Merkel wants to leave office of own free will, not through electoral defeat

Following the contamination of eggs with fipronil, an insecticide, the EU decided to hold a conference on how to exchange risk assessments.

Spanish authorities are blocking pro-Catalan websites in the lead up to the referendum in October. Asked whether freedom of expression was being undermined, the EU commission refused to comment.

Only two months ago, EU officials said there was only anecdotal evidence that consumers in eastern EU member states were being misled by companies.

EU social and urban policies should be more linked together and involve local authorities, in order to help people find affordable homes.

Financial services firms in London are proposing a free trade deal with the EU-27 to allow access to each others' markets without restrictions. They also propose a bilateral dispute settlement system.

French leader seeking to "rebuild Europe" with "pioneer" groups of pro-integration states. But German coalition talks could hold him back.