URGENT action is needed by governments to improve working conditions for one million short-term contract workers working in another EU member state, the European Commission has said.

CHEMICALS used in everything from plastic bottles to cosmetics are contributing to the huge increase in breast cancer in women, according to a scientific report discussed in the European Parliament.

SERBIA made a case for a fast-track membership of the EU when its foreign minister met EU ministers for the first time since Kosovo declared its independence in February.

THE mention of tax havens conjures up pictures of mixing with royalty in Monaco, living under blue skies on creamy beaches in the Caribbean or interminable ski holidays on the romantic slopes of Switzerland.

THE Irish Government will not boycott the Olympic Games in China in protest against events in Tibet but may, like many other EU countries, stay away from the opening ceremony, Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern said yesterday.

NON-IRISH drivers are more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents or breaking the speed limit here than locals, but they frequently disappear after the incident.

THURSDAY June 12 is the date favoured by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for the Lisbon Treaty referendum, he indicated at the end of an EU summit in Brussels.

IRELAND made the case to work towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 30% rather than the 20% already agreed when the Taoiseach addressed the summit of EU leaders in Brussels last night.

IRELAND has the most family-friendly tax regime in the world, with some low-paid families getting more than their wages — thanks to state allowances.

ALL MEPs have until the end of May to make a full disclosure of the allowances they claimed to pay assistants after suspicions of fraud.