Tax on next free trade...lol..money and debt still be after life ?..tribute for the passed..Whitney

Germans saddened by Whitney Houston's death

Published: 12 Feb 12 12:14 CET

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The death of pop star Whitney Houston, 48, has prompted German fans to write about their love for her music -- and their hate for the addictions that plagued the star's life.

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The pop star was found unconscious in her Beverly Hills hotel room Saturday close to 4:00 p.m. Paramedics spent 20 minutes trying to revive her. There was no evidence of foul play, various news reports said.

Three-time Grammy award winner Houston had planned to attend a pre-Grammy Awards party that evening. No official cause of death has been released. Houston had a long history of drug abuse and also suffered an abusive marriage.

A writer on the German television station ARD's website condemned alcohol, drugs, addictions and "the loneliness of the big stars. Unfortunately her exceptional talent and her beauty were not enough to make her a happy person. How unfortunate. She was a true sensation in the 90's. Unforgettable. That makes me so sad."

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120212-40691.html

Berlin defies EU over copyright deal

Published: 10 Feb 12 16:19 CET

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Germany on Friday defied the European Union by refusing to sign the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), meant to unify copyright law internationally. Massive anti-ACTA protests are planned for Saturday.

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The international agreement is backed by the United States and Japan, and was signed on January 26 by the EU and 22 of its 27 member states. One of its main targets is clamping down on illegal internet piracy by asserting rights to intellectual property in the digital world.

The German Foreign Ministry announced that it was only delaying the signing for formal reasons, but the decision is likely to hearten German activists who fear the agreement will curtail internet freedoms worldwide.