http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Fri, 24 May 2013 00:37:32 +0200 Fri, 24 May 2013 00:37:32 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/axel-springer-said-to-be-planning-major-cuts-at-largest-german-newspaper-a-899742.html#ref=rss Axel Springer, Europe's largest newspaper publisher, appears to be losing faith in its core businesses. The company has scenarios for cutting millions in spending and slashing hundreds of jobs at the tabloid <i>Bild</i>, a cash cow that still generates sensational returns despite a fast-shrinking circulation. Wed, 15 May 2013 18:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/axel-springer-said-to-be-planning-major-cuts-at-largest-german-newspaper-a-899742.html Axel Springer, Europe's largest newspaper publisher, appears to be losing faith in its core businesses. The company has scenarios for cutting millions in spending and slashing hundreds of jobs at the tabloid Bild, a cash cow that still generates sensational returns despite a fast-shrinking circulation. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-hans-fischerkoesen-transformed-german-animation-a-898814.html#ref=rss Asthma forced Hans Fischerkoesen to spend most of his childhood in bed, but this period also ignited his imagination. In time, "Germany's Walt Disney" would go on to become an animation legend. But his career almost became derailed by World War II -- until Hitler stepped in. Thu, 09 May 2013 12:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-hans-fischerkoesen-transformed-german-animation-a-898814.html Asthma forced Hans Fischerkoesen to spend most of his childhood in bed, but this period also ignited his imagination. In time, "Germany's Walt Disney" would go on to become an animation legend. But his career almost became derailed by World War II -- until Hitler stepped in.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/growing-concern-that-news-photos-are-being-excessively-manipulated-a-898509.html#ref=rss Even top news photographers have their work digitally enhanced these days. Mounting competition in the market for news images is forcing photo-journalists to make their output as dramatic as possible. But where are the limits of cosmetic improvement? Wed, 08 May 2013 14:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/growing-concern-that-news-photos-are-being-excessively-manipulated-a-898509.html Even top news photographers have their work digitally enhanced these days. Mounting competition in the market for news images is forcing photo-journalists to make their output as dramatic as possible. But where are the limits of cosmetic improvement?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/study-german-reality-tv-talent-shows-cause-depression-a-896241.html#ref=rss A recent German study shows that some contestants on television talent shows like "The Voice of Germany" are so humiliated by the experience that they remain depressed for years. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:30:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/study-german-reality-tv-talent-shows-cause-depression-a-896241.html A recent German study shows that some contestants on television talent shows like "The Voice of Germany" are so humiliated by the experience that they remain depressed for years.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/models-catch-head-lice-on-heidi-klum-show-germanys-next-top-models-a-895427.html#ref=rss Contestants on Heidi Klum's hit show "Germany's Next Top Model" are scratching their heads over where they picked up lice, Thursday night's episode revealed. At least two of the young women are battling the itchy parasites, much to their revulsion. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:57:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/models-catch-head-lice-on-heidi-klum-show-germanys-next-top-models-a-895427.html Contestants on Heidi Klum's hit show "Germany's Next Top Model" are scratching their heads over where they picked up lice, Thursday night's episode revealed. At least two of the young women are battling the itchy parasites, much to their revulsion.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/polish-weekly-puts-merkel-in-concentration-camp-over-tv-miniseries-a-893589.html#ref=rss The Polish media is angry over the portrayal of the country's World War II resistance fighters in a popular miniseries that aired recently in Germany. So angry, in fact, that a Polish weekly has put an image of Chancellor Merkel as a concentration camp prisoner on its cover and accused Germany of rewriting history. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:04:35 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/polish-weekly-puts-merkel-in-concentration-camp-over-tv-miniseries-a-893589.html The Polish media is angry over the portrayal of the country's World War II resistance fighters in a popular miniseries that aired recently in Germany. So angry, in fact, that a Polish weekly has put an image of Chancellor Merkel as a concentration camp prisoner on its cover and accused Germany of rewriting history.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/reporter-who-found-forged-hitler-diaries-wants-them-back-a-893424.html#ref=rss In 1983, Stern magazine stunned the world by saying it had found Adolf Hitler's diaries. Unfortunately, they were fake. Now Gerd Heidemann, the reporter who discovered them, wants the diaries back, citing a clause in his original contract. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:59:39 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/reporter-who-found-forged-hitler-diaries-wants-them-back-a-893424.html In 1983, Stern magazine stunned the world by saying it had found Adolf Hitler's diaries. Unfortunately, they were fake. Now Gerd Heidemann, the reporter who discovered them, wants the diaries back, citing a clause in his original contract. ]]> 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/world/al-jazeera-criticized-for-lack-of-independence-after-arab-spring-a-883343.html#ref=rss For over a decade, the Arab television broadcaster Al-Jazeera was widely respected for providing an independent voice from the Middle East. Recently, however, several top journalists have left, saying the station has developed a clear political agenda. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:56:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/al-jazeera-criticized-for-lack-of-independence-after-arab-spring-a-883343.html For over a decade, the Arab television broadcaster Al-Jazeera was widely respected for providing an independent voice from the Middle East. Recently, however, several top journalists have left, saying the station has developed a clear political agenda.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/wiesenthal-center-refuses-to-debate-jakob-augstein-without-apology-a-876087.html#ref=rss The Simon Wiesenthal Center has triggered a major debate by listing a prominent German publisher and SPIEGEL ONLINE columnist among the world's top 10 anti-Semites. The evidence is debatable, but now the center refuses to speak to the publisher unless he apologizes first. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:22:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/wiesenthal-center-refuses-to-debate-jakob-augstein-without-apology-a-876087.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/wiesenthal-list-of-top-anti-semites-triggers-debate-in-germany-a-875774.html#ref=rss The Wiesenthal Center included a top German publisher on its 2012 list of leading anti-Semites alongside the Muslim Brotherhood and Iranian President Ahmadinejad. His writings have been have highly critical of Israel, but how far is too far? Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:09:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/wiesenthal-list-of-top-anti-semites-triggers-debate-in-germany-a-875774.html The Wiesenthal Center included a top German publisher on its 2012 list of leading anti-Semites alongside the Muslim Brotherhood and Iranian President Ahmadinejad. His writings have been have highly critical of Israel, but how far is too far?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/media-woes-hit-germany-as-financial-times-deutschland-goes-under-a-869001.html#ref=rss For years, Germany had seemed largely immune to the print-media woes washing over the US. In recent weeks, though, the country's newspaper industry has been hit by a pair of high-profile bankrupcies. On Friday, the respected <i>Financial Times Deutschland</i> became the latest victim. Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:53:28 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/media-woes-hit-germany-as-financial-times-deutschland-goes-under-a-869001.html For years, Germany had seemed largely immune to the print-media woes washing over the US. In recent weeks, though, the country's newspaper industry has been hit by a pair of high-profile bankrupcies. On Friday, the respected Financial Times Deutschland became the latest victim.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-pr-war-over-gaza-israel-battles-to-influence-global-opinion-a-868475.html#ref=rss The Israeli government appears to have learned from its public relations disaster during the 2008 Gaza war. This time around, the country is seeking to court journalists with a charm offensive -- a tactic that seems to be working. The new face of the army is more international and is doing a better job of liaising with the foreign media. Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:14:31 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-pr-war-over-gaza-israel-battles-to-influence-global-opinion-a-868475.html The Israeli government appears to have learned from its public relations disaster during the 2008 Gaza war. This time around, the country is seeking to court journalists with a charm offensive -- a tactic that seems to be working. The new face of the army is more international and is doing a better job of liaising with the foreign media. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/german-daily-frankfurter-rundschau-announces-bankrupcty-a-867206.html#ref=rss The <i>Frankfurter Rundschau</i>, one of Germany's most venerable dailies, has filed for bankruptcy, citing massive losses and falling circulation. The paper had been struggling for years, but its demise is nonetheless a bad omen for the country's newspaper industry, warn commentators. Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:38:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/german-daily-frankfurter-rundschau-announces-bankrupcty-a-867206.html Frankfurter Rundschau, one of Germany's most venerable dailies, has filed for bankruptcy, citing massive losses and falling circulation. The paper had been struggling for years, but its demise is nonetheless a bad omen for the country's newspaper industry, warn commentators.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/bertelsmann-and-penguin-announce-merger-plan-a-864015.html#ref=rss German media company Bertelsmann said Monday it plans to merge its Random House subsidiary with Britain's Penguin, creating the world's largest trade publishing house. The merger would give the joint company a stronger position in the market, but it could prompt a bidding war led by Rupert Murdoch and his News Corp. this week. Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:24:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/bertelsmann-and-penguin-announce-merger-plan-a-864015.html German media company Bertelsmann said Monday it plans to merge its Random House subsidiary with Britain's Penguin, creating the world's largest trade publishing house. The merger would give the joint company a stronger position in the market, but it could prompt a bidding war led by Rupert Murdoch and his News Corp. this week.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/newspaper-for-children-taps-into-german-youth-market-a-858992.html#ref=rss Newspapers may be dying out elsewhere, but in Germany broadsheets still enjoy substantial readership. A new publication has decided to invest in keeping it that way, targeting children to cultivate the readers of tomorrow. But it's a difficult market that requires pleasing both kids and their parents. Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:48:39 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/newspaper-for-children-taps-into-german-youth-market-a-858992.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/txtr-beagle-german-company-to-launch-e-reader-for-less-than-10-euros-a-860536.html#ref=rss Weighing in at just 128 grams and costing a fraction of the price of comparable products, the German company Txtr announced its new light-weight, low-cost e-reader this week before the start of the Frankfurt Book Fair. Bundled with a mobile-phone contract, the reader will cost just under 10 euros. Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:24:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/txtr-beagle-german-company-to-launch-e-reader-for-less-than-10-euros-a-860536.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/former-chancellor-helmut-schmidt-discusses-his-role-in-spiegel-affair-a-857672.html#ref=rss Helmut Schmidt is one of the last living protagonists in the SPIEGEL affair. At an event in Hamburg marking the 50th anniversary of the biggest government scandal in Germany's postwar history, the former chancellor discusses the events and how he himself came under investigation. Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:14:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/former-chancellor-helmut-schmidt-discusses-his-role-in-spiegel-affair-a-857672.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/france-bans-protests-against-muhammad-caricatures-and-anti-islam-film-a-857285.html#ref=rss French government officials on Friday announced a strict ban on protests against insulting depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in a recently released US film and a Paris-based satirical magazine. Officials in Germany are also doing all they can to minimize tensions. Fri, 21 Sep 2012 18:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/france-bans-protests-against-muhammad-caricatures-and-anti-islam-film-a-857285.html French government officials on Friday announced a strict ban on protests against insulting depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in a recently released US film and a Paris-based satirical magazine. Officials in Germany are also doing all they can to minimize tensions.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/50th-anniversary-of-the-spiegel-affair-a-857030.html#ref=rss Fifty years ago, police raided SPIEGEL headquarters in Hamburg and arrested some of the magazine's top journalists. The affair, which marked a watershed in postwar German democracy, would cause the government to collapse and the powerful defense minister to resign. Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:07:28 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/50th-anniversary-of-the-spiegel-affair-a-857030.html Fifty years ago, police raided SPIEGEL headquarters in Hamburg and arrested some of the magazine's top journalists. The affair, which marked a watershed in postwar German democracy, would cause the government to collapse and the powerful defense minister to resign. ]]>