Protests against mafia-controlled landfill sites have become platforms for liberal leaders such as Slovakia’s president-elect, Zuzana Caputova, writes Leonid Bershidsky

Get a taste of some of the interesting and quirky happenings in Europe from our Europe correspondent, Ann Cahill.

EU policymakers yesterday unveiled plans to ensure the free flow of gas and power to every corner of the 28-member bloc, hailing it as the biggest energy shake-up for more than half a century.

IN a world that seems increasingly volatile, it is reassuring that the EU has decided to try to reduce its dependence on Russian energy.

Car clocking is costing Irish consumers up to €60m every year, as the EU looks to stamp out the practice by creating a mileage database.

Maybe it’s the favourable weather, but a new Eurobarometer survey indicates 94% of Irish people are satisfied with the quality of life where they live — well above the EU average of 85%.

Ireland's Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has been elected the new Ombudsman for the entire European Union.

LOBBYING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY

Unemployed Irish people should be able to work in underdeveloped countries and retain their unemployment payments from the State, Dáil Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett told fellow deputies from other EU member states.

Pádraig Flynn could lose his €50,000 EU pension depending on the outcome of the Criminal Assets Bureau investigation, the European Commission has said.

Irish citizens will soon be able to call directly on the European Commission to make legislative proposals.

THE new college of EU Commissioners is in danger of being rejected by the European Parliament over questions about the suitability of two candidates.

Ireland has secured the Research and Innovation portfolio in the European Commission.