EXPENSIVE new technology — and not an ageing population — is the greatest threat to countries being able to afford decent health services, according to a major new report.

THE future health of Ireland’s public finances is at risk because of the costs of looking after an ageing population and slowdown in housing, a European Commission report has warned.

SHOPPERS are being ripped off by excessive bank charges for credit and debit cards and even cash customers end up paying more for goods as a result, according to a major report.

WHAT Germany describes as its “particular historic responsibility” influences many of its policies as it continues to acknowledge its crime in exterminating six million Jews in World War II.

EUROPEAN Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso is being accused of being biased towards the big member states and of ignoring smaller countries, including Ireland.

SET ASIDE your hallucinations about your place in Europe was the unusually bold message delivered by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in London this week.

A STRICT limit on the size of hand luggage and the quantity of liquids to be taken on board airlines has been proposed by the European Commission.

WEN JIABAO dealt very firmly with the questions about his country’s human rights record. Calmly and patiently the prime minister of the world’s most populous country redefined human rights.

CHILDREN’S shoes could be taxed for the first time under proposals to be debated by EU member states during the next month.

THE EUROPEAN Constitution that took more than 100 politicians, hundreds of diplomats and thousands of lobbyists two years to put together looks pretty dead.