Victim or Perpetrator?
Film director Roman Polanski is fighting to avoid extradition from Switzerland to the US, a country he fled over 30 years ago to escape serving time for the alleged sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl. The case raises difficult questions about the US legal system, the current cult of celebrity and the excesses of the 1970s. Von SPIEGEL Staff more...
Gaza Love Story
He lived in the Gaza Strip, she in the West Bank. It seemed as though the Israeli blockade would prevent their marriage. Then May risked her life to crawl through a smugglers' tunnel into Gaza and join Mohammed. Now they face an uncertain future together. By Ulrike Putz in Nuseirat, the Gaza Strip more...
Oct. 7, 1989
The celebrations to mark 40 years of communist East Germany couldn't hide the mounting rumbles of dissent. Many East Germans looked to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to persuade the Honecker regime to implement reforms. It was soon clear that Moscow was not going to help the hardliners crush the growing unrest. more...
Guest Commentary
With the Lisbon Treaty approaching the final hurdles before it is adopted, it is time for the European Union to take a bold step forward. It is up to Germany's new government to lead the EU out of a decade of doldrums. A European Army would be a good place to start. By Thorsten Benner and Stephan Mergenthaler more...
Six Cane Strokes for Drinking Beer
A young woman has been sentenced to six cane strokes in Malaysia for having a beer in a hotel, as she is Muslim and prohibited from drinking alcohol. The Shariah law verdict has split the country and caused concerns about the growing influence of Islamists. But the woman's family is now insisting that the sentence be carried out -- in order to embarrass the government. Von Thilo Thielke in Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia more...
The World From Berlin
It seems likely that Germany's central bank, the Bundesbank, will soon become the sole overseer of the country's financial system in a bid to prevent the mistakes made during the financial crisis. German commentators argue that a pan-European oversight authority would make more sense. more...
SPIEGEL Interview With Plus-Size Model
She came out of small-town America and made it onto the pages of Vogue magazine. But as one German women's magazine declares that it will no longer use professional models, US model Crystal Renn tells SPIEGEL how she starved herself for success and why she is happy to be a plus-size specialist. more...
Back to Basics in Douro
By reviving tradition, trusting his gut and getting his grape providers to keep their ancient vines, wine maverick Dirk van der Niepoort has changed the way the world looks at vintage port. He has also succeeded in producing award-winning table wines in a region where port is king. By Helene Zuber more...
Brussels Riddle
After Ireland's Yes vote on the Lisbon Treaty, many Britons see their former Prime Minister Tony Blair as a shoe-in to become the first president of the EU. But his appointment is far from certain. There are deep misgivings across the EU about handing the top job to the old friend of George W. Bush. By Carsten Volkery more...
'They Want the Bomb'
American mistrust of Iran is growing, despite the cautious rapprochement at last week's talks in Geneva. US President Barack Obama is coming under increasing pressure to take a hard line since the revelation that Iran has a second, previously undisclosed facility for uranium enrichment. By SPIEGEL Staff more...
'We're Standing on a Giant Pile of Manure'
After its worst election result in the postwar period, Germany's center-left Social Democratic Party has hastily replaced its leadership with a younger generation of politicians. But the new leaders will struggle to find an identity for the SPD, which has lost half its voters since 1998. By SPIEGEL Staff more...
Airport Security Concerns
The French intelligence service has warned of a new terrorism threat from suicide bombers carrying in-body explosives that can't be detected by standard airport screening. The method was used in a failed attempt to kill the Saudi anti-terrorism chief in August. more...
Halal is Big Business
Germany has four million Muslim inhabitants but the market for halal food -- produced according to Islamic law -- is still in its infancy, partly because firms fear the wrath of animal rights groups. But companies are slowly waking up to this fast-growing market. By Daniela Schröder more...
Russia Going Green?
Russia has never made energy conservation much of a priority. But President Dmitry Medvedev would like that to change. He wants to see consumption drop by 40 percent in the next decade -- but without the technological know-how, it could be difficult. By Benjamin Bidder more...
China at 60
Blaming Mao's chaotic years for the slow pace of reform is wearing thin as the vast majority of Chinese remain poor while their leaders grow more powerful. By John Lee more...
Coalition Talks Begin
As coalition talks begin for Germany's new government, Chancellor Angela Merkel is already setting the agenda. She is opposing demands by her junior coalition partner, the business-friendly FDP, for labor market and welfare reforms. The new administration is going to look a lot like the old one -- both in policies and personnel. By SPIEGEL Staff more...
Dentures, Dogs and Toasters
It's that time of year again -- the Oktoberfest statistics are in. The two-week beer festival that ended on Sunday saw visitor numbers drop 5 percent due to terrorism fears. But beer consumption was stable at 6.5 million liters. And the lost items list includes a toaster, a small dog and a set of dentures. more...
Interview with Deutsche Bank CEO Ackermann
Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann, 61, spoke with SPIEGEL about new regulations for global financial markets, who should be blamed for the global financial meltdown, and what the banks have actually learned from the crisis. more...
Germany's Atomic Energy Phase-Out
It seems a foregone conclusion that Berlin will back away from the nuclear energy phase-out legislated in 2002. But with power companies set to profit handsomely, the bluffing has begun. more...
SPIEGEL Interview with Hamas Leader Mahmoud Zahar
Hamas recently provided video proof to the Israelis that Galid Shalit, the soldier kidnapped in 2006, is still alive. SPIEGEL spoke with Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar about Shalit's impending release and the role that Germany has played in the negotiations. more...
Guest Editorial
Guido Westerwelle will likely become the country's next foreign minister. But what sort of policies would he pursue? Margerita Mathiopoulos and Werner Hoyer, both foreign policy advisors to Westerwelle, say that Germany must refocus on the trans-Atlantic relationship. more...
Historical Debts
Two 500 dollar bonds, sold by the city of Leipzig in 1926, could spell bad news for the municipality's finances. The bonds' owner says they are now worth about 200,000 euros. If her bid for payment succeeds, it could set a precedent that costs Leipzig more than half a billion euros. more...
Menacing Bird at Large
A malevolent raven described by authorities as "incredibly clever" is back at large after escaping from police custody. The bird had been scaring a woman for several days by tapping at her window, trying to steal her groceries and sitting on her car. more...
Signing the Lisbon Treaty
Media in the Czech Republic have hit out against President Vaclav Klaus, who is threatening not to sign the Lisbon Treaty and delay ratification for months. They call the Czech leader an embarrassment and discuss ways of forcing his signature. By Sarah Karacs more...
