http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:34:19 +0200 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:34:19 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/three-barges-sunk-in-germany-to-plug-elbe-river-dike-breach-a-906119.html#ref=rss Three large barges were sunk over the weekend in a desperate effort to plug a massive breach in an Elbe River dike just east of Berlin. The operation became necessary due to continued flooding of several villages behind the break. It appears to have been successful. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/three-barges-sunk-in-germany-to-plug-elbe-river-dike-breach-a-906119.html Three large barges were sunk over the weekend in a desperate effort to plug a massive breach in an Elbe River dike just east of Berlin. The operation became necessary due to continued flooding of several villages behind the break. It appears to have been successful.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-establishes-eight-billion-euro-flood-relief-fund-a-905679.html#ref=rss Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday announced that 8 billion euros would be made available to assist victims of this month's disastrous flooding. With parts of northern Germany still under water, the true extent of damages are still unknown. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:14:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-establishes-eight-billion-euro-flood-relief-fund-a-905679.html Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday announced that 8 billion euros would be made available to assist victims of this month's disastrous flooding. With parts of northern Germany still under water, the true extent of damages are still unknown.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flood-damage-could-surpass-2002-disaster-in-germany-a-905167.html#ref=rss As historic flooding continues to surge through Germany, one unofficial estimate has already placed possible damage at 12 billion euros. Some organizations are complaining that donations are down compared to the disastrous floods of 2002. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:34:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flood-damage-could-surpass-2002-disaster-in-germany-a-905167.html As historic flooding continues to surge through Germany, one unofficial estimate has already placed possible damage at 12 billion euros. Some organizations are complaining that donations are down compared to the disastrous floods of 2002. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flawed-warning-systems-send-germans-to-facebook-for-flood-relief-a-904765.html#ref=rss Devastating floods in Germany have revealed shortcomings in the country's disaster alert system, prompting many to get their information from social networks. Facebook and Twitter have proven useful in relief efforts, but they are still vulnerable to misinformation. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flawed-warning-systems-send-germans-to-facebook-for-flood-relief-a-904765.html Devastating floods in Germany have revealed shortcomings in the country's disaster alert system, prompting many to get their information from social networks. Facebook and Twitter have proven useful in relief efforts, but they are still vulnerable to misinformation. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flooding-devastates-further-cities-in-germany-a-904764.html#ref=rss Continued flooding in Germany devastated parts of the eastern city of Magdeburg over the weekend, where some residents feel let down by authorities. Downriver, others towns are bracing for the surge. Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:31:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flooding-devastates-further-cities-in-germany-a-904764.html Continued flooding in Germany devastated parts of the eastern city of Magdeburg over the weekend, where some residents feel let down by authorities. Downriver, others towns are bracing for the surge. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flooding-devastates-german-town-of-deggendorf-a-904347.html#ref=rss Parts of the Bavarian town of Deggendorf have been completely submerged in this week's flood. SPIEGEL ONLINE joined rescue workers on a nighttime patrol. Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flooding-devastates-german-town-of-deggendorf-a-904347.html Parts of the Bavarian town of Deggendorf have been completely submerged in this week's flood. SPIEGEL ONLINE joined rescue workers on a nighttime patrol.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/heavy-flooding-now-threatens-northern-germany-and-hungary-a-904344.html#ref=rss The dramatic flooding that has engulfed parts of Central Europe this week is moving north and east. Hungary, the Czech Republic and Northern Germany are bracing for peak water levels as those in other areas begin to survey the fall-out. Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/heavy-flooding-now-threatens-northern-germany-and-hungary-a-904344.html The dramatic flooding that has engulfed parts of Central Europe this week is moving north and east. Hungary, the Czech Republic and Northern Germany are bracing for peak water levels as those in other areas begin to survey the fall-out. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-flooding-expected-to-peak-in-eastern-germany-a-904116.html#ref=rss Flooding continued to overwhelm parts of Germany on Thursday, prompting Angela Merkel to visit affected communities. The country will provide as much aid to victims as it can afford, the chancellor said. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-flooding-expected-to-peak-in-eastern-germany-a-904116.html Flooding continued to overwhelm parts of Germany on Thursday, prompting Angela Merkel to visit affected communities. The country will provide as much aid to victims as it can afford, the chancellor said. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-union-says-no-aid-money-available-for-flood-victims-a-904103.html#ref=rss Germany and several of its neighbors have been battling record flooding for days. But the European Union said on Wednesday that the aid fund for such disasters is depleted. The bloc's budget deadlock means that Central Europe will have to go it alone. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-union-says-no-aid-money-available-for-flood-victims-a-904103.html Germany and several of its neighbors have been battling record flooding for days. But the European Union said on Wednesday that the aid fund for such disasters is depleted. The bloc's budget deadlock means that Central Europe will have to go it alone.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/floods-in-europe-dresden-prepares-for-record-high-water-a-903872.html#ref=rss As flooding continues across Central Europe, tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes. After two levees broke in southeastern Germany, people had to be rescued from their rooftops by helicopters. Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/floods-in-europe-dresden-prepares-for-record-high-water-a-903872.html As flooding continues across Central Europe, tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes. After two levees broke in southeastern Germany, people had to be rescued from their rooftops by helicopters.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-city-of-passau-suffers-worst-flood-in-500-years-a-903684.html#ref=rss Amid the worst flooding seen in half a millennium, the streets of Passau have been transformed into canals, full of soldiers evacuating pensioners in rubber boats. Though the water is receding, the worst is yet to come with the assessment of damages in the Bavarian town. Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-city-of-passau-suffers-worst-flood-in-500-years-a-903684.html Amid the worst flooding seen in half a millennium, the streets of Passau have been transformed into canals, full of soldiers evacuating pensioners in rubber boats. Though the water is receding, the worst is yet to come with the assessment of damages in the Bavarian town. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/floods-in-germany-merkel-pledges-100-million-euros-in-aid-to-victims-a-903638.html#ref=rss Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged 100 million euros in immediate aid on Tuesday during a visit to flood-stricken areas of Germany. While water levels are falling in some places, the worst is yet to come for others. Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:42:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/floods-in-germany-merkel-pledges-100-million-euros-in-aid-to-victims-a-903638.html Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged 100 million euros in immediate aid on Tuesday during a visit to flood-stricken areas of Germany. While water levels are falling in some places, the worst is yet to come for others. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flooding-worsening-in-parts-of-germany-6-dead-in-europe-so-far-a-903396.html#ref=rss The death toll from flooding in central Europe has reached nine so far and more heavy rain is expected. In Germany, soldiers have been called out to help evacuate towns and pile sandbags while the historic old town of Passau is already under water. Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised full support. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flooding-worsening-in-parts-of-germany-6-dead-in-europe-so-far-a-903396.html The death toll from flooding in central Europe has reached nine so far and more heavy rain is expected. In Germany, soldiers have been called out to help evacuate towns and pile sandbags while the historic old town of Passau is already under water. Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised full support. ]]> 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/zeitgeist/fathers-day-revellers-interrupted-by-lightning-strike-in-germany-a-898964.html#ref=rss Father's Day in Germany is traditionally an occasion for massive alcohol intake and a bit of quality time with the guys. One such gathering on Thursday, however, was disrupted by a lightning strike, sending dozens of revellers to the hospital. Thu, 09 May 2013 17:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/fathers-day-revellers-interrupted-by-lightning-strike-in-germany-a-898964.html Father's Day in Germany is traditionally an occasion for massive alcohol intake and a bit of quality time with the guys. One such gathering on Thursday, however, was disrupted by a lightning strike, sending dozens of revellers to the hospital.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-meteorite-strike-in-russian-city-of-chelyabinsk-injures-hundreds-a-883581.html#ref=rss Suddenly, there was a flash of light and then a loud explosion bursting windows across the Russian city of Chelyabinsk. A large meteorite detonated over the city on Friday morning, injuring almost 1,000. The disaster could have been much larger. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:52:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-meteorite-strike-in-russian-city-of-chelyabinsk-injures-hundreds-a-883581.html Suddenly, there was a flash of light and then a loud explosion bursting windows across the Russian city of Chelyabinsk. A large meteorite detonated over the city on Friday morning, injuring almost 1,000. The disaster could have been much larger.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-final-hours-of-the-bounty-during-hurricane-sandy-a-869782.html#ref=rss As Hurricane Sandy approached the East Coast in late October, Captain Robin Walbridge wanted to save his ship, the legendary <i>Bounty</i>. He set out to sea to ride out the storm -- a decision which ended in disaster. He lost the ship, a crewmember and his own life. Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:43:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-final-hours-of-the-bounty-during-hurricane-sandy-a-869782.html Bounty. He set out to sea to ride out the storm -- a decision which ended in disaster. He lost the ship, a crewmember and his own life.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/hurricane-sandy-destroys-entire-new-york-neighborhood-of-breezy-point-a-864806.html#ref=rss Hurricane Sandy has destroyed an entire neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York. First, the flood waters ravaged Breezy Point, and then a fire finished the job. Local residents have lost everything. Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:05:49 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/hurricane-sandy-destroys-entire-new-york-neighborhood-of-breezy-point-a-864806.html Hurricane Sandy has destroyed an entire neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York. First, the flood waters ravaged Breezy Point, and then a fire finished the job. Local residents have lost everything. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-yorkers-in-lower-manhattan-struggle-to-make-do-after-sandy-a-864691.html#ref=rss From the lower tip of Manhattan to Midtown, many New Yorkers are struggling to make do without power, heat and water. They gather water in buckets from fire hydrants and walk more than an hour to work. A SPIEGEL reporter offers a glimpse into life in a Lower Manhattan briefly cut off from civilization. Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:38:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-yorkers-in-lower-manhattan-struggle-to-make-do-after-sandy-a-864691.html From the lower tip of Manhattan to Midtown, many New Yorkers are struggling to make do without power, heat and water. They gather water in buckets from fire hydrants and walk more than an hour to work. A SPIEGEL reporter offers a glimpse into life in a Lower Manhattan briefly cut off from civilization.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/hurricane-sandy-leaves-trail-of-destruction-on-us-east-coast-a-864484.html#ref=rss The storm washed train cars onto highways and dragged an entire roller coaster into the sea. Hurricane Sandy revealed just how vulnerable America is to the forces of nature. Clean-up is likely to take weeks or even months in the hardest hit sections of New Jersey. Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:26:52 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/hurricane-sandy-leaves-trail-of-destruction-on-us-east-coast-a-864484.html The storm washed train cars onto highways and dragged an entire roller coaster into the sea. Hurricane Sandy revealed just how vulnerable America is to the forces of nature. Clean-up is likely to take weeks or even months in the hardest hit sections of New Jersey.]]>