Uli Hoeness, the president of Bayern Munich and an icon of German club soccer, could end up behind bars for tax evasion. The case has highlighted the dark side of the skilful entrepreneur and philanthropist whose burning ambition made Bayern what it is today -- and has now triggered his fall from grace. By SPIEGEL Staff more... [ Forum ]
Progress in the European Union is stalled at the moment because France and Germany can't get along. Paris is hoping for a change of government in Berlin after elections this fall, but even that would do little to bridge growing differences between the countries. By SPIEGEL Staff more... [ Forum ]
The case of Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness is heating up the German election campaign and presenting a challenge to the courts, which have gone easy on wealthy tax offenders until now. The high-profile case is likely to mean harsher punishments in the future. more... [ Forum ]
The Munich court where the NSU neo-Nazi terror trial is due to start on May 6 faces fresh controversy over media accreditation after several major German newspapers failed to obtain seats in a lottery of press passes. It was the second attempt to allocate seats after Turkish media had been left out in the first round. more...
For years, German federal law-enforcement officials hesitated to launch terrorism investigations against right-wing extremists. But the NSU debacle has prompted them to launch an unprecedented number of cases and to employ controversial means in an effort to avoid accusations of inaction. more...
Techno as both a musical genre and cultural movement is largely passé. So what's a lifetime DJ like Westbam, one of the earliest impresarios of the German techno scene, to do? He's still making music, and has just released a new album full of collaborations with pop music elites. And the excesses of his past have taught him an important lesson on humility. By Philipp Oehmke more... [ Forum ]
He was known far beyond Germany's borders for his portrayal of Detective Chief Inspector Stephan Derrick on television. On Friday, information emerged suggesting actor Horst Tappert served as a member of the notorious Waffen-SS and hid the fact for years. more... [ Forum ]
German historian Götz Aly is an expert on euthanasia during the Nazi era. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses why many accepted the murder of the handicapped and mentally ill, and how his own daughter has shaped his views on how the disabled should be treated today. more... [ Forum ]
The opening of Berlin's new international airport has been delayed four times and residents still haven't been given a new opening date. As technical problems plague the project, monthly maintenance costs are mounting. more... [ Forum ]
The Boston terrorist attack has more than just Americans worried. In a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview, German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich discusses the deadly event, calls for increased video surveillance and warns of future attacks by other lone wolves. By Matthias Gebauer and Veit Medick more... [ Forum ]
Many might think that 6-year-olds aren't ready to discuss issues like putting on condoms or achieving orgasm. Among them are the irate parents of first-graders at a Berlin elementary school that used a sex-ed book with explicit text and revealing illustrations. more...
Skyrocketing rents in many German cities are pitting residents against real estate developers and landlords. The recent death of an elderly woman forced out of her apartment has emboldened alliances to protest evictions with sit-ins. By Alexander Tieg more... [ Forum ]