http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 18 May 2013 17:05:26 +0200 Sat, 18 May 2013 17:05:26 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/past-pedophile-links-haunt-german-green-party-a-899544.html#ref=rss In the 1980s, some members of Germany's Green Party advocated the legalization of sex with minors. Now the party wants to come to terms with this dark chapter via an independent review of internal documents -- some of which show that the influence of pedophiles on the young party was much stronger than previously thought. Mon, 13 May 2013 16:19:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/past-pedophile-links-haunt-german-green-party-a-899544.html In the 1980s, some members of Germany's Green Party advocated the legalization of sex with minors. Now the party wants to come to terms with this dark chapter via an independent review of internal documents -- some of which show that the influence of pedophiles on the young party was much stronger than previously thought.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/gesundheit/sex/wie-wirkt-sich-sex-auf-die-sportliche-leistung-aus-a-897308.html#ref=rss Sex ist nichts anderes als eine Unterabteilung des Sports, meint <i>Achim Achilles</i>. Und bereitet sich am liebsten mit ein paar Stretching-Übungen vor. Blöd nur, dass seine Frau in der Zeit meist einschläft. Dabei kann Bettgymnastik die sportliche Leistung verbessern - behaupten zumindest Forscher. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/gesundheit/sex/wie-wirkt-sich-sex-auf-die-sportliche-leistung-aus-a-897308.html Sex ist nichts anderes als eine Unterabteilung des Sports, meint Achim Achilles. Und bereitet sich am liebsten mit ein paar Stretching-Übungen vor. Blöd nur, dass seine Frau in der Zeit meist einschläft. Dabei kann Bettgymnastik die sportliche Leistung verbessern - behaupten zumindest Forscher.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-first-graders-get-explicit-sex-education-book-a-896447.html#ref=rss Many might think that 6-year-olds aren't ready to discuss issues like putting on condoms or achieving orgasm. Among them are the irate parents of first-graders at a Berlin elementary school that used a sex-ed book with explicit text and revealing illustrations. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-first-graders-get-explicit-sex-education-book-a-896447.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-coalition-backs-tougher-prostitution-laws-to-curb-trafficking-a-895748.html#ref=rss With human trafficking on the rise in Europe, Germany's governing coalition has agreed to a long-disputed reform of the country's prostitution laws, SPIEGEL has learned. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:57:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-coalition-backs-tougher-prostitution-laws-to-curb-trafficking-a-895748.html With human trafficking on the rise in Europe, Germany's governing coalition has agreed to a long-disputed reform of the country's prostitution laws, SPIEGEL has learned.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-1970s-craze-for-lederhosen-porn-from-bavaria-germany-a-889164.html#ref=rss Four decades ago, the southern German state of Bavaria became the birthplace of a film genre like no other. The alpine meadows were rugged, the men wore lederhosen, the porn was soft -- and Germany was hooked. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:17:44 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-1970s-craze-for-lederhosen-porn-from-bavaria-germany-a-889164.html Four decades ago, the southern German state of Bavaria became the birthplace of a film genre like no other. The alpine meadows were rugged, the men wore lederhosen, the porn was soft -- and Germany was hooked. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/outrage-after-job-center-suggests-brothel-job-for-young-woman-in-germany-a-882021.html#ref=rss It's happened again: A German job center has tried to line up a position for a young woman in a brothel. The job was just serving drinks, but the issue has rekindled the debate about how far the government should go to get people back in the workforce. Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:29:25 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/outrage-after-job-center-suggests-brothel-job-for-young-woman-in-germany-a-882021.html It's happened again: A German job center has tried to line up a position for a young woman in a brothel. The job was just serving drinks, but the issue has rekindled the debate about how far the government should go to get people back in the workforce.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/fabian-thylmann-and-his-revolutionary-porn-business-model-a-873802.html#ref=rss When German national Fabian Thylmann was arrested, he became known as the king of the porn industry. His sex company operates like a modern corporation, silently and digitally. He has become a major presence on the Internet, much like Amazon and Wikipedia. Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:46:59 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/fabian-thylmann-and-his-revolutionary-porn-business-model-a-873802.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-online-porn-magnate-frank-thylmann-arrested-in-belgium-a-872217.html#ref=rss One of the world's most successful Internet porn magnates has been arrested in Belgium on German tax evasion charges, a prosecutor has said. Fabian Thylmann's empire is reported to include the websites YouPorn, Brazzers and MyDirtyHobby. Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:51:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-online-porn-magnate-frank-thylmann-arrested-in-belgium-a-872217.html http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/sodomie-regierung-will-sex-mit-tieren-verbieten-a-869948.html#ref=rss Radikale Tierschützer gegen die Anhänger der freien Tierliebe: Wenn zwei Minderheiten in Konkurrenz treten, bleibt die Toleranz schnell auf der Strecke. Deshalb soll nun, nach mehr als 40 Jahren, die Freigabe für den Sex mit Tieren wieder aufgehoben werden. Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:14:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/sodomie-regierung-will-sex-mit-tieren-verbieten-a-869948.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/germany-plans-to-outlaw-sex-with-animals-a-869402.html#ref=rss Germany plans to slap a fine of up to 25,000 euros on people having sexual relations with pets, but zoophiles plan to fight the move. They say there's nothing wrong with consensual sex and that the true violations of animal rights are taking place in the farming industry. Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:12:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/germany-plans-to-outlaw-sex-with-animals-a-869402.html Germany plans to slap a fine of up to 25,000 euros on people having sexual relations with pets, but zoophiles plan to fight the move. They say there's nothing wrong with consensual sex and that the true violations of animal rights are taking place in the farming industry. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/gesellschaft/italien-sex-auf-strassen-von-lecce-ist-strafbar-auch-waehrend-fussball-wm-a-867458.html#ref=rss Ein italienisches Paar vergnügt sich in der Öffentlichkeit und erklärt später vor Gericht, es sei überzeugt gewesen, keiner werde zuschauen. Schließlich hätten alle wegen der Fußball-WM vor dem Fernseher gesessen. Völlig irrelevant, befand jetzt das Oberste Gericht in Rom. Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/gesellschaft/italien-sex-auf-strassen-von-lecce-ist-strafbar-auch-waehrend-fussball-wm-a-867458.html Ein italienisches Paar vergnügt sich in der Öffentlichkeit und erklärt später vor Gericht, es sei überzeugt gewesen, keiner werde zuschauen. Schließlich hätten alle wegen der Fußball-WM vor dem Fernseher gesessen. Völlig irrelevant, befand jetzt das Oberste Gericht in Rom.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/gay-teen-apprentices-in-berlin-sex-shop-a-860778.html#ref=rss Leslie Pumm is most likely Germany's only sex shop apprentice. The 18-year-old, who is learning the business at his mother's store, finds that being gay gives him an advantage at work. At the same time, he has his sights set on bigger ambitions and is already active in local politics. Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:11:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/gay-teen-apprentices-in-berlin-sex-shop-a-860778.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/ergo-report-reveals-details-of-budapest-bathhouse-sex-party-scandal-a-850168.html#ref=rss Prominent international insurer Ergo's reputation was badly damaged when news of a debaucherous sex party for agents at a Budapest bathhouse broke last year. Now, new details from the company's internal investigation of the scandal reveal just how uninhibited the event really was. Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/ergo-report-reveals-details-of-budapest-bathhouse-sex-party-scandal-a-850168.html Prominent international insurer Ergo's reputation was badly damaged when news of a debaucherous sex party for agents at a Budapest bathhouse broke last year. Now, new details from the company's internal investigation of the scandal reveal just how uninhibited the event really was.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/eva-illouz-explains-how-fifty-shades-of-grey-solves-problems-of-love-a-843644.html#ref=rss Since its release last year, the erotic novel "Fifty Shades of Grey" has become a global best-seller. Its success has spawned a debate over whether sadomasochism is demeaning or liberating for women. In an essay for SPIEGEL ONLINE, award-winning sociologist Eva Illouz argues that the book describes an antidote to modern relationships. Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/eva-illouz-explains-how-fifty-shades-of-grey-solves-problems-of-love-a-843644.html Since its release last year, the erotic novel "Fifty Shades of Grey" has become a global best-seller. Its success has spawned a debate over whether sadomasochism is demeaning or liberating for women. In an essay for SPIEGEL ONLINE, award-winning sociologist Eva Illouz argues that the book describes an antidote to modern relationships. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/forest-sex-footage-sparks-debate-in-austria-a-838691.html#ref=rss Wildlife cameras set up in the woods of the Austrian state of Carinthia have captured the sexual exploits of an unidentified local politician. The footage has sparked a debate about data protection, with Austrian activists claiming the cameras are intrusive. But the politician may win compensation for breach of privacy. Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/forest-sex-footage-sparks-debate-in-austria-a-838691.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/dutch-pastor-opens-online-christian-sex-shop-a-828728.html#ref=rss While lust might be considered a deadly sin by many Christians, one former Dutch pastor is on a crusade against lust "phobia." He has opened an online sex shop for Christians in the hope of improving their private lives and helping them to embrace sexuality. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:18:44 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/dutch-pastor-opens-online-christian-sex-shop-a-828728.html While lust might be considered a deadly sin by many Christians, one former Dutch pastor is on a crusade against lust "phobia." He has opened an online sex shop for Christians in the hope of improving their private lives and helping them to embrace sexuality. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/mannheim-business-students-offer-one-night-stands-for-free-a-825714.html#ref=rss Three male business students at the University of Mannheim in southwestern Germany are offering a free callboy service to female students who want to improve their grades through an active sex life. The young entrepreneurs claim they are championing female sexuality, but others are doubtful. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/mannheim-business-students-offer-one-night-stands-for-free-a-825714.html Three male business students at the University of Mannheim in southwestern Germany are offering a free callboy service to female students who want to improve their grades through an active sex life. The young entrepreneurs claim they are championing female sexuality, but others are doubtful. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/high-jinks-for-high-performers-german-bank-probes-staff-over-rio-sex-claims-a-803441.html#ref=rss German mortgage bank Wüstenrot took 50 high-performing sales staff to Rio last year as a reward for their good work, but is now being embarrassed by reports that some of them had sex with prostitutes on the trip. A tour bus apparently took employees directly to a shady nightclub, while one director was allegedly caught on the beach with a prostitute. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:21:50 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/high-jinks-for-high-performers-german-bank-probes-staff-over-rio-sex-claims-a-803441.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/online-sex-education-parents-porn-fears-exaggerated-experts-say-a-790266.html#ref=rss Access to online pornography is changing the way young people learn about sex, a trend that has many parents worried. But German experts believe many of their fears are unfounded. Instead of trying to prevent porn consumption, parents should focus on teaching healthy sexual values, they say. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/online-sex-education-parents-porn-fears-exaggerated-experts-say-a-790266.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/world-championships-pole-dancers-vie-for-top-honors-in-budapest-a-789666.html#ref=rss Pole dancers from around the world descended on Budapest for the young discipline's world championships this weekend. For the first time, men were also able to show their stuff. Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:24:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/world-championships-pole-dancers-vie-for-top-honors-in-budapest-a-789666.html Pole dancers from around the world descended on Budapest for the young discipline's world championships this weekend. For the first time, men were also able to show their stuff.]]>