http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 25 May 2013 13:29:25 +0200 Sat, 25 May 2013 13:29:25 +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/zeitgeist/protests-mar-opening-of-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-900430.html#ref=rss For some, it's a dream in pink. For others, it's a monument to misogyny. The Barbie Dreamhouse opened its doors in Berlin on Thursday, and demonstrators and journalists were out in force. Femen also made an appearance -- to burn Barbie on the cross. Fri, 17 May 2013 10:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/protests-mar-opening-of-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-900430.html For some, it's a dream in pink. For others, it's a monument to misogyny. The Barbie Dreamhouse opened its doors in Berlin on Thursday, and demonstrators and journalists were out in force. Femen also made an appearance -- to burn Barbie on the cross.]]> 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/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/zeitgeist/feminists-outraged-by-life-size-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-900041.html#ref=rss Criticism is mounting against the life-size "Barbie Dreamhouse Experience" opening this week in Berlin, with feminist activists calling for protests. Bringing the doll's fantasy life into the real world goes too far in spreading damaging stereotypes, they say. Wed, 15 May 2013 18:18:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/feminists-outraged-by-life-size-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-900041.html Criticism is mounting against the life-size "Barbie Dreamhouse Experience" opening this week in Berlin, with feminist activists calling for protests. Bringing the doll's fantasy life into the real world goes too far in spreading damaging stereotypes, they say. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/techno-club-berghain-puts-on-ballet-a-897911.html#ref=rss Among Europe's most celebrated techno establishments, Berlin's Berghain has a new project. In addition to hosting its famous parties, the club will temporarily open a spectacular new space for sold-out performances featuring a collaboration with the capital's ballet company. Fri, 03 May 2013 12:51:20 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/techno-club-berghain-puts-on-ballet-a-897911.html Among Europe's most celebrated techno establishments, Berlin's Berghain has a new project. In addition to hosting its famous parties, the club will temporarily open a spectacular new space for sold-out performances featuring a collaboration with the capital's ballet company.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/critics-blast-monthly-maintenance-costs-at-delayed-berlin-airport-a-896577.html#ref=rss The opening of Berlin's new international airport has been delayed four times and residents still haven't been given a new opening date. As technical problems plague the project, monthly maintenance costs are mounting. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:39:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/critics-blast-monthly-maintenance-costs-at-delayed-berlin-airport-a-896577.html The opening of Berlin's new international airport has been delayed four times and residents still haven't been given a new opening date. As technical problems plague the project, monthly maintenance costs are mounting.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-first-graders-get-explicit-sex-education-book-a-896447.html#ref=rss Many might think that 6-year-olds aren't ready to discuss issues like putting on condoms or achieving orgasm. Among them are the irate parents of first-graders at a Berlin elementary school that used a sex-ed book with explicit text and revealing illustrations. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-first-graders-get-explicit-sex-education-book-a-896447.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/resident-groups-form-to-fight-evictions-in-germany-a-896188.html#ref=rss Skyrocketing rents in many German cities are pitting residents against real estate developers and landlords. The recent death of an elderly woman forced out of her apartment has emboldened alliances to protest evictions with sit-ins. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:02:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/resident-groups-form-to-fight-evictions-in-germany-a-896188.html Skyrocketing rents in many German cities are pitting residents against real estate developers and landlords. The recent death of an elderly woman forced out of her apartment has emboldened alliances to protest evictions with sit-ins.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-to-make-first-state-visit-to-berlin-in-june-a-894733.html#ref=rss He's finally coming. SPIEGEL has learned that US President Barack Obama will make an official state visit to Berlin in June -- just one week before the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:30:35 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-to-make-first-state-visit-to-berlin-in-june-a-894733.html He's finally coming. SPIEGEL has learned that US President Barack Obama will make an official state visit to Berlin in June -- just one week before the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/stasi-suspicions-east-side-gallery-developer-hinkel-past-in-question-a-893110.html#ref=rss Maik Uwe Hinkel, the controversial investor behind the luxury apartment complex that has displaced parts of Berlin's East Side Gallery, is a staunch socialist. There is also evidence that suggests he may have been a spy for East Germany's notorious secret police, the Stasi. Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:15:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/stasi-suspicions-east-side-gallery-developer-hinkel-past-in-question-a-893110.html Maik Uwe Hinkel, the controversial investor behind the luxury apartment complex that has displaced parts of Berlin's East Side Gallery, is a staunch socialist. There is also evidence that suggests he may have been a spy for East Germany's notorious secret police, the Stasi. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-campaign-circulates-petition-to-keep-tegel-airport-open-a-892733.html#ref=rss A petition is circulating in Berlin to keep the city's aging Tegel Airport in operation. It's due to close once the much-delayed Berlin International Aiport finally opens its doors. But polls suggest that most in the city would like to keep the old airport open as well. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:24:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-campaign-circulates-petition-to-keep-tegel-airport-open-a-892733.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/what-ali-wore-an-unlikely-new-street-style-star-in-berlin-a-891928.html#ref=rss Ali, an 83-year-old tailor and father of 18 in Berlin, is now famous after a blog documenting his original street style went viral in recent days. SPIEGEL talks with photographer Zoe Spawton about how she discovered the senior sartorialist. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/what-ali-wore-an-unlikely-new-street-style-star-in-berlin-a-891928.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/protesters-say-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-bad-model-for-girls-a-891714.html#ref=rss A life-size Barbie Dreamhouse is set to open in Berlin in May, and leftist activists are up in arms. They plan to protest the opening to draw attention to what they say is the wrong role model for girls. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:04:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/protesters-say-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-bad-model-for-girls-a-891714.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/developer-resumes-removal-of-berlin-wall-section-for-luxury-housing-a-891223.html#ref=rss The project was put on hold after thousands showed up in protest, but early Wednesday morning developers resumed their removal of a section of the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall to make way for luxury housing. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/developer-resumes-removal-of-berlin-wall-section-for-luxury-housing-a-891223.html The project was put on hold after thousands showed up in protest, but early Wednesday morning developers resumed their removal of a section of the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall to make way for luxury housing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/architecture-in-berlin-an-urban-planning-disaster-a-890025.html#ref=rss Klaus Wowereit, Berlin's mayor since 2001, has watched his city become one of world's coolest artistic meccas. But under his guidance, the city has devolved into a backward-looking architectural wasteland in which urban planning only favors the rich. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:18:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/architecture-in-berlin-an-urban-planning-disaster-a-890025.html Klaus Wowereit, Berlin's mayor since 2001, has watched his city become one of world's coolest artistic meccas. But under his guidance, the city has devolved into a backward-looking architectural wasteland in which urban planning only favors the rich.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/dispute-heats-up-between-germany-and-turkey-over-contested-artifacts-a-888398.html#ref=rss German museums and archaeologists fear that Turkey is punishing them for not repatriating contested artifacts. In a SPIEGEL interview, Turkish Culture Minister Ömer Çelik explains why Turkey is demanding both the artifacts and an apology. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:04:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/dispute-heats-up-between-germany-and-turkey-over-contested-artifacts-a-888398.html German museums and archaeologists fear that Turkey is punishing them for not repatriating contested artifacts. In a SPIEGEL interview, Turkish Culture Minister Ömer Çelik explains why Turkey is demanding both the artifacts and an apology.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-ceo-hartmut-mehdorn-to-head-delayed-berlin-international-airport-a-887732.html#ref=rss Hartmut Mehdorn, former head of the German national railway Deutsche Bahn, is to take over leadership of Berlin's beleaguered new international airport. He replaces the man who was fired over massive delays in the project, but is already playing down expectations. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:34:22 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-ceo-hartmut-mehdorn-to-head-delayed-berlin-international-airport-a-887732.html Hartmut Mehdorn, former head of the German national railway Deutsche Bahn, is to take over leadership of Berlin's beleaguered new international airport. He replaces the man who was fired over massive delays in the project, but is already playing down expectations.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/a-887660.html#ref=rss In a show of support for Berlin's burgeoning Internet start-up scene, German Chancellor Angela Merkel ventured into a strange new world of employee-friendly tech offices on Thursday. Though she showed a lot of interest, Berlin still has a long way to go in supporting the city's growth as a tech hub. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:43:51 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/a-887660.html In a show of support for Berlin's burgeoning Internet start-up scene, German Chancellor Angela Merkel ventured into a strange new world of employee-friendly tech offices on Thursday. Though she showed a lot of interest, Berlin still has a long way to go in supporting the city's growth as a tech hub.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/an-unlikely-effort-to-buy-the-berlin-power-grid-a-886426.html#ref=rss Even as Germany turns to renewables, the power supply in Berlin comes mostly from coal. Two recent university graduates are trying to change that -- by buying the grid. It is an ambitious attempt to fix a system that may not be broken. Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:23:15 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/an-unlikely-effort-to-buy-the-berlin-power-grid-a-886426.html Even as Germany turns to renewables, the power supply in Berlin comes mostly from coal. Two recent university graduates are trying to change that -- by buying the grid. It is an ambitious attempt to fix a system that may not be broken.]]>