http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:41:24 +0100 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:41:24 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662516,00.html#ref=rss 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. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:17:23 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662516,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662517,00.html#ref=rss Herman Van Rompuy is a practicing Catholic who belongs to the conservative wing of the Flemish Christian Democrat party. He likes haiku poetry and prefers the Beatles to the Stones. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:34:04 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662517,00.html Herman Van Rompuy is a practicing Catholic who belongs to the conservative wing of the Flemish Christian Democrat party. He likes haiku poetry and prefers the Beatles to the Stones.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662387,00.html#ref=rss Two parties in Denmark's parliament are calling for stricter checks on American travelers to the country out of terrorism concerns. Danish Justice Minister Brian Mikkelsen agrees that restrictions may be necessary. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:49 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662387,00.html Two parties in Denmark's parliament are calling for stricter checks on American travelers to the country out of terrorism concerns. Danish Justice Minister Brian Mikkelsen agrees that restrictions may be necessary.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662357,00.html#ref=rss 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. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:05:44 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662357,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662245,00.html#ref=rss 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. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:23:33 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662245,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662240,00.html#ref=rss 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. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:15:54 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662240,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662173,00.html#ref=rss 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. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:10:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,662173,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,661595,00.html#ref=rss 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." Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:53:18 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,661595,00.html 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."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,661540,00.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:23:38 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,661540,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,660893,00.html#ref=rss English winegrowers are benefiting from global warming and their reputation is improving fast. Despite the rain, some British vintners dream of competing with France's Champagne region. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:55:01 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,660893,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,661117,00.html#ref=rss 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. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:58:58 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,661117,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,660649,00.html#ref=rss 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. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:51:51 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,660649,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,660702,00.html#ref=rss 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. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:46 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,660702,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,660428,00.html#ref=rss 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. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:46:29 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,660428,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659752,00.html#ref=rss 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. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:53:50 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659752,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659418,00.html#ref=rss 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. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:18:32 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659418,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,628606,00.html#ref=rss 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. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:56:30 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,628606,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659213,00.html#ref=rss 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. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:29:10 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659213,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659184,00.html#ref=rss Expectations for Angela Merkel's address before the US Congress were great, but the German chancellor fulfilled them. In contrast to her usual performance, Merkel demonstrated in her historical speech that she is capable of conveying both vision and confidence. She also gave a timely commitment to America. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:38 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659184,00.html Expectations for Angela Merkel's address before the US Congress were great, but the German chancellor fulfilled them. In contrast to her usual performance, Merkel demonstrated in her historical speech that she is capable of conveying both vision and confidence. She also gave a timely commitment to America.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659196,00.html#ref=rss In her speech before the US Congress on Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked the Americans for their decades-long support of Germany and for their role in helping to end the Cold War. She also reminded US politicians that the world will be looking to America and Europe in December for leadership in forging a global climate change agreement. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:35:29 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,659196,00.html In her speech before the US Congress on Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked the Americans for their decades-long support of Germany and for their role in helping to end the Cold War. She also reminded US politicians that the world will be looking to America and Europe in December for leadership in forging a global climate change agreement.]]>