10/12 – Today’s headlines from across the EU

EUROPEAN HEADLINES

FT Europe – Splintered society fuels Trump’s campaign for the White House. Middle class shrinks to half the population. Data also show number of rich expanding.

WSJE – Chemical giants in deal talks. Dow Chemical Co. and Dupont Co. are in advanced talks to merge in what would be a combination of two of America’s oldest companies that together are worth nearly $120 billion.

INYT – Migrant triage strands many in Greece. Only Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis can transit, leaving thousands adrift.

BBC Europe – Poland doesn’t see ‘eye-to-eye’ with UK on curbing benefits. Polish prime minster Beata Szydlo said she did not see “eye-to-eye” with Mr Cameron on the issue but wanted Britain to remain in the EU. She promised further talks in January to reach a “consensus”.

FRANCE

Le Monde – Nicolas Sarkozy’s offensive to attract votes from the right extremist party FN. The leader of the right-wing party Les Républicains said “the FN vote was not immoral” and toughened his stance on immigration, on Tuesday 8 December.

Les Echos – AccorHotels imposes itself on the luxury hotels market. The group will acquire Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel in a deal worth €2.6 billion. It completes its biggest acquisition while Qatar becomes its main shareholder.

GERMANY

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) – Beate Zschäpe denies any involvement in NSU murders: “I knew nothing.” Defendant apologises. Plaintiffs are disappointed.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SD) – “I had nothing to do with the murders.” Beate Zschäpe denies any involvement in the crimes committed by the NSU-terrorists. Her lawyer recites an apology. Relatives of the victims say she is untrustworthy.

ITALY

La Repubblica – USA changes its political approach: “We are at war.” France wants an anti-ISIS Guantanamo. Poutine raises the possibility of nuclear missiles. Lavrov warns Italy: “The Caliphate wants Libya, Italy must be vigilant.”

Il Sole 24 ore – Beijing devalues the yuan to 4 year low. The Chinese Central Bank has devalued the yuan to 6,414 per dollar, its lowest level since august 2011. This move had been planned since China joined the “basket” of international currencies at the IMF.

POLAND

Gazette Wyborcza – Court defends Constitution. The Constitutional Court delivered a ruling unfavourable to the PiS party and its amendment to the Constitutional Court Act. The President of Poland, however, neglected the ruling once again.

SPAIN

El Pais – Indecision in the campaign intensifies cross-fire. Candidates harden their message in order to fight competitors, faced with the uncertainty of the results.

Expansion – The bank asks Ferrovial to save Abengoa. It probes groups so that they invest money.

The Times – EU buckles as Merkel’s migrants hit 1 million. New Cameron call for benefit curbs for foreigners.

The Guardian – Inside Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct: searches; appalling pay, black marks, and 802 banned clothing brands. Strict culture at billionaire’s warehouse. Staff afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs. Workers taking home less than minimum wage.