| SPIEGEL ONLINE | INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER |
| Compiled on August 22, 2012, 06:32 PM CET |
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Break with Cronyism
Athens Shows Its Commitment to Austerity Many German politicians accuse Greece of not doing enough to cut spending. But studies show that, measured in relative terms, Athens has carried out the most brutal austerity program in the EU's history. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is making it clear that he wants to change his country's culture of cronyism. |
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'Breathing Room'
Samaras Says Greece Needs More Time Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has made the strongest indication yet that he plans to ask euro-zone leaders this week for more time in implementing further austerity measures. With patience wearing thin, however, the answer is likely to be "no". |
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Dark Chapter in Rostock's History
Residents Dread 20th Anniversary of Race Riots This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of one of the darkest episodes in the history of postwar Germany, when hundreds of rioting neo-Nazis set ablaze an asylum-seekers' hostel in Rostock. Locals are tired of the onslaught of media attention, but many still live in fear of right-wing violence. |
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The World from Berlin
Obama's Warning 'Will Not Deter Assad' US President Barack Obama warned this week that the US would intervene if Syrian President Bashar Assad uses chemical weapons against his own people. Obama's "red line" raises the stakes in the Syrian conflict, but some observers say that the warning is merely symbolic. |
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Star Witness
Top Syrian Media Host Abandons Assad for the Truth For 15 years, Ola Abbas presented the news on Syrian state television and radio. After spending months reporting President Assad's lies and distortions about the uprising, she finally became the first media broadcast host to defect. Now she sees herself as a missionary for the truth. |
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Campus Party Europe
World's Largest Tech Fest Begins in Berlin Thousands of tech enthusiasts began gathering this week on the grounds of Berlin's former Tempelhof Airport for a massive festival for computer and technology fans. Visitors are expected to include World Wide Web pioneer Tim Berners-Lee and 10,000 others. Still, the event has failed to generate much attention among the German net community. |
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Jesus and His Father
Offensive Cartoon Has German Christians Fuming The German city of Kassel is best known for the art exhibition Documenta, which is currently taking place. These days, though, a local caricature museum is dominating the headlines with a controversial cartoon hanging in its window, depicting Jesus on the cross. Christian leaders want it removed. |
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'Spouse or Life Partner'
Ministry Wants to Enshrine Gay Rights in Law Germany has had civil unions for gay and lesbian couples for over a decade, but many laws only refer to heterosexual marriage. Now the Justice Ministry wants to rewrite dozens of laws to expressly include same-sex couples. The move is likely to encounter resistance from the governing conservatives. |
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Picture This
Godspeed, Bao Bao! |
