| SPIEGEL ONLINE | INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER |
| Compiled on May 24, 2012, 06:09 PM CET |
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Greece and the Common Currency
Euro Zone Developing Grexit Contingency Plan With Greeks heading to the polls once again in June, finance ministries in euro-zone member states are preparing for the worst. Several media outlets are reporting that contingency plans are being developed to prepare for a Greek exit from the common currency zone. |
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Defective Joy Gene
Study Finds Germans Incapable of Enjoying Life With low unemployment and solid economic growth, things are going better than ever for Germans. But a new study shows they're practically incapable of enjoying it. Not only do they find it difficult to cut loose and experience pleasure, but their "joy gene" is broken, researchers say. |
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Illegal Immigrants in Greece
At the Mercy of the People Smugglers Many of the illegal immigrants in the EU arrive via Greece, which is overwhelmed by the flood of incomers. The would-be migrants are ruthlessly exploited by people smugglers, and many of them die in the attempt to get to Europe. SPIEGEL heard the stories of a group of young Bangladeshi men who made it to Athens -- and discovered the reality behind the dream. |
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The Role of the Father
Honor Killing Verdict Has Prosecutors Wanting More A German court last week convicted and sentenced five siblings in the kidnapping and murder of their younger sister Arzu. Prosecutors, however, are still not satisfied. They believe that the family's father ordered the honor killing and are hoping to find enough evidence to put him behind bars. |
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France Dominates EU Summit
Hollande Steals the Show from Merkel French President François Hollande managed to set the tone at his first EU summit with his proposal for euro bonds. It was the first such meeting in years that was not dominated by Chancellor Merkel. Hollande wanted to send the message that France will be more assertive in the future. |
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Renewable Energy Ambitions
Norway Wants to Become Europe's Battery Because wind and solar energy are inconsistent, energy managers are looking for ways to fill in the gaps when it is dark outside and the air is still. A Norwegian company wants to turn hydroelectric power stations in the north into Europe's battery packs. |
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The World from Berlin
Merkel Faces 'Herculean' Task on Green Energy German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a summit Wednesday to review the lack of progress in the country's dramatic nuclear phaseout and shift to renewable energies. On the editorial pages, many commentators are critical of government policies that have caused electricity prices to soar. |
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Body Hunt
Police Stage Major Raids on German Hells Angels They were looking for a body, and ended up shooting a dog. Some 1,000 police took part in a series of raids on sites linked to the Hells Angels outlaw biker club in northern Germany on Thursday morning. Several arrests were made in the search for evidence in connection with various crimes, including human and weapons trafficking. |
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