http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 23 May 2013 19:21:25 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 19:21:25 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/2015-champions-league-final-to-be-held-in-berlin-germany-a-901526.html#ref=rss The timing couldn't be better. Just as football fans around the world prepare to watch an all-German Champions League final this Saturday, Berlin has been named host of the prestigious soccer event for 2015. Thu, 23 May 2013 16:36:15 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/2015-champions-league-final-to-be-held-in-berlin-germany-a-901526.html The timing couldn't be better. Just as football fans around the world prepare to watch an all-German Champions League final this Saturday, Berlin has been named host of the prestigious soccer event for 2015. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-wins-bbc-popularity-survey-a-901454.html#ref=rss German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been a favorite target of hatred in recent months as the euro crisis continues to make life difficult for Southern Europeans. But a new BBC poll has found that most people actually have a positive view of Germany. Thu, 23 May 2013 13:05:20 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-wins-bbc-popularity-survey-a-901454.html German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been a favorite target of hatred in recent months as the euro crisis continues to make life difficult for Southern Europeans. But a new BBC poll has found that most people actually have a positive view of Germany.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/collapse-of-german-drone-program-has-merkel-confidant-on-the-defensive-a-901113.html#ref=rss Thomas de Maizičre has long been a close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel. But the defense minister now finds himself at the center of controversy after cancelling Germany's half-billion euro surveillance drone program last week. He has allegedly known about the project's problems for months. Wed, 22 May 2013 17:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/collapse-of-german-drone-program-has-merkel-confidant-on-the-defensive-a-901113.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-prosecutors-reject-case-of-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-901225.html#ref=rss The massacre at Sant'Anna was one of the most barbarous German crimes committed in Italy during World War II. Five suspected perpetrators are still alive today, but the top public prosecutor in Stuttgart has rejected reopening the case. Wed, 22 May 2013 17:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-prosecutors-reject-case-of-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-901225.html The massacre at Sant'Anna was one of the most barbarous German crimes committed in Italy during World War II. Five suspected perpetrators are still alive today, but the top public prosecutor in Stuttgart has rejected reopening the case. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/patient-drug-trials-western-firms-bribed-east-german-doctors-a-901206.html#ref=rss It wasn't just the East German government that benefited from risky patient drug trials commissioned by Western pharmaceutical manufacturers decades ago. These companies also sent liaisons with lavish gifts to bribe and influence doctors to participate. Wed, 22 May 2013 16:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/patient-drug-trials-western-firms-bribed-east-german-doctors-a-901206.html It wasn't just the East German government that benefited from risky patient drug trials commissioned by Western pharmaceutical manufacturers decades ago. These companies also sent liaisons with lavish gifts to bribe and influence doctors to participate.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/sap-to-hire-hundreds-of-people-with-autism-by-2020-a-901230.html#ref=rss German software development giant SAP is planning to hire hundreds of people with autism by 2020. The company hopes to benefit from their unusual skillset and says it's ready for any practical challenges. Advocates hope the program could set an example for others. Wed, 22 May 2013 13:39:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/sap-to-hire-hundreds-of-people-with-autism-by-2020-a-901230.html German software development giant SAP is planning to hire hundreds of people with autism by 2020. The company hopes to benefit from their unusual skillset and says it's ready for any practical challenges. Advocates hope the program could set an example for others.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/chancellor-angela-merkel-successfully-wooing-the-female-vote-a-900886.html#ref=rss The German left used to have a corner on the market when it came to progressive social issues. But Chancellor Merkel has transformed the conservatives, attracting huge quantities of women voters along the way. They've become a hot political commodity in this year's upcoming election, with the opposition struggling to catch up. Wed, 22 May 2013 12:52:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/chancellor-angela-merkel-successfully-wooing-the-female-vote-a-900886.html The German left used to have a corner on the market when it came to progressive social issues. But Chancellor Merkel has transformed the conservatives, attracting huge quantities of women voters along the way. They've become a hot political commodity in this year's upcoming election, with the opposition struggling to catch up.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-researcher-discovers-new-dinosaur-species-a-901005.html#ref=rss Dinosaurs used to be found most often in clay or tar pits. But a scientist in Berlin has found a more mundane and unexpected site for the finding of a previously unknown breed of plesiosaur: a museum drawer. Tue, 21 May 2013 14:11:22 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-researcher-discovers-new-dinosaur-species-a-901005.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-joseph-beuys-biography-discloses-ties-to-nazis-a-900509.html#ref=rss For decades, Joseph Beuys has been exalted as a heroic icon of postwar avant-garde German art. But a new biography accuses him of having been a serial liar who never completely emancipated himself from the views of Nazism and a bizarre cult. Fri, 17 May 2013 13:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-joseph-beuys-biography-discloses-ties-to-nazis-a-900509.html For decades, Joseph Beuys has been exalted as a heroic icon of postwar avant-garde German art. But a new biography accuses him of having been a serial liar who never completely emancipated himself from the views of Nazism and a bizarre cult.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nsu-trial-right-wing-extremists-suspected-of-fecal-attack-on-lawyer-office-a-900481.html#ref=rss Excrement and urine have been splattered on the Munich office of a lawyer representing plaintiffs in Germany's biggest neo-Nazi trial. Police suspect far-right extremists were behind the incident, just one of several apparently intended to intimidate anti-racist and immigrant groups as the trial gets underway. Fri, 17 May 2013 12:08:29 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nsu-trial-right-wing-extremists-suspected-of-fecal-attack-on-lawyer-office-a-900481.html Excrement and urine have been splattered on the Munich office of a lawyer representing plaintiffs in Germany's biggest neo-Nazi trial. Police suspect far-right extremists were behind the incident, just one of several apparently intended to intimidate anti-racist and immigrant groups as the trial gets underway. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/political-conspiracy-theorists-seek-to-label-merkel-as-russian-sleeper-agent-a-900235.html#ref=rss Ever wondered what Angela Merkel had in mind with her decision to phase out nuclear energy? Dependency on Russian energy, if you believe some prominent conspiracy theorists. They'd like you to believe the German chancellor is some kind of KGB "sleeper agent" installed by Moscow at the end of the Cold War. Thu, 16 May 2013 17:53:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/political-conspiracy-theorists-seek-to-label-merkel-as-russian-sleeper-agent-a-900235.html Ever wondered what Angela Merkel had in mind with her decision to phase out nuclear energy? Dependency on Russian energy, if you believe some prominent conspiracy theorists. They'd like you to believe the German chancellor is some kind of KGB "sleeper agent" installed by Moscow at the end of the Cold War. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nazi-references-used-in-anti-swabian-berlin-gentrification-feud-a-900078.html#ref=rss It may have begun as a joke, but with the adoption of slogans used by the Nazis, an ongoing feud pitting long-time Berliners against newer residents from southern Germany may have crossed a line. Thu, 16 May 2013 17:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nazi-references-used-in-anti-swabian-berlin-gentrification-feud-a-900078.html It may have begun as a joke, but with the adoption of slogans used by the Nazis, an ongoing feud pitting long-time Berliners against newer residents from southern Germany may have crossed a line.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/experts-in-germany-divided-on-computer-science-in-school-curriculum-a-899979.html#ref=rss Education experts in Germany are pushing to modernize the country's basic curriculum by making instruction in computer science mandatory. But opponents say it doesn't deserve the same status as subjects like math, Latin and biology. Thu, 16 May 2013 16:44:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/experts-in-germany-divided-on-computer-science-in-school-curriculum-a-899979.html Education experts in Germany are pushing to modernize the country's basic curriculum by making instruction in computer science mandatory. But opponents say it doesn't deserve the same status as subjects like math, Latin and biology.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-berlin-technology-park-threatened-by-airport-fiasco-a-899752.html#ref=rss Not long ago Berlin's future looked bright, with a state-of-the-art airport and a new high-tech park set to open where the old Tegel airport now stands. Now, delays to the former may torpedo the latter, particularly now that there are plans afoot to keep Tegel operational for years to come. Thu, 16 May 2013 16:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-berlin-technology-park-threatened-by-airport-fiasco-a-899752.html Not long ago Berlin's future looked bright, with a state-of-the-art airport and a new high-tech park set to open where the old Tegel airport now stands. Now, delays to the former may torpedo the latter, particularly now that there are plans afoot to keep Tegel operational for years to come.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-chancellor-angela-merkel-has-paralyzed-german-politics-a-900330.html#ref=rss During her eight years as chancellor, Angela Merkel has skillfully lulled Germans to sleep and used feel-good policies to switch their focus from politics to personal comfort. By starving Germany's democracy of vibrancy, "Mommy Merkel" has caused it to wither. Thu, 16 May 2013 16:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-chancellor-angela-merkel-has-paralyzed-german-politics-a-900330.html During her eight years as chancellor, Angela Merkel has skillfully lulled Germans to sleep and used feel-good policies to switch their focus from politics to personal comfort. By starving Germany's democracy of vibrancy, "Mommy Merkel" has caused it to wither.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-neo-nazi-trial-descends-into-angry-courtroom-exchanges-a-900089.html#ref=rss Bitter laughter, heckling and loud murmers from the public gallery: the trial of Beate Zschäpe descended into angry, heated exchanges among the lawyers and the judge on its third day on Wednesday. One lawyer even asked the judge to forbid laughter. Nerves are fraying in Germany's biggest neo-Nazi trial. Wed, 15 May 2013 18:52:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-neo-nazi-trial-descends-into-angry-courtroom-exchanges-a-900089.html Bitter laughter, heckling and loud murmers from the public gallery: the trial of Beate Zschäpe descended into angry, heated exchanges among the lawyers and the judge on its third day on Wednesday. One lawyer even asked the judge to forbid laughter. Nerves are fraying in Germany's biggest neo-Nazi trial. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/axel-springer-said-to-be-planning-major-cuts-at-largest-german-newspaper-a-899742.html#ref=rss Axel Springer, Europe's largest newspaper publisher, appears to be losing faith in its core businesses. The company has scenarios for cutting millions in spending and slashing hundreds of jobs at the tabloid <i>Bild</i>, a cash cow that still generates sensational returns despite a fast-shrinking circulation. Wed, 15 May 2013 18:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/axel-springer-said-to-be-planning-major-cuts-at-largest-german-newspaper-a-899742.html Axel Springer, Europe's largest newspaper publisher, appears to be losing faith in its core businesses. The company has scenarios for cutting millions in spending and slashing hundreds of jobs at the tabloid Bild, a cash cow that still generates sensational returns despite a fast-shrinking circulation. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/press-review-on-court-ruling-on-automated-google-search-suggestions-a-900004.html#ref=rss A German high court has ruled that Google must remove automatically suggested search terms if they violate a person's privacy. Editorialists at the country's national newspapers see a defeat for the Internet giant and a victory for privacy law. Wed, 15 May 2013 14:41:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/press-review-on-court-ruling-on-automated-google-search-suggestions-a-900004.html A German high court has ruled that Google must remove automatically suggested search terms if they violate a person's privacy. Editorialists at the country's national newspapers see a defeat for the Internet giant and a victory for privacy law. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nsu-trial-resumes-as-prosecutors-read-out-charges-a-899831.html#ref=rss Germany's biggest neo-Nazi trial resumed on Tuesday after an eight-day adjournment. The prosecutor read out the charges against the main defendant, Beate Zschäpe, who is accused of involvement in 10 murders. She remained impassive as the families of the victims gasped at the details of the crimes. Tue, 14 May 2013 18:23:14 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nsu-trial-resumes-as-prosecutors-read-out-charges-a-899831.html Germany's biggest neo-Nazi trial resumed on Tuesday after an eight-day adjournment. The prosecutor read out the charges against the main defendant, Beate Zschäpe, who is accused of involvement in 10 murders. She remained impassive as the families of the victims gasped at the details of the crimes. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/western-drugmakers-tested-medicines-on-unwitting-east-germans-a-899594.html#ref=rss Until the fall of the Wall, Western pharmaceutical companies conducted drug trials in East German hospitals. More than 50,000 patients served as subjects, often without their knowledge, and many died. The human experiments haven't been fully investigated to this day despite fresh evidence of wrongdoing. Tue, 14 May 2013 17:37:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/western-drugmakers-tested-medicines-on-unwitting-east-germans-a-899594.html