http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Tue, 21 May 2013 06:52:14 +0200 Tue, 21 May 2013 06:52:14 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/lion-populations-in-africa-decline-amid-hunting-and-habitat-loss-a-898955.html#ref=rss Lions are becoming a threatened species. Trophy hunters and the loss of savannah grasslands have drastically reduced the number of prides. Scientists and conservationists are calling for improved protections for lions -- even if that means fenced-in enclosures. Fri, 10 May 2013 12:51:19 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/lion-populations-in-africa-decline-amid-hunting-and-habitat-loss-a-898955.html Lions are becoming a threatened species. Trophy hunters and the loss of savannah grasslands have drastically reduced the number of prides. Scientists and conservationists are calling for improved protections for lions -- even if that means fenced-in enclosures.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/daily-life-as-bizarre-as-it-gets-in-south-korea-a-898774.html#ref=rss North Korea threatens to start a nuclear war, while South Korea dances Gangnam style. Those are the clichés. War has never been this close, but Koreans in Seoul confront their fears by going about a bizarre version of everyday life, complete with truffle pasta and super-smart phones. Thu, 09 May 2013 16:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/daily-life-as-bizarre-as-it-gets-in-south-korea-a-898774.html North Korea threatens to start a nuclear war, while South Korea dances Gangnam style. Those are the clichés. War has never been this close, but Koreans in Seoul confront their fears by going about a bizarre version of everyday life, complete with truffle pasta and super-smart phones.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/growing-concern-that-news-photos-are-being-excessively-manipulated-a-898509.html#ref=rss Even top news photographers have their work digitally enhanced these days. Mounting competition in the market for news images is forcing photo-journalists to make their output as dramatic as possible. But where are the limits of cosmetic improvement? Wed, 08 May 2013 14:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/growing-concern-that-news-photos-are-being-excessively-manipulated-a-898509.html Even top news photographers have their work digitally enhanced these days. Mounting competition in the market for news images is forcing photo-journalists to make their output as dramatic as possible. But where are the limits of cosmetic improvement?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/lifting-eu-sanctions-against-burma-will-damage-the-reform-process-a-898603.html#ref=rss Although Burma is shrugging off the burden of five decades of military dictatorship, its transition to democracy is still far from complete. Reform remains precarious, and ethnic violence is rife. But in its eagerness to claim a foreign policy success, the EU is turning a blind eye, says Human Rights Watch. Tue, 07 May 2013 18:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/lifting-eu-sanctions-against-burma-will-damage-the-reform-process-a-898603.html Although Burma is shrugging off the burden of five decades of military dictatorship, its transition to democracy is still far from complete. Reform remains precarious, and ethnic violence is rife. But in its eagerness to claim a foreign policy success, the EU is turning a blind eye, says Human Rights Watch.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-a-898533.html#ref=rss Ai Weiwei of China is one of four artists who will represent Germany at the Venice Biennale in June. In a SPIEGEL interview, the artist discusses how he will participate in the event despite a travel ban imposed on him by the Chinese government. Tue, 07 May 2013 14:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-a-898533.html Ai Weiwei of China is one of four artists who will represent Germany at the Venice Biennale in June. In a SPIEGEL interview, the artist discusses how he will participate in the event despite a travel ban imposed on him by the Chinese government. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/putin-uses-patriotism-to-strengthen-hold-on-russia-a-898170.html#ref=rss Exactly one year ago, Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin following a brief hiatus. Since then, he has markedly reduced protest freedoms, undermined the judiciary and presented himself as a patriotic man of the people. He wants to free himself of his party and parliament. Mon, 06 May 2013 18:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/putin-uses-patriotism-to-strengthen-hold-on-russia-a-898170.html Exactly one year ago, Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin following a brief hiatus. Since then, he has markedly reduced protest freedoms, undermined the judiciary and presented himself as a patriotic man of the people. He wants to free himself of his party and parliament.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/rumors-tie-father-of-boston-bombers-to-kyrgyzstan-mafia-boss-a-897935.html#ref=rss As law-enforcement officials search for clues about the early life of the Boston Marathon bombers, a number of conspiracy theories are coming to light. Many are based on alleged ties between the men's father and a local mafia boss in Kyrgyzstan. Fri, 03 May 2013 15:56:44 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/rumors-tie-father-of-boston-bombers-to-kyrgyzstan-mafia-boss-a-897935.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/cricket-star-imran-khan-runs-for-pakistani-national-elections-a-897587.html#ref=rss Cricket world champion and former playboy Imran Khan found his way to Islam through a mystic. Now he wants to become Pakistan's prime minister and free his country of corruption and the Americans. Thu, 02 May 2013 13:26:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/cricket-star-imran-khan-runs-for-pakistani-national-elections-a-897587.html Cricket world champion and former playboy Imran Khan found his way to Islam through a mystic. Now he wants to become Pakistan's prime minister and free his country of corruption and the Americans. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/former-us-national-security-advisor-brzezinski-on-syrian-chemical-weapons-a-897228.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, former United States National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, 85, discusses President Barack Obama's tepid response to the civil war in Syria and allegations that chemical weapons have been deployed in the country. Wed, 01 May 2013 13:49:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/former-us-national-security-advisor-brzezinski-on-syrian-chemical-weapons-a-897228.html In a SPIEGEL interview, former United States National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, 85, discusses President Barack Obama's tepid response to the civil war in Syria and allegations that chemical weapons have been deployed in the country. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/young-german-jihadists-fight-on-side-of-rebels-in-syrian-war-a-897235.html#ref=rss Jihadists from Germany are engaging in combat, and dying, on the side of the rebels in Syria. Authorities fear the young and inexperienced fighters will be radicalized before they return to Europe, assuming they survive at all. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:19:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/young-german-jihadists-fight-on-side-of-rebels-in-syrian-war-a-897235.html Jihadists from Germany are engaging in combat, and dying, on the side of the rebels in Syria. Authorities fear the young and inexperienced fighters will be radicalized before they return to Europe, assuming they survive at all. ]]>