http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Tue, 21 May 2013 20:31:43 +0200 Tue, 21 May 2013 20:31:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/species-reintroduction-first-wisent-born-in-the-wild-in-germany-a-901114.html#ref=rss After being released into the wild in Germany just last month, a herd of wisents has welcomed its first calf. The first European bison to be born free in Germany in centuries has been named "Quintus," and appears to be healthy. Tue, 21 May 2013 18:50:39 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/species-reintroduction-first-wisent-born-in-the-wild-in-germany-a-901114.html After being released into the wild in Germany just last month, a herd of wisents has welcomed its first calf. The first European bison to be born free in Germany in centuries has been named "Quintus," and appears to be healthy. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-sahara-research-the-lakes-of-ounianga-a-900518.html#ref=rss A marvel of nature, the lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara Desert have lasted thousands of years and withstood dramatic climate change. Now, a German geologist has analyzed lakebed sediments to shed light on a spectacular chapter in human history. Tue, 21 May 2013 18:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-sahara-research-the-lakes-of-ounianga-a-900518.html A marvel of nature, the lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara Desert have lasted thousands of years and withstood dramatic climate change. Now, a German geologist has analyzed lakebed sediments to shed light on a spectacular chapter in human history.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/a-901100.html#ref=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 17:48:01 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/a-901100.html ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/australia-debates-how-to-protect-the-great-barrier-reef-a-900911.html#ref=rss Australia's Great Barrier Reef is rapidly losing its coral, to the point that UNESCO may soon place the natural wonder on its "in danger" list. Climate change is one culprit, but so is the country's booming extraction industry. Environmentalists warn that time is running out for the reef. Tue, 21 May 2013 17:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/australia-debates-how-to-protect-the-great-barrier-reef-a-900911.html Australia's Great Barrier Reef is rapidly losing its coral, to the point that UNESCO may soon place the natural wonder on its "in danger" list. Climate change is one culprit, but so is the country's booming extraction industry. Environmentalists warn that time is running out for the reef.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-faces-tough-battle-to-curb-tax-avoidance-and-evasion-a-900900.html#ref=rss Wealthy businesspeople shift millions of euros abroad while profitable companies use accounting tricks to minimize their taxable earnings and assets. The EU finally wants to create effective policies to curb these practices, but faces strong opposition from member states. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:55:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-faces-tough-battle-to-curb-tax-avoidance-and-evasion-a-900900.html Wealthy businesspeople shift millions of euros abroad while profitable companies use accounting tricks to minimize their taxable earnings and assets. The EU finally wants to create effective policies to curb these practices, but faces strong opposition from member states.]]> 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/zeitgeist/wave-gothic-festival-draws-thousands-to-leipzig-a-900987.html#ref=rss Every Pentecostal weekend, when the Wave Gothic Festival, a legendary annual gathering for "dark" music and arts, kicks off in the eastern German city of Leipzig, the world is reminded that nobody does goth quite like the Germans. Tue, 21 May 2013 13:57:32 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wave-gothic-festival-draws-thousands-to-leipzig-a-900987.html Every Pentecostal weekend, when the Wave Gothic Festival, a legendary annual gathering for "dark" music and arts, kicks off in the eastern German city of Leipzig, the world is reminded that nobody does goth quite like the Germans. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-leaders-to-sidestep-lisbon-treaty-article-on-commission-reduction-a-900993.html#ref=rss The Lisbon Treaty clearly intends for the size of the European Commission to be reduced below its present size of 27 members. But EU leaders have reached unanimous agreement to sidestep the provision -- and even plan to add a seat to the table for the Croatians. Tue, 21 May 2013 13:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-leaders-to-sidestep-lisbon-treaty-article-on-commission-reduction-a-900993.html The Lisbon Treaty clearly intends for the size of the European Commission to be reduced below its present size of 27 members. But EU leaders have reached unanimous agreement to sidestep the provision -- and even plan to add a seat to the table for the Croatians.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/london-set-for-onslaught-of-german-fans-for-champions-league-final-a-900939.html#ref=rss With tens of thousands of German football fans expected in London for the all-German Champions League final on Saturday, pubs in the English capital are anxiously preparing. Officials have urged fans without tickets to stay home and the city has opted to forgo public viewing areas. Tue, 21 May 2013 13:18:35 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/london-set-for-onslaught-of-german-fans-for-champions-league-final-a-900939.html With tens of thousands of German football fans expected in London for the all-German Champions League final on Saturday, pubs in the English capital are anxiously preparing. Officials have urged fans without tickets to stay home and the city has opted to forgo public viewing areas.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/marxist-and-geographer-david-harvey-on-urban-development-and-power-a-900976.html#ref=rss Today's class struggles are increasingly taking place in cities, says Marxist and social theorist David Harvey. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, he discusses how urbanization will play a key role in social conflicts to come. Tue, 21 May 2013 12:35:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/marxist-and-geographer-david-harvey-on-urban-development-and-power-a-900976.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/a-900840.html#ref=rss Monday, May 20 is a national holiday in Germany. SPIEGEL ONLINE International is publishing a limited number of stories. We will return to our normal schedule on Tuesday. Mon, 20 May 2013 17:21:58 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/a-900840.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/amazon-and-other-us-corporations-flout-german-labor-laws-a-900615.html#ref=rss Last week workers walked out in protest at Amazon's two largest distribution centers in Germany. The online retail giant is one of several US companies to butt heads with employees in the country over corporate practices that chafe against German labor laws. Mon, 20 May 2013 17:14:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/amazon-and-other-us-corporations-flout-german-labor-laws-a-900615.html Last week workers walked out in protest at Amazon's two largest distribution centers in Germany. The online retail giant is one of several US companies to butt heads with employees in the country over corporate practices that chafe against German labor laws. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/berlin-calls-nazi-comparison-by-hungarian-leader-a-derailment-a-900830.html#ref=rss Hungary's controversial prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has angered Berlin by comparing its policies to those of the Nazis. On Monday, Foreign Minister Westerwelle rejected the comparison, saying it was "regrettable." Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:17 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/berlin-calls-nazi-comparison-by-hungarian-leader-a-derailment-a-900830.html Hungary's controversial prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has angered Berlin by comparing its policies to those of the Nazis. On Monday, Foreign Minister Westerwelle rejected the comparison, saying it was "regrettable."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/expats-move-in-as-rio-favelas-improve-a-900626.html#ref=rss Now that the notorious drug gangs of Rio de Janiero's shanty towns have been driven out, the neighborhoods are attracting new residents from Southern Europe. Fleeing the euro crisis back home, the expats are contributing to a real estate boom in the favelas. Mon, 20 May 2013 13:55:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/expats-move-in-as-rio-favelas-improve-a-900626.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-failing-to-combat-youth-unemployment-a-900621.html#ref=rss Europe is failing in the fight against youth unemployment. While the German government's efforts remain largely symbolic, Southern European leaders pander to older voters by defending the status quo. Mon, 20 May 2013 13:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-failing-to-combat-youth-unemployment-a-900621.html Europe is failing in the fight against youth unemployment. While the German government's efforts remain largely symbolic, Southern European leaders pander to older voters by defending the status quo.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-german-foreign-minister-guido-westerwelle-a-900611.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, 51, discusses the search for a political solution to the Syrian civil war, controversial German arms exports and how his family's experiences in World War II inform his positions today. Mon, 20 May 2013 11:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-german-foreign-minister-guido-westerwelle-a-900611.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-mini-hot-rod-is-made-in-hamburg-and-approved-for-road-use-a-900570.html#ref=rss The mini hot rod looks like an outsize toy, and its Hamburg-based creators still can't quite believe it's street legal. It offers drivers as much fun as can be had behind a steering wheel, and a bit of discomfort is a small price to pay. Fri, 17 May 2013 18:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-mini-hot-rod-is-made-in-hamburg-and-approved-for-road-use-a-900570.html The mini hot rod looks like an outsize toy, and its Hamburg-based creators still can't quite believe it's street legal. It offers drivers as much fun as can be had behind a steering wheel, and a bit of discomfort is a small price to pay.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bad-taste-exhibition-in-hamburg-explores-design-crimes-a-900498.html#ref=rss Proving that bad taste never goes out of fashion, an exhibition opened in Hamburg this week that romps through decades of aesthetic atrocities, showcasing hideous design from the early 20th century to the present. Fri, 17 May 2013 17:41:42 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bad-taste-exhibition-in-hamburg-explores-design-crimes-a-900498.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/a-900605.html#ref=rss Fri, 17 May 2013 17:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/a-900605.html ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/deloitte-audit-prevention-of-money-laundering-in-cyprus-is-inadequate-a-900593.html#ref=rss A recent inquiry suggests that Cyprus isn't doing enough to combat money laundering, a precondition for obtaining a bailout package. The banks know little about their customers and are ill-equipped to identify suspicious transactions. Fri, 17 May 2013 17:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/deloitte-audit-prevention-of-money-laundering-in-cyprus-is-inadequate-a-900593.html A recent inquiry suggests that Cyprus isn't doing enough to combat money laundering, a precondition for obtaining a bailout package. The banks know little about their customers and are ill-equipped to identify suspicious transactions.]]>