A MINI-TREATY, as suggested by French President Nicholas Sarkozy to replace the stalled EU constitution, is off the agenda, according to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

A TUBERCULOSIS patient under the first US federal quarantine since 1963 left an Atlanta hospital yesterday and arrived at a Denver facility that specialises in respiratory disorders, officials said.

LEGISLATION is in the pipeline to clamp down on timeshare rogue traders and to extend protection for holidaymakers.

THE European Union’s health chief proposed an EU-wide organ donor card yesterday after a survey showed most Europeans support using such cards but only 12% actually carry one.

THE European Commission will announce its rejection of Ryanair’s proposed purchase of rival airline Aer Lingus in the next month, sources close to the deal suggested yesterday.

HALF of the population in most EU countries is now overweight or obese while an increasing number of children are dangerously heavy.

SIX of Ireland’s 13 MEPs will have their salaries and expenses cut by around €200,000 a year following the General Election.

NEGOTIATIONS on the EU constitution are gaining pace as the Germans rush to hand over a workable package to the Portuguese on June 30.

WE all know James Bond drinks Martini but soon we could be up on Deirdre Barlow’s preferred brand of vodka and Dot Cotton’s breakfast cereal of choice.

SPENDING on pensions and health care for an ageing population will hit Ireland harder than most other EU economies, according to figures released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.