The Irish Republic swears in Enda Kenny as its new leader, and Europe continues to debate over action in Libya.

HEADLINES:

Dutch in no-fly zone dilemma (Radio Netherlands Worldwide)

When a no-fly zone was imposed on Bosnia in the 1990s, the Netherlands was one of the first to declare its support for the mission. And Dutch F-16 fighter jets were among the first NATO planes to patrol Bosnian air space. However, the Dutch government is not nearly as eager now that a no-fly zone for Libya is in the works.

Arrests Made Over Icelandic-Bank Collapse (Wall Street Journal)

Authorities in the U.K. and Iceland arrested nine men—including a pair of high-profile U.K. property moguls—in connection with the collapse of Kaupthing Bank hf, in the latest arrests connected to the failure of the island’s banking system. 

The U.K.-led probe is examining the extent to which funds were withdrawn from the bank prior to Kaupthing’s 2008 collapse and who was involved. 

First round of Belgrade-Priština talks ends (B92)

The first round of Belgrade-Priština talks with the EU as the mediator ended in Brussels on Wednesday.

Europe slips into Libya ambiguity (EurActiv)

EU ambassadors in Libyan capital Tripoli have backed proposals by Muammar Gaddafi’s regime to establish an independent mission to assess the situation on the ground, a diplomat told the press, despite the insistence of top EU officials that the embattled dictator should step down.

‘Gasoline Summit’ Solves Nothing as Biofuel Chaos Continues (Spiegel Online)

German politicians met Tuesday in a hastily arranged ‘Gasoline Summit’ to discuss public distrust over the introduction of fuels with higher concentrations of ethanol. Politicians pledged to better inform the public about which cars can use the new fuel, but German commentators and drivers remain wary.

Irish Republic swears in Enda Kenny as new leader (BBC News)

The Irish parliament has officially elected Enda Kenny as taoiseach (prime minister), to lead a new government.

Mr Kenny’s centre-right Fine Gael won last month’s general election, three months after the previous government accepted an EU/IMF 85bn euro bail-out.

Promising a better future, he told the Dail (parliament) he was entering into a "covenant with the Irish people".

EDITORIALS AND COLUMNS:

EU should turn Kosovo into energy hub (EUobserver)

At the beginning of this young century it seems pretty obvious that energy resources are a powerful economic and political tool.

Being at the cross-roads of the Balkans, Kosovo which ranks among the top three countries in Europe in terms of exploitable fossil fuel reserves, could also use its natural resources for boosting its economy and gaining a respectful position in the regional market.

New Europe, New Problems (Foreign Policy)

Just days before Christmas, Hungary’s new right-wing government, which now controls a near-invincible two-thirds of parliament, succumbed to temptation: It rubber-stamped a draconian-sounding new media law that looked as if it would slip a leash of censorship around the necks of both traditional and online media. 

Compiled with the assistance of Klee Aiken.

Image: transatlantic.jpg