OVERWHELMING MAJORITY
------------------------------
Merkel Wins Parliament Vote on Fund Leveraging
The German parliament has voted in favor of the controversial leveraging
of the euro rescue fund by a large majority, with 503 out of 596 members
of parliament backing the motion, 89 opposing it and four abstaining.
The outcome is expected to strengthen Chancellor Angela Merkel at a
summit on the debt crisis in Brussels on Wednesday night.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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GERMAN PARLIAMENTARY VOTE
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Merkel Says Future Peace and Prosperity At Stake in Crisis Talks
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, facing a parliamentary vote on a new
euro rescue package on Wednesday, said she was convinced the measures
can help the EU to overcome the crisis. She declared that Europe's peace
and prosperity were at stake, and that history would condemn EU leaders
if they failed to live up to their duty.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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'IT'S POLITICS, STUPID!'
------------------------------
Don't Just Bash the Bankers
Enraged crowds have been gathering in New York and other cities around
the world to protest against presumed bank misconduct. Many in politics
have sought to profit from their anger. But blaming the financial
industry misses the point. It is the politicians themselves who are to
blame.
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
------------------------------
'Should Berlusconi Not Deliver, the Euro Could Fall'
French and German demands for austerity in Italy have put Prime Minister
Berlusconi in a tight spot. Italian newspapers are reporting that he may
call new elections as a result. German commentators agree that it is
time for Berlusconi to go, but that Merkel and Sarkozy were wrong to
chide him.
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
THE BREIVIK INTERROGATIONS
------------------------------
Norway Massacre Suspect Reveals All But Motive
Anders Behring Breivik has admitted to killing 77 Norwegians during a
bombing and shooting massacre in July. Investigators say he is almost
overly eager to talk. Still, after 100 hours of questioning, they have
seen no signs of remorse and have little information about what really
motivated him to kill.
http://www.spiegel.de/
--------------------
Photo Gallery: Searching for Reasons Behind the Massacre
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
VICTORY FOR ENNAHDA
------------------------------
Why Tunisians Voted for the Islamists
In a major setback for Tunisia's elite, the Islamist Ennahda Party looks
set to lead the country's first democratically elected government. They
appealed to the common people who sought greater credibility in
politics. But concerns the country might soon become a new theocracy are
exaggerated, because Tunisian Islamists are looking to Turkey as their
model.
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
'BITTER' MILITARY REFORM
------------------------------
Defense Ministry Releases Base Closure List
After months of wrangling with state officials, the German Defense
Ministry on Wednesday released its plans to shrink and close military
bases across the nation. Part of reforms to streamline the German
military, the plans sparked calls for the goverment
to give financial support to the affected communities.
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
'YOU DON'T NEED MONEY'
------------------------------
German Quiz Contestant Fired After Winning 32,000 Euros
A woman who won 32,000 euros on the German version of "Who Wants To Be a
Millionaire" on Monday was brought back down to earth the next morning
when her boss fired her via text message. Her employer reportedly told
her, she "doesn't need the money."
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
THE CHANGING CLIMATE
------------------------------
Chinese Scientists Warn of Significant Glacier Melt
Glaciers are shrinking worldwide -- some of them rapidly. Now Chinese
researchers have sounded the alarm in their country too, where they say
warmer weather and increased precipitation are reducing the size of
glaciers. Water shortages and floods could result.
http://www.spiegel.de/
--------------------
Photo Gallery: Melting Glaciers in China
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
NATURE CALLING
------------------------------
Court Relieves Train Attendant of Peeing Fine
A year ago, Germany's national railway fined a train attendant 100 euros
after he advised a passenger who urgently needed to pee to do so in a
trash bin in first class. The man appealed the fine and, on Wednesday, a
court ruled in the his favor, saying he had made the best of a bad
situation.
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
RECHARGEABLE RECREATION
------------------------------
Electric Boat Market Takes Off in Switzerland
A new line of boats might look like classic Italian-made Rivas, but they
have motors for the 21st century. The Swiss manufacturer Boesch has
become a leader in manufacturing stylish and functional electric boats,
propelled by power cells from the defense industry.
http://www.spiegel.de/
--------------------
Photo Gallery: Battery Powered Boats
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
PICTURE THIS
------------------------------
Fired Up
http://www.spiegel.de/
