http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 25 May 2013 23:09:43 +0200 Sat, 25 May 2013 23:09:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/long-winter-harming-german-economy-a-892983.html#ref=rss Winter's hold on Germany lasted longer than usual this year, taking its toll not just on the moods of residents, but also on a number of economic sectors. Construction, agriculture, service and retail are all suffering, and experts warn the effects could be long-term. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:28:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/long-winter-harming-german-economy-a-892983.html Winter's hold on Germany lasted longer than usual this year, taking its toll not just on the moods of residents, but also on a number of economic sectors. Construction, agriculture, service and retail are all suffering, and experts warn the effects could be long-term. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/migratory-birds-suffer-as-long-winter-continues-in-germany-a-892309.html#ref=rss Weak and exhausted birds flying to their breeding grounds in Northern Europe have made an unpleasant discovery: Winter isn't over yet. The result has been a difficult search for food as well as huge gatherings of migratory birds in milder parts of Germany. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/migratory-birds-suffer-as-long-winter-continues-in-germany-a-892309.html Weak and exhausted birds flying to their breeding grounds in Northern Europe have made an unpleasant discovery: Winter isn't over yet. The result has been a difficult search for food as well as huge gatherings of migratory birds in milder parts of Germany.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cold-german-winter-refuses-to-warm-up-for-easter-a-891468.html#ref=rss Complaining about the weather has reached epidemic proportions in northern Germany this "spring." And with good reason. With Easter just around the corner, meteorologists are telling us this could end up being the coldest March in Berlin and its surroundings since records began in the 1880s. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:55:19 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cold-german-winter-refuses-to-warm-up-for-easter-a-891468.html Complaining about the weather has reached epidemic proportions in northern Germany this "spring." And with good reason. With Easter just around the corner, meteorologists are telling us this could end up being the coldest March in Berlin and its surroundings since records began in the 1880s.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/winter-weather-plagues-germany-as-spring-begins-a-890166.html#ref=rss The calendar says spring started Wednesday, but a look outside tells sun-starved Germans otherwise. Snow has blanketed large parts of the country in recent days, and forecasts predict yet more wintry weather to come. Super. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:55:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/winter-weather-plagues-germany-as-spring-begins-a-890166.html The calendar says spring started Wednesday, but a look outside tells sun-starved Germans otherwise. Snow has blanketed large parts of the country in recent days, and forecasts predict yet more wintry weather to come. Super.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/winter-returns-to-germany-after-a-week-of-spring-a-888042.html#ref=rss Just last week, outdoor cafes were jammed as people in northern Europe sought to catch the first rays of warm, spring sunshine. Now, much of the region lies under a fresh blanket of snow with no relief in sight. Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:47:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/winter-returns-to-germany-after-a-week-of-spring-a-888042.html Just last week, outdoor cafes were jammed as people in northern Europe sought to catch the first rays of warm, spring sunshine. Now, much of the region lies under a fresh blanket of snow with no relief in sight.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-weathers-darkest-winter-in-43-years-a-885608.html#ref=rss The days may be getting longer, but there's still not a hint of springtime sunshine in Germany. Weather data shows that this winter has been the gloomiest in 43 years. If the sun doesn't start shining soon, it will be the darkest winter on record. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:01:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-weathers-darkest-winter-in-43-years-a-885608.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/germany/germany-experiences-record-warm-temperatures-over-holidays-a-874797.html#ref=rss Merrymakers hoping for a White Christmas were disappointed in Germany and some parts of Europe this week as a low-pressure front created record-high holiday temperatures. Beer gardens reopened and bathers flocked to nearby lakes. Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:10:48 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-experiences-record-warm-temperatures-over-holidays-a-874797.html Merrymakers hoping for a White Christmas were disappointed in Germany and some parts of Europe this week as a low-pressure front created record-high holiday temperatures. Beer gardens reopened and bathers flocked to nearby lakes.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/heavy-snowfall-and-freezing-temperatures-hit-europe-a-871931.html#ref=rss Winter arrived to much of Europe over the weekend as heavy snowfall blanketed the Balkans and Germany came to a standstill. At least six deaths were reported in southwestern Europe while Romanians struggled to get to the polls on election day. Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/heavy-snowfall-and-freezing-temperatures-hit-europe-a-871931.html 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/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/germany/summer-arrives-as-heat-wave-hits-germany-a-851047.html#ref=rss It took a while. But summer finally arrived in Germany over the weekend following a wet June and a gray July. Close to record temperatures drove most people out of doors. Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:22:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/summer-arrives-as-heat-wave-hits-germany-a-851047.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/violent-storms-result-in-injuries-and-death-in-germany-a-842068.html#ref=rss Violent electrical storms swept across Germany over the weekend, causing havoc at music festivals and chaos on the roads. A single lightning strike injured over 50 concertgoers near Leipzig on Saturday night. Mon, 02 Jul 2012 12:30:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/violent-storms-result-in-injuries-and-death-in-germany-a-842068.html Violent electrical storms swept across Germany over the weekend, causing havoc at music festivals and chaos on the roads. A single lightning strike injured over 50 concertgoers near Leipzig on Saturday night.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/serbian-thaw-melting-danube-ice-creates-chaos-in-belgrade-a-816647.html#ref=rss The Arctic cold front was long and hard. Yet now that temperatures are warming up across Europe, melting snow and ice are causing chaos as well. Hundreds of boats and barges on the Danube have been crushed by huge chunks of ice and officials are concerned about flooding. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:13:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/serbian-thaw-melting-danube-ice-creates-chaos-in-belgrade-a-816647.html The Arctic cold front was long and hard. Yet now that temperatures are warming up across Europe, melting snow and ice are causing chaos as well. Hundreds of boats and barges on the Danube have been crushed by huge chunks of ice and officials are concerned about flooding.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ice-fever-holland-abuzz-about-mythical-skating-race-a-814100.html#ref=rss The event hasn't been held for 15 years. But, this week, Holland is abuzz with anticipation that the famed "11 Cities Tour" might take place in the coming days. All that's needed are a few more cold nights before 16,000 skaters can take to the 200-kilometer course. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:31:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ice-fever-holland-abuzz-about-mythical-skating-race-a-814100.html The event hasn't been held for 15 years. But, this week, Holland is abuzz with anticipation that the famed "11 Cities Tour" might take place in the coming days. All that's needed are a few more cold nights before 16,000 skaters can take to the 200-kilometer course.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/deadly-cold-snap-european-deep-freeze-refuses-to-relent-a-813908.html#ref=rss The cold snap which has held Europe in its grip for over a week has yet to relent. Several countries have reported rising numbers of casualties as a result of the deep freeze. Holland, meanwhile, hopes the cold continues long enough to hold the mythical ice-skating race called Elfstedentocht. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:11:25 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/deadly-cold-snap-european-deep-freeze-refuses-to-relent-a-813908.html The cold snap which has held Europe in its grip for over a week has yet to relent. Several countries have reported rising numbers of casualties as a result of the deep freeze. Holland, meanwhile, hopes the cold continues long enough to hold the mythical ice-skating race called Elfstedentocht.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/rising-death-toll-no-end-in-sight-for-european-deep-freeze-a-813132.html#ref=rss Frigid temperatures and snowfall have swept across Europe over the last week, with well over 100 people having died due to the cold, most of them homeless. The dangerous weather is expected to continue. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:57:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/rising-death-toll-no-end-in-sight-for-european-deep-freeze-a-813132.html Frigid temperatures and snowfall have swept across Europe over the last week, with well over 100 people having died due to the cold, most of them homeless. The dangerous weather is expected to continue.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/marketing-mishap-european-cold-front-cooper-sponsored-by-mini-a-812461.html#ref=rss Dozens of people have been killed so far as a high pressure system from Siberia holds much of Europe in its icy grip. The cold front has been named "Cooper" in Germany, after the Mini Cooper compact. The company's advertising agency having paid 299 euros to sponsor it.  Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:32:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/marketing-mishap-european-cold-front-cooper-sponsored-by-mini-a-812461.html Dozens of people have been killed so far as a high pressure system from Siberia holds much of Europe in its icy grip. The cold front has been named "Cooper" in Germany, after the Mini Cooper compact. The company's advertising agency having paid 299 euros to sponsor it. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/avalanche-alert-heavy-snow-has-alpine-towns-struggling-to-dig-out-a-808544.html#ref=rss Earlier this winter, Alpine residents complained about a dearth of snow. But in recent days many find they now have more than they can handle. Avalanche danger has forced the closure of several roads in southern Germany and Austria, where several villages also remain cut off from the outside world. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:01:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/avalanche-alert-heavy-snow-has-alpine-towns-struggling-to-dig-out-a-808544.html Earlier this winter, Alpine residents complained about a dearth of snow. But in recent days many find they now have more than they can handle. Avalanche danger has forced the closure of several roads in southern Germany and Austria, where several villages also remain cut off from the outside world.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/church-fires-and-dike-warnings-weather-chaos-strikes-europe-despite-mild-winter-a-807574.html#ref=rss There has been a dearth of snow so far this winter, but storms this week have created havoc across much of northern Europe. On Thursday, lightening set a Bavarian church ablaze and dike leak warnings in the Netherlands have led to the evacuation of 800 residents. Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/church-fires-and-dike-warnings-weather-chaos-strikes-europe-despite-mild-winter-a-807574.html There has been a dearth of snow so far this winter, but storms this week have created havoc across much of northern Europe. On Thursday, lightening set a Bavarian church ablaze and dike leak warnings in the Netherlands have led to the evacuation of 800 residents.]]>