| SPIEGEL ONLINE | INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER |
| Compiled on January 29, 2013, 06:47 PM CET |
| BATTLING BIG OIL How Four Nigerian Villagers Took Shell to Court Four Nigerian villagers from the Niger River delta have challenged mighty Shell in a Dutch court. They complain that the oil giant has caused environmental devastation and ruined their homes. A verdict in the unprecedented case is expected on Wednesday. |
| ENVELOPES OF CASH Corruption Charges Put Madrid on Defensive New revelations about the corruption scandal that is rocking Spanish politics has put conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his party on the defensive. Voters are beginning to lose patience. |
| SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH TONY BLAIR 'Leaving Europe Would Be Very Bad for Britain' British Prime Minister David Cameron intends to hold a referendum on his country's future in the European Union. His predecessor Tony Blair tells SPIEGEL why that is extremely risky and says it ignores the benefits EU membership has brought to Britain. |
| CALLS FOR EU REFORM Some German Politicians Agree With Cameron A number of politicians from Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right coalition parties have voiced support for British Prime Minister David Cameron's calls for a reform of the EU. They say they agree with a number of points he made in his speech on Europe last week -- but are opposed to granting Britain any further exemptions from EU rules. |
| 'DON'T FORGET YOUR PHOTO ALBUMS!' The Flight of Syria's Middle Classes They once were affluent, took vacations to Greece, purchased art and designer furniture. Now this Syrian family is on the run and forced to rely on charity. Their fate is typical of the exodus of the country's large middle class. |
| RISKY INVESTMENTS Berlin Wants To Cap Renewables Subsidies Environment Minister Peter Altmaier wants to limit the cost of Germany's green energy revolution by capping subsidies for renewable energy. The plan, aimed at halting a recent surge in electricity bills, faces likely rejection from a political opposition that views the move as a clever ploy to win votes in the next election. |
| ANTI-GAY BILL German Foreign Minister Criticizes Russian Legislation Moscow is currently seeking to make "homosexual propaganda" a prosecutable offense. But in Germany, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has warned Russia's ambassador that the new legislation could aggravate European-Russian relations. |
| NO-GO ZONES Map Will Detail Germany's Neo-Nazi Hotspots A German nonprofit organization is set to launch an interactive map that will show where neo-Nazi activities are concentrated across the country. Designed as a research tool, it also has relevance for the broader public, who may use it in a manner similar to crime map websites. |
| ROBIN HOOD OR GRINCH? 'Cookie Monster' Holds Golden Biscuit Ransom Bahlsen is one of Germany's most famous food companies and its Leibniz line of cookies are enjoyed by millions. Last week, the company's emblem golden biscuit was stolen in Hanover. A ransom letter for the hostage has now been sent -- by a character claiming to be Cookie Monster. |
