| SPIEGEL ONLINE | INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER |
| Compiled on March 27, 2013, 06:20 PM CET |
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'This Is Working'
Portugal, 12 Years after Decriminalizing Drugs Twelve years ago, Portugal eliminated criminal penalties for drug users. Since then, those caught with small amounts of marijuana, cocaine or heroin go unindicted and possession is a misdemeanor on par with illegal parking. Experts are pleased with the results. |
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Crisis in France
Hollande Failing to Handle Unemployment France has long had a chronic problem with unemployment, but the current jobless rate is especially dismal. The government has introduced several employment programs, but they're not taking effect quickly enough to convince the country things will get better. |
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Before Dawn
Removal of Berlin Wall Section Resumed The project was put on hold after thousands showed up in protest, but early Wednesday morning developers resumed their removal of a section of the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall to make way for luxury housing. |
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Shredded Social Safety Net
European Austerity Costing Lives As the euro crisis wears on, the tough austerity measures implemented in ailing member states are resulting in serious health issues, a study revealed on Wednesday. Mental illness, suicide rates and epidemics are on the rise, while access to care has dwindled. |
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Coming Clean
Ex Rio Drug Queen Recalls Life of Crime Fabiana Escobar was married to one of the most powerful drug lords in Rio de Janeiro. Together they helped run the cocaine trade in the city's largest favela. But her husband was thrown in jail, and police retook control of the slum. Now Escobar says she wants to stop other women from making the same mistakes she made. |
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Suspicious Transactions
Cypriot Parliament Investigating Capital Flight Banks have been closed and accounts frozen in Cyprus recently. Nevertheless, large amounts were moved out of the country's crippled financial institutions on the eve of the bailout package. Lawmakers are suspicious and are investigating both the government and the Cypriot central bank. |
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Neo-Nazi Terrorist Trial
Berlin Criticizes Court's Press Policy Most of the victims were Turkish, but the Turkish media didn't get any spots in the courtroom. Three weeks before the highly anticipated trial of the last surviving member of Germany's neo-Nazi terrorist cell, Berlin is calling on the court to change its accreditation process. |
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The 'Pride of Russia'
A Corrupt Politician's Ignoble Demise A corrupt rising star in Putin's ruling party was recently found dead in a cement-filled barrel. His murder reveals the murky cross-section of politics, business and crime that characterizes today's Russia. |
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World from Berlin
Russia Becoming a 'Bona Fide Dictatorship' Russia continued its series of raids on non-governmental organizations on Wednesday with visits to Human Rights Watch and Transparency International. The operation, say German commentators, is just the latest sign that Russian civil society is eroding and President Putin is turning into a dictator. |
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Picture This
Riot of Color |
