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 18:42:16 +0200 Sat, 25 May 2013 18:42:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/species-reintroduction-first-wisent-born-in-the-wild-in-germany-a-901114.html#ref=rss After being released into the wild in Germany just last month, a herd of wisents has welcomed its first calf. The first European bison to be born free in Germany in centuries has been named "Quintus," and appears to be healthy. Tue, 21 May 2013 18:50:39 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/species-reintroduction-first-wisent-born-in-the-wild-in-germany-a-901114.html After being released into the wild in Germany just last month, a herd of wisents has welcomed its first calf. The first European bison to be born free in Germany in centuries has been named "Quintus," and appears to be healthy. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wave-gothic-festival-draws-thousands-to-leipzig-a-900987.html#ref=rss Every Pentecostal weekend, when the Wave Gothic Festival, a legendary annual gathering for "dark" music and arts, kicks off in the eastern German city of Leipzig, the world is reminded that nobody does goth quite like the Germans. Tue, 21 May 2013 13:57:32 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wave-gothic-festival-draws-thousands-to-leipzig-a-900987.html Every Pentecostal weekend, when the Wave Gothic Festival, a legendary annual gathering for "dark" music and arts, kicks off in the eastern German city of Leipzig, the world is reminded that nobody does goth quite like the Germans. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/london-set-for-onslaught-of-german-fans-for-champions-league-final-a-900939.html#ref=rss With tens of thousands of German football fans expected in London for the all-German Champions League final on Saturday, pubs in the English capital are anxiously preparing. Officials have urged fans without tickets to stay home and the city has opted to forgo public viewing areas. Tue, 21 May 2013 13:18:35 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/london-set-for-onslaught-of-german-fans-for-champions-league-final-a-900939.html With tens of thousands of German football fans expected in London for the all-German Champions League final on Saturday, pubs in the English capital are anxiously preparing. Officials have urged fans without tickets to stay home and the city has opted to forgo public viewing areas.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-mini-hot-rod-is-made-in-hamburg-and-approved-for-road-use-a-900570.html#ref=rss The mini hot rod looks like an outsize toy, and its Hamburg-based creators still can't quite believe it's street legal. It offers drivers as much fun as can be had behind a steering wheel, and a bit of discomfort is a small price to pay. Fri, 17 May 2013 18:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-mini-hot-rod-is-made-in-hamburg-and-approved-for-road-use-a-900570.html The mini hot rod looks like an outsize toy, and its Hamburg-based creators still can't quite believe it's street legal. It offers drivers as much fun as can be had behind a steering wheel, and a bit of discomfort is a small price to pay.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bad-taste-exhibition-in-hamburg-explores-design-crimes-a-900498.html#ref=rss Proving that bad taste never goes out of fashion, an exhibition opened in Hamburg this week that romps through decades of aesthetic atrocities, showcasing hideous design from the early 20th century to the present. Fri, 17 May 2013 17:41:42 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bad-taste-exhibition-in-hamburg-explores-design-crimes-a-900498.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/protests-mar-opening-of-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-900430.html#ref=rss For some, it's a dream in pink. For others, it's a monument to misogyny. The Barbie Dreamhouse opened its doors in Berlin on Thursday, and demonstrators and journalists were out in force. Femen also made an appearance -- to burn Barbie on the cross. Fri, 17 May 2013 10:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/protests-mar-opening-of-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-900430.html For some, it's a dream in pink. For others, it's a monument to misogyny. The Barbie Dreamhouse opened its doors in Berlin on Thursday, and demonstrators and journalists were out in force. Femen also made an appearance -- to burn Barbie on the cross.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/top-european-islands-that-are-off-the-beaten-track-a-900340.html#ref=rss They are beautiful, secluded and sometimes bizarre: Europe's smallest, least-known islands have their own unique charm. Some can only be reached by mail boat. Another asks that all visitors arrive in the nude. Thu, 16 May 2013 17:43:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/top-european-islands-that-are-off-the-beaten-track-a-900340.html They are beautiful, secluded and sometimes bizarre: Europe's smallest, least-known islands have their own unique charm. Some can only be reached by mail boat. Another asks that all visitors arrive in the nude.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/feminists-outraged-by-life-size-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-900041.html#ref=rss Criticism is mounting against the life-size "Barbie Dreamhouse Experience" opening this week in Berlin, with feminist activists calling for protests. Bringing the doll's fantasy life into the real world goes too far in spreading damaging stereotypes, they say. Wed, 15 May 2013 18:18:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/feminists-outraged-by-life-size-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin-a-900041.html Criticism is mounting against the life-size "Barbie Dreamhouse Experience" opening this week in Berlin, with feminist activists calling for protests. Bringing the doll's fantasy life into the real world goes too far in spreading damaging stereotypes, they say. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wheelchair-bound-cat-in-germany-adopts-abandoned-kittens-a-900002.html#ref=rss Brigitta the cat became the victim of animal cruelty when someone shot at her for fun, paralyzing her hind legs. A German animal lover took her in, building a cat wheelchair and paying for an operation. Now Brigitta is repaying her kindness -- by adopting two abandoned kittens. Wed, 15 May 2013 17:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wheelchair-bound-cat-in-germany-adopts-abandoned-kittens-a-900002.html Brigitta the cat became the victim of animal cruelty when someone shot at her for fun, paralyzing her hind legs. A German animal lover took her in, building a cat wheelchair and paying for an operation. Now Brigitta is repaying her kindness -- by adopting two abandoned kittens. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/director-of-nazi-themed-wagner-opera-claims-artistic-censorship-a-899543.html#ref=rss A recent staging of Richard Wagner's "Tannhäuser" at Düsseldorf's Deutsche Oper am Rhein was withdrawn when protests broke out during and after the premier. The director of the production, Burkhard Kosminski, 51, discusses the controversy and why he decided to set the opera in the Third Reich. Mon, 13 May 2013 17:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/director-of-nazi-themed-wagner-opera-claims-artistic-censorship-a-899543.html A recent staging of Richard Wagner's "Tannhäuser" at Düsseldorf's Deutsche Oper am Rhein was withdrawn when protests broke out during and after the premier. The director of the production, Burkhard Kosminski, 51, discusses the controversy and why he decided to set the opera in the Third Reich.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-man-loses-14-000-euros-while-dumping-old-clothes-a-899486.html#ref=rss A man who dumped some old garments in a clothes container found he had been a little more charitable than he intended this weekend. He accidentally tossed 14,000 euros into the bin along with his hand-me-downs. A frantic search involving the police and fire department ensued. Mon, 13 May 2013 14:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-man-loses-14-000-euros-while-dumping-old-clothes-a-899486.html A man who dumped some old garments in a clothes container found he had been a little more charitable than he intended this weekend. He accidentally tossed 14,000 euros into the bin along with his hand-me-downs. A frantic search involving the police and fire department ensued.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-full-metal-cruise-caters-to-heavy-metal-fans-with-healthy-bank-balances-a-899172.html#ref=rss A German tour operator is catering to heavy metal fans who've tired of trashing hotel rooms and watching their favorite bands in muddy fields. The Full Metal Cruise is a bit like an open-air festival experience -- but with pools, cocktails and breakfast buffets. Fri, 10 May 2013 18:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-full-metal-cruise-caters-to-heavy-metal-fans-with-healthy-bank-balances-a-899172.html A German tour operator is catering to heavy metal fans who've tired of trashing hotel rooms and watching their favorite bands in muddy fields. The Full Metal Cruise is a bit like an open-air festival experience -- but with pools, cocktails and breakfast buffets. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/borussia-struggles-with-identity-ahead-of-champions-league-final-a-898863.html#ref=rss Borussia Dortmund's image as the underdog of European football is starting to cramp the style of individual players. Not everyone is comfortable in the role of the outsider -- and that might affect performance at the upcoming all-German Champions League final in Wembley. Fri, 10 May 2013 17:07:48 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/borussia-struggles-with-identity-ahead-of-champions-league-final-a-898863.html Borussia Dortmund's image as the underdog of European football is starting to cramp the style of individual players. Not everyone is comfortable in the role of the outsider -- and that might affect performance at the upcoming all-German Champions League final in Wembley. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/fathers-day-revellers-interrupted-by-lightning-strike-in-germany-a-898964.html#ref=rss Father's Day in Germany is traditionally an occasion for massive alcohol intake and a bit of quality time with the guys. One such gathering on Thursday, however, was disrupted by a lightning strike, sending dozens of revellers to the hospital. Thu, 09 May 2013 17:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/fathers-day-revellers-interrupted-by-lightning-strike-in-germany-a-898964.html Father's Day in Germany is traditionally an occasion for massive alcohol intake and a bit of quality time with the guys. One such gathering on Thursday, however, was disrupted by a lightning strike, sending dozens of revellers to the hospital.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wagner-opera-cancelled-due-to-holocaust-staging-of-tannhaeuser-a-898937.html#ref=rss A staging of Richard Wagner's "Tannhäuser" -- set during the Holocaust and including a gas chamber and a shooting scene -- shocked audience members so badly that some had to be given medical attention. The theater has now cancelled the production out of fear it will damage its artistic reputation. Thu, 09 May 2013 13:37:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wagner-opera-cancelled-due-to-holocaust-staging-of-tannhaeuser-a-898937.html A staging of Richard Wagner's "Tannhäuser" -- set during the Holocaust and including a gas chamber and a shooting scene -- shocked audience members so badly that some had to be given medical attention. The theater has now cancelled the production out of fear it will damage its artistic reputation. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/artist-sets-up-500-garden-gnome-statues-of-karl-marx-in-trier-a-898008.html#ref=rss Ottmar Hörl gained international notoriety in 2009 by designing garden gnomes giving Nazi salutes. Now he hopes to stimulate debate with 500 gnome-like figurines of Karl Marx in Trier, but he might not hit his mark. Fri, 03 May 2013 17:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/artist-sets-up-500-garden-gnome-statues-of-karl-marx-in-trier-a-898008.html Ottmar Hörl gained international notoriety in 2009 by designing garden gnomes giving Nazi salutes. Now he hopes to stimulate debate with 500 gnome-like figurines of Karl Marx in Trier, but he might not hit his mark.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/stephen-wolfram-analyses-personal-facebook-data-a-896981.html#ref=rss British scientist Stephen Wolfram has already developed two highly influential computational systems: Mathematica, an algebraic software program, and the popular search engine Wolfram Alpha. Now he's taking on Facebook's treasure trove of data, with results that would interest Mark Zuckerberg. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:32:17 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/stephen-wolfram-analyses-personal-facebook-data-a-896981.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-chinese-artist-zhao-zhao-a-897309.html#ref=rss In an interview, Chinese artist Zhao Zhao, who has a new exhibition in Berlin, discusses the state harassment he has experienced, his role as a troublemaker and why, recently, he is spending more time on his art than activism. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:42:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-chinese-artist-zhao-zhao-a-897309.html In an interview, Chinese artist Zhao Zhao, who has a new exhibition in Berlin, discusses the state harassment he has experienced, his role as a troublemaker and why, recently, he is spending more time on his art than activism.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/dentist-pulled-20-teeth-without-asking-patient-a-897393.html#ref=rss There are good dentists and bad ones, but here's a story of the dentist from hell. He pulled 20 of a patient's teeth without asking for permission. He appealed against a decision to revoke his license -- and lost. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:43:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/dentist-pulled-20-teeth-without-asking-patient-a-897393.html There are good dentists and bad ones, but here's a story of the dentist from hell. He pulled 20 of a patient's teeth without asking for permission. He appealed against a decision to revoke his license -- and lost. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/disney-chimp-film-a-splice-of-life-a-897140.html#ref=rss A Disney film about altruistic chimpanzees has been a huge hit in the United States. The movie is about to be released in Germany, where it is being marketed as a true story. Now a German researcher who was the flick's main scientific adviser has admitted large parts of the touching story were made up. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/disney-chimp-film-a-splice-of-life-a-897140.html