Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

SPIEGEL ONLINE - INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
Compiled on Thursday, December 23, 2010, 04:29 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE MEXICAN DRUG WAR
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Nation Descends into Violence
The Mexican government has been using the army to fight the nation's
drug cartels for about four years. It isn't working. Some critics say
the army is part of the problem, even if the occasional mission removes
a kingpin. But President Felipe Calderón has no one else to trust.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,735865,00.html#ref=nlint

--------------------

Photo Gallery: Mexico at War
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-62880.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
OUTSMARTED BY APPLE
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nokia Looks to Recover the 'Magic Dust'
For years, Nokia effortlessly dominated the cell phone market. But then
Apple and Google muscled in on its turf and changed the game forever.
The Finnish company is pinning its hopes on a new operating system, but
it might be too little, too late.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,735873,00.html#ref=nlint

--------------------

The Apps Boom: Gold Rush in the Smartphone Software Market
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,659563,00.html#ref=nlint

Finns Strike Back: Nokia Takes Aim at Apple
http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,645550,00.html#ref=nlint

Can Finnish Mobile Giant Fend off Apple? Nokia is Outsmarted on
Smartphones
http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,639446,00.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
TERRORISM IN EUROPE
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parcel Bombs at Embassies in Rome Injure Two
A parcel bomb has exploded at the Chilean embassy in Rome, shortly after
an employee at the Swiss embassy was badly wounded by another exploding
package. The attacks recall parcel bombs sent to European capitals in
November.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,736424,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAVING THE COMMON CURRENCY
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Berlin Denies Plans for a New Euro Stability Fund
Is Germany working on a new stability fund for the European common
currency? A report in a Munich daily on Thursday claimed that Berlin was
working with several other European capitals on such a plan. The Finance
Ministry, however, says it is not. The confusion is typical of the EU's
response to the euro crisis.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,736347,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Barack Obama Was the Biggest Loser of 2010'
After months of stalling, the US Senate has finally approved the New
START disarmament treaty with Russia. The ratification is a major
triumph for US President Barack Obama, but German commentators warn that
it may be the last such success for a long time.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,736320,00.html#ref=nlint

--------------------

A Genuine New Start? Obama Is No Reagan on Nuclear Disarmament
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,736379,00.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
A GENUINE NEW START?
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Obama Is No Reagan on Nuclear Disarmament
President Obama's arms control policy is rooted in the outdated doctrine
of Mutual Assured Destruction, as can be seen in the logic underpinning
the New START treaty. Until he articulates a new vision of arms control
for a multipolar world, Obama's goal of nuclear abolition will not be
realized.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,736379,00.html#ref=nlint

--------------------

The World from Berlin: 'Barack Obama Was the Biggest Loser of 2010'
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,736320,00.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE DENISOVAN CODE
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Researchers Decipher DNA of Mysterious Human Ancestor
The human family just got a new relative. Genetic researchers in Leipzig
have deciphered the DNA of a hominid species that coexisted with Homo
sapiens and Neanderthals around 40,000 years ago. A tiny piece of bone
was enough for them to sequence the genome.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,736454,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNWANTED ATTENTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

German Far Right Praises New Swiss Law
It's the kind of attention the Swiss would rather avoid. Following last
month's referendum in Switzerland approving the deportation of criminal
foreigners, Germany's extreme-right party the NPD has praised the Alpine
nation -- and sent out hundreds of thousands of fawning postcards.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,736428,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
PICTURE THIS
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dog Days of Winter


http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,736448,00.html#ref=nlint