Today's front pages

Artur Mas, president of Catalonia, has promised to pay the debts of the autonomous Spanish region once he obtains aid from the Spanish state. Having received one billion euros, of the five billion requested from Madrid, Mas has accepted to cover the monthly funding requirements for schools, hospitals and retirement homes, but refused to pay off any arrears.

He asks but won’t pay – ABC

Portugal’s Finance Minister Vitor Gaspar has announced "a huge tax increase" to replace the hike in employee social security contributions (TSU) that was scrapped after mass protests. In 2013, employees will have to pay an extra 4% in income tax, with which the state hopes to raise over €3 billion. Experts say the new measures are as recessionary as the TSU hike.

This is robbery! – i

Internet entrepreneurs have launched the “Pigeons” movement to protest against what they describe as “tax bludgeoning”, in particular a measure that will tax capital gains realised in the sale of companies at 60%.

Start-up founders, SME bosses, company directors and investors: tax anger surges – Le Figaro

“The shells that fell on the Turkish border town of Akcakale, in the wake of fighting between Syrian rebels and loyalists yesterday afternoon, killed five (two women and three children) and wounded 13,” reports the Turkish daily. Ankara responded by bombarding the the Syrian border post at Tall al-Abyad.

Rain of death, five lose their lives – Hürriyet

The government is set to announce an increase in local taxes, which could be as high as 16%, as well as a hike in rates, to come into force on 1st January 2013. Today will be the first day of application for an increased car registration tax, a new system of charges for state documents, and heavier fines.

Black day for Romanians – Evenimentul zilei

German President and former East German dissent Joachim Gauck, celebrated the 22nd anniversary of reunification, calling it a "peaceful revolution of freedom for which men fought." German parliament speaker Norbert Lammert warned against "national rivalry" sparked by the eurozone crisis" and said that the development of Europe is "in the interest of Germany."

“Unity is still incredible luck” – Die Welt

A proposed 19 km sea-tunnel, linking Germany and Denmark under the Fehmarn Belt, has been held up due to quibbles over funding, the two countries having failing to reach agreement on how to share costs. The state-owned Chinese company CCC has proposed to take care of construction and contribute up to €5.3 billion.

China to build Fehmarn tunnel – Berlingske Tidende