Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Wednesday, 25 July 2012


SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
Compiled on July 25, 2012, 06:36 PM CET
Where Human Rights Collide

Circumcision Debate Has Berlin Searching for Answers

A fierce debate over circumcision has been raging in Germany for weeks and has caught Chancellor Merkel's government off guard. Berlin is now hoping to introduce a law regulating the practice, but it is a delicate issue due to the religious passions involved. It could take years before it is resolved. By SPIEGEL Staff

European Tour

Romney's Trans-Atlantic Policy Needs a Reboot

Likely Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will visit the United Kingdom and Poland at a time when the GOP's policy toward Europe seems to be trapped in the days of the Cold War. It will be a chance for him to update his outdated views.

'We're Too Frightened to Talk'

Christians Flee from Radical Rebels in Syria

Thousands of Syrians are fleeing into neighboring Lebanon -- not entirely due to fear of the Assad regime. The country's minority Christian population is suffering under attacks waged by rebel troops. In the Beqaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, Christian families are finding temporary refuge, but they are still terrified.

Spreading Euro Fire

Economists Warn EU on 'Threshold of Catastrophe'

The euro crisis has returned with a vengeance this week, with Greece potentially facing bankruptcy, Spain teetering towards a bailout and even Germany at risk of losing its top credit rating. A group of prominent economists are calling for a radical restructuring of Europe and the euro zone to prevent a disaster of "incalculable proportions."

Spanish Flu

Moody's Casts Doubt on Euro Bailout Fund

It has been a bad week for the euro, and it's only Wednesday. Spanish bond yields are surging on fears that Madrid will need a full bailout, Moody's has cut the outlook for a euro bailout fund and EU officials say Greece is "hugely off track" with reforms. Not surprisingly, German businesses are worried.

Tax Loopholes

How Swiss Bank Pictet Attracts German Millionaires

Pictet, a reputable Swiss private bank, uses a letterbox company in Panama and a tax loophole involving investments in London to gain German millionaires as clients. Germany's tax authorities are working hard to shut the loophole down.

'Loopholes as Big as a Barn Door'

German Tax Treaty with Switzerland Could Crumble

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble is battling domestic opposition to rescue a planned tax treaty with Switzerland that could mean billions in additional revenues for Germany. Meanwhile, many tax evaders are moving their money from Switzerland to Singapore and Shanghai.

Belgian Mayor Furious

Resort to Seek Damages for Weather Forecast

The Belgian North Sea resort of Knokke-Heist suffered a wave of cancellations after a newspaper reported that the weather would be bad this summer. Now the mayor plans to sue the newspaper and the meteorological service for damages.

The World from Berlin

'Germans Should Be Afraid' of Economic Collapse

Moody's cut to the outlook of Germany's top credit rating came as a serious blow to the country's confidence this week. German commentators on Wednesday don't seem particularly surprised by the change, but warn of worse things to come.

Picture This

Nature's Call