TAKING ON THE SPECULATORS
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What Would a European Tobin Tax Really Mean?
Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy are pressing forward with plans to
introduce a financial transaction tax in the EU -- if necessary
without Britain, home to Europe's largest financial center. Critics
believe it will cause an exodus of the industry from the euro zone. But
a closer look at the proposal suggests the worst wouldn't necessarily
come true.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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SPIEGEL 360: The Euro Crisis
http://www.spiegel.de/
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LOSING MOMENTUM
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Germany Could Face Recession in 2012
The German economy grew strongly last year, despite the European debt
crisis. Gross domestic product jumped by 3 percent, while the national
deficit sank, the Federal Statistical Office reported on Wednesday. But
experts warn that, given the slight contraction in the final quarter of
last year, Germany could enter a recession in 2012.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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TWO VERSUS 'LA MERKEL'
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Italy and France Team Up against Germany
Germany has long insisted that austerity be the primary strategy used in
confronting the ongoing euro-zone debt crisis. Italy has now joined
France in demanding a more nuanced approach, with Prime Minister Monti
presenting his ideas to Chancellor Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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'REMARKABLE MEASURES'
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Merkel Praises Italian Prime Minister at Berlin Meeting
German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised Italy's willingness to make
speedy reforms on Wednesday in a demonstration of unity with the
country's new leader. And Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti applauded
German budgetary discipline. Concerns that Berlin is playing too
dominant a role in managing the euro crisis, it seems, remained a minor
issue.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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ROMNEY'S NEW HAMPSHIRE WIN
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The GOP's Duracell Bunny Marches On
Mitt Romney won the New Hampshire Republican primary with ease, despite
attacks from a number of party members. He's too robotic, too rich and
lacks principles, they say. But so what? Romney doesn't need to be
perfect, he just needs to be more convincing than his competitors --
and he already is.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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Photo Gallery: Romney's Second Triumph
http://www.spiegel.de/
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THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
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'No Doubt that Bloodshed in Syria Will Continue'
Syrian President Bashar Assad insisted once again on Tuesday that the
uprising in his country is the work of terrorists and foreigners. With
the death count continuing to rise, many observers say he has completely
lost touch with reality. German commentators are not optimistic about
the future.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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AVALANCHE ALERT
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Heavy Snow Has Alpine Towns Struggling to Dig Out
Earlier this winter, Alpine residents complained about a dearth of snow.
But in recent days many find they now have more than they can handle.
Avalanche danger has forced the closure of several roads in southern
Germany and Austria, where several villages also remain cut off from the
outside world.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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Photo Gallery: Winter Finally Hits the Alps
http://www.spiegel.de/
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MAKING SCHOOL A BLAST
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Teacher Accused of Building Pipe Bombs with Students
Police in the German city of Lübeck are investigating reports that a
teacher at a local Waldorf school made pipe bombs with his students. The
kids apparently made gunpowder in class and exploded the devices on a
nearby heath.
http://www.spiegel.de/
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HISTORY REPEATING
------------------------------
Communists Drive Out Vietnamese Cook
Vo Van Than arrived in France in 1979 after fleeing the Communist
government of Vietnam. His rage against the regime dissipated only with
time and the happiness he found in cooking. But now the government has
tried to cast him out again, this time as manager of a popular Paris
restaurant.
http://www.spiegel.de/
------------------------------
PICTURE THIS
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Cover-Up
http://www.spiegel.de/
