Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Friday 27 April 2012



SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
Compiled on April 27, 2012, 06:40 PM CET
Pre-Tournament Terrorism

Four Blasts Hit Ukrainian City of Dnipropetrovsk

A series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk on Friday injuring dozens, at least three seriously. Authorities spoke of a terrorist attack but it remains unclear who might be responsible. The blasts come just weeks before the country co-hosts the European Football Championship tournament.

The World from Berlin

'We Can't Be Indifferent to What Happens in Ukraine'

Germany is putting increasing pressure on the Ukrainian government over its treatment of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, whose home city of Dnipropetrovsk was shaken by a series of explosions on Friday. German commentators applaud Berlin's hard line on the case.

The Debt Drug

How Long Will Hollande's Party Go On?

François Hollande is predicted to win France's presidential election, but his victory could endanger the euro zone's carefully negotiated fiscal pact. He also wants to water down the European Central Bank's statutes, forcing it to lend more to promote economic growth. But his plans would do little more than borrow time -- and they could be very dangerous for Germany.

Ratings Agency Downgrade

Merkel Blasts Hollande as Spain Worries Increase

German Chancellor Angela Merkel made it clear on Thursday that she was not prepared to renegotiate the European Union fiscal pact as demanded by French presidential candidate François Hollande. Her comments come as ratings agency Standard and Poor's downgraded Spain two notches.

Draghi's 'Growth Pact'

Austerity Backlash Unites European Leaders

Be it austerity queen Angela Merkel or Socialist François Hollande, European politicians are suddenly in agreement with ECB President Mario Draghi's proposal to round out the European fiscal pact's austerity measures with a "growth pact." But many seem to have a different idea about what this means.  

Setting Sun

Eastern Germany Hit Hard by Decline of Solar

The global solar industry has entered a brutal phase of consolidation and nowhere are the effects as dramatic as in eastern Germany. Several companies have already declared bankruptcy, leaving towns and cities in the region struggling wtih job losses and tax revenue shortfalls. The future bodes ill.

Competing under False Pretenses

Fake Handicaps a Growing Problem for Disabled Sports

Cheating is becoming an increasing problem in sports events for athletes with disabilities. Rigorous inspections are supposed to root out those who are only faking a handicap, but some imposters get through -- like the supposedly blind athlete who cheered when she saw her result on the board.

Interview with Bahrain's Prime Minster

The Opposition 'Are Terrorizing the Rest of This Country'

In one of the first interviews he has given to the Western media in years, Bahraini Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa defends his government's course of action against the country's opposition. He tells SPIEGEL ONLINE that he will not tolerate Western interference and accuses protesters of seeking to turn Bahrain into a "second Iran."

Clues to the Thirty Years' War

Mass Grave Begins Revealing Soldiers' Secrets

It was one of the bloodiest battles of the Thirty Years' War, but until recently there was no trace of those who died there. Now a mass grave is shedding light on the mysteries of the Battle of Lützen. Were those who fought hungry young men or well-fed veterans? And where did they come from?

Picture This

Cold Feet