16/04 – Today’s headlines from across the EU

EUROPEAN HEADLINES

FT – Germany dashes hope of cash deal for Athens at high-stakes meeting. Nobody expects a solution, says Schäuble. Fears rise of Greece going bust next month.

WSJE – EU charges Google on its searches. Europe escalated its five-year antitrust probe of Google Inc. on Wednesday, filing formal charges against the US search giant for the first time, in a move that reopens the prospect of hefty fines and injunctions that could severely restrict how it does business in Europe.

INYT – Ferry sinking leaves Korean city scarred. One year after the accident, a struggle to comprehend the loss of 300 students.

FRANCE

Le Monde – Europe accuses Google of dominant position. After five years of investigation, the European Commission has sent a “list of complaints” to the American group.

Les Echos – Europe sounds the charge against Google. Brussels accuses the search engine of market abuse. Europe toughens its language against US internet giants.

GERMANY

Frankfurter Allgemeine – European Commission takes tougher action against Google. Competition Commissioner Vestager accuses company of abusing its market power.

Suddeutsche Zeitung – Germans as ISIS torturers in Syria. Federal prosecutor suspects several German jihadists to have brutally mistreated prisoners of terrorist militia. Investigators base their suspicion on a 27-year-old key witness.

ITALY

La Republica – Final fight on Italicum within the Democratic Party. Roberto Speranza resigns. The Democratic Party assembly eventually approved the controversial Italicum electoral reform. Democrat parliamentary leader Roberto Speranza has decided to resign.

Il Sole 24 Ore – Draghi: QE programme is effective, green light to bond buying. “Growth is gaining ground”, commented ECB president Mario Draghi. The Bank’s measures are effective and the QE programme will be maintained.

POLAND

Gazeta – EU versus Google. The European Commission accused Google of abusing dominant position on the Internet search engines market, which violates the EU anti-trust law. Google faces a fine of up to USD 6.6 billion.

SPAIN

El Pais – The PP starts to get closer to Ciudadanos in order to make pacts. The PP also makes offers to UPyD’s last dissident members.

Expansion – Judicial blow to the labour reform. The Supreme Court cancels the layoff of 1,156 employees by Coca-Cola.

The Times – Law chief drops child abuse case against peer. Ruling raises new fears of establishment cover-up.

The Guardian – “No accident”: stadium fire that killed 56. Blaze at Bradford City in 1985 is one of nine premises linked to ex-owner.