Today’s front pages
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IrelandBankers warn of No vote risk as EU referendum date set
As the Irish government set May 31 for the referendum on the EU fiscal stability treaty, the Washington based Institute of International Finance, a powerful banking lobby which negotiated Greece’s €100 billion debt restructuring, has said that a No vote will damage the country’s ability to borrow.
Original article in The Irish Times en LinkThe Irish Times Dublin -
EnvironmentTotal faces emergency in North Sea
About 300 employees of the French oil giant were evacuated from the Elgin platform, 250 km off the coast of Aberdeen, Scotland, due to a significant gas leak on March 25. Repairs could last six months. Total now faces its most serious crisis since the sinking of the petrol tanker Erika in 1999 and the explosion at the AZF factory in 2001.
Original article in Les Echos fr LinkLes Echos Paris -
SpainEU requires more severity with regions and labour reform
While applauding “important” changes made in the first 100 days of Mariano Rajoy's tenure as Spanish PM. the European Commission has demanded “more control” and “a comprehensive review” of regional government expenses. It has also criticised collective labour agreements still in force two years after their expiration, after no further agreement.
Original article in El Mundo es LinkEl Mundo Madrid -
Czech RepublicBrussels to decide on Temelin
Next month, the European Parliament is to decide on whether to prolong the CO2 emissions quota system another five years. If abandoned, coal will become profitable again and the construction of new nuclear reactors, like those mooted for the Czech Republc's Temelin plant, will be threatened.
Original article in Hospodářské Noviny cs LinkHospodářské Noviny Prague -
DenmarkDong scandal will harm wind turbine adventure
The resignation of Anders Eldrups, head of the semi-state energy company Dong Energy, following a controversy over his pay, will result in a sharp slowdown in investment in wind power, the Danish daily writes. Eldrups had obtained pension fund investments to the tune of €75 billion over five years, equivalent to building 15 to 20 large wind farms.
Original article in Berlingske Tidende da LinkBerlingske Tidende Copenhagen -
GreeceEscape - 1.5 million for the country
According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture, one million and a half inhabitants of major cities aged between 25 to 44 years wish to live in the countryside, to escape the consequences of the economic crisis.
Original article in To Ethnos el LinkTo Ethnos Athens -
HungaryDoctor Plagiarism
In the wake of accusations of plagiarism made against Hungarian President Pál Schmitt over his doctoral thesis, a committee of experts from the Semmelweis University of Physical Education have concluded that Schmitt copied several passages from the work of a Bulgarian expert. The committee ruled, however, that this does not invalidate his PhD.
Original article in Népszabadság hu LinkNépszabadság Budapest
