Daily Bulletin | 20.02.2012, 19:30 UTC

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Daily Bulletin 20.02.2012 | 19:30 UTC News Politics Coalition smarts after presidential nomination fight Although rights activist Joachim Gauck garnered multiparty support, his presidential candidacy came at a cost within Chancellor Merkel's coalition. The CDU gave up its opposition only under pressure from the FDP. A divisive choice Merkel loses round of presidential poker Economy Call for growth amid efforts to seal Greece deal European finance ministers at a meeting in Brussels have voiced confidence that a second bailout for Greece can be approved. Meanwhile, leaders of a dozen countries are pulling for a greater focus on growth. Ministers arive for Greek debate Consensus still lacking as Greek debt talks start Peacekeeping Darfur rebels detain UN peacekeepers Rebels in Sudan's Darfur region have said they detained 49 international peacekeepers. The Justice and Equality Movement said it suspected the peacekeepers were helping the government to spy on rebel activities. Amnesty report highlights UN failure to stop rights violations in Darfur Arab World Syrian activists report Homs troop buildup Syrian activists were wary Monday of an all out assault on the central city of Homs, a focal point for opposition forces trying to end the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. Aviation Flights disrupted as Frankfurt airport staff strike Ground staff at Frankfurt's main airport have gone on strike as part of a pay dispute. While the 48-hour walkout is expected to ground hundreds of flights, management say its impact so far is limited. Natural Disasters Melting ice on Danube causes maritime chaos After weeks of freezing weather created large chunks of ice on the Danube River, higher temperatures have caused some ice blocks to break free. Boats and pontoons were swept away as the ice moved quickly down the river. Flooding new threat on frozen Danube Europe Monti signals end to austerity in Italy Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti believes current deficit-cutting measures will suffice to rein in the country's runaway budget by next year. Cracking down on tax evasion is supposed to do the trick. Italians worried about year ahead (11.01.2012) Monti's cutbacks face protests (19.12.2011) Italian PM withdraws Rome's 2020 Olympic bid Moody's downgrades six EU nations, warns three more Business Germany German Bundesbank rejects IMF, US calls for fiscal stimulus Germany's central bank is opposed to any state-funded economic stimulus measures in spite of the country's economy having contracted at the end of last year. Construction and consumers will boost rebound, the bank says. IMF calls for joint action over "gloomy outlook" (16.12.2011) Newsletters More DW Shift – Living in the Digital Age How is the Internet changing society around the world? Check out SHIFT – the magazine for digital culture, issues and technology. It's our weekly show with insights delivered directly from blogs and boardrooms. More DW DW and you! We need your help! Just take a picture of yourself with the new DW logo, send it in and you could win one of three iPads or one of 20 Nokia Lumia 710 smart phones. Enter now for your chance to win!   Unsubscribe   Personal Data   Feedback   Imprint © Deutsche Welle 2012