| SPIEGEL ONLINE | INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER |
| Compiled on February 24, 2012, 05:54 PM CET |
| THE WORLD FROM BERLIN 'The Shame Must Continue to Burn in Our Hearts' On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid tribute to the families of immigrants murdered by a neo-Nazi terror cell. Newspaper editorialists across the political spectrum agree that the event was a wake-up call for Germans and that it's time to become tolerant and accepting of the country's large immigrant population. |
| RIGHT FOR THE JOB Placement Service a Boon for People with Asperger's Many people with Asperger's syndrome have difficulties in the job market and workplace, but they also have special abilities that many employers crave. A Danish company has found a way to bring the two together and is exporting its successful job-placement concept to other countries. |
| 'I, PUTIN' An Inside Look at Russia's Aging, Lonely Leader The world is used to macho images of Vladimir Putin hunting bears, harpooning whales or fly-fishing. A German documentary filmmaker was recently granted unprecedented access to the Russian prime minister. And he found a lonely, aging and surprisingly likeable man. |
| FLEEING THE PEOPLE'S PARADISE Successful Chinese Emigrating to West in Droves Despite their country's stunning economic growth, many successful Chinese entrepreneurs are emigrating to the West. For them, the Chinese government is too arbitrary and unpredictable, and they view their children's prospects as better in the West. |
| MERKEL'S SWITCH TO RENEWABLES Rising Energy Prices Endanger German Industry Last spring, Chancellor Angela Merkel set Germany on course to eliminate nuclear power in favor of renewable energy sources. Now, though, several industries are suffering as electricity prices rapidly rise. Many companies are having to close factories or move abroad. |
| THE FREE SYRIAN ARMY FRONT Deserters Battle Assad from Turkey At first they served the regime, but now they are fighting against it. Operating out of southern Turkey, units of the Free Syrian Army, driven by hatred toward Assad, are infiltrating their home country and fighting soldiers loyal to the dictator. SPIEGEL ONLINE visits the troops. |
| ROTTEN, VICIOUS TIMES Burma's Punk Scene Fights Repression Underground Despite signs of greater openness, Burma's government continues to wield an iron fist. Among its targets is the punk scene, whose bands are forced to play and practice in secret to avoid harsh punishments. Here, punk isn't a lifestyle. It is an act of genuine rebellion. |
| OBEYING EU RULES German Budget Deficit Plunges to 1 Percent of GDP After violating European Union deficit rules in recent years, Germany's budget shortfall in 2011 plunged to just 1 percent of gross domestic product, well below the 3 percent limit. The economic outlook for 2012 may be improving as well. |
| AIRLINE TRADE WAR? Global Opposition Grows against EU Emissions Law The rest of the world is furious at the EU's plan to impose emissions fees on airlines flying to Europe. This week, representatives of almost two dozen countries met in Moscow to sign a joint protest. Some say that a trade war may be imminent. |
| PROTESTS OVER KORAN BURNING Germany Closes Afghan Military Base Early The German military said Friday it would move up the planned closure of a base in northern Afghanistan in response to deadly protests over the inadvertent burning of copies of the Koran by a US soldier. The base would have been shuttered in March, but officials worried its security could not be maintained in the face of the demonstrations. |
| NUREMBERG'S BRATWURST DILEMMA Is Iran Conflict Increasing Sausage Costs? For centuries, the citizens of Nuremberg have celebrated their petite bratwurst, which are often served up by the half dozen on heart-shaped plates. But one local producer says his costs have nearly tripled in the past 18 months, due to the rising costs of one key ingredient: sheep's intestines from Iran. |
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