Social Benefits Under Review
Germany's highest court has ordered the government to revise its welfare benefit system for the long-term unemployed and their families in a landmark ruling that could cost the government billions of euros. The ruling may put further pressure on an already taxed budget. more...
Shame and Fear
The Catholic Church in Germany has been shaken in recent days by revelations of a series of sexual abuse cases. Close to 100 priests and members of the laity have been suspected of abuse in recent years. After years of suppression, the wall of silence appears to be crumbling. By SPIEGEL Staff. more... [ Forum ]
'Million-Fold Violation of the Private Sphere'
Many in Berlin have long viewed Google's Street View service with some suspicion. Now, Consumer Protection Minister Ilse Aigner has called for better privacy laws. She says that even intelligence agencies wouldn't "collect photos so unabashedly." more...
Reversing the Atomic Phase-Out
German Enivronment Minister Norbert Röttgen has caused a rift in Chancellor Angela Merkel's government by suggesting that it drop plans to extend the lifetimes of the country's 17 nuclear power stations. more...
German Embassy Scandal in Tehran
The scandal involving federal police officers at the German embassy in Tehran who allegedly had affairs with an Iranian woman is expanding. The woman, who apparently holds both Iranian and British citizenship, is currently sitting in the dock in a show trial. By Matthias Gebauer and Marcel Rosenbach more...
A Paralyzing State Election
Jürgen Rüttgers, the powerful governor of North Rhine-Westphalia, currently holds the reins of German politics. He doesn't want anyone rocking the boat before crucial state elections in May and is hampering much-needed reforms. He could even pose a challenge to Chancellor Angela Merkel. By Rene Pfister more... [ Forum ]
The Unloved Film Mogul
Bernd Eichinger is Germany's most successful film producer. He has produced 70 films in more than 30 years, often taking considerable financial risks and boldly tackling difficult material. His films have received several Oscar nominations and he is well-known in Hollywood. So why is there so little love for him at home? By Lars-Olav Beier more... [ Forum ]
Discord at the Heart of German Football
German national team coach Joachim Löw may have secured a place for the players in the World Cup, but that hasn't been enough to secure a contract extension. The Football Federation has failed to agree to Löw's demands. Now the talks have been postponed until after the tournament in South Africa. more...
Far-Right Rhetoric
A small Muslim community in a western German town would like to build a minaret on its mosque. But the plan has triggered passionate opposition from locals, many of whom rely on rhetoric from the extreme right in railing against the "symbol of Islam's quest for power." more...
A 400 Million Euro Windfall
German tax authorities are preparing to pay a hefty sum for information on tax evaders with accounts in Switzerland, but the deal looks well worth it. The state is expected to recover as much as 400 million euros in back taxes, a German newspaper reports Friday. more...
