From the Heart of Europe | 20.12.2012, 15:00 UTC

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From the Heart of Europe 20.12.2012 | 15:00 UTC Business Mergers IntercontinentalExchange set to purchase NYSE Euronext Wall Street is set to see the emergence of the world's biggest stock-market company after IntercontinentalExchange announced a deal to purchase New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Regulators still need to approve the deal. EU blocks Deutsche Börse-NYSE Euronext deal Auto Industry GM and PSA detail partnership after scrapping merger US auto giant General Motors and French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen have finalized details of their strategic alliance. Contracts have been signed for PSA to share costs and projects with GM's troubled German unit Opel. Opel to stop manufacturing cars at Bochum plant European car markets contract further Court Cases Deutsche Bahn sues rail cartel for damages German state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn has filed a lawsuit against a number of European steelmakers convicted of fixing the prices of rail equipment. The lawsuit comes after settlement talks have failed. Crime UBS admits to fraud in Libor scandal, accepts hefty fine Swiss bank UBS will have to pay a fine of $1.5 billion for orchestrating manipulations of the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor). The rigged interest rate caused people to pay more for loans. EU seeks harsher penalties for banking manipulation World Human Rights EU fingerprint plan alarms human rights groups EU law enforcement agencies would like access to a database with fingerprint information provided by asylum seekers. Human rights groups call the idea an attack on the human rights of a group that needs protecting. German states join forces to monitor convicted criminals Germany planning digital ID card for foreigners Apple swipes fingerprint tech off iPhone for now People Everyone's a winner in Sodeto … almost Some call him the unluckiest man in Spain. Others say he's the luckiest. Meet Costis Mitsotakis, the man who was left on the sidelines when everyone else in the tiny village of Sodeto won the world's richest lottery. A 'Carrot Rebellion' to save Spanish culture Maverick mayor seeks socialist utopia in Andalusia In lieu of money, jobless Spanish exchange time World War II Painful memories of Nazi massacre in Italy Nazis killed thousands of Italians between 1943 and 1945. A report released by a German-Italian historical commission in Rome has brought new light to the war crimes. 'The idea of Europe was a saving grace' Ukrainians veer toward right-wing nationalism German fraternities try to spiff up image Christmas Sweden publishes gender-neutral toy catalogs When shopping for the holidays, would you buy your daughter a toy gun? Or your son a doll? Swedish retailers think you would - and they've pioneered gender-neutral advertising aimed at children. Listen to an interview with Swedish journalist David Landes The politically bared breast Waiting for Santa Claus in Brazil It's Christmas all year round in Rothenburg Christmas cheer News Diplomacy Hollande recognizes France's 'brutal' colonization of Algeria French President Hollande has made a speech to the Algerian parliament during a trip aimed at improving relations between France and its former colony. Their shared history has been a long-standing source of tension. Hollande looks to the future UN Mali mandate inches closer Greece Greek public sector workers strike against austerity Greek public sector workers have begun a strike to protest against new austerity measures and planned layoffs. The 24-hour strike has disrupted local transport, grounded flights and shut down schools and offices. Greece receives more money - and time   Unsubscribe   Personal Data   Feedback   Imprint © Deutsche Welle 2012