THE END OF OLD EUROPE
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Why Merkel's Triumph Will Come at a High Price
The euro crisis summit has caused a deep split in the European Union.
Britain has been sidelined, and other member states feel steamrolled by
Germany and France. The future of the common currency is as uncertain as
ever. By SPIEGEL Staff.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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BRITISH LEADER UNDER PRESSURE
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Cameron Insists EU Membership 'Vital' to Britain
British Prime Minister David Cameron, under fire in Europe for blocking
a key EU treaty change, defended his move on Monday and said EU
membership remained 'vital' to the UK. He faces pressure from
euroskeptics who want Britain to quit the bloc -- while his pro-European
coalition partner is fuming.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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NOT-SO-SPLENDID ISOLATION
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Cameron's Veto May Herald End of Britain's EU Membership
By casting his veto at the EU summit, Prime Minister David Cameron has
signaled the beginning of the end of Britain's EU membership. Many in
Europe wouldn't be sorry to see Britain go. But Germany in particular
might miss the country as a reliable counterweight to profligate
southern EU members.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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BRITAIN AND THE EU
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The Failure of a Forced Marriage
Was the outcome of the Brussels summit a bad one for the EU? Not at all.
The British were never completely dedicated to European unity and the
ongoing project of greater fiscal integration is better off without
them.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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Photo Gallery: Europe's Leaders to the Rescue
http://www.spiegel.de/
Quote Gallery: 'I'm Glad We're Not in the Euro'
http://www.spiegel.de/
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EUROPE'S TOP BANK REGULATOR
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'The Crisis Has Reached a Systemic Level'
A stress test performed on European banks last week found a capital
shortfall of some 115 billion euros. In a SPIEGEL interview, European
Banking Authority head Andrea Enria defends the decision to perform the
stress test and discusses the huge challenges facing the European
banking sector.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
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The Durban Climate Agreement 'Is Almost Useless'
The climate talks in Durban ended with an agreement to agree on a new
agreement on emissions cuts in coming years. The outcome was hailed as
historic by the organizers, but German commentators say the pledges
remain too vague and the progress too slow -- while global warming is
accelerating.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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LESSONS FROM DURBAN
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How To Create a Successful UN Climate Summit
Once again, a UN climate summit has ended with limited results. In the
end, the blockers and procrastinators prevailed. That's why the next
global meeting must be transformed into a forum for mutual learning and
not just one for haggling and meaningless legalese.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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THE WEB VS. PUTIN
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Taking on Russia's Old Guard with New Technology
The disputed elections in Russia have unleashed a wave of rage and
sparked the largest anti-government protests since the end of the Soviet
Union, organized via the Internet. The Kremlin seems powerless to stop
the online activists as Russians lose their fear. For the first time,
Vladimir Putin seems vulnerable.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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Photo Gallery: Russians Protest Electoral Fraud
http://www.spiegel.de/
Photo Gallery: Opposing Putin 2.0
http://www.spiegel.de/
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INFILTRATING THE FAR-RIGHT
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German Intelligence Has 130 Informants in Extremist Party
Following revelations about a neo-Nazi terror cell believed to have
murdered at least 10 people, Germans want to see the right-wing
extremist party NPD banned. But new figures reveal just how hard that
would be. SPIEGEL has learned that German intelligence has fully 130
informants in the party.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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SPIKED SCHNAPPS
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Man Drugs Visitors to Berlin Christmas Markets
Christmas markets in Berlin receive millions of visitors every year and
provide a window into German festive culture. But a middle-aged man
serving vodka-schnapps spiked with what may be a date-rape drug is
spreading fear in the nation's capital, with eight victims in the past
week. Your Glühwein is safe, but beware of free drinks from strangers,
police warn.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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DEATH PENALTY OPPOSITION
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EU Set to Ban Export of Drug Used in US Executions
States in the US have long been having difficulty gaining access to a
drug used in lethal injection cocktails. A new European Union regulation
will make it even harder. As of the end of this week, EU pharmaceutical
companies will no longer be allowed to export thiopental for use in
executions.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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MARKED FALL IN LAST 10 YEARS
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Life Expectancy Shrinks for Germans on Low Incomes
For a long time German life expectancy moved in just one direction:
People were living longer and longer. But this trend has reversed -- at
least for those on a low income. Their life expectancy has gradually
declined over the past 10 years, a newspaper report said on Monday.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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PICTURE THIS
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Brickwork
http://www.spiegel.de/
