| SPIEGEL ONLINE | INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER |
| Compiled on December 28, 2012, 06:06 PM CET |
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The Miracle of Wenchi
Ethiopian Kids Using Tablets to Teach Themselves A US aid organization has handed children in the remote Ethiopian village of Wenchi tablet computers in an experiment aimed at enabling them to teach themselves. They are now speaking their first words of English -- without ever having encountered a teacher. |
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Zaha Hadid vs. the Pirates
Copycat Architects in China Take Aim at the Stars Star architect Zaha Hadid is currently building several projects across China. One of them, however, is being constructed twice. Pirates are the process of copying one of her provocative designs, and the race is on to see who can finish first. |
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Ineffective and Unsustainable
Failure Threatens Afghan Police Training Mission German officials have been training police in Afghanistan for a decade, but a visit to their training center in Mazar-e-Sharif creates major doubts about the effectiveness of the mission. Afghan police remain poorly prepared to tackle the mighty challenges they will face as Western forces withdraw. |
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Fear of Global Recession
Germany Urges US to Resolve Budget Dispute All eyes are on Washington where US President Barack Obama and lawmakers are due to launch last-ditch talks Friday to avert automatic tax hikes and spending cuts that could plunge the country into recession. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle reminded all sides that they have a responsibility not just to the US, but to the global economy. |
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Pessimistic Schäuble Changes Tune
Finance Minister Says Euro-Crisis Worst Is Over German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said on Friday that he believes "we have the worst behind us" in the euro crisis. But not everyone agrees. A leading government advisor warns that risks are looming in Italy and even Merkel isn't ready to sound the all-clear just yet. |
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Presidential Election
Czech Voters Yearn for Substance over Scandal For the first time since the Velvet Revolution, citizens in the Czech Republic will have the opportunity to vote directly for their head of state in two weeks. Former Prime Minister Milos Zeman is in the pole position. His tough-talking style appeals to Czechs who are tired of back room deals and a scandal-plagued leadership. |
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Photo Gallery
The Best of Picture This 2012 Throughout the year, Spiegel Online sifts through photos taken around the world for its "Picture This" feature. As 2012 draws to an end, here's a look back at some of the most colorful, humorous and moving images that have been selected. |
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Picture This
Take That! |
