19/05 – Today’s headlines from across the EU

EUROPEAN HEADLINES

FT – Oil slide puts more than USD 100 billion of projects on ice as majors retreat. Producers target highest cost areas. Canada hit hardest. Analysts forecast price rebound.

WSJE – Investors pull back on bets against euro. Investors are scaling back bets against the euro just several weeks after the common currency seemed headed toward parity with the dollar.

INYT – Wall Street is back, almost as big as ever. As numbers bounce back to 2007 highs, some fear financial excesses persist.

BALTIC STATES

Baltic Times –‘Crucified Putin’ removed from Riga exhibition after threats. A controversial art exhibit that apparently displays the crucifixion of Russian president Vladimir Putin has been removed after threats of repercussion and an incident in which part of the exhibit was demolished.

FRANCE

Le Monde – The reasons for the protests in education. Seven teachers’ unions call for a strike on 19 May to have Najat Vallaud-Belkacem’s education reform cancelled.

Les Echos – A plan to stop the decline of industry. The Minister of Economy reforms his predecessor’s 34 priorities in 9 “solutions.” This “New industrial France” should be more digital and more international.

GERMANY

Frankfurter Allgemeine (FAZ) – Train drivers to paralyse rail traffic again. Train drivers’ union GDL gives no further details about strike duration.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung – Train drivers to strike on Pentecost. From Wednesday the train drivers’ union GDL will go on strike concerning passenger transport. GDL boss Weselsky did not say how long the strike would last.

ITALY

La Repubblica – Green light for the decree on repayment. Renzi wants to change the pension act. The government has allowed the allocation of 278 to 750 euros to each person affected by the reform act. Matteo Renzi is now determined to change the law.

Il Sole 24 Ore – Pensions: repayments and reassessments to be recalculated. The pension repayments of the government can range from EUR 278 to EUR 750.

POLAND

Gazeta – Television battle. A record 10.6 million viewers watched Presidential debate on TVP and Polsat on Sunday. The next debate is Thursday and the candidates will be prepared by PiS party’s spin doctors Michał Kamiński and Jacek Kurski.

SPAIN

El Pais – EU to attack illegal immigration boats. The military mission in front of the Libyan coasts will start in June should the UN Security Council approve it.

Expansion – Santander attacks. The bank launches an offensive with a 3% interest rate account.

The Times – Russian supergrass was poisoned at Surrey home. Millionaire whistleblower’s body found with traces of deadly plant.

The Guardian – IMF uncovers the fossil fuel industry’s $5.3tn dirty secret. Estimate of global subsidies to firms reflects unpaid costs of burning coal, oil and gas.