Chancellor Merkel described the Internet as "uncharted territory" on Wednesday while answering a question about the Prism spying program at an appearance with US President Obama. Now "Neuland" is a fully formed meme, and Merkel's gaff has gone viral. more... [ Comment ]
Barack Obama's first official trip to Berlin was short on substance but rich in symbolism. For a few hours in the searing summer heat, his relaxed charm and eloquent idealism triggered memories of the heyday of "Yes we can," before drone attacks, Prism and realpolitik. An Analysis By Florian Gathmann, Veit Medick and Philipp Wittrock more... [ Comment ]
A world without nuclear weapons? It's a nearly inconceivable scenario for the Kremlin, even if its arsenal costs Russia billions each year. Since the break-up of the Soviet Union, the country has suffered a major drop in influence. Now it's doing all it can to cling to the geopolitical power it has left. By Benjamin Bidder in Moscow more... [ Comment ]
Many Germans believe it is time to abandon the euro. They're part of a growing movement spurred by influential populists from the worlds of business and academia. Their arguments stoke fear but offer no clear alternatives. By Stefan Willeke more... [ Comment ]
History is everywhere in Berlin, as US President Barack Obama and his family found out on Wednesday. And the lessons of that past are clear -- which helps explain the president's challenging task of seeking to assuage German doubts about the Prism surveillance program. By Charles Hawley more... [ Comment ]
In July 1988, Bruce Springsteen gave East Germany the biggest rock concert it ever saw. In a new book, journalist Erik Kirschbaum says the Boss inspired an entire generation to strive for more freedom -- and deserves some credit for the fall of the Berlin Wall. By David Crossland more... [ Comment ]
Barack Obama unleashed a full charm offensive in Berlin on Wednesday and he did a great job. It's high time for people to appreciate this US president a bit more again. A Commentary By Roland Nelles more... [ Comment ]
In a letter to euro-zone leaders, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades has asked that the bailout package for his country be revisited. The effects on the island nation's economy have been much greater than expected, he writes. EU leaders are "puzzled." more... [ Comment ]
Fifty years after John F. Kennedy's legendary Berlin visit, Barack Obama wowed the city with a rousing speech at the Brandenburg Gate, saying all oppressed people are "citizens of Berlin" -- and urging the world to help free them. By Charly Wilder in Berlin more... [ Comment ]
Outwardly, at least, Germany is thriving. But some 130 billion euros in combined debt are forcing communities to find creative ways to cut costs. The city of Goslar, for example, hopes that killing the lights at night will bring a brighter future. By Juan Moreno more... [ Comment ]
An investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed for the first time the methods with which the Swiss investment bank UBS sought to palm off bad debt securities on German municipalities. It succeeded in Leipzig. more...
Prime Minister Erdogan used police violence to fight the youth protests, then he softened his tone before cracking down once more. But does he truly comprehend what is currently happening in his country? His own future hangs in the balance. By Daniel Steinvorth more... [ Comment ]
Germany's Social Democrats are busy wrecking their chances of winning the September 22 election. The three leaders, exasperated at their party's disastrous opinion polls, are no longer bothering even to hide their mutual mistrust. By Horand Knaup, Veit Medick and Gordon Repinski more...
The EU and the US are set to start negotiations on a trans-Atlantic free trade agreement in July. A deal could have huge benefits for Germany and the rest of the EU. But there would also be losers according to a new study. By Florian Diekmann more... [ Comment ]
A German Femen activist and two fellow demonstrators were sentenced to four months in prison for a topless protest in Tunis. The 19-year-old was recently visited by the German government's human rights commissioner. He said the woman was completely surprised at the verdict. By Fabian Reinbold more... [ Comment ]
The Taksim Square protests have been hailed as a reflection of modern Turkey. United by a common goal, a motley collection of demonstrators has united to vent their fury with Prime Minister Erdogan. They are confident their sit-in served an important purpose. By Özlem Gezer in Istanbul more... [ Comment ]
A crematorium in Germany has fired an employee for amassing a kilogram of gold teeth and fillings that he sifted from the ashes. Three other workers are also under investigation. The establishment has installed a CCTV camera to discourage pilfering. more...
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras almost fell over his decision last week to shut down public broadcaster ERT. But on Monday night, an unexpected court ruling helped him stay in power. How long will the peace last? By Georgios Christidis in Thessaloniki more... [ Comment ]
Is Barack Obama a friend? Revelations about his government's vast spying program call that assumption into doubt. The European Union must protect the Continent from America's reach for omnipotence. A Commentary by Jakob Augstein more... [ Comment ]
The relationship between Berlin and Moscow has been strained for some time. But German President Joachim Gauck's recent public admonition of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin seems to have sunk the two countries into a new diplomatic ice age. By Christiane Hoffmann, Ralf Neukirch and Matthias Schepp more... [ Comment ]
The German government has been largely silent on revelations of US Internet spying. Berlin profits from the program and is pursuing similar plans. By SPIEGEL Staff more...
The US may soon begin delivering weapons to the rebels in Syria. But the situation in the war-torn country is massively complicated with extremists seeking to take advantage of the situation on both sides. Could Western arms prolong the suffering? By Susanne Koelbl, Kurt Pelda and Christoph Reuter more... [ Comment ]
Saudi Arabia has long urged the West to arm the Syrian rebels as they battle forces loyal to President Bashar Assad. In an interview with SPIEGEL, he explains why. He also says Europe should change its strategy in nuclear negotiations with Iran. more... [ Comment ]
Only two weeks after he sacked his spokesman, Social Democratic chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrück turned over a new leaf by shedding a few tears and showing a human side that has been missing in this dull campaign. more...
The election of moderate cleric Hassan Rohani as Iran's new president has the potential to end the stalemate in the nation's nuclear dispute with the West, say German commentators. The West should seize the opportunity. more... [ Comment ]
He cleared out Gezi Park with brutal violence, disparaged the protesters as terrorists and railed against the foreign media. After a brief conciliatory respite, Prime Minster Erdogan is inflaming the conflict in Turkey once more. But the protest movement shows no signs of backing down. By Maximilian Popp and Mirjam Schmitt more... [ Comment ]
Three large barges were sunk over the weekend in a desperate effort to plug a massive breach in an Elbe River dike just east of Berlin. The operation became necessary due to continued flooding of several villages behind the break. It appears to have been successful. more... [ Comment ]
Wildly successful football coach Pep Guardiola sought out Bayern Munich as his next challenge. But he is arriving just after the team had one of the most successful seasons the Bundesliga has ever seen. Will he stand up to the pressure? By Markus Feldenkirchen and Juan Moreno more... [ Comment ]
Stuttgart's train station, Hamburg's concert house and Berlin's airport: Three projects in Germany are currently competing to be seen as the country's most disastrous. SPIEGEL spoke to the star architects behind the construction sites. more... [ Comment ]
A new documentary explores the lives of "Fuck for Forest," a group of Berlin-based neo-hippies determined to save the rainforests with a for-pay eco-porn site. It paints a sad picture of failed idealism -- but the group isn't taking the criticism lying down. By Georg Diez and Wolfgang Höbel more... [ Comment ]
Herbert Schulze
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