Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

SPIEGEL ONLINE - INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER Compiled on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 06:51 PM CET  This mail includes the latest edition of the SPIEGEL INTERNATIONAL newsletter.  For daily insights on Europe and the world, visit http://www.spiegel.de/international#ref=nlint  If you are unable to click on any of the links below, please copy and paste the address into your Web browser's address bar.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF' ------------------------------------------------------------------------  Afghan Militias Take on Taliban In some parts of Afghanistan, neither the Afghan security forces nor the international ISAF troops have been able to protect ordinary people. Now the Americans are arming local militias so they can take on the Taliban. But some observers worry the move could lead to rivalries between different armed groups.  http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,680965,00.html#ref=nlint  --------------------  SPIEGEL 360: Our Complete Afghanistan Coverage http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,k-6948,00.html#ref=nlint   ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AUTO GIANT STUMBLES ------------------------------------------------------------------------  The End of the Toyota Legend Toyota used to be the star of the auto world. Now its reputation is in tatters after quality problems led to a series of fatal accidents and massive vehicle recalls. But the problems at the company started a long time ago, when the Japanese carmaker decided to emulate its American rivals.  http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,680961,00.html#ref=nlint  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE EU'S FOREIGN SERVICE APPARATUS ------------------------------------------------------------------------  Berlin Concerned about British Dominance The European Union's new diplomatic service is still months from completion. But already, Germany is worried that the bloc's new foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, is handing over too many top slots to Britons.  http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,681291,00.html#ref=nlint  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLAYING WITH DEATH ------------------------------------------------------------------------  Can Deutsche Telekom Be Blamed in Suicide Early in February a German teenager posted comments on an online self-help forum announcing his intention to kill himself. Police were alerted and sought to save the 18-year-old man before he could take his life. Police are now alleging employees of Internet service provider Deutsche Telekom withheld information that could have saved a life.  http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,681349,00.html#ref=nlint  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A GERMAN BAILOUT OF GREECE? ------------------------------------------------------------------------  Berlin Angered by Presumed Pressure from Speculators Rumors in the press of an impending German bailout of Greece are rampant -- despite repeated denials from Chancellor Merkel. Government advisors suspect speculators may be behind the headlines. Meanwhile, Greece has once again delayed a bond issue.  http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,681360,00.html#ref=nlint  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DEFENDING PRIVACY ------------------------------------------------------------------------  German High Court Limits Phone and E-Mail Data Storage Germany's highest court has rejected a controversial law requiring data on telephone calls and e-mail traffic to be stored for six months for possible use by law enforcement. Data stored so far must be deleted immediately, and strict controls must be put in place before the law can come into force again.  http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,681251,00.html#ref=nlint  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE WORLD FROM BERLIN ------------------------------------------------------------------------  Is Obama's Vision of Nukes-Free World Naive? Barack Obama's pledge of a nuclear weapons-free world helped him secure the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The US president is expected to outline his nuclear strategy soon, entailing the elimination of thousands of American warheads and possibly the removal of weapons from Europe. German editorialists offer cautious optimism over the development.  http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,681298,00.html#ref=nlint  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ EUROPEAN DEBT CRISIS ------------------------------------------------------------------------  Greek Corruption Booming, Says Transparency International Corruption is widely regarded as one of the triggers of the Greek debt crisis threatening the euro common currency. A new study by Transparency International suggests that corruption is part of everyday life in Greece, and claims private households paid more than 780 million euros in bribes in 2009.  http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,681184,00.html#ref=nlint  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MENDED FENCES ------------------------------------------------------------------------  New Study Shows American Attitudes Towards Germany Improving Barack Obama may be in trouble at home but he has improved trans-Atlantic relations. A recent survey shows an improvement in German-US relations and indicates that Germans are becoming more popular in the US, after a major dip during the Iraq controversy.  http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,681248,00.html#ref=nlint  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PICTURE THIS ------------------------------------------------------------------------  The Future of Football   http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,681348,00.html#ref=nlint