EUROPEAN HEADLINES
FT Europe – Chief to stand aside as bitter infighting engulfs Valeant. Departure follows collapse in shares. Former finance chief accused.
WSJE – A historic handshake in Havana. Raúl Castro and Barack Obama met Monday during the first visit by a sitting US President to Cuba since 1928. Mr. Obama declared a “new day” in relations but acknowledged “serious differences.”
INYT – Obama and Castro hold historic talks in Cuba. Leaders vow to pursue normalisation despite lingering disagreements.
BBC Europe – Many dead (at least 31) in Brussels terror attacks. Two explosions hit Zaventem airport at about 07:00 GMT, and another struck Maelbeek metro station an hour later.
The government has not confirmed casualty numbers. Brussels transport officials say 20 died at Maelbeek and media say up to 14 died at the airport.
Belgium has now raised its terror threat to its highest level.
FRANCE
Le Monde – Obama’s historical visit in Cuba, new stage of the relationship. The US president should meet with his Cuban counterpart Raúl Castro on Monday 21 March.
Les Echos – Brussels goes to war against VAT fraud. The European Commission reveals an action plan to address cross border fraud, estimated to be responsible for a VAT revenue loss of about €50 billion annually. The EC also plans to support reduced rates notably on books and digital press.
GERMANY
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) – Obama in Cuba: The future is brighter than the past. Meeting with Raúl Castro. First visit of an American president in 88 years.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung – “It’s wonderful to be here.” With his historic visit to Cuba, US President Obama wants to end the decades-old enmity between the two countries and make the rapprochement irreversible.
ITALY
La Repubblica – Erasmus, Europe’s pain. The death of Italian Erasmus students has moved Europe. The driver confesses: “I fell asleep.”
Il Sole 24 Ore – Telecom rises on the stock market, waiting for the after Patuano. Berlusconi: deal on contents with Vivendi.
POLAND
Gazeta Wyborcza – Will President Obama free Cuba? Barack Obama begins a historic trip to Cuba, the first visit by a US President to Cuba since 1928. He hopes that Cuba will gradually implement democratic standards while the opposition in Cuba voices an urgent need for fundamental and immediate changes.
SPAIN
El País – Obama urges Castro to support democracy and freedom in Cuba. “They are not just American values but Universal values”, said the President. His Cuban counterpart said there is no political prisoner in his country.
UK
The Times – Police spend £1bn a year on child sex abuse cases. Cost revealed as failed VIP inquiry shut down.
The Guardian – Welfare U-turn leaves PM with £4.4bn to find. Cameron forced to concede that black hole will not be filled by further cuts.
©europeanunion2016
