| EUROPEAN HEADLINES |
| FT – Energy groups postpone $200 billion in projects as oil price slumps again. Wider commodities rout hits spending plans. BP, Shell and Chevron among those cutting costs. |
| WSJE – Energy firms in US plan more layoffs. US energy companies are planning more layoffs, asset sales and financial maneuvers to deal with a recent, sudden drop in US crude oil prices to under $50 a barrel, the lowest level in four months. |
| INYT – Men and laws, thrown overboard at sea. Slavery and abuse thrive on Thai fishing boats, with catch bound for US. |
| FRANCE |
| Le Monde – Cholesterol: the new battle between pharmacy giants.The US authorised on July 24th the marketing of Praluent, an anti-cholesterol drug sold by Sanofi. Europe should follow. |
| Les Echos – The surprising blow of the State as a shareholder.Resignation without explanation of the head of the State Shares Agency. Crucial week for Areva’s rescue, in an atmosphere of high tension. |
| GERMANY |
| Frankfurter Zeitung (FAZ) – First cuts in the health sector: limitations on examinations and visits. A reform package has been making its way through Italian law. Doctors will now have to pay out of their pocket for any prescription that does not respect the new regulations. |
| Suedeutsche Zeitung (SZ) – Funds and accounts under “stress.” Spending on pension funds has risen more than contributions to the funds. Since 2009 there has been a 20% increase in people covered by these funds resulting in a 32% increase in spending. |
| ITALY |
| La Repubblica – First cuts in the health sector: limitations on examinations and visits. A reform package has been making its way through Italian law. Doctors will now have to pay out of their pocket for any prescription that does not respect the new regulations. |
| Il Sole 24 Ore – Funds and accounts under “stress.” Spending on pension funds has risen more than contributions to the funds. Since 2009 there has been a 20% increase in people covered by these funds resulting in a 32% increase in spending. |
| POLAND |
| Gazeta – cordial hug of business. Vladimir Putin fully supports Sepp Blatter, and the other way around. The FIFA World Cup in 2018 in Russia is rather unthreatened. Such a situation occurs despite a big corruption scandal in the FIFA. |
| SPAIN |
| El Pais – Catalans do not believe in a pact to solve the independence crisis. Most Catalans and Spaniards hold Mas and Rajoy responsible for the unavoidable clash to come. |
| Expansion – Former Virgin executives acquire Telecable. Zegona will pay €650 million cash and the company will be listed in London stock market. |
| UK |
| The Times – Act now or risk losing valuable pension perk.Tax relief worth thousands under threat, minister warns. |
| The Guardian – Black Britons “worse off” after budget. Thinktank estimates benefits cuts will hit 4m people and 1.25m homes. ©europeanunion2015 |
