FLAWED ROLE MODEL
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Germany's Finances Not as Sound as Believed
The German government likes to pride itself on its solid finances and
claim the country is a safe haven for investors. But Germany's budget
management is not nearly as exemplary as it would have people believe,
and the national debt is way over the EU's limit. In some respects,
Italy's finances are in much better shape.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
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Will Merkel Change Her Tune on Euro Bonds?
Brussels on Tuesday intensified pressure on Berlin to consider a new
proposal for the implementation of euro bonds, but resistance
from Merkel's center-right coalition remains fierce. Still, as the euro
crisis grows increasingly dire, some German commentators feel that the
chancellor will ultimately change her mind.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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BROKEN AMERICA
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The Country of Limited Possibilities
The failure of the bipartisan supercommittee to reach agreement on
spending cuts shows the extent of the gridlock in Washington. The
country's politicians seem unable to tackle America's pressing problems.
As the election campaign begins in earnest, there is little hope of
compromise.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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AN ULTIMATUM
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Arab League Fed Up With Syrian Violence
Eight months after the deadly uprising began in Syria, the country seems
to be reaching a turning point. The Arab League, previously an obstacle
to change, is now pushing for an end to the Assad regime. The Emir of
Qatar is spearheading the movement.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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WAR LEFTOVERS IN THE RHINE
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Low Water Levels Lead to Explosive Finds
A dry autumn has led to low water levels in Germany's Rhine River. But
the newly exposed banks haven't just revealed rocks and junk. Passersby
in recent days have also found two bombs and a few barrels of
smoke-screen chemicals left over from World War II.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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Photo Gallery: Bombs on the River Bank
http://www.spiegel.de/
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TROUBLESOME TROJANS
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Firm Sought to Install Spyware Via Faked iTunes Updates
A surveillance firm claims it can distribute its spyware via faked
iTunes updates. Apple appears to have moved to eliminate the security
gap, but the debate over trojans used by governments, both democratic
and otherwise, continues to boil.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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MONSTERS, INC.
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Gaming Firm Emerges as Global Player
You may not have heard the name Wooga yet, but there is a good chance
you've seen 'Monster World' or of the company's games on Facebook. The
Berlin based start-up is the world's third biggest maker of so-called
casual games, a fast-growing market segment that has attracted around 35
million users to the company's products.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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'AN ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY'
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German Parliament Condemns Neo-Nazi Terror
"We are deeply ashamed," the German parliament declared in a joint
statement issued on Tuesday condemning the crimes committed by a
neo-Nazi terror cell. Bundestag President Norbert Lammert apologized to
the families of the victims, who may now receive compensation from the
German government.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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PICTURE THIS
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Out of the Blue
http://www.spiegel.de/
