http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 22 May 2013 09:20:46 +0200 Wed, 22 May 2013 09:20:46 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/polish-town-famous-for-producing-garden-gnomes-branches-out-a-897409.html#ref=rss A flourishing garden gnome industry spared an entire region around the town of Nowa Sól in western Poland from economic ruin. With the decorations now out of style, the industry is branching out to plastic tigers, dinosaurs and even churros. Thu, 02 May 2013 16:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/polish-town-famous-for-producing-garden-gnomes-branches-out-a-897409.html A flourishing garden gnome industry spared an entire region around the town of Nowa Sól in western Poland from economic ruin. With the decorations now out of style, the industry is branching out to plastic tigers, dinosaurs and even churros. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-commemorates-70th-anniversary-of-warsaw-ghetto-uprising-a-895375.html#ref=rss Poland commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising on Friday, marking the day by bestowing honors on survivors and opening a new Jewish history museum. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:46:23 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-commemorates-70th-anniversary-of-warsaw-ghetto-uprising-a-895375.html Poland commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising on Friday, marking the day by bestowing honors on survivors and opening a new Jewish history museum. ]]> 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/germany/all-in-the-family-poles-pleased-to-learn-of-polish-heritage-of-angela-merkel-a-889207.html#ref=rss It was revealed this week that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's grandfather came from Poland and that her original maiden name was Kazmierczak, not the Germanized Kasner. The news may seem trivial, but it could further improve relations between the neighboring countries. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:27:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/all-in-the-family-poles-pleased-to-learn-of-polish-heritage-of-angela-merkel-a-889207.html It was revealed this week that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's grandfather came from Poland and that her original maiden name was Kazmierczak, not the Germanized Kasner. The news may seem trivial, but it could further improve relations between the neighboring countries. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/viral-photo-from-krakow-interview-with-photographer-marcin-ryczek-a-887299.html#ref=rss Polish photographer Marcin Ryczek's stunning image of swans at a Krakow riverbank went viral online recently, winning him global recognition. He tells SPIEGEL ONLINE about the moment that changed everything for him. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:45:32 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/viral-photo-from-krakow-interview-with-photographer-marcin-ryczek-a-887299.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/parties-in-poland-battle-over-whether-to-introduce-euro-a-881739.html#ref=rss Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the Polish business community want to boost competitiveness by introducing the euro. However, the opposition and a majority of Poles believe the country's independence and stability could suffer. Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:15:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/parties-in-poland-battle-over-whether-to-introduce-euro-a-881739.html Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the Polish business community want to boost competitiveness by introducing the euro. However, the opposition and a majority of Poles believe the country's independence and stability could suffer.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/photos-look-inside-nazi-prisoner-of-war-camp-for-polish-officers-a-878378.html#ref=rss Many Nazi prisoner-of-war camps were notorious for their forced labor and deadly conditions. Yet a collection of photos that mysteriously turned up in southern France tells the story of a seemingly relaxed prison camp in Bavaria, once touted by the Nazis to show their supposed respect for human rights. Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:24:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/photos-look-inside-nazi-prisoner-of-war-camp-for-polish-officers-a-878378.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/berlin-lawyer-stefan-hambura-questions-smolensk-plane-crash-burials-a-875779.html#ref=rss The 2010 plane crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 96 others in Russia remains a traumatizing memory for many Poles. It's also one that won't rest until allegations that bodies were mixed up by Russian authorities are cleared up. A Berlin-based lawyer sees the scandal as a Russian affront to Poland's honor. Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:55:33 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/berlin-lawyer-stefan-hambura-questions-smolensk-plane-crash-burials-a-875779.html The 2010 plane crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 96 others in Russia remains a traumatizing memory for many Poles. It's also one that won't rest until allegations that bodies were mixed up by Russian authorities are cleared up. A Berlin-based lawyer sees the scandal as a Russian affront to Poland's honor. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-stands-in-the-way-of-european-global-warming-efforts-a-874344.html#ref=rss Poland is addicted to coal. That is the message the country has been sending both domestically and internationally as Warsaw prepares to host the global climate summit next year. In Europe, the Poles are isolated in their fight for looser emissions reduction goals and against fixes to the EU's cap-and-trade system. Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:38:51 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-stands-in-the-way-of-european-global-warming-efforts-a-874344.html Poland is addicted to coal. That is the message the country has been sending both domestically and internationally as Warsaw prepares to host the global climate summit next year. In Europe, the Poles are isolated in their fight for looser emissions reduction goals and against fixes to the EU's cap-and-trade system.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/polish-authorities-thwart-far-right-terrorist-bomb-plot-in-warsaw-a-868332.html#ref=rss Polish authorities have arrested a man who was allegedly planning to bomb the parliament building in Warsaw. An investigation into Polish connections with far-right Norwegian mass murder Anders Behring Breivik uncovered the plot, officials said on Tuesday. Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:12:35 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/polish-authorities-thwart-far-right-terrorist-bomb-plot-in-warsaw-a-868332.html Polish authorities have arrested a man who was allegedly planning to bomb the parliament building in Warsaw. An investigation into Polish connections with far-right Norwegian mass murder Anders Behring Breivik uncovered the plot, officials said on Tuesday.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/missing-madonna-painting-of-elder-cranach-returned-to-polish-church-a-854266.html#ref=rss Decades after it went missing, the famous "Madonna under the Fir Tree" painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder has reappeared under mysterious circumstances and been returned to its home in Poland. But can anyone be sure it isn't just a better fake? Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:22:36 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/missing-madonna-painting-of-elder-cranach-returned-to-polish-church-a-854266.html Decades after it went missing, the famous "Madonna under the Fir Tree" painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder has reappeared under mysterious circumstances and been returned to its home in Poland. But can anyone be sure it isn't just a better fake?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-searches-for-remains-of-world-war-ii-hero-witold-pilecki-a-848853.html#ref=rss Witold Pilecki fought in three wars and even volunteered to be imprisoned at Auschwitz to send out intelligence reports. But, after the war, he was executed for opposing Poland's new communist leaders. Now the authorities are searching for his remains. Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:40:30 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-searches-for-remains-of-world-war-ii-hero-witold-pilecki-a-848853.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-and-russia-test-visa-free-travel-a-847828.html#ref=rss Russia and Poland moved last week to open the border between Kaliningrad and neighboring Polish communities for visa-free travel. The move creates new freedom for people living in the exclave, which is surrounded by EU countries and is located some 350 kilomoters from Russia proper. Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:56:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-and-russia-test-visa-free-travel-a-847828.html Russia and Poland moved last week to open the border between Kaliningrad and neighboring Polish communities for visa-free travel. The move creates new freedom for people living in the exclave, which is surrounded by EU countries and is located some 350 kilomoters from Russia proper.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wojtek-the-bear-that-joined-the-polish-army-and-fought-the-nazis-a-844056.html#ref=rss The tale is bizarre, but true. During World War II, an orphaned brown bear went from being a cuddly pet to an officially enlisted soldier in the Polish army, and reportedly saw fierce combat in Italy. Decades after the war and his death, "Wojtek" continues to be honored. Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wojtek-the-bear-that-joined-the-polish-army-and-fought-the-nazis-a-844056.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/influence-of-catholic-church-on-the-decline-in-poland-a-843694.html#ref=rss Twenty years ago, the Catholic Church played a major role in the fall of communism in Poland. Today, with the country changing rapidly, the church's influence is quickly waning. Once considered the most Catholic country in Europe, the faithful are vanishing. Wed, 11 Jul 2012 11:30:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/influence-of-catholic-church-on-the-decline-in-poland-a-843694.html Twenty years ago, the Catholic Church played a major role in the fall of communism in Poland. Today, with the country changing rapidly, the church's influence is quickly waning. Once considered the most Catholic country in Europe, the faithful are vanishing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-jewish-leader-criticizes-german-team-over-auschwitz-visit-a-836814.html#ref=rss Germany's Jewish community has criticized the country's national football team for sending a small delegation to Auschwitz last week instead of visiting the site as a group. It also accused team manager Oliver Bierhoff of 'colossal insensitivity' in his choice of words ahead of the visit. Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-jewish-leader-criticizes-german-team-over-auschwitz-visit-a-836814.html Germany's Jewish community has criticized the country's national football team for sending a small delegation to Auschwitz last week instead of visiting the site as a group. It also accused team manager Oliver Bierhoff of 'colossal insensitivity' in his choice of words ahead of the visit. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poor-lose-out-in-poland-s-economic-miracle-a-835931.html#ref=rss Poland, one of the hosts of this year's European Football Championship, has been booming thanks to a rigorous modernization program. But not everyone is benefiting from the economic success. With rents climbing and the elderly complaining about lower pensions, resentment is on the rise. Wed, 30 May 2012 18:11:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poor-lose-out-in-poland-s-economic-miracle-a-835931.html Poland, one of the hosts of this year's European Football Championship, has been booming thanks to a rigorous modernization program. But not everyone is benefiting from the economic success. With rents climbing and the elderly complaining about lower pensions, resentment is on the rise.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/polish-stars-in-germany-return-home-for-european-football-championship-a-835886.html#ref=rss Three star Polish players helped launch Borussia Dortmund to the top of Germany's Bundesliga soccer league this year. Now they will return home to play for Poland, a co-host of the 2012 European Football Championship. They are under massive pressure to help the troubled national team win the tournament. Wed, 30 May 2012 14:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/polish-stars-in-germany-return-home-for-european-football-championship-a-835886.html Three star Polish players helped launch Borussia Dortmund to the top of Germany's Bundesliga soccer league this year. Now they will return home to play for Poland, a co-host of the 2012 European Football Championship. They are under massive pressure to help the troubled national team win the tournament.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-has-become-the-success-story-of-eastern-europe-a-834413.html#ref=rss Germans used to think of Poland as a country full of car thieves and post-communist drabness. On the eve of hosting the European Football Championship, however, the country has become the most astonishing success story in Eastern Europe. Relations between Berlin and Warsaw have never been better. Fri, 25 May 2012 11:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-has-become-the-success-story-of-eastern-europe-a-834413.html Germans used to think of Poland as a country full of car thieves and post-communist drabness. On the eve of hosting the European Football Championship, however, the country has become the most astonishing success story in Eastern Europe. Relations between Berlin and Warsaw have never been better.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/with-10-billion-dollar-credit-line-china-deepens-presence-in-central-europe-a-833811.html#ref=rss In recent months, China has begun to invest more heavily in Central and Eastern Europe. The new initiative reflects both Beijing's desire to develop beyond the production of cheap goods and its goal of establishing a presence in the European market for those products. The investments could also deepen political ties with countries like Poland and its neighbors. Fri, 18 May 2012 17:12:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/with-10-billion-dollar-credit-line-china-deepens-presence-in-central-europe-a-833811.html In recent months, China has begun to invest more heavily in Central and Eastern Europe. The new initiative reflects both Beijing's desire to develop beyond the production of cheap goods and its goal of establishing a presence in the European market for those products. The investments could also deepen political ties with countries like Poland and its neighbors.]]>