Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOSEDIVE IN BUDAPEST
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Political Origins of Hungary's Economic Crisis
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán came into power on a wave of
political disillusionment. But his policies have not only caused many to
question his commitment to democracy, but have also steered Hungary to
the brink of insolvency.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809434,00.html#ref=nlint

--------------------

Unlawful Constitution: EU Takes Legal Action Against Hungary 
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809669,00.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNLAWFUL CONSTITUTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

EU Takes Legal Action Against Hungary 
The European Commission has launched legal proceedings against Hungary,
accusing it of breaching EU treaties with laws that undermine the
independence of the justice system and central bank. The case could
delay the payment of international aid needed to shore up Hungary's
economy.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809669,00.html#ref=nlint

--------------------

Nosedive in Budapest: The Political Origins of Hungary's Economic Crisis
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809434,00.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPTAIN UNDER FIRE
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hopes Fade for Finding Survivors in Wrecked Ship
Rescue workers on Tuesday began blasting holes into the hull of stricken
cruise ship Costa Concordia in a last-ditch attempt to find possible
survivors. Hope, however, is dimming as attention begins to shift to
accusations that the captain abandoned ship well before the evacuation
was complete on Friday night.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809592,00.html#ref=nlint

--------------------

Cutting Close to Shore: 'A Nice Tradition, Normalissima'
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809580,00.html#ref=nlint

Photo Gallery: The Search Continues
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-77456.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUTTING CLOSE TO SHORE
------------------------------------------------------------------------

'A Nice Tradition, Normalissima'
The cruise ship Costa Concordia came carelessly close to the coast of
the Italian island Giglio before it shipwrecked, but the dangerous
maneuver was not an isolated incident. Residents report that such
maritime greetings are commonplace. The mayor even praised one as an
"unequalled spectacle."

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809580,00.html#ref=nlint

--------------------

Captain Under Fire: Hopes Fade for Finding Survivors in Wrecked Ship
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809592,00.html#ref=nlint


------------------------------------------------------------------------
SLOW PROGRESS
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greece Struggles to Make Necessary Reforms
The troika of the EU, the ECB and the IMF is in Athens this week to
negotiate the next tranche of funds for Greece. But the Greek government
is making little headway with the necessary reforms. The slow progress
is jeopardizing the second bailout for the country.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809357,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITALY WARNS OF 'BACKLASH'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rome Demands German Help in Refinancing Debt
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has called on Germany to do more to
help Italy and other debt-stricken nations to push down their borrowing
costs. If the efforts of nations submitting themselves to austerity
programs aren't sufficiently recognized, he said, there will be a
"powerful backlash."

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809549,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
'WITNESS TO EXTERMINATION'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Auschwitz Museum Publishes Prisoner Sketchbook
Found hidden away in a bottle, the Auschwitz Memorial Museum has
published sketches drawn by a prisoner at the Birkenau extermination
camp. They provide a rare first-hand glimpse of life and death
inside. The book is part of the museum's plans to launch a catalogue of
6,000 artworks in its archives.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,809591,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
LETTER FROM BERLIN
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Merkel Prepares to Ditch Ailing FDP in 2013
Chancellor Angela Merkel seems to have abandoned any hope that her
coalition partner, the pro-business Free Democratic Party, will be able
to revive its fortunes in time for the 2013 general election. She has
decided to leave the floundering party to its own devices and focus on
maximising her chances of winning a third term instead.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,809584,00.html#ref=nlint

------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Ratings Agencies Are Not Responsible for Crisis'
Standard and Poor's has downgraded the European bailout fund, the EFSF,
following last week's downgrade of nine euro-zone members. European
politicians are doing their best to exude calm. German observers argue
that the messenger shouldn't be blamed for bad news.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809601,00.html#ref=nlint

--------------------

Slow Progress: Greece Struggles to Make Necessary Reforms
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,809357,00.html#ref=nlint