http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:21:22 +0100 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:21:22 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676559,00.html#ref=rss Switzerland is experiencing a wave of anti-German sentiment fed by anger at Berlin's decision to buy a CD containing stolen banking data. Local right-wing politicians are exploiting the opportunity to attack German immigrants who "steal" Swiss jobs. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:44:51 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676559,00.html Switzerland is experiencing a wave of anti-German sentiment fed by anger at Berlin's decision to buy a CD containing stolen banking data. Local right-wing politicians are exploiting the opportunity to attack German immigrants who "steal" Swiss jobs.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,676895,00.html#ref=rss Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:02:33 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,676895,00.html ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,676860,00.html#ref=rss General Motors Europe on Tuesday finally announced the details of its plan to restructure German car-maker Opel. In addition to thousands of job cuts, GM wants 2.7 billion euros from European governments. Opposition to the plan is building in Germany. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:56:18 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,676860,00.html General Motors Europe on Tuesday finally announced the details of its plan to restructure German car-maker Opel. In addition to thousands of job cuts, GM wants 2.7 billion euros from European governments. Opposition to the plan is building in Germany.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676839,00.html#ref=rss 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. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:48:24 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676839,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676784,00.html#ref=rss Former European Commissioner Günter Verheugen, whose 10 years in office ended Tuesday, talks to SPIEGEL ONLINE about EU-US relations, the prospect of a common EU military and the union's lack of vision. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:26:55 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676784,00.html Former European Commissioner Günter Verheugen, whose 10 years in office ended Tuesday, talks to SPIEGEL ONLINE about EU-US relations, the prospect of a common EU military and the union's lack of vision.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676799,00.html#ref=rss The relationship between the US and the European Union is cooling. By declining to come to Spain for a trans-Atlantic summit, President Barack Obama made it clear that Brussels is far down on his priority list. The reasons for that can be found in Europe. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:59:05 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676799,00.html The relationship between the US and the European Union is cooling. By declining to come to Spain for a trans-Atlantic summit, President Barack Obama made it clear that Brussels is far down on his priority list. The reasons for that can be found in Europe.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676791,00.html#ref=rss Yulia Tymoshenko has lost the Ukrainian presidential election to pro-Russian rival Viktor Yanukovych but is still refusing to concede defeat, even though international observers say there was no fraud. German media commentators say she must back down to help end the country's damaging division. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:15:48 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676791,00.html Yulia Tymoshenko has lost the Ukrainian presidential election to pro-Russian rival Viktor Yanukovych but is still refusing to concede defeat, even though international observers say there was no fraud. German media commentators say she must back down to help end the country's damaging division.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,676507,00.html#ref=rss The problems facing Greece are just the beginning. The countries belonging to Europe's common currency zone are drifting further and further apart, and national bankruptcies are a distinct possibility. Brussels is faced with a number of choices, none of them good. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:07:48 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,676507,00.html The problems facing Greece are just the beginning. The countries belonging to Europe's common currency zone are drifting further and further apart, and national bankruptcies are a distinct possibility. Brussels is faced with a number of choices, none of them good.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676634,00.html#ref=rss Goldman Sachs helped the Greek government to mask the true extent of its deficit with the help of a derivatives deal that legally circumvented the EU Maastricht deficit rules. At some point the so-called cross currency swaps will mature, and swell the country's already bloated deficit. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:55:54 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676634,00.html Goldman Sachs helped the Greek government to mask the true extent of its deficit with the help of a derivatives deal that legally circumvented the EU Maastricht deficit rules. At some point the so-called cross currency swaps will mature, and swell the country's already bloated deficit.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676497,00.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:13:06 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676497,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,676658,00.html#ref=rss Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:52:54 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,676658,00.html ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,676654,00.html#ref=rss Four German pensioners were so incensed with their financial advisor after making losses on investments that they kidnapped him in a bid to get their money back. They told the court at their trial on Monday that they had been "taken for a ride." Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:34:37 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,676654,00.html Four German pensioners were so incensed with their financial advisor after making losses on investments that they kidnapped him in a bid to get their money back. They told the court at their trial on Monday that they had been "taken for a ride."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676616,00.html#ref=rss 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." Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:50:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676616,00.html 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."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676581,00.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:21:55 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676581,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,676545,00.html#ref=rss Over the weekend, Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki rebuffed a uranium swap plan proposed by the West. In Tehran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered his scientists to begin enriching uranium to 20 percent. It is now time to impose tough new sanctions, say German commentators. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:39:52 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,676545,00.html Over the weekend, Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki rebuffed a uranium swap plan proposed by the West. In Tehran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered his scientists to begin enriching uranium to 20 percent. It is now time to impose tough new sanctions, say German commentators.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676541,00.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:23:37 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,676541,00.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,676524,00.html#ref=rss As the European Parliament prepares to flex its muscles in the vote on the SWIFT data deal, the US is trying to convince the Europeans of the importance of sharing bank transfer information. US officials say the EU and Germany have already benefited from the SWIFT reports in fighting terrorism. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:34:39 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,676524,00.html As the European Parliament prepares to flex its muscles in the vote on the SWIFT data deal, the US is trying to convince the Europeans of the importance of sharing bank transfer information. US officials say the EU and Germany have already benefited from the SWIFT reports in fighting terrorism.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676466,00.html#ref=rss Ukraine looks to be heading for political stalemate after Sunday's runoff presidential election. With over 95 percent of the votes counted, opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych appears to have won, but he has failed to achieve a convicing lead over his rival Yulia Tymoshenko. She may contest the result in court. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:14:45 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,676466,00.html Ukraine looks to be heading for political stalemate after Sunday's runoff presidential election. With over 95 percent of the votes counted, opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych appears to have won, but he has failed to achieve a convicing lead over his rival Yulia Tymoshenko. She may contest the result in court.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,676374,00.html#ref=rss Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 74, discusses peace negotiations with Israel and his disappointment with United States President Barack Obama in an exclusive SPIEGEL interview. Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:24:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,676374,00.html Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 74, discusses peace negotiations with Israel and his disappointment with United States President Barack Obama in an exclusive SPIEGEL interview.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,676334,00.html#ref=rss In an interview with SPIEGEL, opposition politician and former president of the Iranian parliament Mahdi Karroubi, 72, discusses allegations that he has bowed under pressure from the government in Tehran. Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:02:10 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,676334,00.html In an interview with SPIEGEL, opposition politician and former president of the Iranian parliament Mahdi Karroubi, 72, discusses allegations that he has bowed under pressure from the government in Tehran.]]>