The scale of the geo-political problems facing the EU cannot be under-estimated, as has been made clear by Ms von der Leyen.

Every six years, in tandem with the European parliamentary election, the EU changes the management of its top jobs.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Liverpool’s preparations for this weekend’s Merseyside derby have suffered a blow after defender Jose Enrique was ruled out with a long-term knee injury which is likely to require surgery.

Andy Burrows is happy to have left the tensions of his former band Razorlight behind, says Ed Power

Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell isn’t getting “too serious about things” with the band’s new album.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has warned the club’s current – and prospective future – owners that without major investment, they cannot continue to survive on reputation alone.

Razorlight considered splitting up after drummer Andy Burrows quit in March

Johnny Borrell has hit out at the Brit Awards and claimed his band Razorlight will be focusing on breaking the US.

Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell has slammed reports he is set to go solo, insisting they are "total rubbish".

'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson has laughed off rumours she is dating rocker Johnny Borrell after the pair were spotted leaving a star-studded party together.

Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell has dismissed reports he is to quit the band to go solo.

British rocker Johnny Borrell has given up his quest to help Pete Doherty kick his drug addictions, claiming the troubled singer refuses to help himself.

Razorlight rocker Johnny Borrell has recorded a "solar-powered" song to highlight global warming.

Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell has reportedly cheated on new girlfriend Kirsten Dunst after passionately kissing his ex-girlfriend.

Actress Kirsten Dunst and English rocker Johnny Borrell have gone public with their new romance at the world premiere of Spider-Man 3 in Tokyo, Japan.

German Christian Democrat Hans-Gert Poettering, a veteran European politician, was elected president of the European Parliament today until 2009, an official said.

MEPs meeting in Strasbourg responded to the London bomb blasts with a show of solidarity today.

EUROPEAN Parliament President Josep Borrell will hold talks today with senior European MPs in a bid to break the “wall of silence” surrounding the murder of Robert McCartney.

European Parliament President Josep Borrell is holding talks with senior Euro-MPs tomorrow in a bid to break the “wall of silence” surrounding the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney.

Pope John Paul II’s flu and breathing problems are improving and he is eating regular food, the Vatican said, without giving specifics on when the frail, 84-year-old pontiff might leave the hospital or resume his regular activities.

Members of the European Parliament stood for a minute of silence this morning to pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp.

It was stalemate in Brussels tonight in the battle of political wills over the anti-gay commissioner.

MEPs have elected Spaniard Josep Borrell as the new president of the European Parliament.