiations stalled over interest rates. Meanwhile Germany continues to reject pressure to increase its contribution to the permanent bailout fund. German commentators are pessimistic. more...
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn is sharply critical of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's push for an EU fiscal pact. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, he says it won't hold up. Furthermore, big countries like Germany and France threaten the currency union with their egotism, he says. more... [ Forum ]
Groupon Head Andrew Mason
The online service Groupon has brought coupon cutting into the Internet age and turned it into an immensely profitable business. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, company founder Andrew Mason discusses Groupon's skyrocketing growth, complaints about cheap customers and the future of small-scale retail. more...
