Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Wednesday 28 November 2012

INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 

Compiled on November 28, 2012, 06:07 PM CET

ANTI-SEMITISM IN PARLIAMENT

Hungary's Far-Right Rhetoric Reaches New Dimension

People of Jewish heritage are a "security risk" and should be registered on a nationwide list, according to right-wing extremist Hungarian politician Márton Gyöngyösi. His comments, made in the country's parliament, have sparked widespread outrage. But the government as slow to distance itself.

THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BUDGET...

What the Greece Deal Means for German Finances

Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble insisted on Tuesday that the new deal aimed at slashing Greece's debt load won't cost German taxpayers. It will, however, deny Germany billions in expected revenues. And the feared debt cut may be just around a not-too-distant corner.

EMERGING CRAFT BREWERIES

Breaking Out of Germany's Stodgy Beer Traditions

Germany is famous for its beer, but centuries-old traditions have put it well behind the US and other countries at the forefront of beer experimentation. Thanks to changing consumer tastes and some maverick brewers, though, the country is slowly catching up.

A LICENSE TO STEAL

India Skirts Patent Laws to Help Companies and Poor

For years, India has refused to respect the patents of foreign pharmaceutical companies suspected of slightly altering their drugs merely to extend their profitability. In doing so, it helps not only the growing number of domestic generic drug makers, but also the millions who can hardly even afford the copycat drugs.

DRIVEN BY GREED AND HATRED

A Rebel Group's Quest to 'Liberate' Congo

The rebel group M23 wants to overthrow the government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At issue is the mineral coltan, which is used in mobile phones. The conflict could end up breaking the country apart.

UNREST IN EGYPT

Islamists Vow Demonstrations in Support of Morsi

Egyptian President Muhammed Morsi seems unshaken by the massive protests that shook Cairo on Tuesday night. He has shown no interest in retreating from his recent power grab and the Islamist group Muslim Brotherhood is planning to hold even larger pro-Morsi demonstrations on Friday.

CRITICISM BY COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Germany Falling Behind in Fight against Corruption

The German government is failing to tighten up laws that crack down on illegal party funding and bribing parliamentarians, say anti-corruption watchdogs at the Council of Europe. In a compliance report, they single out Germany for having made no progress on implementing reforms.

THE WORLD FROM BERLIN

'Europe Hasn't Learned Lessons from Greece Crisis'

For the third time, European finance ministers this week have put together a package of aid measures for Greece and assured Europeans that the country is now back on track to financial health. But is it really? German commentators certainly don't think so.

PICTURE THIS

Look Out, The Flow!