| SPIEGEL ONLINE | INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER |
| Compiled on June 27, 2012, 06:17 PM CET |
| 'SELF DECEPTION AND SHAM SOLUTIONS' Merkel Blasts Euro Partners on Eve of Summit German Chancellor Angela Merkel has signalled she is ready for a fight at Thursday's summit, criticizing the euro reform blueprint presented by top EU officials and again ruling out jointly issued debt in the strongest of terms. She warned that Germany can't save the euro on its own. |
| WINDOW DRESSING FOR HOLLANDE The Empty Promise of Europe's 'Growth Pact' French President François Hollande promised his voters a growth pact to counteract Germany's obsession with austerity. Now, he has gotten what he asked for, nominally at least. But the pact, which will be agreed to at this week's EU summit, is full of hot air. |
| THE COMING EU SUMMIT CLASH Merkel Vows 'No Euro Bonds as Long as I Live' German Chancellor Angela Merkel has come out stronger than ever against euro-zone debt sharing, telling a group of parliamentarians that there would be no euro bonds "as long as I live." Her tough stance guarantees conflict with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti at this week's pivotal EU summit in Brussels. |
| THE WORLD FROM BERLIN 'States Must Sacrifice Sovereignty to Save Euro' Do European leaders trust each other enough to take the steps necessary to secure the long-term existence of the euro? German commentators warn that fundamental questions must be answered at Thursday's EU summit. |
| A LESS TOXIC ENVIRONMENT Austrian Family Lives a Life without Plastic Is it possible to live modern life without plastic? One Austrian family, concerned about dangers to the environment and health caused by the material, decided to find out. What was meant to last a month has evolved into a new way of life. |
| BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE The Tragic Decline of Gibraltar's Spanish Neighbor Many places in Spain are suffering as a result of the euro crisis, but few have been hit as hard as La Línea, a Spanish town which neighbors the prosperous British overseas territory of Gibraltar. With the city on the verge of bankruptcy, many residents have turned to smuggling to earn money. |
| PARENTS VS. THE STATE Muslims and Jews Outraged by Circumcision Ruling Leaders of Germany's Jewish and Muslim communities have criticized a court ruling they fear could make circumcision a punishable offense in the country. Only 10 percent of German boys are circumcised, but the issue of whether parents should be able to decide if their children undergo the procedure remains divisive. |
| ON THE VERGE OF GREATNESS Germany's Shy Football Prodigy Mesut Özil Mesut Özil's fans expect him to break into the ranks of the world's top footballers soon. But the talented midfielder, who is marketed by his ambitious father, has had difficulty finding his stride in the 2012 European Football Championship. Was the quarterfinal game against Greece his breakthrough? |
| 'BETTER BODYGUARDS' Ukraine's Elite Female Force Protects Euro 2012 Outfitted with high heels, pearl necklaces and automatic weapons, female Ukrainian police officers are being trained for an elite unit of personal bodyguards. As the European Football Championship continues, their latest clients include UEFA officials and star players. |
| PICTURE THIS In Deep Water |
