EUROPEAN HEADLINES
FT Europe – China intervenes to help support markets. Regulators consider extending ban on share sales
WSJE – Global Stocks Stabilize After Chinese Action. Intervention by People’s Bank of China calms markets after sharp sell-off
INYT – Iran, Emerging From Sanctions, Faces Crisis After Saudi Arabia Embassy Attack. Iran had been hoping to emerge from international sanctions as an accepted global player, but officials are suddenly forced to reckon with whether they had played into the Saudis’ hands after the execution of a Shiite cleric.
BBC Europe – UK Ministers ‘free to campaign for both sides on EU vote’. David Cameron is to allow ministers to campaign for either side in the referendum once a deal is reached on the UK’s relationship with the EU.
FRANCE
Le Monde – Anti-terrorism: the government wants to extend police powers. This is an important strengthening of the prosecution authorities, police and prefects in the fight against terrorism that the government of Manuel Valises is determined to implement, according to the bill he submitted to the Council of State.
Les Echos – Orange and Bouygues Telecom confirm they are in discussions. Both firms confirm they have had initial talks about a possible merger.
GERMANY
Frankfurter Allgemeiner Zeitung (FAZ) – Brussels threatens sanctions. The constitutional crisis in polend alarms the EU Commission. Hungary’s government is also of concern.
Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) – Maas: “We will not tolerate these heinous attacks on women”. Several groups of young men molested and robbed women in the New Year’s Eve events in Cologne. 60 complaints have been received.
In Hamburg, there have been similar incidents, the police there has been ten cases registered.
ITALY
La Repubblica – Markets tumble, Asia in crisis, Fear of another Black Monday. Uncertainty prevails after strong selling in the first trading day of 2016. Beijing intervened with purchases of securities and cash injections: shares in Shanghai and Tokyo have started badly, but recovered slightly.
Il Sole 24 Ore – Shares. Milan and the rest of Europe take a hit. China tries a massive cash injection into the finance sector.
POLAND
Gazeta Wyborcza – Coordinated purge of the public media? There is a draft law on “national media”. TV Poland, Polish Radio and Polish Press Agency will be categorised as the national media. They will be transformed into “state legal persons” managed by the Director; oversight will belong to the National Media Council under the direct control of the government.
SPAIN
El Pais – Podemos Catalan unit considers the electoral option of Ada Colau out of Barcelona. En Comu Podem, coalition’s spokesperson Xavier Domenech states that Barcelona Mayor’s influence “goes far beyond Catalonia.”
El Mundo – Rajoy offered to lead a government supported by the PSOE and the Citizens party in exchange for reforms: “I have no red lines” .The Acting Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, insisted on flexibility by the PSOE and the Citizens party, which would allow, he stressed, to consolidate recovery and give a message of stability inside and outside Spain.
UK
The Times – Boy in death video is son of British jihadi bride. Isis used child as shield, says grandfather.
The Guardian – Corbyn moves to take control of party policy. Labour leader looks to shift Benn and Eagle from key shadow cabinet role.
