After years of restraint, German trade unions have a strong case for demanding big pay increases in the current boom. Much of Europe hopes they will succeed because this could lessen German competitiveness and boost its imports. But for many workers, hopes of a pay bonanza are likely to be dashed.
Former Russian spy Anna Chapman, arrested in the United States and sent back to her home country as part of an exchange of agents, is cashing in on her sex appeal. Ex-spook Vladimir Putin welcomed her home with open arms and she is on her way to becoming a star.
The effort to rescue 33 trapped miners in Copiapó, Chile, has become a national mission. German technology may ultimately help save the men. But in the meantime, the journalists from around the world who have gathered in the mining camps have little to do.
With little hope for success, Washington began a new round of Middle East peace talks last week. Still, the tone was largely positive and the fact that Benjamin Netanyahu uttered the word peace 28 times surprised many. The difficult issues must still be addressed, but the meeting marked a first real success in the path to peace.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso came out with plenty of fine words during his state of the union speech on Tuesday. But his blandness is unlikely to increase support for the EU among Europeans, say observers. German commentators are unimpressed.
Germany was already roiled in a debate about immigration. Now, a leading economist in the country has said the country needs a half million immigrants a year to maintain economic strength. His comments come as many Germans are more worried than ever about being overrun by foreigners.
Klaus Regling has been tasked with saving Europes common currency. At his disposal are a dozen employees and 440 billion euros. He has spent recent weeks preparing for the worst.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is feeling the wrath of the people: hundreds of thousands protested against his pension reform on Wednesday and trade unions brought public life to a standstill. The showdown amounts to a test of Sarkozys power.
Giant windparks, insulated buildings, electric cars and a European supergrid: the German government on Monday unveiled an ambitious but vague blueprint to launch a new era of green energy for Europes largest economy. SPIEGEL ONLINE has analyzed the plans.
A group of American investors have filed several lawsuits to pressure Germany to honor bonds issued by the Weimar Republic. Hitler banned repayment of the bonds and Berlin says a deadline for registering the bonds passed decades ago. Should Germany lose, it could cost the country billions.
The scope of the disaster is becoming more and more visible as flood levels fall along the Indus River in Pakistan. In the Swat Valley, controlled by the Taliban only last year, US troops are now helping the victims. It remains unclear as to who will gain their trust -- the government, the West or the extremists.
A group of Hamburg-based activists have started holding spontaneous Fat Rent Parties at the viewings of apartments they consider too expensive. The flashmob-style protests are part of a wave of action against gentrification in Germanys major cities. But the police are not amused by the antics.
Its not often that archeologists find ancient coins with Arabic engravings in Germany. A recent such discovery, however, may prove that the Baltic Sea coast had trading ties to the Middle East as far back as the 7th century.
Germanys nuclear plants were due to be phased out by 2021. Now Chancellor Merkel has given them a 12-year reprieve as part of a transition to a low-emissions future. German commentators are critical of the governments new energy strategy, calling it a victory for the nuclear lobby.
Chechen exile Umar Israilov was murdered on the streets of Vienna in broad daylight and investigators think Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov may have ordered the killing. But others were also involved -- including, according to SPIEGEL information, an informant for the Austrian intelligence services.
An eastern German state is so worried about neo-Nazis trying to take over kindergartens that it has ordered teachers to vow allegiance to democracy. But that wont tackle the underlying problem -- the racist youths who assaulted immigrants in the 1990s are now parents intent on rearing little skinheads.
Turkish immigrants have been coming to Germany since the 1960s, but for many years Germans assumed the guest workers would return home one day. The countrys refusal to face up to the reality and the lack of a proper immigration policy led to todays integration problems.
In a SPIEGEL interview, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, 67, discusses resistance to his austerity package, the chancellors newfound strength and when Germans might be able to expect promised tax cuts.