| SPIEGEL ONLINE | INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER |
| Compiled on August 15, 2012, 06:47 PM CET |
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Resistance in Berlin
The Return of the Iron Chancellor Antonis Samaras' trip to Germany next week will be a complicated one. The Greek prime minister is expected to ask Angela Merkel for his country to be given two more years to adhere to the austerity conditions attached to the country's EU-IMF bailout program. With political resistance growing in Berlin, the chancellor has little leeway for compromise. |
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Greece Before the Abyss
Only Bankruptcy Can Help Now Greece has disappointed its creditors yet again. Now its government plans to ask for more time -- and needs billions more in aid. But Greece's euro-zone partners are unwilling to provide any more help, meaning that the only hope now is to admit defeat and let the country make a fresh start. |
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Troubled Times
Wave of Suicides Shocks Greece Greece has always had one of the lowest suicide rates in Europe, but its economic crisis has triggered a disturbing increase in the number of people killing themselves. Are the deaths the result of personal desperation or are people making a political statement with the only thing they have left to sacrifice? |
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Buying Time
Greece to Request Extension on Austerity Measures Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected to have a difficult mission next week. He wants to persuade German Chancellor Angela Merkel to ease strict austerity conditions on his country, and he may also need to ask for billions in additional aid. Speculation is also growing about a possible bond-buying program for Spain. |
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Rebels Reject Jihad
Are Reports of al-Qaida in Syria Exaggerated? Intelligence reports claim that members of the al-Qaida terrorist network are streaming into Syria to join the rebel ranks. But the rebels deny the allegations and say that jihadists are not welcome. In any case, it is the Assad regime that has long had ties to al-Qaida. |
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'We Have Them Surrounded'
Inside the Syrian Rebels' Fight For Aleppo Rebel forces now control roughly half of Aleppo, Syria's largest city and economic capital. If they can hold on to their gains and resist the savage assaults of dictator Bashar Assad's forces, they hope to make the city the seat of a new rebel government. |
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The World from Berlin
German Universities 'Share Blame' for Problems It has been 10 years since the controversial Bologna reforms began transforming higher education in Germany. Opinions differ as to whether its goals have been achieved, but editorialists argue that universities are partly to blame for overcrowded lecture halls and unhappy students. |
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Orgy on the Danube
Report Reveals Details of Insurer's Sex Party Prominent international insurer Ergo's reputation was badly damaged when news of a debaucherous sex party for agents at a Budapest bathhouse broke last year. Now, new details from the company's internal investigation of the scandal reveal just how uninhibited the event really was. |
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Gesture of Tolerance
Hamburg Recognizes Muslim Religious Holidays The German city-state of Hamburg plans to officially recognize Muslim holidays and improve Islam courses in schools. Many of the measures are already standard practice, but the agreement with Muslim groups is still viewed as a positive signal. Other states may soon follow suit. |
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Picture This
Belgian Bouquet |
