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 06:01:24 +0200 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:01:24 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/exploring-the-crumbling-soviet-oil-platform-city-of-neft-dashlari-a-867055.html#ref=rss In the 1950s, Soviet engineers built a massive city in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Azerbaijan. It was a network of oil platforms linked by hundreds of kilometers of roads and housing 5,000 workers, with a cinema, a park and apartment blocks. Gradually disintegrating but still closely guarded, this astonishing place inspired a fiery scene in a James Bond movie. Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/exploring-the-crumbling-soviet-oil-platform-city-of-neft-dashlari-a-867055.html In the 1950s, Soviet engineers built a massive city in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Azerbaijan. It was a network of oil platforms linked by hundreds of kilometers of roads and housing 5,000 workers, with a cinema, a park and apartment blocks. Gradually disintegrating but still closely guarded, this astonishing place inspired a fiery scene in a James Bond movie. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/baku-s-victory-against-eurovision-song-contest-politicization-a-835575.html#ref=rss Azerbaijan's pledges to respect human rights ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest turned out to be largely superficial, despite widespread international criticism. But organizers also failed to ensure that their democratic values were upheld, avoiding conflict for the sake of a good party. Mon, 28 May 2012 16:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/baku-s-victory-against-eurovision-song-contest-politicization-a-835575.html Azerbaijan's pledges to respect human rights ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest turned out to be largely superficial, despite widespread international criticism. But organizers also failed to ensure that their democratic values were upheld, avoiding conflict for the sake of a good party.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/homophobia-rampant-in-eurovision-host-country-azerbaijan-a-835265.html#ref=rss The Eurovision Song Contest has a massive gay following. But homophobia is rife in this year's host country, Azerbaijan, where gays and lesbians have to keep a low profile and fear violent attacks. Even so, locals say that gay Eurovision fans traveling to Baku needn't fear for their safety -- because the regime doesn't want any trouble. Fri, 25 May 2012 14:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/homophobia-rampant-in-eurovision-host-country-azerbaijan-a-835265.html The Eurovision Song Contest has a massive gay following. But homophobia is rife in this year's host country, Azerbaijan, where gays and lesbians have to keep a low profile and fear violent attacks. Even so, locals say that gay Eurovision fans traveling to Baku needn't fear for their safety -- because the regime doesn't want any trouble.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/tehran-protests-eurovision-gay-parade-in-baku-a-834709.html#ref=rss Preparations for the first semi-final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday were overshadowed by a diplomatic row between host country Azerbaijan and its neighbor Iran. The latter recalled its ambassador over accusations that Baku was planning an accompanying "gay parade." Wed, 23 May 2012 15:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/tehran-protests-eurovision-gay-parade-in-baku-a-834709.html Preparations for the first semi-final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday were overshadowed by a diplomatic row between host country Azerbaijan and its neighbor Iran. The latter recalled its ambassador over accusations that Baku was planning an accompanying "gay parade." ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-profile-of-azerbaijan-eurovision-song-contest-candidate-sabina-babayeva-a-834439.html#ref=rss Azerbaijan's Eurovision hopeful believes the world's largest non-sports TV event is an opportunity to "open our hearts to Europe." But Sabina Babayeva seems baffled by the idea that some Europeans believe that they should neither visit nor support a country with an oppressive regime like that of the Aliyevs in Baku. Tue, 22 May 2012 18:14:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-profile-of-azerbaijan-eurovision-song-contest-candidate-sabina-babayeva-a-834439.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/organizer-defends-decision-to-host-eurovision-song-contest-in-baku-a-832456.html#ref=rss Ingrid Deltenre heads the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Azerbaijan, a country widely criticized for human rights violations, at the end of May. In a SPEIGEL interview she defends the choice of the controversial location and warns that politicizing the contest could kill it. Thu, 10 May 2012 17:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/organizer-defends-decision-to-host-eurovision-song-contest-in-baku-a-832456.html Ingrid Deltenre heads the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Azerbaijan, a country widely criticized for human rights violations, at the end of May. In a SPEIGEL interview she defends the choice of the controversial location and warns that politicizing the contest could kill it. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-accuses-germany-of-media-smear-campaign-a-830962.html#ref=rss German television stations and newspapers have been reporting extensively on human rights abuses in Azerbaijan ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest there. Now Baku has accused "certain circles" in Germany of orchestrating a media campaign of slander and deceit against the country. Wed, 02 May 2012 15:28:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-accuses-germany-of-media-smear-campaign-a-830962.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/eurovision-song-contest-highlights-abuses-in-azerbaijan-a-830649.html#ref=rss On the eve of the Eurovision Song Contest, scrutiny of host Azerbaijan is increasing, particularly the country's human rights record. A confidential German Foreign Ministry report, which SPIEGEL has seen, criticizes "state repression" in the country. Wed, 02 May 2012 12:02:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/eurovision-song-contest-highlights-abuses-in-azerbaijan-a-830649.html On the eve of the Eurovision Song Contest, scrutiny of host Azerbaijan is increasing, particularly the country's human rights record. A confidential German Foreign Ministry report, which SPIEGEL has seen, criticizes "state repression" in the country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/baku-residents-forcibly-removed-from-homes-for-development-projects-a-826207.html#ref=rss Baku, set to host the Eurovision Song Contest in just over a month, is rapidly trying to become a modern city. To do so, it is forcibly removing residents from their homes to make way for slick new skyscrapers and other development projects. Those who try to stay bear the brunt of the government's wrath. Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:56:31 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/baku-residents-forcibly-removed-from-homes-for-development-projects-a-826207.html Baku, set to host the Eurovision Song Contest in just over a month, is rapidly trying to become a modern city. To do so, it is forcibly removing residents from their homes to make way for slick new skyscrapers and other development projects. Those who try to stay bear the brunt of the government's wrath.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-targets-press-freedoms-ahead-of-eurovision-song-contest-a-824634.html#ref=rss They are frequently harassed, sometimes beaten and even filmed while having sex: The risks to journalists in Azerbaijan are many. Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest, the authoritarian government in Baku has shown no signs of relenting. The country's opposition says foreign journalists should beware. Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-targets-press-freedoms-ahead-of-eurovision-song-contest-a-824634.html They are frequently harassed, sometimes beaten and even filmed while having sex: The risks to journalists in Azerbaijan are many. Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest, the authoritarian government in Baku has shown no signs of relenting. The country's opposition says foreign journalists should beware.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/westerwelle-says-song-contest-should-be-forum-for-promoting-civil-rights-a-821261.html#ref=rss The Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan this year should be used as a forum for promoting civil rights in that country, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Wednesday. The same should apply to Ukraine, which will co-host the European football championship and is under fire for jailing Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister, he added. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:29:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/westerwelle-says-song-contest-should-be-forum-for-promoting-civil-rights-a-821261.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-s-eurovision-activists-hope-contest-will-improve-human-rights-a-813822.html#ref=rss While the Azerbaijani government hopes to burnish its image by hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in May, civil rights activists are struggling to draw more attention to the country's human rights violations. Standing uncomfortably in the middle are the organizers of this supposedly "apolitical" event. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-s-eurovision-activists-hope-contest-will-improve-human-rights-a-813822.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-dictator-s-dream-azerbaijan-seeks-to-burnish-image-ahead-of-eurovision-a-806769.html#ref=rss Azerbaijan will play host to this year's Eurovision Song Contest. In the run-up to Europe's largest television event, the authoritarian regime has launched a campaign to improve its image. German PR experts, lobbyists and politicians across the spectrum are playing a role in those efforts. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:14:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-dictator-s-dream-azerbaijan-seeks-to-burnish-image-ahead-of-eurovision-a-806769.html Azerbaijan will play host to this year's Eurovision Song Contest. In the run-up to Europe's largest television event, the authoritarian regime has launched a campaign to improve its image. German PR experts, lobbyists and politicians across the spectrum are playing a role in those efforts. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/boys-and-their-toys-the-us-befriends-azerbaijan-s-corrupt-elite-a-734307.html#ref=rss Azerbaijan is rife with corruption and comparisons to European feudalism in the Middle Ages are hardly a stretch. But with vast reserves of oil and natural gas at stake, the US is willing to risk the embarrassment that comes with courting the country. Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/boys-and-their-toys-the-us-befriends-azerbaijan-s-corrupt-elite-a-734307.html Azerbaijan is rife with corruption and comparisons to European feudalism in the Middle Ages are hardly a stretch. But with vast reserves of oil and natural gas at stake, the US is willing to risk the embarrassment that comes with courting the country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/putin-s-offer-ignored-us-to-keep-europe-as-site-for-missile-defense-a-488734.html#ref=rss The move comes despite an unexpected proposal by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to use a radar base in Azerbaijan instead. Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:25:04 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/putin-s-offer-ignored-us-to-keep-europe-as-site-for-missile-defense-a-488734.html The move comes despite an unexpected proposal by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to use a radar base in Azerbaijan instead.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russian-help-for-us-missile-defense-putin-s-radar-gambit-a-487841.html#ref=rss Russian President Vladimir Putin has put Bush on the back foot over the US's planned European missile defense system with his offer of a radar station in Azerbaijan. But experts say the proposal is technically unfeasible. Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:43:30 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russian-help-for-us-missile-defense-putin-s-radar-gambit-a-487841.html Russian President Vladimir Putin has put Bush on the back foot over the US's planned European missile defense system with his offer of a radar station in Azerbaijan. But experts say the proposal is technically unfeasible.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/surprise-offer-in-missile-row-putin-proposes-joint-radar-station-in-azerbaijan-a-487330.html#ref=rss President Vladimir Putin has proposed that Russia and the US jointly use an existing radar station in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan as a way to resolve their dispute over the planned US missile shield in Eastern Europe. George W. Bush called it an "interesting proposal." Is the ice breaking? Thu, 07 Jun 2007 18:28:11 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/surprise-offer-in-missile-row-putin-proposes-joint-radar-station-in-azerbaijan-a-487330.html President Vladimir Putin has proposed that Russia and the US jointly use an existing radar station in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan as a way to resolve their dispute over the planned US missile shield in Eastern Europe. George W. Bush called it an "interesting proposal." Is the ice breaking?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/an-iron-silk-road-the-new-transcaucasian-railway-a-466159.html#ref=rss Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan have signed an agreement to build a rail corridor that they hope will eventually link Europe with Asia. However, one country in the region -- Armenia -- is being left out. Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:38:10 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/an-iron-silk-road-the-new-transcaucasian-railway-a-466159.html Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan have signed an agreement to build a rail corridor that they hope will eventually link Europe with Asia. However, one country in the region -- Armenia -- is being left out.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/azerbaijan-he-wrote-many-poems-for-me-a-438493.html#ref=rss Israfil, 56, is a civil servant. His wife, Elmira, 52, is a broadcast journalist. They married in 1976 and have three children. They live in Baku. Fri, 29 Sep 2006 16:39:20 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/azerbaijan-he-wrote-many-poems-for-me-a-438493.html