Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Tuesday 26 November 2013

SPIEGEL ONLINEINTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 

Compiled on November 25, 2013, 07:26 PM CET

PUTIN'S GAMBIT

How the EU Lost Ukraine

The inability of European bureaucrats to keep up with the Kremlin's manipulations -- or Kiev's political calculations -- has cost the EU a trade deal with Ukraine, and severely damaged its foreign policy.

ABORTED EU DEAL

Massive Protests Rock Ukraine After Pull-Back

In the wake of Ukraine's withdrawal from EU trade deal discussions, Kiev was rocked by the biggest protests since the Orange Revolution while the daughter of imprisoned former Ukrainian leader Yulia Tymoshenko pled for Germany's help.

THE WORLD FROM BERLIN

Don't Lift Iran Sanctions 'Prematurely'

Although German commentators applaud Iran's interim deal with the West to halt its nuclear program as a significant step forward, they also argue Tehran must now prove itself. The bulk of the sanctions must remain in place until a full agreement is reached, they say.

RIGHT-WING PROVOCATION

Russian and German Populists Meet

Over the weekend, a meeting of right-wing populists brought anti-immigrant and homophobes together in a jamboree of "family values." Some 500 protesters voiced their opposition to a speech by one of the women behind Russia's recent anti-gay law.

DEAD GOOD COFFEE

Cemetery Cafés Gain Popularity in Berlin

Graveyards may not seem the ideal location for afternoon tea, but there is a trend towards opening cafes inside cemetery walls in Berlin and other cities. They offer comfort not just for the bereaved but for local people and tourists who seek tranquility.

UN CONFERENCE

European Trick Delivers Climate Compromise

It was a conference characterized by outbursts of anger, an atmosphere of mistrust, global divisions and a dramatic ending, but the delegates at the UN climate conference managed to reach an agreement over the weekend.

GROWING RISKS

Government Bond Holdings Could Burden Banks

European banks hold increasingly large shares of government bonds as a result of the debt crisis. If those states default and can no longer service their debt, it could lead to massive losses. Germany's Bundesbank is pushing for new rules at the ECB. 

WANING NUMBERS

Germany To Suspend Monitoring of Scientology

Germany's domestic security agency has reportedly decided to suspend monitoring of the controversial Scientology organization in the country. The decision, part of wider reforms, has led to criticism by some states.

BITTER BAYERN

Guardiola Vows to Give Mole Player the Boot

Bayern Munich are flying high on the pitch, but off it things are not going so smoothly. The German soccer club's Spanish manager, Pep Guardiola, has vowed to find and kick out a mole within the team who is passing information to the press.

ART INVESTIGATION

'Empathy Alone Doesn't Help Us Any Further'

Bavarian Justice Minister Winfried Bausback has defended the controversial handling of the trove of possibly looted art in a Munich apartment. He has also called for a new law to lift the statute of limitations in such cases in the future.

PICTURE THIS

Castilian Chill