Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIGNITY AND DEMOCRACY
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Escaping the Clutches of the Financial Markets
In today's Europe, the people are no longer in control. Instead,
politicians have become slaves to financial institutions and the
markets. We are partly to blame -- and changes are urgently needed to
nurse European democracy back to health.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,766518,00.html#ref=nlint

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

The Euro-Zone and Greece: Trichet's Dream of a European Finance Ministry
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,766440,00.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE EURO-ZONE AND GREECE
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trichet's Dream of a European Finance Ministry
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet envisions a future
in which Brussels can veto the budgets of debt-ridden euro-zone
countries. It's not likely to happen anytime soon, but the ongoing
problems in Greece demonstrate the perils of business as usual.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,766440,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEATH IN VENICE
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resurrecting Schlingensief at the Biennale
German filmmaker, theater director and artist Christoph Schlingensief
died before finishing his upcoming exhibition at the Venice
Biennale, but preparations went on without him. But should a dead man
represent the country? A preview reveals that his death created a unique
opportunity to re-examine his legacy.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,766151,00.html#ref=nlint

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

Cucumber Warning 'Remains as Valid as Before'
The Spanish government is demanding compensation for its vegetable
farmers after a German warning that cucumbers were the cause of the E.
coli outbreak proved to be false. German newspapers are divided over
whether the early warning against Spanish cucumbers was an appropriate
measure.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,766438,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FESTIVAL
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Berlin Architect Presents DIY 'Welfare' Furniture 
Everyone can afford hip furniture, according to Berlin architect Le Van
Bo. A presenter at the 9th International Design Festival in the German
capital, he shows visitors how to build their own "Hartz IV" furniture,
named after the country's welfare system. Frugal DIY-lovers can find
instructions online -- for free, of course.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,766468,00.html#ref=nlint

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

Photo Gallery: 'Welfare' Furniture for Everyone
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-68807.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATOMIC AMUSEMENTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turning a Nuclear White Elephant into a Funfair
In the early 1970s, construction began in Germany on what was supposed
to be the world's most technologically advanced nuclear power plant. But
public protests and nuclear disasters elsewhere kept the plant from ever
going online -- and then a Dutch developer with a dream arrived on the
scene.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,766424,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME-GROWN MILITANT 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Terrorists Claim German Jihadist Dead in Afghanistan
A German jihadist has been killed in fighting with US soldiers in
Afghanistan, a major terrorist organization in the region is reporting.
The man from Essen appears to have been killed only two months after
entering into the war-torn country.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,766406,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIDWIFE CRISIS
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reforms Needed to Stem Shortage of Birth Caregivers
Midwives are a regular feature of childbirth in Germany, but it is
getting a lot harder for expectant parents to find them. Stagnating
birth rates and skyrocketing liability insurance premiums have led many
midwives to look for other jobs. Some regions are already suffering for
lack of available care.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,766195,00.html#ref=nlint