European Headlines

FT – US attack UK over China stance. White House in rare criticism of close ally as Britain joins finance body launched by Beijing.

WSJE – Weaker euro transforms expectations. The tumbling euro and easy-money policies are boosting optimism in corporate Europe now that the long-struggling region might finally begin a recovery worthy of its name.

INYT – Netanyahu’s test on settlements. A steady expansion draws lingering ire from abroad.

France

Le Monde – French Economy Minister Macron is pushing President Hollande to launch new wave of reforms. The Economy Minister wants to take advantage of the small recovery to launch new projects after the local elections.

Les Echos – Doctors: why the conflict hardens. More than 20,000 demonstrators are expected to meet Sunday in Paris to protest against the Touraine draft law. The Minister of Health’s concessions did not convince doctors. Third-party payment: franchises’ puzzle.

Germany

Frankfurter Algemeiner – Dusseldorf, Stuttgart and Munich fear power cuts. Several Federal states reject plans by Federal Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) to redesign the German electricity market.

SudDeutsche Zeitung – Huge dispute between Berlin and Athens. Greece’s ambassador complained to the Federal Foreign Office about Federal Finance Minister Schäuble having allegedly called Greek Finance Minister Varoufakis naïve.

Italy

La Republica – The new school: Teachers will be chosen by the principal and a merit-based bonus will be implemented. Matteo Renzi approved the draft law on school reform; it is the end of replacements and overcrowded classrooms claims the Prime Minister.

Il Sole 24 Hora – The BTP-Bund spread is back to the pre-crisis level. Quantitative easing, acquisition of titles amounting to €10 billion – Athens: the ECB is stifling.

Poland

Gazeta – Network of spying waiters. Waiters who tapped politicians and businessmen in summer 2014 say that it was meant to overthrow the PO party’s government. They add that the PiS party promised to properly reward them for this service.

Spain

El Pais – UGT union used Caja Madrid black credit cards to finance part of its expenses. One of the union’s leaders has confirmed to the judge the delivery of €80,000.

Expansion – Sabadell purchases TSB to become the 6th biggest British bank. Sabadell launches a €2.4 billion preliminary offer on Lloyd’s subsidiary.

UK

The Times – Terrorism is a price worth paying, says liberty lobby. Outcry over campaigners’ attack on state snooping.

 The Guardian – Surveillance laws will get total overhaul, agencies are warned. Parliament told to act to improve transparency. Report reveals ‘bulk personal dataset’s created.

©europeanunion2015