Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

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A SLOW POISON ATTACKING DEMOCRACY
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Facebook Generation Fights Hungarian Media Law
As Hungary takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union,
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has introduced a new law aimed at gagging
the media. The Facebook generation is up in arms. But Orbán remains
largely unchallenged in his country, where most people have other
worries.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,737455,00.html#ref=nlint

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MOUNTAIN REVOLT
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Bavarian Farmers Threaten Bid for Olympic Games
Resistance from disgruntled farmers in the Alpine town of
Garmisch-Partenkirchen has rattled Germany's dream of hosting the 2018
Winter Olympics. While skating legend Katarina Witt and others scramble
to save the bid, controversy has torn apart the peaceful mountain
resort.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,737654,00.html#ref=nlint

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Photo Gallery: Trouble in the Hills
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-63212.html#ref=nlint


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FLYING HIGH IN DUBAI
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Emirates Leaves Rivals in Slipstream
The Dubai-based airline Emirates is considered the world's most
successful and has ambitious plans to expand. Its European rivals such
as Lufthansa and British Airways accuse the airline of benefitting from
massive state subsidies. But the reality is more complicated.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,737603,00.html#ref=nlint

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A LEADER UNDER SIEGE
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Immediate Threat Waning, But Westerwelle Faces Tough Year
Guido Westerwelle, the head of the business-friendly Free Democratic
Party, has faced an unprecedented challenge within his party in recent
days. His performance at a party conference this week and upcoming,
pivotal state elections are likely to determine his political fate.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,737772,00.html#ref=nlint

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AFTERMATH OF ALEXANDRIA BLAST
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European Police Protect Coptic Churches
The bomb attack against a Coptic church in Egypt, along with a list of
targets found on a radical Muslim website, have led police in several
European countries to guard Coptic churches ahead of Orthodox Christmas
celebrations on Friday. Moderate Muslims have offered to help.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,737794,00.html#ref=nlint

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HOSTILE TAKEOVER
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Spain's ACS Secures Crucial Stake in Rival Hochtief
Hochtief's battle to remain independent suffered a setback on Tuesday
when Spanish builder ACS said it had crossed a crucial 30 percent stake
threshold beyond which its bid to seize control of the German rival
becomes easier.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,737648,00.html#ref=nlint

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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
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'End of an Era' as Germany Suspends Conscription
The German army received its last round of conscripts on Monday ahead of
the official suspension of the draft later this year. German
commentators have reacted to the end of a tradition with mixed feelings.
Some miss the camaraderie of the barracks, while others argue the
reforms are long overdue.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,737668,00.html#ref=nlint

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SLAVISH OBEDIENCE
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Police Stop Leather-Clad Fetishist Out for a Walk
A 45-year-old German man into sadomasochism got into trouble with the
police after slavishly obeying an order by his dominatrix to walk
through town wearing his leather fetish outfit.  

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,737674,00.html#ref=nlint

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PICTURE THIS
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Purple Snow


http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,737697,00.html#ref=nlint