Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

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ITALY MYSTIFIED BY SHIPWRECK CAPTAIN 
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The Bizarre Behavior of Francesco Schettino
Captain Francesco Schettino seems less credible with each statement he
makes about the Costa Concordia disaster. Italians wonder whether he was
under the influence of drugs or in shock after the accident, while
fellow officers describe him as a daredevil. One said he would "even
drive a bus like a Ferrari."

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809927,00.html#ref=nlint

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POOR AND PREJUDICED
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Eastern Europe Swings Right
Hungary is almost broke and has lurched to the right so sharply that the
EU has launched legal action in defense of democracy. But the problem is
far more widespread: Nationalists and populists are gaining ground
across Eastern Europe.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809827,00.html#ref=nlint

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SOLAR SUBSIDY SINKHOLE
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Re-Evaluating Germany's Blind Faith in the Sun
The costs of subsidizing solar electricity have exceeded the
100-billion-euro mark in Germany, but poor results are
jeopardizing the country's transition to renewable energy. The
government is struggling to come up with a new concept to promote the
inefficient technology in the future.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,809439,00.html#ref=nlint

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UNFILTERED DEMOCRACY
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Why Germany Should Get Rid of the Presidency
Germany's President Christian Wulff is embroiled in a tiresome scandal
over his personal finances, even as many continue to insist on
maintaining a special respect for his office. But it's a meaningless and
even humiliating job, and one the country should consider finally
abolishing in favor of more honest governance.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,809677,00.html#ref=nlint

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BERLIN START-UP 6WUNDERKINDER
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Hopes are High for 'Workplace Facebook'
With more than a million downloads of its first app and a big investment
from Skype's co-founder, 6Wunderkinder is already a significant player
in the Berlin start-up scene. It now wants to establish itself as a
major European company with the soon-to-be-released
Wunderkit, a "Facebook for the workplace."

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,798290,00.html#ref=nlint

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Photo Gallery: Where Wunderkids Go to Play
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-75424.html#ref=nlint


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SIX-BILLION-EURO GAP 
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Commerzbank Shortfall 'Bigger Than First Thought'
Commerzbank, Germany's second-largest bank, needs even more capital
than  previously believed, according to reports. The bank may be forced
to take emergency steps to tackle the six-billion-euro shortfall.
Meanwhile, ratings agency Moody's may downgrade Commerzbank's
creditworthiness.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,809819,00.html#ref=nlint

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RATING AGENCY DOWNGRADES
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'Anglo-American Interests' and the Currency War Myth
The Germans love a good conspiracy theory. The latest is about the evil
American rating agencies that want to destroy the wonderful euro. It is
a viewpoint shared even in the highest political circles. But that
doesn't make it any less absurd.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809696,00.html#ref=nlint

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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
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Hungarian Leader 'Infected with Bonaparte Virus'
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán plans to defend himself before
European Parliament on Wednesday. But German commentators aren't cutting
him much slack. They say the EU was right to crack down on Budapest for
its authoritarian and undemocratic reforms.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809799,00.html#ref=nlint

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NEW POLAR BEAR CUB
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Knut's Half-Sibling Born in German Zoo
A polar bear that shares the same father as Berlin celebrity Knut (RIP)
has been born in Wuppertal. There appears to be a distinct family
resemblance, although "Anori," whose gender is still unknown, has the
good fortune of not having been rejected by its mother.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,809822,00.html#ref=nlint

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Photo Gallery: Knut's Half-Sibling Born in German Zoo
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-77506.html#ref=nlint


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SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL FUCHS
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Solar Subsidy 'Insanity' Will Cost Consumers
In a SPIEGEL interview, deputy parliamentary floor leader for the
conservative Christian Democrats, Michael Fuchs, discusses the mistakes
made in Germany's subsidy policy for solar energy.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,809529,00.html#ref=nlint

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PICTURE THIS
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On Ice


http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,809903,00.html#ref=nlint