15/02 – Today’s headlines from across the EU

EUROPEAN HEADLINES

FT Europe – West accuses Moscow of using refugees as weapons in Syria war. Air strikes drive civilians from Aleppo. McCain slams ‘diplomacy in service of aggression’.

WSJE – New twist in US election. Death of conservative justice expected to dominate campaigns for both parties.

INYT – As growth slips, Chinese move cash out. Falling trust in renminbi leads to wave of transfers into foreign currencies.

BBC Europe – Bosnia-Herzegovina applies to join European Union. Bosnia-Herzegovina has formally applied to join the 28-nation European Union – a milestone in its efforts to overcome political and ethnic divisions. More tough negotiation and reforms lie ahead if it is ever to join the EU. Its neighbour Croatia joined in 2013.

FRANCE

Le Monde – One thousand years after the schism, the historical reconciliation. After the rupture between Rome and Constantinople in 1054, the leaders of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches had never met.

Les Echos – Valls wants to clarify the dismissal’s rules. The dismissal’s causes may be specified in the El Khomri law. The aim is to limit the judge’s power of interpretation in case of dispute.

GERMANY

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) – Large distrust of Russia’s intentions in Syria. McCain: Putin is not interested in partnership. Munich Security Conference.

Suedeutsche Zeitung (SZ) – Turkey calls for protection zones in Syria. Foreign Affairs Minister Çavuşoğlu: Ankara is ready to build new cities for refugees in Syria. Obama and Putin talk about implementation of the recent ceasefire agreement.

ITALY

La Repubblica – Egypt: Giulio betrayed by folders arrived in the ‘007’’s hands. Giulio Regeni targeted because of its academic reports. Gentiloni: we demand the truth quickly.

Il Sole 24 Ore – Youth, maternity and loans: the funds accelerate on welfare. The funds for professionals have included important measures in their 2016 budget, regarding long term care and disability allowances.

POLAND

Gazeta Wyborcza – Cuts for miners in the pipeline. The newly formed Polish Mining Group (PGR) plans layoffs in mines, cutting the miners’ monthly remuneration by more than PLN 1,100 and depriving the industry’s employees of some privileges.

SPAIN

El País – Aguirre paves the way for Rajoy and resigns because of corruption. Madrid PP President accepts her political responsibilities and resigns. The youngest party leaders want to split up with the party members responsible for the scandals.

The Times – Airstrikes threaten peace deal in Syria. World leaders were scrambling last night to prevent a Syrian ceasefire from collapsing before it even begins as Russia and Turkey launched huge military operations in the north of the country.

The Guardian – NHS vows to transform mental health services with extra GBP 1bn a year. People facing mental health crises will be able to get community care 24 hours a day, seven days a week as part of the biggest transformation of NHS mental health services in England, to be unveiled today.