http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 22 May 2013 02:02:02 +0200 Wed, 22 May 2013 02:02:02 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/researchers-launch-trials-with-non-embryonic-stem-cells-a-892475.html#ref=rss Ethical worries have slowed medical research into applications for stem cells. But scientists like Robert Lanza have developed less controversial ways to derive stem cells from normal body cells rather than embryos and are already launching the first clinical trials. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:58:12 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/researchers-launch-trials-with-non-embryonic-stem-cells-a-892475.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-edward-wilson-on-the-formation-of-morals-a-884767.html#ref=rss American sociobiologist Edward O. Wilson is championing a controversial new approach for explaining the origins of virtue and sin. In an interview, the world-famous ant reseacher explains why he believes the inner struggle is the characteristic trait of human nature. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:23:21 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-edward-wilson-on-the-formation-of-morals-a-884767.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/how-russian-virus-hunters-tracked-down-a-global-espionage-network-a-879467.html#ref=rss For five years now, the Red October computer virus has embarked on a new brand of espionage, stealing emails and other encrypted classified documents undetected from diplomats around the world. Though the virus may now be in hibernation, it's designed so that it can strike again at anytime. Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:31:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/how-russian-virus-hunters-tracked-down-a-global-espionage-network-a-879467.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-eads-ceo-thomas-enders-a-878742.html#ref=rss In October, German government officials blocked the merger of defense giants EADS and BAE Systems. The merger was a key part of EADS CEO Thomas Enders' strategy to rebalance the company's portfolio. In a SPIEGEL interview, Enders explains how the pan-European firm is picking up the pieces. Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:15:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-eads-ceo-thomas-enders-a-878742.html In October, German government officials blocked the merger of defense giants EADS and BAE Systems. The merger was a key part of EADS CEO Thomas Enders' strategy to rebalance the company's portfolio. In a SPIEGEL interview, Enders explains how the pan-European firm is picking up the pieces. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/growing-russian-internet-power-both-a-boon-and-worry-to-kremlin-a-849125.html#ref=rss Innovative Russia Internet companies are waging a battle for market share against US competitors, such as Google and Facebook. But another battle is raging within the country itself -- between supporters of online freedom and politicians wary of how online services can help foment revolt. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:45:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/growing-russian-internet-power-both-a-boon-and-worry-to-kremlin-a-849125.html Innovative Russia Internet companies are waging a battle for market share against US competitors, such as Google and Facebook. But another battle is raging within the country itself -- between supporters of online freedom and politicians wary of how online services can help foment revolt. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/german-architect-albert-speer-plans-for-the-2022-world-cup-in-qatar-a-836154.html#ref=rss When Qatar presented its plans to build soccer stadiums in the middle of the desert for the 2022 World Cup, it was ridiculed as "the biggest football joke of all time." But the architect chosen to design the winning bid knows all about reinventing oneself -- and came up with a grand vision for the desert kingdom. Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:30:03 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/german-architect-albert-speer-plans-for-the-2022-world-cup-in-qatar-a-836154.html When Qatar presented its plans to build soccer stadiums in the middle of the desert for the 2022 World Cup, it was ridiculed as "the biggest football joke of all time." But the architect chosen to design the winning bid knows all about reinventing oneself -- and came up with a grand vision for the desert kingdom. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/a-village-of-millionaires-lottery-win-leaves-spanish-region-grappling-with-its-future-a-815770.html#ref=rss Residents of Spain's Huesca Province recently won 700 million euros ($910 million) in the country's Christmas lottery. The money could bring a brighter future to the rural village of Sodeto, which has been shrinking for years. The region's fate will depend on what its newfound millionaires do with their money. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:13:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/a-village-of-millionaires-lottery-win-leaves-spanish-region-grappling-with-its-future-a-815770.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/containing-super-flus-controversy-brews-over-scientists-creation-of-killer-viruses-a-815782.html#ref=rss Should scientists be allowed to create extremely aggressive and highly infectious influenza viruses? Dutch virologists have done it and, in the process, triggered a fierce debate over the risks of bioterrorism and the potential release of deadly viruses. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/containing-super-flus-controversy-brews-over-scientists-creation-of-killer-viruses-a-815782.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/the-second-gilded-age-has-america-become-an-oligarchy-a-793896.html#ref=rss The Occupy Wall Street movement is just one example of the sudden outbreak of tension between America's super-rich and the "other 99 percent." Experts now say the US has entered a second Gilded Age, but one in which hedge fund managers have replaced oil barons -- and are killing the American dream. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:03:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/the-second-gilded-age-has-america-become-an-oligarchy-a-793896.html The Occupy Wall Street movement is just one example of the sudden outbreak of tension between America's super-rich and the "other 99 percent." Experts now say the US has entered a second Gilded Age, but one in which hedge fund managers have replaced oil barons -- and are killing the American dream.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/the-breivik-interrogations-norway-massacre-suspect-reveals-all-but-motive-a-793923.html#ref=rss Anders Behring Breivik has admitted to killing 77 Norwegians during a bombing and shooting massacre in July. Investigators say he is almost overly eager to talk. Still, after 100 hours of questioning, they have seen no signs of remorse and have little information about what really motivated him to kill. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:49:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/the-breivik-interrogations-norway-massacre-suspect-reveals-all-but-motive-a-793923.html Anders Behring Breivik has admitted to killing 77 Norwegians during a bombing and shooting massacre in July. Investigators say he is almost overly eager to talk. Still, after 100 hours of questioning, they have seen no signs of remorse and have little information about what really motivated him to kill.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull-german-artisans-lay-claim-to-a-mysterious-tradition-a-790456.html#ref=rss Lore behind Mayan crystal skulls once influenced collectors at world-class museums. Modern research, though, proves they can't be pre-Columbian. Were they really carved by jewelers in Idar-Oberstein, Germany? Artisans in the Hunsrück mountains have carved a new museum piece. Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:15:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull-german-artisans-lay-claim-to-a-mysterious-tradition-a-790456.html Lore behind Mayan crystal skulls once influenced collectors at world-class museums. Modern research, though, proves they can't be pre-Columbian. Were they really carved by jewelers in Idar-Oberstein, Germany? Artisans in the Hunsrück mountains have carved a new museum piece.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/couch-for-hire-airbnb-shakes-up-german-accommodations-market-a-789111.html#ref=rss Airbnb is a revolutionary online platform that lets people offer and book lodgings in private homes around the world. The for-profit couch-surfing service is alarming the German hotel industry. Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/couch-for-hire-airbnb-shakes-up-german-accommodations-market-a-789111.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/reinhard-heydrich-biography-the-first-in-depth-look-at-a-nazi-god-of-death-a-787747.html#ref=rss As the chair of the Wannsee Conference and head of the Reich Main Security Office, Reinhard Heydrich was the personification of the cruelest aspects of Nazi Germany. But the first scholarly biography of him finds that a combination of shame, love and luck -- rather than purely inherent evil -- led him to pursue a path of Nazi terror. Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/reinhard-heydrich-biography-the-first-in-depth-look-at-a-nazi-god-of-death-a-787747.html As the chair of the Wannsee Conference and head of the Reich Main Security Office, Reinhard Heydrich was the personification of the cruelest aspects of Nazi Germany. But the first scholarly biography of him finds that a combination of shame, love and luck -- rather than purely inherent evil -- led him to pursue a path of Nazi terror.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/neanderthals-vs-humans-german-scientists-bring-fossils-into-the-computer-age-a-784921.html#ref=rss Researchers in Leipzig are compiling a ground-breaking digital archive of artefacts from around the world. Created to contrast Neanderthals with modern man, the archive could revolutionize their field -- which is exactly why many oppose it. Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:50:48 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/neanderthals-vs-humans-german-scientists-bring-fossils-into-the-computer-age-a-784921.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/flying-ladas-crashes-threaten-russian-aerospace-revival-a-785768.html#ref=rss A series of plane crashes -- eight this year alone with the total loss of 119 lives -- is threatening to undermine Russia's ambitions to revive its once-proud aircraft industry. The country is pinning its hopes on a new regional jet, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 -- but each new disaster involving aging planes is dimming its prospects of success in the international market. Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/flying-ladas-crashes-threaten-russian-aerospace-revival-a-785768.html A series of plane crashes -- eight this year alone with the total loss of 119 lives -- is threatening to undermine Russia's ambitions to revive its once-proud aircraft industry. The country is pinning its hopes on a new regional jet, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 -- but each new disaster involving aging planes is dimming its prospects of success in the international market. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/the-birth-of-a-city-putting-down-roots-in-a-refugee-camp-a-784682.html#ref=rss The Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya is the world's largest. The machinery of international famine relief is in full gear there, but hundreds of thousands of people may become long-term residents. Conditions have prompted a camp manager to transform a temporary refuge into a city of the future. Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:43:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/the-birth-of-a-city-putting-down-roots-in-a-refugee-camp-a-784682.html The Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya is the world's largest. The machinery of international famine relief is in full gear there, but hundreds of thousands of people may become long-term residents. Conditions have prompted a camp manager to transform a temporary refuge into a city of the future.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/dutch-finance-minister-on-the-debt-crisis-we-are-all-threatened-by-contagion-a-781622.html#ref=rss In an interview with SPIEGEL, Dutch Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager calls on the German government to remain firm in its opposition to euro bonds. He also warns that even the fiscally solid nations of the euro zone will get into trouble if they keep having to increase the volume of the bailout fund. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/dutch-finance-minister-on-the-debt-crisis-we-are-all-threatened-by-contagion-a-781622.html In an interview with SPIEGEL, Dutch Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager calls on the German government to remain firm in its opposition to euro bonds. He also warns that even the fiscally solid nations of the euro zone will get into trouble if they keep having to increase the volume of the bailout fund. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/breaking-taboos-concerns-mount-in-germany-over-ecb-bond-buys-a-780258.html#ref=rss The euro drama is escalating in Berlin. In order to save the common currency, the European Central Bank is now purchasing large volumes of Italian government bonds. German central bankers and politicians in Chancellor Merkel's government oppose the move, which they see as a dangerous threat to the ECB's independence. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:52:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/breaking-taboos-concerns-mount-in-germany-over-ecb-bond-buys-a-780258.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/going-godless-does-secularism-make-people-more-ethical-a-777281.html#ref=rss Non-believers are often more educated, more tolerant and know more about God than the pious. A new wave of research is trying to figure out what goes on in the minds of an ever-growing group of people known as the "Nones". Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:55:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/going-godless-does-secularism-make-people-more-ethical-a-777281.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/german-development-minister-on-africa-famine-anyone-can-toss-around-big-numbers-a-779123.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, German Development Minister Dirk Niebel discusses the current famine in Africa, criticism of his country's contribution to fighting the catastrophe and why he believes aid policies must be mutually beneficial to donors and recipients in the age of globalization. Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:12:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/german-development-minister-on-africa-famine-anyone-can-toss-around-big-numbers-a-779123.html In a SPIEGEL interview, German Development Minister Dirk Niebel discusses the current famine in Africa, criticism of his country's contribution to fighting the catastrophe and why he believes aid policies must be mutually beneficial to donors and recipients in the age of globalization. ]]>