LUXEMBOURG'S FOREIGN MINISTER
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Merkel's Fiscal Pact a 'Waste of Time and Energy'
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn is sharply critical
of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's push for an EU fiscal pact. In an
interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, he says it won't hold up. Furthermore,
big countries like Germany and France threaten the currency union with
their egotism, he says.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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EU OIL EMBARGO
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Sanctions Benefit Iran's Revolutionary Guards
The EU has banned oil imports from Iran to try and pressure the regime
into making concessions over its controversial nuclear program. But even
though the Iranian economy is suffering, Tehran is refusing to give
ground. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guards are profiting from the
sanctions.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
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Iran Embargo 'Elevates Dangers to Global Economy'
Tehran has reacted angrily to the European Union agreement reached on
Monday to impose an embargo on Iranian oil. But German commentators say
that the EU had little choice, even if the move is not much more than a
last gasp effort to resolve the conflict peacefully.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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EURO AID FROM THE ESM
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EU Reaches Agreement on Permanent Bailout Fund
Euro-zone finance ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday night
finalized the treaty governing the permanent euro bailout fund, the ESM.
The deal paves the way for the ESM to take effect in July, a year
earlier than planned. German Finance Minister Schäuble also said that
final agreement had been reached on tighter euro-zone budgetary rules.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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INSIDE THE ÉLYSÉE
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'Sarkozy Has Learned to Like Angela Merkel'
The EU's leadership duo of Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy has become
increasingly important over the course of the euro crisis. In a SPIEGEL
interview, a close adviser to Sarkozy provides an inside look at
Europe's most crucial relationship.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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THREAT OF SANCTIONS
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Erdogan Slams 'Racist' France Over Genocide Bill
The French Senate has passed a bill making the denial of genocide --
including the massacre of Armenians in 1915 -- a crime. The Turkish
reaction has been furious. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced
what he called a "racist and discriminatory" attitude towards Turkey.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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'BOOMING SILENCE'
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Europe's Conservatives Fail to Criticize Hungary
Many European politicians feel that democracy is in acute danger in
Hungary, where Viktor Orbán's government has pushed through a series of
controversial laws. But the European People's Party, to which Orbán's
Fidesz party belongs, doesn't want to take action against its Hungarian
colleagues. By SPIEGEL Staff
http://www.spiegel.de/
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GERMAN-PAKISTANI TENSIONS
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Berlin Demands Explanation for 'Spy' Detentions
There is tension between Berlin and Islamabad after Pakistan detained
three alleged German intelligence agents near the Afghan border. The men
were unable to prove their claims to be aid workers. The mysterious
incident has real development organizations worried about their
reputation and safety.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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PICTURE THIS
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Snowbound
http://www.spiegel.de/
