http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 26 May 2013 01:51:36 +0200 Sun, 26 May 2013 01:51:36 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/rebel-leaders-ask-for-weapons-from-the-west-a-901747.html#ref=rss Despite desperate pleas from top Syrian insurgents, Western leaders remain reluctant to arm them. Though the European embargo is set to expire at the end of the month, political and legal considerations make aid for the rebels unlikely. Fri, 24 May 2013 18:19:03 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/rebel-leaders-ask-for-weapons-from-the-west-a-901747.html Despite desperate pleas from top Syrian insurgents, Western leaders remain reluctant to arm them. Though the European embargo is set to expire at the end of the month, political and legal considerations make aid for the rebels unlikely.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/solar-road-panels-offer-asphalt-alternative-a-901792.html#ref=rss An American couple has found a surprising alternative to conventional asphalt motorways: solar road panels. In addition to providing electricity, saving oil and melting fresh snow, it could also prevent accidents. Fri, 24 May 2013 18:14:45 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/solar-road-panels-offer-asphalt-alternative-a-901792.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-long-term-costs-of-the-sequester-battle-in-america-a-901734.html#ref=rss The pain of the sequester has been bearable thus far, but that will soon change. This summer, thousands of Americans will suffer due to cuts triggered by the entrenched budgetary battle in Washington -- and the damage could last for generations. Fri, 24 May 2013 16:05:08 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-long-term-costs-of-the-sequester-battle-in-america-a-901734.html The pain of the sequester has been bearable thus far, but that will soon change. This summer, thousands of Americans will suffer due to cuts triggered by the entrenched budgetary battle in Washington -- and the damage could last for generations.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-lone-survivor-of-torpedoed-jewish-refugee-ship-struma-a-901490.html#ref=rss In 1942, a Soviet submarine in the Black Sea torpedoed and sank the <i>Struma, </i>a ship filled with almost 800 Jewish refugees headed from Romania to the Holy Land. David Stoliar, the lone survivor, agreed to share his story with SPIEGEL ONLINE. Thu, 23 May 2013 15:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-lone-survivor-of-torpedoed-jewish-refugee-ship-struma-a-901490.html Struma, a ship filled with almost 800 Jewish refugees headed from Romania to the Holy Land. David Stoliar, the lone survivor, agreed to share his story with SPIEGEL ONLINE.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/amnesty-international-report-slams-european-asylum-policies-a-901447.html#ref=rss Millions are fleeing from war and violence, but Europe is sealing itself off to those in need, a new report from Amnesty International alleged on Thursday. The human rights organization urged EU countries to act and save lives. Thu, 23 May 2013 12:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/amnesty-international-report-slams-european-asylum-policies-a-901447.html Millions are fleeing from war and violence, but Europe is sealing itself off to those in need, a new report from Amnesty International alleged on Thursday. The human rights organization urged EU countries to act and save lives. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/realpolitik-of-henry-kissinger-making-a-comeback-under-obama-a-901195.html#ref=rss Henry Kissinger, the hawkish national security advisor to Nixon who popularized realpolitik, turns 90 this week. Few would have expected President Obama to pick up his mantle, but the erstwhile idealist resembles Kissinger more every day. Wed, 22 May 2013 16:46:15 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/realpolitik-of-henry-kissinger-making-a-comeback-under-obama-a-901195.html Henry Kissinger, the hawkish national security advisor to Nixon who popularized realpolitik, turns 90 this week. Few would have expected President Obama to pick up his mantle, but the erstwhile idealist resembles Kissinger more every day.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-intelligence-believes-assad-regime-regaining-lost-power-a-901188.html#ref=rss Not even a year ago, German intelligence predicted Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad's regime would soon collapse. Now, the agency instead believes the rebels are in trouble. Government troops are set to make significant advances, it predicts. Wed, 22 May 2013 11:31:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-intelligence-believes-assad-regime-regaining-lost-power-a-901188.html Not even a year ago, German intelligence predicted Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad's regime would soon collapse. Now, the agency instead believes the rebels are in trouble. Government troops are set to make significant advances, it predicts.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-sahara-research-the-lakes-of-ounianga-a-900518.html#ref=rss A marvel of nature, the lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara Desert have lasted thousands of years and withstood dramatic climate change. Now, a German geologist has analyzed lakebed sediments to shed light on a spectacular chapter in human history. Tue, 21 May 2013 18:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-sahara-research-the-lakes-of-ounianga-a-900518.html A marvel of nature, the lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara Desert have lasted thousands of years and withstood dramatic climate change. Now, a German geologist has analyzed lakebed sediments to shed light on a spectacular chapter in human history.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/australia-debates-how-to-protect-the-great-barrier-reef-a-900911.html#ref=rss Australia's Great Barrier Reef is rapidly losing its coral, to the point that UNESCO may soon place the natural wonder on its "in danger" list. Climate change is one culprit, but so is the country's booming extraction industry. Environmentalists warn that time is running out for the reef. Tue, 21 May 2013 17:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/australia-debates-how-to-protect-the-great-barrier-reef-a-900911.html Australia's Great Barrier Reef is rapidly losing its coral, to the point that UNESCO may soon place the natural wonder on its "in danger" list. Climate change is one culprit, but so is the country's booming extraction industry. Environmentalists warn that time is running out for the reef.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/marxist-and-geographer-david-harvey-on-urban-development-and-power-a-900976.html#ref=rss Today's class struggles are increasingly taking place in cities, says Marxist and social theorist David Harvey. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, he discusses how urbanization will play a key role in social conflicts to come. Tue, 21 May 2013 12:35:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/marxist-and-geographer-david-harvey-on-urban-development-and-power-a-900976.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/expats-move-in-as-rio-favelas-improve-a-900626.html#ref=rss Now that the notorious drug gangs of Rio de Janiero's shanty towns have been driven out, the neighborhoods are attracting new residents from Southern Europe. Fleeing the euro crisis back home, the expats are contributing to a real estate boom in the favelas. Mon, 20 May 2013 13:55:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/expats-move-in-as-rio-favelas-improve-a-900626.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-german-foreign-minister-guido-westerwelle-a-900611.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, 51, discusses the search for a political solution to the Syrian civil war, controversial German arms exports and how his family's experiences in World War II inform his positions today. Mon, 20 May 2013 11:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-german-foreign-minister-guido-westerwelle-a-900611.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-red-line-that-could-pull-obama-into-the-syrian-civil-war-essay-a-899332.html#ref=rss President Obama, usually cautious, has made bold statements on Syria and Iran, but by drawing red lines, he risks being backed into a corner. He could take a lesson from Teddy Roosevelt when it comes to foreign policy. Thu, 16 May 2013 15:24:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-red-line-that-could-pull-obama-into-the-syrian-civil-war-essay-a-899332.html President Obama, usually cautious, has made bold statements on Syria and Iran, but by drawing red lines, he risks being backed into a corner. He could take a lesson from Teddy Roosevelt when it comes to foreign policy.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/bangladesh-factory-worker-discusses-horrible-working-conditions-a-899976.html#ref=rss A survivor of the recent factory building collapse in Bangladesh describes the day of the tragedy and the constant pressure to work faster under horrible conditions. Her story provides a glimpse at the difficult and impoverished lives of those who produce inexpensive clothing for the West. Thu, 16 May 2013 13:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/bangladesh-factory-worker-discusses-horrible-working-conditions-a-899976.html A survivor of the recent factory building collapse in Bangladesh describes the day of the tragedy and the constant pressure to work faster under horrible conditions. Her story provides a glimpse at the difficult and impoverished lives of those who produce inexpensive clothing for the West.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/berlin-sees-chemical-weapons-as-trigger-for-intervention-in-syria-a-899962.html#ref=rss The German government is starting to worry about parallels between the Iraq war 10 years ago and the Syrian conflict. The Foreign Ministry believes that mounting concern over the possible use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime could prompt the US government to launch a military intervention. Wed, 15 May 2013 12:45:26 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/berlin-sees-chemical-weapons-as-trigger-for-intervention-in-syria-a-899962.html The German government is starting to worry about parallels between the Iraq war 10 years ago and the Syrian conflict. The Foreign Ministry believes that mounting concern over the possible use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime could prompt the US government to launch a military intervention. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/drug-companies-perform-medical-tests-in-developing-countries-a-899798.html#ref=rss For years, major pharmaceutical companies have been testing new drugs in developing countries like India. The practice is forbidden, but the use of subcontractors makes it difficult to detect. Tue, 14 May 2013 17:56:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/drug-companies-perform-medical-tests-in-developing-countries-a-899798.html For years, major pharmaceutical companies have been testing new drugs in developing countries like India. The practice is forbidden, but the use of subcontractors makes it difficult to detect.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tensions-rise-between-kabul-and-berlin-ahead-of-withdrawal-a-899319.html#ref=rss With the security situation deteriorating in Afghanistan, Chancellor Merkel paid a visit to German troops last week without even informing Afghan President Karzai. The move highlights frosty relations between Berlin and Kabul amid difficult negotiations for the 2014 troop withdrawal.  Tue, 14 May 2013 12:25:05 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tensions-rise-between-kabul-and-berlin-ahead-of-withdrawal-a-899319.html With the security situation deteriorating in Afghanistan, Chancellor Merkel paid a visit to German troops last week without even informing Afghan President Karzai. The move highlights frosty relations between Berlin and Kabul amid difficult negotiations for the 2014 troop withdrawal. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-iranian-foreign-minister-salehi-on-syria-a-899315.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi discusses the civil war in Syria, his government's "condemnation" of chemical weapons and his belief that Tehran is in a strong position to initiate negotiations for a settlement between the opposition and government in Damascus. Mon, 13 May 2013 13:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-iranian-foreign-minister-salehi-on-syria-a-899315.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi discusses the civil war in Syria, his government's "condemnation" of chemical weapons and his belief that Tehran is in a strong position to initiate negotiations for a settlement between the opposition and government in Damascus.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/syria-experts-warn-against-military-intervention-a-899189.html#ref=rss What contours might a military intervention in Syria take on? Strategists are discussing the creation of a humanitarian buffer and no-fly zone. But experts warn that 40,000 to 75,000 ground troops would be required in Syria for that to happen. Fri, 10 May 2013 18:13:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/syria-experts-warn-against-military-intervention-a-899189.html What contours might a military intervention in Syria take on? Strategists are discussing the creation of a humanitarian buffer and no-fly zone. But experts warn that 40,000 to 75,000 ground troops would be required in Syria for that to happen. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-mentally-ill-in-indonesia-are-often-put-in-chains-and-locked-up-a-898983.html#ref=rss Not far from the glistening beaches of Bali, mentally ill people are kept in chains or locked up in small shacks. Locals simply don't know what else to do with them. But psychiatrist Luh Ketut Suryani has made it her job to set them free. Fri, 10 May 2013 16:57:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-mentally-ill-in-indonesia-are-often-put-in-chains-and-locked-up-a-898983.html Not far from the glistening beaches of Bali, mentally ill people are kept in chains or locked up in small shacks. Locals simply don't know what else to do with them. But psychiatrist Luh Ketut Suryani has made it her job to set them free.]]>