http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 20 May 2013 01:54:16 +0200 Mon, 20 May 2013 01:54:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-weighs-options-for-handling-nuclear-waste-in-asse-mine-a-884523.html#ref=rss Some 126,000 barrels of nuclear waste have been dumped in the Asse II salt mine over the last 50 years. German politicians are pushing for a law promising their removal. But the safety, technical and financial hurdles are enormous, and experts warn that removal is more dangerous than leaving them put. Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:03:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-weighs-options-for-handling-nuclear-waste-in-asse-mine-a-884523.html Some 126,000 barrels of nuclear waste have been dumped in the Asse II salt mine over the last 50 years. German politicians are pushing for a law promising their removal. But the safety, technical and financial hurdles are enormous, and experts warn that removal is more dangerous than leaving them put.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/india-pushes-forward-with-massive-expansion-of-nuclear-capabilities-a-868662.html#ref=rss The 2011 disaster at Japan's Fukushima plant led many countries to turn away from nuclear power. But a growing population and rising economy has prompted India to massively expand its nuclear program -- even in the face of technological worries and fervent opposition. Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:04:56 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/india-pushes-forward-with-massive-expansion-of-nuclear-capabilities-a-868662.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/merkel-climate-advisor-blasts-politicians-for-doing-too-little-a-868024.html#ref=rss Politicians need to get their act together on climate change, says Chancellor Angela Merkel's leading climate advisor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber just days before the global warming conference in Qatar. The World Bank agrees, releasing a report on Monday highlighting the serious consequences that await should global temperatures continue rising unchecked. Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:17:38 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/merkel-climate-advisor-blasts-politicians-for-doing-too-little-a-868024.html Politicians need to get their act together on climate change, says Chancellor Angela Merkel's leading climate advisor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber just days before the global warming conference in Qatar. The World Bank agrees, releasing a report on Monday highlighting the serious consequences that await should global temperatures continue rising unchecked.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/energy-turnaround-in-germany-plagued-by-worrying-lack-of-progress-a-860481.html#ref=rss Germany plans to abandon nuclear power by 2022, but its government hasn't been doing enough to ensure that the project succeeds. Needed infrastructure and technology is lacking, and coordination is a mess. Meanwhile, weary consumers are paying more for electricity, and the supply is in jeopardy. Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:06:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/energy-turnaround-in-germany-plagued-by-worrying-lack-of-progress-a-860481.html Germany plans to abandon nuclear power by 2022, but its government hasn't been doing enough to ensure that the project succeeds. Needed infrastructure and technology is lacking, and coordination is a mess. Meanwhile, weary consumers are paying more for electricity, and the supply is in jeopardy. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/energy-from-the-bomb-russia-to-produce-electricity-with-former-nukes-a-854318.html#ref=rss Russia is planning to destroy plutonium used in thousands of soon to be decommissioned nuclear warheads by using it as fuel in a special new atomic power plant. The reactor is set to begin operating in one year, but time pressures and a vulnerable cooling system make the project a risky one. Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/energy-from-the-bomb-russia-to-produce-electricity-with-former-nukes-a-854318.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/problems-prompt-germany-to-rethink-energy-revolution-a-852815.html#ref=rss Germany's energy revolution is the government's only major project -- but the problems keep piling up. The pace of grid expansion is sluggish, and electricity costs for consumers are rising. The environment minister wants to fundamentally alter the way green energy is subsidized, but will it mean putting the brakes on the entire project? Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:24:34 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/problems-prompt-germany-to-rethink-energy-revolution-a-852815.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-energy-revolution-stalls-without-decisiveness-and-incentives-a-834565.html#ref=rss Germany's energy revolution has hardly begun, but it's already running out of steam. There is a lack of political decisiveness and companies are complaining of a dearth of incentives to invest billions in necessary infrastructure. Progress or no progress, taxpayers continue footing the bill. Wed, 23 May 2012 15:53:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-energy-revolution-stalls-without-decisiveness-and-incentives-a-834565.html Germany's energy revolution has hardly begun, but it's already running out of steam. There is a lack of political decisiveness and companies are complaining of a dearth of incentives to invest billions in necessary infrastructure. Progress or no progress, taxpayers continue footing the bill.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/alistair-burt-writes-about-the-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty-a-830646.html#ref=rss Conflict over Iran's nuclear program, rocket launches in North Korea and the Fukushima disaster: atomic weapons and energy remain risk factors. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is the best instrument for keeping these dangers in check, but it must be adjusted to suit new challenges. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:38:29 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/alistair-burt-writes-about-the-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty-a-830646.html Conflict over Iran's nuclear program, rocket launches in North Korea and the Fukushima disaster: atomic weapons and energy remain risk factors. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is the best instrument for keeping these dangers in check, but it must be adjusted to suit new challenges.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-unprepared-for-nuclear-disaster-like-fukushima-a-823126.html#ref=rss If a nuclear disaster comparable to Fukushima were to hit a German nuclear plant, authorities would be unprepared to handle it, and scientific projections show that radiation would likely spread much further than previous estimates. But government agencies have done little to address the problem. Critics call the delay a "scandal." Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:56:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-unprepared-for-nuclear-disaster-like-fukushima-a-823126.html If a nuclear disaster comparable to Fukushima were to hit a German nuclear plant, authorities would be unprepared to handle it, and scientific projections show that radiation would likely spread much further than previous estimates. But government agencies have done little to address the problem. Critics call the delay a "scandal."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-annoyed-by-german-nuclear-power-policy-a-820756.html#ref=rss Determined to develop its nuclear industry to meet its booming energy needs, Poland is tired of lectures from its environmentally conscious neighbor Germany. After all, Poles argue, the Germans have benefitted from nuclear power for decades. The differing energy philosophies threaten to strain ties between the two countries. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:24:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-annoyed-by-german-nuclear-power-policy-a-820756.html Determined to develop its nuclear industry to meet its booming energy needs, Poland is tired of lectures from its environmentally conscious neighbor Germany. After all, Poles argue, the Germans have benefitted from nuclear power for decades. The differing energy philosophies threaten to strain ties between the two countries. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/energy-revolution-stalls-berlin-struggles-to-realize-nuclear-free-ambitions-a-820427.html#ref=rss In the wake of the Fukushima disaster, the German government made a sudden and unexpected decision to phase out nuclear power by 2022. But precious little progress has been made. Key questions remain unanswered while various ministries quibble over their roles and Chancellor Merkel focuses on the pressing euro crisis. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:19:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/energy-revolution-stalls-berlin-struggles-to-realize-nuclear-free-ambitions-a-820427.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/undeterred-by-fukushima-nuclear-lobby-pushes-ahead-with-new-reactors-a-819452.html#ref=rss One year after the reactor accident in Fukushima, resistance to nuclear energy is growing around the world. But the atomic industry continues to push for the construction of new reactors, primarily in emerging economies. The German government even wants to support that expansion -- despite the fact it has abandoned nuclear power back home. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff.</i> Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:02:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/undeterred-by-fukushima-nuclear-lobby-pushes-ahead-with-new-reactors-a-819452.html One year after the reactor accident in Fukushima, resistance to nuclear energy is growing around the world. But the atomic industry continues to push for the construction of new reactors, primarily in emerging economies. The German government even wants to support that expansion -- despite the fact it has abandoned nuclear power back home. By SPIEGEL Staff. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/it-was-like-the-reactor-was-in-a-shaker-german-nuclear-inspectors-remember-fukushima-a-819491.html#ref=rss When the nuclear disaster happened at Fukushima last March, two German men were working on site. They spoke with SPIEGEL about the harrowing experience and the consequences of the catastrophe. Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:59:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/it-was-like-the-reactor-was-in-a-shaker-german-nuclear-inspectors-remember-fukushima-a-819491.html When the nuclear disaster happened at Fukushima last March, two German men were working on site. They spoke with SPIEGEL about the harrowing experience and the consequences of the catastrophe. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/fukushima-s-legacy-what-future-does-nuclear-power-have-in-japan-a-818567.html#ref=rss Almost a year after the Fukushima disaster, 52 of Japan's 54 nuclear power plants have been shut down. The reactor explosion destroyed the population's trust in nuclear energy. But the atomic lobby -- and the country's industrial needs -- could block a possible phase-out. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:44:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/fukushima-s-legacy-what-future-does-nuclear-power-have-in-japan-a-818567.html Almost a year after the Fukushima disaster, 52 of Japan's 54 nuclear power plants have been shut down. The reactor explosion destroyed the population's trust in nuclear energy. But the atomic lobby -- and the country's industrial needs -- could block a possible phase-out.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/merkel-s-switch-to-renewables-rising-energy-prices-endanger-german-industry-a-816669.html#ref=rss Last spring, Chancellor Angela Merkel set Germany on course to eliminate nuclear power in favor of renewable energy sources. Now, though, several industries are suffering as electricity prices rapidly rise. Many companies are having to close factories or move abroad. Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/merkel-s-switch-to-renewables-rising-energy-prices-endanger-german-industry-a-816669.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-curse-cancer-mysteriously-ravages-german-village-a-813852.html#ref=rss Cancer has struck nearly every household in Wewelsfleth, a village of 1,500 inhabitants in northwest Germany near the mouth of the Elbe River. Residents feel not only cursed, but also abandoned by authorities in their search for an elusive answer. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:07:49 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-curse-cancer-mysteriously-ravages-german-village-a-813852.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-solar-energy-row-is-an-undignified-spectacle-a-810370.html#ref=rss The future of solar subsidies has pitted members of Chancellor Merkel's cabinet against each other. But instead of politicizing the issue, German commentators on Friday urge the country's leaders to focus on consumers and what best serves Germany's energy needs. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:06:28 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-solar-energy-row-is-an-undignified-spectacle-a-810370.html The future of solar subsidies has pitted members of Chancellor Merkel's cabinet against each other. But instead of politicizing the issue, German commentators on Friday urge the country's leaders to focus on consumers and what best serves Germany's energy needs.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/nuclear-nimbyism-germans-oppose-new-plants-next-door-a-808794.html#ref=rss Germany famously moved to phase out nuclear energy following the atomic disaster in Japan last spring. Now states in the country are skeptically eyeing plans in neighboring countries, including the Netherlands and Poland, to construct nuclear power plants. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:56:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/nuclear-nimbyism-germans-oppose-new-plants-next-door-a-808794.html Germany famously moved to phase out nuclear energy following the atomic disaster in Japan last spring. Now states in the country are skeptically eyeing plans in neighboring countries, including the Netherlands and Poland, to construct nuclear power plants. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/scattered-across-japan-fukushima-refugees-trapped-by-uncertainty-a-805337.html#ref=rss For months, the 21,000 residents of Namie have lived in trailers and shelters across Japan. By abandoning their homes, they unwittingly fled directly into the path of Fukushima's radiation cloud. As worried and angry as they may be, most just want to return home. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:33:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/scattered-across-japan-fukushima-refugees-trapped-by-uncertainty-a-805337.html For months, the 21,000 residents of Namie have lived in trailers and shelters across Japan. By abandoning their homes, they unwittingly fled directly into the path of Fukushima's radiation cloud. As worried and angry as they may be, most just want to return home.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/paving-the-way-for-a-new-fukushima-is-berlin-still-in-the-nuclear-power-business-a-804687.html#ref=rss The German government may be getting out of the nuclear power business at home, but it is still active internationally. Berlin is currently reviewing applications for federal export guarantees for four nuclear projects abroad. Environmentalists are furious, saying the phaseout must also apply to the sale of atomic energy technology. Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:04:24 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/paving-the-way-for-a-new-fukushima-is-berlin-still-in-the-nuclear-power-business-a-804687.html The German government may be getting out of the nuclear power business at home, but it is still active internationally. Berlin is currently reviewing applications for federal export guarantees for four nuclear projects abroad. Environmentalists are furious, saying the phaseout must also apply to the sale of atomic energy technology.]]>