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.

THE rights of trade unions to take industrial action against the use of cheap labour from Eastern European nations were bolstered by recommendations issued at the European Court of Justice yesterday.

AUGUST holidaymakers are set to benefit from dramatic cuts of up to 80% in their roaming mobile phone bills, as EU law makers agree to cap the fees phone companies can charge.

IRELAND’S smokers are among the most inconsiderate in the EU with up to a third smoking around young children and pregnant women.

EU MINISTERS have cleared the way for consumers to take out loans of up to €100,000 from banks and lenders in other member states.