Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Monday 28 October 2013

SPIEGEL ONLINEINTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 

Compiled on October 28, 2013, 06:32 PM CET

EMBASSY ESPIONAGE

The NSA's Secret Spy Hub in Berlin

According to SPIEGEL research, United States intelligence agencies have not only targeted Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone, but they have also used the American Embassy in Berlin as a listening station. The revelations now pose a serious threat to German-American relations.

US ON SPYING SCANDAL

'Allies Aren't Always Friends'

Many commentators in the US see surveillance like the NSA's alleged tapping of Chancellor Merkel's phone as a necessary fact of life. The White House is trying to limit the damage -- but the snooping will go on.

ROMA STEREOTYPES

How Racist Assumptions Fueled 'Maria' Fiasco

When Greek police stumbled upon a blond, blue-eyed girl when raiding a Roma settlement two weeks ago, it triggered a wave of worries fed by long-held stereotypes. The fears proved unfounded, but the family remains divided.

ECB HEADQUARTERS

Skyrocketing Costs for Skyscraper Project

Estimated costs for the European Central Bank's new headquarters in Frankfurt have more than doubled. As has been happening with so many major projects in Germany, its construction has been plagued by poor planning, oversight and execution -- and endless delays.

EUROPEAN REFORM

Merkel's Surprising New Ally in Brussels

In her third term, Chancellor Angela Merkel hopes to shape her legacy -- by reforming the European Union and reinvigorating the Continent's economy. Now she's found an unexpected ally in Social Democrat Martin Schulz, but the two have a long road ahead of them.  

APPEARANCES AND REALITY

Merkel Balks at EU Privacy Push

Chancellor Merkel has put on a good show of being outraged by American spying. But, at the same time, she has impeded efforts to strengthen data security. Does she really want more privacy, or is she more interested in being accepted into the exclusive group of info-sharing countries known as the 'Five Eyes' club?

COALITION TALKS

SPD May Drop Demand for Finance Ministry

Clinching the powerful post of finance minister in coalition talks would be a major coup for the center-left Social Democrats. But they may drop the demand in return for policy concessions -- and due to tactical considerations by SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel.

PICTURE THIS

Wave of Terror