? Euro Stays Down after Softer German Inflation

THE TAKEAWAY: German CPI eased in May -> Pullback caused by reduction of energy prices -> Euro weak on the day
German May inflation numbers came in softer than expected, fueled by a decline in energy prices. The yearly consumer price index in Europe’s largest economy eased to 2.1% from 2.2% in April, which was also the expected number for May. Inflation fell 0.3% on the month.
The relief in inflation pressures was attributed to a drop in oil prices as political tensions in the Persian Gulf show signs of easing. Speculation that Greece will exit the Euro region continues to curb consumer spending from companies and households, although record low unemployment rates in Germany have contributed to rising demand.


The Euro remained weak on the day after the German CPI release. The single currency has fallen sharply against the Greenback and Yen over recent weeks as instability in Greece threatens its security. Markets remained poised to absorb upcoming US consumer confidence numbers later on Tuesday.

David Fincher to India: The Anal Rape Stays in the Picture [Movies]

Barring a glossy Bollywood remake — which, honestly, could be kind of fun — India will not be releasing The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. According to The Hollywood Reporter, India's Central Board of Film Certification demanded some pretty big content cuts. To which David Fincher said, "No fucking way." (I doubt he used that language, but when rejecting censorship, it's always fun to throw in an extra swear.)
Having cringed my way through Fincher's film, I'll acknowledge that it's a lot to take. But to me, nothing felt gratuitous. Horrifying, yes, but essential to the plot all the same. And it's not only the already infamous anal rape scenes that had India's censors up in arms: they also wanted Fincher to ditch the consensual sex scenes. Come on, prudes. If we're going to suffer through some serious brutality, we deserve to be treated to Lisbeth's girl-on-girl action and Daniel Craig's bare ass.
The statement issued by Sony Pictures India was a little too resigned for my tastes.

The Censor Board has adjudged the film unsuitable for public viewing in its unaltered form and, while we are committed to maintaining and protecting the vision of the director, we will, as always, respect the guidelines set by the Board.

Where is your outrage, Sony Pictures India? While the standard practice in India is to simply blur out the naughty bits, Fincher was being asked to get rid of certain scenes entirely. Yes, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo had a few too many endings, but the movie wouldn't make any sense without those explicit scenes in the middle.
I'm glad Fincher denied the request, though it's a bummer for Indian Stieg Larsson fans who were excited to see Lisbeth Salander kick ass — "kick" being a euphemism — on the big screen. (The THR article doesn't mention if India ever released the original Swedish film.) And if a cleaned-up Bollywood version does get made, I'm campaigning for Aishwarya Rai to play Lisbeth. Sure, she's a little old for the role, but she's also the only Bollywood star I know by name.