LEADERS SAY RESCUE ON TRACK
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Merkozy Upbeat Despite Return of Euro Crisis
Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy have once again shown a common front
in the euro crisis, insisting that the euro zone is well on track to
agreeing on binding debt rules, and papering over differences on the
financial transaction tax. Merkel also said Greece must speed up debt
restructuring talks -- or the next aid tranche won't be paid out.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH CZECH FOREIGN MINISTER
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'We Have to Move Away from a Europe of Small Minds'
In a SPIEGEL interview, Czech Foreign Minister Karl Fürst zu
Schwarzenberg attacks European politicians for lacking vision, describes
the resentment felt by small EU members at the dominance of Germany and
France and warns the Germans against megalomania in their defense of the
euro.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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RESISTANCE FROM PRIVATE CREDITORS
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Doubts Grow over Greek Debt Restructuring
The outlook for cash-strapped Greece is looking increasingly bleak.
Government reforms are behind target, and negotiations with private
creditors over voluntary debt relief are stalled. A disorderly default
could be just weeks away.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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NEW WORRIES ABOUT GREECE
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Euro Falls Ahead of Merkel-Sarkozy Meeting in Berlin
Greece's continuing inability to bring its debt problems under control
is putting the euro under severe pressure ahead of Monday's meeting
between Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy, which is expected to prepare
the next EU summit on Jan 30. The Czech central bank chief said Greece
may have to quit the euro.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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GERMANY AND THE ECB
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'Either Way, We're Trapped'
Berlin appears to be losing influence at the European Central Bank.
Leading economist Hans-Werner Sinn, 63, believes that Germany has been
'pushed to the margins' at the institution and that its hardline
positions on monetary policy are a thing of the past.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
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Scandal 'Could Mean the End of Merkel's Government'
German President Christian Wulff refuses to step down amid a scandal
involving a threatening phone call to a major newspaper and dodgy
business dealings. German commentators warn that his resignation could
cause Angela Merkel's government to collapse.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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SOCIALISM AND WELFARE
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Republicans Bash Europe in Search of Votes
Europe is socialist, bloated and a threat to the global economy. That
appears to be the message from the ongoing presidential campaign in the
US. Republicans in particular have discovered Europe as a convenient
punching bag -- and have even begun accusing each other of being too
"European."
http://www.spiegel.de/
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INSIDER TRADING SUSPICIONS
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Swiss Central Bank Chairman Hildebrand Resigns
The president of the Swiss National Bank resigned on Monday amid ongoing
suspicions about a lucrative currency trade made by his wife. Philipp
Hildebrand said he could not prove he didn't know about the transaction
and wanted to protect the central bank's reputation.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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MERKEL'S COALITION PARTNERS UNRAVEL
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Confidence Wanes in FDP Leader Rösler
Despite efforts to breathe new life into their faltering message, Free
Democratic Party leader Philipp Rösler could be forced to step down
soon. Should he fall, Chancellor Merkel could lose much more than a key
political partner. Her entire cabinet could face a significant
reshuffle.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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'EUROPE'S GUANTANAMO'
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Öcalan Lawyer Discusses PKK Leader's Detention
Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party, is
locked up in a remote island prison and denied access to legal
representatives. His lawyer Mahmut Sakar, who fled to Germany, discusses
Öcalan's isolation, secret talks with the government and Turkey's recent
military escalation against the Kurds.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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PICTURE THIS
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Beach Read
http://www.spiegel.de/
