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 13:37:17 +0200 Wed, 22 May 2013 13:37:17 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-berlin-technology-park-threatened-by-airport-fiasco-a-899752.html#ref=rss Not long ago Berlin's future looked bright, with a state-of-the-art airport and a new high-tech park set to open where the old Tegel airport now stands. Now, delays to the former may torpedo the latter, particularly now that there are plans afoot to keep Tegel operational for years to come. Thu, 16 May 2013 16:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-berlin-technology-park-threatened-by-airport-fiasco-a-899752.html Not long ago Berlin's future looked bright, with a state-of-the-art airport and a new high-tech park set to open where the old Tegel airport now stands. Now, delays to the former may torpedo the latter, particularly now that there are plans afoot to keep Tegel operational for years to come.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/dutch-study-dredging-damaging-elbe-river-ecosystem-a-895853.html#ref=rss A Dutch study could put a stop to an already controversial project to deepen the Elbe River, SPIEGEL has learned. It warns that if dredging continues, damage to the river's ecosystem would likely be irreparable. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/dutch-study-dredging-damaging-elbe-river-ecosystem-a-895853.html A Dutch study could put a stop to an already controversial project to deepen the Elbe River, SPIEGEL has learned. It warns that if dredging continues, damage to the river's ecosystem would likely be irreparable.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-s-main-train-station-needs-major-maintenance-work-a-894858.html#ref=rss Berlin's reputation for building infrastructure, sorely damaged by the chaos surrounding its unfinished airport, has suffered another blow with news of a construction flaw in its new central station. Repairs on a bridge section will lead to the closure of several tracks for months in 2015. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-s-main-train-station-needs-major-maintenance-work-a-894858.html Berlin's reputation for building infrastructure, sorely damaged by the chaos surrounding its unfinished airport, has suffered another blow with news of a construction flaw in its new central station. Repairs on a bridge section will lead to the closure of several tracks for months in 2015.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-campaign-circulates-petition-to-keep-tegel-airport-open-a-892733.html#ref=rss A petition is circulating in Berlin to keep the city's aging Tegel Airport in operation. It's due to close once the much-delayed Berlin International Aiport finally opens its doors. But polls suggest that most in the city would like to keep the old airport open as well. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:24:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-campaign-circulates-petition-to-keep-tegel-airport-open-a-892733.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-rail-services-face-disruption-after-wwii-bomb-found-in-berlin-a-892180.html#ref=rss Train services to and from Berlin suffered delays and cancellations on Wednesday after a munitions experts set about defusing a 100-kilogram bomb from World War II found near the city's main train station. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 08:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-rail-services-face-disruption-after-wwii-bomb-found-in-berlin-a-892180.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cancels-hundreds-of-flights-in-germany-due-to-strikes-a-890155.html#ref=rss Lufthansa's far-reaching cost-cutting plans once again resulted in broad strikes on Thursday morning, affecting several of Germany's largest airports. Hundreds of flights were cancelled and the union which called the walkout is not expecting a deal any time soon. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:29:32 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cancels-hundreds-of-flights-in-germany-due-to-strikes-a-890155.html Lufthansa's far-reaching cost-cutting plans once again resulted in broad strikes on Thursday morning, affecting several of Germany's largest airports. Hundreds of flights were cancelled and the union which called the walkout is not expecting a deal any time soon.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-railway-admits-massive-stuttgart-station-was-a-mistake-a-886099.html#ref=rss An internal document shows that the German national railway is only planning to finish a massive new train station project because abandoning it would be more expensive than completing it. Executives have conceded that they would not have approved of the construction at the current price tag. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:06:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-railway-admits-massive-stuttgart-station-was-a-mistake-a-886099.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/future-of-stuttgart-station-project-in-question-as-berlin-pulls-back-a-882330.html#ref=rss The bottom appears to be falling out of one of the costliest construction projects ever undertaken by the German government. Amid delays and cost overruns, government players in the Stuttgart 21 train station venture are looking for the exit door. It could become a problem for Chancellor Merkel ahead of fall elections. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Wed, 13 Feb 2013 08:09:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/future-of-stuttgart-station-project-in-question-as-berlin-pulls-back-a-882330.html By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/government-distances-self-from-stuttgart-21-rail-project-a-881559.html#ref=rss With overruns of €2.3 billion, the German federal government says it sees no reason why it should pay the extra costs of a major railway project in Stuttgart. Officials are accusing Deutsche Bahn of providing inaccurate information. Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:18:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/government-distances-self-from-stuttgart-21-rail-project-a-881559.html With overruns of €2.3 billion, the German federal government says it sees no reason why it should pay the extra costs of a major railway project in Stuttgart. Officials are accusing Deutsche Bahn of providing inaccurate information. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/logo-painted-over-on-crashed-alitalia-plane-a-881301.html#ref=rss After a crash landing that injured 16 people on Saturday, it appears that an aircraft has been painted to cover the logo of Italy's flag carrier Alitalia. The flight had been operated by a Romanian subcontractor to the Italian national airline. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:01:44 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/logo-painted-over-on-crashed-alitalia-plane-a-881301.html After a crash landing that injured 16 people on Saturday, it appears that an aircraft has been painted to cover the logo of Italy's flag carrier Alitalia. The flight had been operated by a Romanian subcontractor to the Italian national airline. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/berlin-alarmed-at-cost-overruns-of-stuttgart-21-station-project-a-880112.html#ref=rss After news that a massive new train station in Stuttgart would come in at more than 2 billion euros over budget, the German government is now questioning whether the much-contested project can even be concluded. Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:18:47 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/berlin-alarmed-at-cost-overruns-of-stuttgart-21-station-project-a-880112.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/winter-weather-hits-german-airports-and-roads-a-878987.html#ref=rss Winter weather threw travel across Germany into turmoil early this week. Snow blanketed much of the country, causing hundreds of cancelled flights and road closures. Conditions began to improve on Tuesday, but not before skiers at ice skaters could have a little fun.   Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:13:42 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/winter-weather-hits-german-airports-and-roads-a-878987.html Winter weather threw travel across Germany into turmoil early this week. Snow blanketed much of the country, causing hundreds of cancelled flights and road closures. Conditions began to improve on Tuesday, but not before skiers at ice skaters could have a little fun.  ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lithium-ion-batteries-create-major-problems-on-boeing-dreamliner-787-a-878160.html#ref=rss The latest problems with Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner passenger jet could be a disaster for the US plane manufacturer. The lithium-ion batteries used on board are unique -- and apparently also combustible. In the worst case, Boeing may have to make extensive modifications. Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:57:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lithium-ion-batteries-create-major-problems-on-boeing-dreamliner-787-a-878160.html The latest problems with Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner passenger jet could be a disaster for the US plane manufacturer. The lithium-ion batteries used on board are unique -- and apparently also combustible. In the worst case, Boeing may have to make extensive modifications. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-on-new-delay-in-opening-of-berlin-airport-a-876366.html#ref=rss With problems mounting in the construction of Berlin's new international airport, a growing chorus of critics is calling for the city's mayor to step down. Many editorialists at Germany's leading newspapers are holding Klaus Wowereit politically responsible for the debacle. Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:25:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-on-new-delay-in-opening-of-berlin-airport-a-876366.html With problems mounting in the construction of Berlin's new international airport, a growing chorus of critics is calling for the city's mayor to step down. Many editorialists at Germany's leading newspapers are holding Klaus Wowereit politically responsible for the debacle. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/air-berlin-ceo-hartmut-mehdorn-resigns-after-radical-cost-cutting-a-876214.html#ref=rss The head of German airline Air Berlin, Hartmut Mehdorn, 70, quit on Monday after slashing costs to return the company to profit. He was brought in as an interim CEO but his departure now comes as a surprise. Air Berlin, though in much better shape than it was, isn't back in the black yet. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:59:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/air-berlin-ceo-hartmut-mehdorn-resigns-after-radical-cost-cutting-a-876214.html The head of German airline Air Berlin, Hartmut Mehdorn, 70, quit on Monday after slashing costs to return the company to profit. He was brought in as an interim CEO but his departure now comes as a surprise. Air Berlin, though in much better shape than it was, isn't back in the black yet. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/opening-of-berlin-airport-delayed-again-due-to-technical-problems-a-876103.html#ref=rss The saga of Berlin's hapless efforts to build a new airport has taken another embarrassing twist with reports that its opening will be delayed for a fourth time because of continued problems with the fire safety system. The Oct. 27 date has been scrapped, reports say. Mayor Klaus Wowereit has announced he will step down as the project's chairman. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/opening-of-berlin-airport-delayed-again-due-to-technical-problems-a-876103.html The saga of Berlin's hapless efforts to build a new airport has taken another embarrassing twist with reports that its opening will be delayed for a fourth time because of continued problems with the fire safety system. The Oct. 27 date has been scrapped, reports say. Mayor Klaus Wowereit has announced he will step down as the project's chairman. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/dreamliner-versus-the-a380-boeing-soars-past-airbus-in-deliveries-a-875579.html#ref=rss For the first time in a decade, Boeing has surpassed Airbus in deliveries of passenger jets. Experts blame strategic errors and the influence of politics at the US planemaker's European competitor. Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/dreamliner-versus-the-a380-boeing-soars-past-airbus-in-deliveries-a-875579.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-shipping-firms-hapag-lloyd-and-hamburg-sued-discuss-merger-a-873677.html#ref=rss Two German container shipping companies, Hapag-Lloyd and Hamburg-Süd, could be on the verge of a merger. Should they join forces, the resulting behemoth would be among the world's biggest players in a sector plagued by surplus capacity and expensive fuel. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:53:07 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-shipping-firms-hapag-lloyd-and-hamburg-sued-discuss-merger-a-873677.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/a-glimpse-of-the-future-world-s-largest-container-ship-visits-germany-a-872464.html#ref=rss In a highly symbolic visit, the world's largest container ship docked on Wednesday in Hamburg, Germany's premier port city. Fully loaded, the <i>Marco Polo</i> would be unable to enter Hamburg's harbor and the vessel's arrival has highlighted disputed plans to prepare the city for the next generation of mega-ships. Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:42:52 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/a-glimpse-of-the-future-world-s-largest-container-ship-visits-germany-a-872464.html Marco Polo would be unable to enter Hamburg's harbor and the vessel's arrival has highlighted disputed plans to prepare the city for the next generation of mega-ships.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/french-appeals-court-clears-continental-airlines-in-concorde-crash-a-870045.html#ref=rss A French appeals court on Thursday overturned part of a 2010 lower court ruling that had found Continental Airlines criminally liable for the 2000 crash of an Air France Concorde jet that killed 113 people. However, it reaffirmed the civil penalties. Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:27:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/french-appeals-court-clears-continental-airlines-in-concorde-crash-a-870045.html A French appeals court on Thursday overturned part of a 2010 lower court ruling that had found Continental Airlines criminally liable for the 2000 crash of an Air France Concorde jet that killed 113 people. However, it reaffirmed the civil penalties.]]>