http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:20:18 +0100 Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:20:18 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,815002,00.html#ref=rss It's 2018, and an American space mission discovers that there's a huge colony of Nazis on the dark side of the moon, living in a swastika-shaped castle and bent on invading Earth. The comedy 'Iron Sky' has proved a surprise hit at the Berlin Film Festival. Part of the funding comes from German taxpayers. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:50:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,815002,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,814587,00.html#ref=rss Hindered in the festival's ability to draw star power, Dieter Kosslick, the head of the Berlin International Film Festival, is instead focusing on presenting new discoveries, including German films and the best from abroad. The biggest star in town this week is Angelina Jolie, but Kosslick is also set on creating new ones. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,814587,00.html Hindered in the festival's ability to draw star power, Dieter Kosslick, the head of the Berlin International Film Festival, is instead focusing on presenting new discoveries, including German films and the best from abroad. The biggest star in town this week is Angelina Jolie, but Kosslick is also set on creating new ones.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,814530,00.html#ref=rss Gerhard Richter, the world's most expensive living painter, turned 80 on Thursday, and Germany is paying tribute to its art superstar with a number of major exhibitions. Two shows in Berlin explore six decades of Richter's work, while an exhibition in Dresden gives a glimpse into the source material for the artist's trademark photo paintings. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:10:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,814530,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,813797,00.html#ref=rss An award-winning new German film takes an unexpected look at the problem of far-right extremism, following the fictional story of a young woman lost in a world of violence and hatred. The film, which has parallels to a recent neo-Nazi case in Germany, also serves as a wake-up call for some -- women are more prevalent in the radical scene than many believe. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:06 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,813797,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,812271,00.html#ref=rss Women's rights campaigners are demanding the removal of urinals shaped like female mouths from the men's lavatory of a Rolling Stones museum in Germany. The owner denies the bowls are offensive and vows: "They're staying." Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:51:10 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,812271,00.html Women's rights campaigners are demanding the removal of urinals shaped like female mouths from the men's lavatory of a Rolling Stones museum in Germany. The owner denies the bowls are offensive and vows: "They're staying."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,811841,00.html#ref=rss In 2010, Berlin's Botanical Garden received a rare and precious gift from the Seychelles: a nut from the Coco de Mer palm, prized around the world for centuries. Now that they've managed to sprout the fickle fruit, joy is matched with jitters as botanists in the chilly city strive to keep the tropical wonder alive. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:57:54 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,811841,00.html In 2010, Berlin's Botanical Garden received a rare and precious gift from the Seychelles: a nut from the Coco de Mer palm, prized around the world for centuries. Now that they've managed to sprout the fickle fruit, joy is matched with jitters as botanists in the chilly city strive to keep the tropical wonder alive.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,811582,00.html#ref=rss It has been a tale of a friendship forged under the most unlikely of circumstances. African-American Jesse Owens and Aryan poster boy Luz Long went face to face when Nazi Germany hosted the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin -- and allegedly became fast friends. But is the story really true? Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:45:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,811582,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,810425,00.html#ref=rss A new musical coming to Berlin turns the euro crisis into an amusing fairy tale, with Hansel and Gretel-like characters and a gingerbread house. But the author says he wants to point out the euro's weaknesses, and he lays some of the blame for the crisis on Germany. The Germans, he hopes, will have a sense of humor about it all.  Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,810425,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,810163,00.html#ref=rss Berlin police recently caught the North Korean ambassador to Germany fishing without a license, according to local media reports. But there was nothing they could do -- the envoy enjoys diplomatic immunity. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:33:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,810163,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,809881,00.html#ref=rss A new art exhibition in Frankfurt draws connections between demonstrations past and present. In the case of Egyptian artist Aalam Wassef, it studies how online activism has transformed protesting and become a work of art in itself -- but one that can cost people their lives. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:32:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,809881,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,809822,00.html#ref=rss A polar bear that shares the same father as Berlin celebrity Knut (RIP) has been born in Wuppertal. There appears to be a distinct family resemblance, although "Anori," whose gender is still unknown, has the good fortune of not having been rejected by its mother. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:08:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,809822,00.html A polar bear that shares the same father as Berlin celebrity Knut (RIP) has been born in Wuppertal. There appears to be a distinct family resemblance, although "Anori," whose gender is still unknown, has the good fortune of not having been rejected by its mother. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,808810,00.html#ref=rss For many German zoos, a high point of the animal year is the arrival of discarded Christmas trees. Thousands are fed to elephants, camels, polar bears and a variety of other animals. The trees are rich in Vitamin C and other healthy properties. However, the tradition is threatened at some zoos because of the use of chemicals to make trees last longer. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:41:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,808810,00.html For many German zoos, a high point of the animal year is the arrival of discarded Christmas trees. Thousands are fed to elephants, camels, polar bears and a variety of other animals. The trees are rich in Vitamin C and other healthy properties. However, the tradition is threatened at some zoos because of the use of chemicals to make trees last longer.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,808587,00.html#ref=rss An EU-funded project is developing technology that could make flying cars a reality. But to avoid the inevitable dangers of a crowded sky, researchers are borrowing lessons learned from robots and bats. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:45:27 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,808587,00.html An EU-funded project is developing technology that could make flying cars a reality. But to avoid the inevitable dangers of a crowded sky, researchers are borrowing lessons learned from robots and bats.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,808546,00.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Lord Sebastian Coe, the organizer of the 2012 Olympics, explains why his city is well prepared to deal with terror or security threats and how London plans to host an "exciting sports carnival and a festival in the most exciting and versatile city in the world." Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:32:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,808546,00.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Lord Sebastian Coe, the organizer of the 2012 Olympics, explains why his city is well prepared to deal with terror or security threats and how London plans to host an "exciting sports carnival and a festival in the most exciting and versatile city in the world." ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,808544,00.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/0,1518,808544,00.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/zeitgeist/0,1518,808492,00.html#ref=rss Police in the German city of Lübeck are investigating reports that a teacher at a local Waldorf school made pipe bombs with his students. The kids apparently made gunpowder in class and exploded the devices on a nearby heath. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,808492,00.html Police in the German city of Lübeck are investigating reports that a teacher at a local Waldorf school made pipe bombs with his students. The kids apparently made gunpowder in class and exploded the devices on a nearby heath.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,807392,00.html#ref=rss They may be getting older, but they haven't outgrown their drug problems. German health workers are reporting a spike in the number of elderly addicts as a generation of baby boomers reaches retirement age. But the healthcare system isn't prepared to handle them. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:53:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,807392,00.html They may be getting older, but they haven't outgrown their drug problems. German health workers are reporting a spike in the number of elderly addicts as a generation of baby boomers reaches retirement age. But the healthcare system isn't prepared to handle them.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,807199,00.html#ref=rss A German collector has opened a museum to exhibit his treasured vintage microcars. For a while, they were a popular and affordable alternative to motorbikes during Germany's postwar economic miracle. Though long-forgotten, the little wonders of innovation and engineering may soon be reborn. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:54:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,807199,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,806784,00.html#ref=rss Angela Merkel is the lady of the manor and Nicolas Sarkozy her fawning butler. A German video clip has become a YouTube hit by parodying the roles of the two leaders in the euro crisis. It's a spoof version of the 1963 comedy sketch "Dinner for One," which is broadcast each year as a bizarre part of the German New Year's Eve ritual. Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,806784,00.html Angela Merkel is the lady of the manor and Nicolas Sarkozy her fawning butler. A German video clip has become a YouTube hit by parodying the roles of the two leaders in the euro crisis. It's a spoof version of the 1963 comedy sketch "Dinner for One," which is broadcast each year as a bizarre part of the German New Year's Eve ritual. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,806798,00.html#ref=rss Many in Germany continue to believe that Poland is a nation of car thieves. But perhaps the problem lies with German law enforcement? That, at least, is what the Polish ambassador to Germany believes. He told a German paper that it is still too easy to steal cars in the country. Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:58:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,806798,00.html Many in Germany continue to believe that Poland is a nation of car thieves. But perhaps the problem lies with German law enforcement? That, at least, is what the Polish ambassador to Germany believes. He told a German paper that it is still too easy to steal cars in the country.]]>