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.
Bankers warn of No vote risk as EU referendum date set – The Irish Times
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.
Total faces emergency in North Sea – Les Echos
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.
EU requires more severity with regions and labour reform – El Mundo
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.
Brussels to decide on Temelin – Hospodářské Noviny
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.
Dong scandal will harm wind turbine adventure – Berlingske Tidende
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.
Escape - 1.5 million for the country – To Ethnos
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.
Doctor Plagiarism – Népszabadság
Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!
It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.
Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!