Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Wednesday 29 February 2012



SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
Compiled on February 29, 2012, 06:11 PM CET
Capital Flight

Southern European Money Migrating North to Safety

More and more people in southern euro-zone countries are moving their money north amid fears of losing their savings in the crisis. The capital flight makes things difficult for banks back home, but experts say there are no legal measures to stop it. Any steps would probably come too late, they say, and might even endanger the European project.

When in Doubt, Call Them Nazis

Ugly Stereotypes of Germany Resurface in Greece

Greeks have gone from being big fans of Germans to comparing them to Nazis dead-set on using financial means to establish the "Fourth Reich." What was once the type of exaggeration mostly found in caricatures has now become a genuine, widespread and worrisome belief among Greeks.

Fiscal Pact Referendum

'A Decisive Moment' for Ireland in Europe

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has announced his country will hold a referendum on Europe's fiscal pact. A "no" vote in Ireland could cause uncertainty on the financial markets and even put the future of the common currency in doubt. But with the country still dependent on EU aid, the Irish can't afford to say no.

Juncker Piles on the Pressure

Merkel Stuck in the Euro Firewall Trap

Merkel is damned if she does -- but Europe could be damned if she doesn't. Pressure is growing on the German chancellor to drop her government's opposition to significantly increasing the size of the permanent euro backstop fund. But such a move would carry significant political risks for Merkel at home.

The World from Berlin

'We Can't Sacrifice Democracy to Save the Euro'

On Tuesday, Germany's highest court delivered a possible setback to Chancellor Angela Merkel's efforts to rescue the euro by ruling that a secret committee meant to fast-track approval for bailouts was largely unconstitutional. German commentators mainly supported the court's ruling, arguing that democracy shouldn't be sacrificed in the fight to save the euro.

Quayle Redux

A Silent Romney Would Be a Better Romney

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney may be the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, but he has developed a curious penchant for tripping over his own tongue. Particularly when talking about money, he has increasingly veered into Dan Quayle territory. His verbal slip-ups could ultimately doom his campaign.

Remembering Anne Frank

'I Knew Nothing about the Profundity of Her Thoughts'

They lay hidden away in an attic in Basel for decades before being discovered. But now many of the belongings of Anne Frank's family -- including thousands of letters and toys -- will be displayed at the Jewish Museum in the family's hometown of Frankfurt. In an interview, SPIEGEL ONLINE speaks with Buddy Elias, Anne's closest cousin and last surviving direct relative.

The Pipe-Smoking Buccaneer

City Frees Its Maverick Savior from Nazi Taint

Felix Graf von Luckner was a World War I pirate hero, best-selling author and all-round character. Although the pipe-smoking daredevil saved the German city of Halle from being destroyed by Allied bombs, it never recognized him because of his alleged Nazi ties. Now, historians have concluded that Luckner may have been a rogue, but he was never an actual Nazi.

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