European Headlines

FT – Blair poised to step back as envoy for Middle East peace Quartet. Move comes amid deep unease over his relations with senior Palestinian Authority figures.

WSJE – Hedge funds big winners in euro rout. The euro’s plunge has given a much-needed lift to hedge funds that have been repeatedly frustrated by the world’s central banks.

INYT – Poles steel for battle, fearing the Russians. Paramilitary groups see surge in membership since the Ukraine crisis.

France

Le Monde – Netanyahu faces the usury of power. The conservative Prime Minister tries to obtain a fourth term in the legislative election on 17th March.

Les Echos – Foreign investors: France gets some credit back. For the first time in three years, the number of foreign investors increased in 2014.

Germany

Frankfurter Algemeiner – Greece says war reparations can be legally claimed. Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos says he will personally work to make it happen.

SudDeutsche Zeitung – Tusk fears a catastrophe for Europe. A “Grexit” would have dramatic geopolitical consequences, warns the European Council President.

Italy

La Republica – Madia: the State will dismiss public services’ CEOs if they do not fulfill their obligations. The CGIL syndicate distances itself with Maurizio Landini, who desires to present himself as the opposition’s man.

Il Sole 24 Hora – Real estate: price variations prompt hunt for bargain. A survey from Il Sole 24 Ore reveals that the real estate market is recovering in leading Italian cities, in particular Milan and Rome.

Poland

Gazeta – The Mafia in Poland. Today starts a trial of the Pruszków Mafia formed 25 years ago. Police and Prosecutor’s Office reassure that there are no similar criminal groups in Poland anymore.

Spain

El Pais – The public prosecutor investigates on the consulting firm created by Cristobal Montoro for possible perversion of justice. TFormer collaborators of the Minister are still working for the company.

Expansion – The private banking sector opens the recruiting season. Asset management companies strengthen to face the recovery.

UK

The Times – British trio stopped on way to join Islamic State. Teenagers caught in Turkey after parents’ tip-off.

The Guardian – Tory chairman caught out in fake name saga. Grant Shapps abandons claim he gave up business alias when he became MP.