Author: Spiegel.de

Many in Germany are trying to do their part to slow climate change. They are conscientious about the purchases they make, they ride bikes and they try to reduce their trash and carbon footprint. They can’t solve the problem on their own, but they could force politicians and businesses to act.

For the first time in more than 50 years, a German will head the European Commission. It was a close vote, and the role of the Social Democrats raises questions.

As the European Union has expanded eastward, hundreds of thousands of children have been turned into orphans in all but name. They grow up without their parents, who have no choice but to work in rich, Western European countries for a lack of job options back home.

The far-right fringe of Germany’s populist Alternative for Germany party is gaining ground. Politicians in the party who once opposed the wing and its leader, Björn Höcke, have abandoned their resistance and are taking steps to embrace the extremists.

Until recently, Ursula von der Leyen was largely unknown in Brussels. Now the German defense minister needs to win over a majority of the EU Parliament to secure the presidency of the European Commission. She remains an enigma to many, but is hoping some high-profile advisers can help change that.

By 2050, the world will require nearly twice as much food as today. But producing it without consuming any extra resources — so as not to exacerbate climate change — will be tricky. Three scientists explain how this agricultural feat may be possible.

Seventeen days at sea, chaos, distress and an act of desperation: The drama surrounding German captain Carola Rackete has exposed the cynicism behind European migration policy. The EU is no longer rescuing drowning migrants and the number of refugees continues to fall. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

Carola Rackete saved 53 migrants adrift at sea. In an interview, she discusses the hardships on board, her arrest in Italy and the failure of European immigration policy.

The nomination of German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president came as a surprise. And many are unhappy. It not only undermines efforts to make the EU more democratic, but she may not be confirmed.

It’s easy to criticize Washington’s migration policies as inhumane, but the approach taken by the European Union is even more outrageous. Politicians in the EU outsource the horrors and wash their hands of any guilt.

China is the largest creditor in the world, funding infrastructure projects in the developing world in exchange for access to raw materials. A new study shows that the risk of a new debt crisis is significant.

Islamic State has been conquered and the war has ended in large parts of Syria, but most Syrian refugees living in Germany want to stay. Many fear persecution if they go back while others have already established themselves in their new home.

Only a small percentage of the world’s refugees ever reach Europe. Most never even leave the continent they are originally from. Some of the world’s poorest nations as hosts to millions of refugees, including Ethiopia.

Does President Donald Trump know what he’s doing? Former U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has his doubts. In an interview, he discusses the crisis in Iran and Trump’s strange decision to abort a missile strike just minutes before launch.

Half of Europe has been slammed by a massive heat wave in recent days, with many regions experiencing temperatures never before seen in June. But it may just be the beginning. 

Addiction to paco, a by-product of cocaine production, is rampant in poor districts of Buenos Aires. Photographer Karl Mancini documented the everyday lives of teens struggling with the drug.

French President Emmanuel Macron is ignoring the results of the European election by trying to make a back-room deal with other EU leaders over who should become the next president of the European Commission. It’s a serious mistake.

With U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani trading taunts and threats, tensions between the two countries are reaching an all-time high. The slightest misstep could trigger yet another full-blown, armed conflict in the Middle East.

After opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu won the first Istanbul mayoral election, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had the vote repeated. The new mayor’s second victory heralds the arrival of a great democratic hope for Turkey — and perhaps even the beginning of the end of the Erdogan era.

The recent politically motivated assassination of a prominent local leader in Germany has raised concern about the growing threat of far-right extremism in the country. As investigators search for possible accomplices, politicians are struggling to find answers to the escalating violence. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

In an interview, European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström discusses what the tariff dispute between the United States and China means for European companies and consumers and why President Trump’s strategy could end with the “law of the jungle.”

The trade war between the United States and China is increasingly creating a bipolar world. As U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare to meet at the upcoming G-20 summit, Europe is facing an increasingly tense dilemma: Which side should it choose?

In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, Nicola Sturgeon, the head of the Scottish government, discusses her plans for an independence referendum, the possibility of a no-deal Brexit and the battle in the Tory Party to pick Theresa May’s successor.

The fashion industry in Africa is on the rise. But for budding models from the continent, the road to success remains long and rocky. Vanessa Kilem is well on her way.

Public opinion polls indicate that Germany’s Green Party is currently the strongest political force in the country.  With a lack of policy experts, money and even sufficient office space, though, the party isn’t quite ready for prime time. Only time will tell if the Greens are up to the challenge. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

He has negotiated weapons deals and instigated armed conflicts: Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan is one of the most influential men behind the scenes in global politics. His job is to increase the kingdom’s influence in the world.

In just a few years, the dreams of European immigration hardliners have become reality on the Mediterranean. Volunteer sea rescue operations have been shut down, and the route across the sea is more dangerous than ever.

Resistance to a planned extradition law has enlivened the opposition in Hong Kong after several years of placidity. But the danger of confrontation with Beijing is real and neither side seems ready for compromise.

Chinese state television is gaining influence in Africa. But while the media outlets involved officially claim their journalism is independent, those who work for the companies tell a different story.

Thailand is widely considered a paradise of transgender acceptance. But the realities of life as a so-called “ladyboy” don’t always reflect that reputation. We spoke with three members of the transgender community there to get a clearer picture.

Andrea Nahles had hoped to rejuvenate Germany’s Social Democratic Party. But after just over a year as party chair, she threw in the towel amid an unceasing storm of criticism. What went wrong?

Droughts, sandstorms and flash flooding: In the southern Moroccan oasis M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the effects global warming is likely to have on the Mediterranean region can already be observed today.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians fled the violence in their homeland to Jordan. Many still live in camps while others have tried to start new lives in the city. Here, they speak of the challenges they face.

The brutal murder of a politician in central Germany has led to widespread speculation about the motive and the identity of the perpetrator. Some see it as retaliation for his pro-refugee stance, but investigators have their doubts.

In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, former Brazilian President Lula da Silva discusses the loneliness of his prison term, the U.S. influence on Brazil and the threats he says are posed by the country’s current leader, Jair Bolsonaro.

The cruise industry is booming — but it is incredibly damaging to the environment. Most companies rely on dirty heavy oil, but some lines are taking a different approach. Can cruise ships become sustainable?

A German blogger living in Dublin and pretending to be Jewish spread fictitious stories about her family’s Holocaust history, even submitting false claims to the Yad Vashem Memorial in Jerusalem. But it was all made up.

Faye Cuevas worked in U.S. military intelligence for 17 years and has hunted terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, as part of a conservation program, she’s turning her skills to fighting poachers in Kenya and saving protected species in the region.

For months, Kathryn Mayorga’s lawyer has been trying to serve notice to Ronaldo of the complaint she has filed against him. She claims to have been raped by Ronaldo — but he is doing what he can to dodge the papers. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

Lips plumped up during the lunch break, implants for a rounder head: Cosmetic surgery is extremely common in South Korea, even among men. The pressure to look good in the country is immense.

Political maverick Boris Johnson appears unbeatable in the race to replace Theresa May as prime minister. But he’s an enigma and anything could be possible with him at the helm — even an unexpected U-turn on Brexit.

After disagreements over Brexit, the Nord Stream pipeline and Eurozone reforms, the relationship between France and Germany has grown tenser. Now, another conflict is brewing: Who should become president of the European Commission?

In the view of Oxford Professor Danny Dorling, a British elite drunk on nationalism is responsible for the Brexit disaster. Raised in the traditions of the British Empire, they continue to glorify the crimes committed during colonialism.

Everyone is talking about reforming the Champions League, but FC Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge would be happy for things to stay the same. He also tells DER SPIEGEL in an interview that he isn’t interested in plans for a Super League.

Although the United Kingdom is the fifth-richest country in the world, 14 million people in the country live below the poverty line. The problem has grown dramatically since the financial crisis — as shown by the family of Kris Thomas.

As the end of her tenure approaches, Angela Merkel has a view of the world that couldn’t be much grimmer. She sees the pillars of the world order collapsing and yet, strangely, she doesn’t seem to be doing much about it.

Investment professionals are increasing the pressure on big corporations to do more to combat climate change. A small, but influential investor, the Church of England has become a leader in the mission to save the environment through finance.

In an interview, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferi discusses corruption in football, plans for a new Champions League and the decision to play the Europa League final in Baku, Azerbaijan.

In December 2018, DER SPIEGEL went public with the discovery that a journalist at the magazine had fabricated numerous stories and opened a probe into the fraud. The investigation may be complete, but the reckoning continues.