http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 19 May 2013 06:51:50 +0200 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:51:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/emir-of-qatar-buys-greek-island-and-sparks-new-hope-on-ithaca-a-900519.html#ref=rss Despite the country's crippling financial crisis, residents of the Greek island of Ithaca have found new hope after the Emir of Qatar bought a nearby island for his summer retreat. The purchase has sparked a rush on local real estate and could bring new development. Fri, 17 May 2013 16:13:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/emir-of-qatar-buys-greek-island-and-sparks-new-hope-on-ithaca-a-900519.html Despite the country's crippling financial crisis, residents of the Greek island of Ithaca have found new hope after the Emir of Qatar bought a nearby island for his summer retreat. The purchase has sparked a rush on local real estate and could bring new development.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-survey-shows-widespread-homophobia-in-europe-a-900505.html#ref=rss Harassed at work and the doctor's office, bullied and assaulted in public: The gay, bisexual and transgender community is still widely discriminated against in Europe. In an new EU survey, the most comprehensive to date, more than 90,000 participants report on the extent of their harassment. Fri, 17 May 2013 15:33:44 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-survey-shows-widespread-homophobia-in-europe-a-900505.html Harassed at work and the doctor's office, bullied and assaulted in public: The gay, bisexual and transgender community is still widely discriminated against in Europe. In an new EU survey, the most comprehensive to date, more than 90,000 participants report on the extent of their harassment. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-and-france-will-not-create-joint-statement-ahead-of-eu-summit-a-900514.html#ref=rss As a further sign that all is not well in the Franco-German motor of Europe, the two countries will not issue a joint statement ahead of the next EU summit as Berlin had hoped. The development comes as France slips further into economic malaise. Fri, 17 May 2013 13:30:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-and-france-will-not-create-joint-statement-ahead-of-eu-summit-a-900514.html As a further sign that all is not well in the Franco-German motor of Europe, the two countries will not issue a joint statement ahead of the next EU summit as Berlin had hoped. The development comes as France slips further into economic malaise. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-press-says-extended-eu-recession-shows-austerity-ineffective-a-900252.html#ref=rss The European common currency zone has now been in recession for six straight quarters, with three of the bloc's four largest economies now suffering persistent negative growth. Could the Continent's pursuit of austerity be backfiring? German commentators believe the answer is yes. Thu, 16 May 2013 13:34:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-press-says-extended-eu-recession-shows-austerity-ineffective-a-900252.html The European common currency zone has now been in recession for six straight quarters, with three of the bloc's four largest economies now suffering persistent negative growth. Could the Continent's pursuit of austerity be backfiring? German commentators believe the answer is yes.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bavarian-companies-set-sights-on-workers-from-spain-to-fill-jobs-a-900034.html#ref=rss Youth unemployment in Spain is enormously high, yet some companies in Germany can't find the skilled labor they need. Now, a program in Bavaria is trying to kill two birds with one stone. It has been overwhelmed with applications and the first Spanish newcomers have begun arriving. Wed, 15 May 2013 15:53:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bavarian-companies-set-sights-on-workers-from-spain-to-fill-jobs-a-900034.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-finance-ministers-split-on-way-forward-for-banking-union-a-899924.html#ref=rss European leaders had hoped to quickly finalize plans for an EU banking union to regulate bank bailouts and provide a roadmap for unwinding insolvent financial institutions. But with the German election looming, Berlin is wary of moving forward. The result could be a lengthy delay. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:30:55 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-finance-ministers-split-on-way-forward-for-banking-union-a-899924.html European leaders had hoped to quickly finalize plans for an EU banking union to regulate bank bailouts and provide a roadmap for unwinding insolvent financial institutions. But with the German election looming, Berlin is wary of moving forward. The result could be a lengthy delay.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-pew-study-finds-europeans-losing-faith-in-eu-project-a-899588.html#ref=rss In just the last 12 months, support for the European Union has plummeted on the Continent. Furthermore, many have lost faith in their elected representatives. Only in Germany do people still view the EU favorably, and the split with the rest of Europe is widening. Tue, 14 May 2013 09:24:25 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-pew-study-finds-europeans-losing-faith-in-eu-project-a-899588.html In just the last 12 months, support for the European Union has plummeted on the Continent. Furthermore, many have lost faith in their elected representatives. Only in Germany do people still view the EU favorably, and the split with the rest of Europe is widening.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/pew-research-study-shows-europeans-are-divided-about-state-of-europe-a-899460.html#ref=rss Southern Europeans have grown impatient with Germany's self-imposed role as Europe's iron fist in recent months, but their criticism seems to have left the majority of Germans unfazed. A new study reveals the growing rift in public opinion on the state of the European Union. Tue, 14 May 2013 09:11:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/pew-research-study-shows-europeans-are-divided-about-state-of-europe-a-899460.html Southern Europeans have grown impatient with Germany's self-imposed role as Europe's iron fist in recent months, but their criticism seems to have left the majority of Germans unfazed. A new study reveals the growing rift in public opinion on the state of the European Union.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-government-report-says-euro-nations-must-speed-up-reform-a-899548.html#ref=rss The European Commission wants to give countries like France and Spain more time to reduce their debts, but the German government wants them to speed up. A report written by Chancellery staff and seen by SPIEGEL says reforms are lagging and lists the shortcomings of Southern European countries. Mon, 13 May 2013 16:26:29 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-government-report-says-euro-nations-must-speed-up-reform-a-899548.html The European Commission wants to give countries like France and Spain more time to reduce their debts, but the German government wants them to speed up. A report written by Chancellery staff and seen by SPIEGEL says reforms are lagging and lists the shortcomings of Southern European countries. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-wary-of-ecb-plan-to-buy-asset-backed-securities-a-899495.html#ref=rss The European Central Bank would like to encourage banks in Southern Europe to issue more loans. But Berlin is concerned that a planned move to trigger such lending could violate EU treaties. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has hit the brakes. Mon, 13 May 2013 12:41:41 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-wary-of-ecb-plan-to-buy-asset-backed-securities-a-899495.html The European Central Bank would like to encourage banks in Southern Europe to issue more loans. But Berlin is concerned that a planned move to trigger such lending could violate EU treaties. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has hit the brakes.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spain-in-crisis-becoming-a-center-of-in-vitro-fertilization-a-898830.html#ref=rss Even as the economy has tanked, Spain in recent years has become a destination for women and couples seeking to become pregnant through in vitro fertilization. Egg donors are plentiful. Thu, 09 May 2013 16:09:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spain-in-crisis-becoming-a-center-of-in-vitro-fertilization-a-898830.html Even as the economy has tanked, Spain in recent years has become a destination for women and couples seeking to become pregnant through in vitro fertilization. Egg donors are plentiful.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bundesbank-head-weidmann-criticizes-french-deficit-reduction-plans-a-898924.html#ref=rss German central bank head Jens Weidmann has strongly criticized French efforts to reduce its budget deficit, just days after the European Union granted Paris more time to meet EU requirements. He warns that French delays could damage the credibility of euro-zone rules. Thu, 09 May 2013 12:10:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bundesbank-head-weidmann-criticizes-french-deficit-reduction-plans-a-898924.html German central bank head Jens Weidmann has strongly criticized French efforts to reduce its budget deficit, just days after the European Union granted Paris more time to meet EU requirements. He warns that French delays could damage the credibility of euro-zone rules.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/court-upholds-ruling-against-berlusconi-in-tax-fraud-case-a-898921.html#ref=rss A second court has upheld a tax fraud conviction against Silvio Berlusconi. The former Italian prime minister now only has one appeal left. If convicted, he could be barred from public office, but he is unlikely to face actual jail time. Thu, 09 May 2013 12:04:48 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/court-upholds-ruling-against-berlusconi-in-tax-fraud-case-a-898921.html A second court has upheld a tax fraud conviction against Silvio Berlusconi. The former Italian prime minister now only has one appeal left. If convicted, he could be barred from public office, but he is unlikely to face actual jail time. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-to-impose-tariffs-on-chinese-solar-panels-a-898889.html#ref=rss The European Commission has approved tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels in response to complaints of price-dumping. However, analysts say the move will do little more than give European companies a short-lived boost, and that the levy will mainly just increase prices and decrease use of solar power. Wed, 08 May 2013 18:43:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-to-impose-tariffs-on-chinese-solar-panels-a-898889.html The European Commission has approved tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels in response to complaints of price-dumping. However, analysts say the move will do little more than give European companies a short-lived boost, and that the levy will mainly just increase prices and decrease use of solar power.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/press-review-on-mass-influx-of-european-immigrants-to-germany-a-898786.html#ref=rss This week, Germany announced it received more immigrants in 2012 than it has in almost two decades. Yet rather than sounding the alarm, newspaper commentators are welcoming the trend. Most of the newcomers are well-educated and come from other countries in Europe. Wed, 08 May 2013 15:45:51 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/press-review-on-mass-influx-of-european-immigrants-to-germany-a-898786.html This week, Germany announced it received more immigrants in 2012 than it has in almost two decades. Yet rather than sounding the alarm, newspaper commentators are welcoming the trend. Most of the newcomers are well-educated and come from other countries in Europe.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cosmetic-surgery-up-in-greece-despite-crisis-a-898543.html#ref=rss The economic crisis has forced thousands in Greece to rely on volunteers for even basic health care services. Meanwhile, wealthier Greeks are having more facelifts and breast implants than anywhere in the world. Why? Wed, 08 May 2013 12:31:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cosmetic-surgery-up-in-greece-despite-crisis-a-898543.html The economic crisis has forced thousands in Greece to rely on volunteers for even basic health care services. Meanwhile, wealthier Greeks are having more facelifts and breast implants than anywhere in the world. Why?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/protests-grow-in-bulgaria-against-political-corruption-a-898682.html#ref=rss Protests over the last three months in Bulgaria have included several self-immolations meant to draw attention to corruption among political elites with ties to organized crime. But few expect Sunday's parliamentary elections to change much. Wed, 08 May 2013 11:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/protests-grow-in-bulgaria-against-political-corruption-a-898682.html Protests over the last three months in Bulgaria have included several self-immolations meant to draw attention to corruption among political elites with ties to organized crime. But few expect Sunday's parliamentary elections to change much.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/britain-increasingly-regarding-germany-as-an-economic-role-model-a-898399.html#ref=rss Britain, which has yet to recover from the 2008 financial crash, is peering enviously at Germany's economic structure with its focus on engineering, its medium-sized firms, apprenticeships, regional banks and long-term business approach. The opposition Labour Party, but also the Conservative-led government, are starting to embrace German ideas. Mon, 06 May 2013 18:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/britain-increasingly-regarding-germany-as-an-economic-role-model-a-898399.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/prime-minister-viktor-orban-downplays-rising-anti-semitism-in-hungary-a-898319.html#ref=rss Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sought this weekend to convince some 500 Jewish leaders gathered in Budapest that his government is committed to combating a frightening increase in anti-Semitism. His speech, however, was notable more for what it left out than what it said. Mon, 06 May 2013 15:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/prime-minister-viktor-orban-downplays-rising-anti-semitism-in-hungary-a-898319.html Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sought this weekend to convince some 500 Jewish leaders gathered in Budapest that his government is committed to combating a frightening increase in anti-Semitism. His speech, however, was notable more for what it left out than what it said. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-memoto-mini-camera-captures-life-in-30-second-snippets-a-897900.html#ref=rss Swedish company Memoto is developing a camera that automatically documents the lives of users by snapping a photo every 30 seconds. The gadget could threaten privacy on both sides of the lens, critics warn. Fri, 03 May 2013 15:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-memoto-mini-camera-captures-life-in-30-second-snippets-a-897900.html Swedish company Memoto is developing a camera that automatically documents the lives of users by snapping a photo every 30 seconds. The gadget could threaten privacy on both sides of the lens, critics warn.]]>