http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:49:16 +0200 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:49:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/italians-flock-to-berlin-to-join-flourishing-start-up-scene-a-903908.html#ref=rss With the economy at home in the doldrums, entrepreneurs from Italy have been flocking to Berlin recently. The job opportunities are plentiful and there is a growing Italian community within Germany's vibrant high-tech start-up scene. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/italians-flock-to-berlin-to-join-flourishing-start-up-scene-a-903908.html With the economy at home in the doldrums, entrepreneurs from Italy have been flocking to Berlin recently. The job opportunities are plentiful and there is a growing Italian community within Germany's vibrant high-tech start-up scene.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/volcano-experts-puzzled-by-recent-burst-in-mount-etna-activity-a-901492.html#ref=rss Mount Etna is spitting lava more violently than it has in years, and scientists are baffled as to why. Despite being the world's most-studied volcano, the Sicilian mountain is also its most unpredictable. Fri, 24 May 2013 10:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/volcano-experts-puzzled-by-recent-burst-in-mount-etna-activity-a-901492.html Mount Etna is spitting lava more violently than it has in years, and scientists are baffled as to why. Despite being the world's most-studied volcano, the Sicilian mountain is also its most unpredictable.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-prosecutors-reject-case-of-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-901225.html#ref=rss The massacre at Sant'Anna was one of the most barbarous German crimes committed in Italy during World War II. Five suspected perpetrators are still alive today, but the top public prosecutor in Stuttgart has rejected reopening the case. Wed, 22 May 2013 17:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-prosecutors-reject-case-of-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-901225.html The massacre at Sant'Anna was one of the most barbarous German crimes committed in Italy during World War II. Five suspected perpetrators are still alive today, but the top public prosecutor in Stuttgart has rejected reopening the case. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/court-upholds-ruling-against-berlusconi-in-tax-fraud-case-a-898921.html#ref=rss A second court has upheld a tax fraud conviction against Silvio Berlusconi. The former Italian prime minister now only has one appeal left. If convicted, he could be barred from public office, but he is unlikely to face actual jail time. Thu, 09 May 2013 12:04:48 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/court-upholds-ruling-against-berlusconi-in-tax-fraud-case-a-898921.html A second court has upheld a tax fraud conviction against Silvio Berlusconi. The former Italian prime minister now only has one appeal left. If convicted, he could be barred from public office, but he is unlikely to face actual jail time. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-born-canoeist-josefa-idem-becomes-italian-minister-a-897382.html#ref=rss German-born Olympic canoeist Josefa Idem has been named Italy's new minister for sports and equal opportunity. It's her first foray into national politics, and she's already sparring with the country's political heavyweights. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-born-canoeist-josefa-idem-becomes-italian-minister-a-897382.html German-born Olympic canoeist Josefa Idem has been named Italy's new minister for sports and equal opportunity. It's her first foray into national politics, and she's already sparring with the country's political heavyweights.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-italian-government-faces-major-political-tensions-a-897204.html#ref=rss Two months after the election, Italy finally has a new government. It is made up of parties bitterly opposed to each other, much like the political situation in Greece. Can it prevent political chaos and keep Silvio Berlusconi from rising again? Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:07:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-italian-government-faces-major-political-tensions-a-897204.html Two months after the election, Italy finally has a new government. It is made up of parties bitterly opposed to each other, much like the political situation in Greece. Can it prevent political chaos and keep Silvio Berlusconi from rising again?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-press-reaction-to-new-italian-government-a-897142.html#ref=rss Italy's new left-right government, sworn in on Sunday, is younger than previous cabinets, has more women and contains a mix of technocrats and politicians. It's a promising start, write German commentators. But they note that it faces huge pressures, and will need to deliver results quickly. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:57:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-press-reaction-to-new-italian-government-a-897142.html Italy's new left-right government, sworn in on Sunday, is younger than previous cabinets, has more women and contains a mix of technocrats and politicians. It's a promising start, write German commentators. But they note that it faces huge pressures, and will need to deliver results quickly. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/enrico-letta-asked-to-form-italian-government-a-896341.html#ref=rss Enrico Letta has been tapped to lead Italy after being asked on Wednesday to form a government. Even though he is only 46 years old, he's still a representative of the old political caste and will have no choice but to work together with Silvio Berlusconi. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/enrico-letta-asked-to-form-italian-government-a-896341.html Enrico Letta has been tapped to lead Italy after being asked on Wednesday to form a government. Even though he is only 46 years old, he's still a representative of the old political caste and will have no choice but to work together with Silvio Berlusconi. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-media-warn-giorgio-napolitano-cannot-solve-italian-politics-a-895714.html#ref=rss Italian President Giorgio Napolitano had earned his retirement from politics, German editorialists say, but Italy's political stalemate meant parliament had no other choice than to ask him to remain on the job. He now faces the daunting task of finding a prime minister who can unite a deeply divided country. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-media-warn-giorgio-napolitano-cannot-solve-italian-politics-a-895714.html Italian President Giorgio Napolitano had earned his retirement from politics, German editorialists say, but Italy's political stalemate meant parliament had no other choice than to ask him to remain on the job. He now faces the daunting task of finding a prime minister who can unite a deeply divided country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/critical-report-could-reopen-case-of-1944-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-894027.html#ref=rss Last October, German prosecutors shelved an investigation of former SS soldiers suspected of participating in a 1944 massacre in Italy. A new report blasts investigators for ignoring potentially important clues -- and might prompt authorities to reopen the case. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:58:37 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/critical-report-could-reopen-case-of-1944-ss-massacre-in-italy-a-894027.html Last October, German prosecutors shelved an investigation of former SS soldiers suspected of participating in a 1944 massacre in Italy. A new report blasts investigators for ignoring potentially important clues -- and might prompt authorities to reopen the case.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-mayor-about-paparazzi-photos-of-merkel-in-italy-a-892489.html#ref=rss Paparazzi have managed to snap rare shots of Angela Merkel in private as she vacations in Italy with her family, and Germany's chancellor is angry about the intrusion. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke with the local mayor about the fuss. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-mayor-about-paparazzi-photos-of-merkel-in-italy-a-892489.html Paparazzi have managed to snap rare shots of Angela Merkel in private as she vacations in Italy with her family, and Germany's chancellor is angry about the intrusion. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke with the local mayor about the fuss. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/beppe-grillo-of-italy-is-the-most-dangerous-man-in-europe-a-889104.html#ref=rss Beppe Grillo, leader of the populist Five Star Movement in Italy, prides himself on his ridicule of the parliamentary system. Yet while his anti-establishment rhetoric sounds appealing, at heart it's actually anti-democratic. And very similar to that of an infamous Italian from the past. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:26:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/beppe-grillo-of-italy-is-the-most-dangerous-man-in-europe-a-889104.html Beppe Grillo, leader of the populist Five Star Movement in Italy, prides himself on his ridicule of the parliamentary system. Yet while his anti-establishment rhetoric sounds appealing, at heart it's actually anti-democratic. And very similar to that of an infamous Italian from the past.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fearless-prosecutor-ilde-boccassini-takes-on-silvio-berlusconi-a-888472.html#ref=rss For two decades, prosecutor Ilda Boccassini and Silvio Berlusconi have been pitted against one another in Italian courts. Fearless and immune to his attempts to sully her name, she's preparing for a spring showdown with Il Cavaliere. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:03:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fearless-prosecutor-ilde-boccassini-takes-on-silvio-berlusconi-a-888472.html For two decades, prosecutor Ilda Boccassini and Silvio Berlusconi have been pitted against one another in Italian courts. Fearless and immune to his attempts to sully her name, she's preparing for a spring showdown with Il Cavaliere.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/catholic-bishops-in-rome-air-grievances-ahead-of-conclave-a-888357.html#ref=rss As the conclave to select Benedict XVI's successor begins at the Vatican on Tuesday, conservatives and liberals among top Catholic bishops agree: The church needs a renewal. Who should lead that reform, however, is the subject of intense debate. Much dirty laundry has been aired in recent days. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:11:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/catholic-bishops-in-rome-air-grievances-ahead-of-conclave-a-888357.html As the conclave to select Benedict XVI's successor begins at the Vatican on Tuesday, conservatives and liberals among top Catholic bishops agree: The church needs a renewal. Who should lead that reform, however, is the subject of intense debate. Much dirty laundry has been aired in recent days.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/food-distribution-at-european-red-cross-at-greatest-level-since-war-a-888182.html#ref=rss Needy families and individuals in the European Union are becoming increasingly reliant on charity organizations like the Red Cross for basic needs like food, water and shelter. While Germany is relatively unaffected, unemployment and austerity in countries like Spain are making the problem even more severe. Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:05:42 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/food-distribution-at-european-red-cross-at-greatest-level-since-war-a-888182.html Needy families and individuals in the European Union are becoming increasingly reliant on charity organizations like the Red Cross for basic needs like food, water and shelter. While Germany is relatively unaffected, unemployment and austerity in countries like Spain are making the problem even more severe.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/court-convicts-silvio-berlusconi-in-wiretap-scandal-a-887488.html#ref=rss An Italian court on Thursday sentenced Italy's Silvio Berlusconi to one year in prison. While the former prime minister will appeal the verdict in the case involving the illegal publication of a wiretapped phone call transcript, it's just one of a handful against him being heard this month. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:02:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/court-convicts-silvio-berlusconi-in-wiretap-scandal-a-887488.html An Italian court on Thursday sentenced Italy's Silvio Berlusconi to one year in prison. While the former prime minister will appeal the verdict in the case involving the illegal publication of a wiretapped phone call transcript, it's just one of a handful against him being heard this month. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/beppe-grillo-taps-into-frustrations-of-european-lost-generation-a-886715.html#ref=rss For years, Europe's young have grown increasingly furious as the euro crisis has robbed them of a future. The emergence of Beppe Grillo's party in Italy is one of the results -- and is just the latest indication that disgust towards European politics is widespread. Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:01:26 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/beppe-grillo-taps-into-frustrations-of-european-lost-generation-a-886715.html For years, Europe's young have grown increasingly furious as the euro crisis has robbed them of a future. The emergence of Beppe Grillo's party in Italy is one of the results -- and is just the latest indication that disgust towards European politics is widespread.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fears-of-return-of-euro-crisis-plague-central-bankers-and-imf-a-886681.html#ref=rss The recent Italian elections demonstrated that the specter of the return of the euro crisis is never far away. Not a single problem in the currency zone has been definitively resolved and some are questioning if the European Central Bank might have to intervene again. Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:49:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fears-of-return-of-euro-crisis-plague-central-bankers-and-imf-a-886681.html The recent Italian elections demonstrated that the specter of the return of the euro crisis is never far away. Not a single problem in the currency zone has been definitively resolved and some are questioning if the European Central Bank might have to intervene again.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-886174.html#ref=rss Now, even the clowns themselves are involved. Three days after Peer Steinbrück, the Social Democratic candidate to challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in elections this autumn, referred to Italian political leaders Silvio Berlusconi and Beppe Grillo as "clowns," the head of Germany's most famous circus has expressed his displeasure at being compared to the former Italian prime minister. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:20:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-886174.html Now, even the clowns themselves are involved. Three days after Peer Steinbrück, the Social Democratic candidate to challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in elections this autumn, referred to Italian political leaders Silvio Berlusconi and Beppe Grillo as "clowns," the head of Germany's most famous circus has expressed his displeasure at being compared to the former Italian prime minister. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/milan-architects-build-vertical-forest-apartment-towers-a-886153.html#ref=rss A forest is being planted in central Milan, but it won't look like a typical wooded landscape. Architects in the Italian city have created "Vertical Forest" residential towers that aim to bring a bit of nature back to the concrete jungle. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:58:11 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/milan-architects-build-vertical-forest-apartment-towers-a-886153.html