The turbo-charged president of France Nicolas Sarkozy takes up the reigns of the European Union today, in what is promising to be an action-packed six months. Nicolas Sarkozy, a political live-wire, is keen to set the EU alight with his ambitious ideas during his tenure of the revolving Presidency, with policy initiatives ranging from defence to immigration.

A referendum in Ireland proposing the country's ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon has been rejected by the electorate despite near universal support from the country's political establishment.

This was a good last day at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Amongst the films receiving honours at the awards ceremony yesterday night were 4 films funded by the EU’s Media Programme: “Entre Les Murs” directed by Laurent Cantet (France) won the Palme d'Or, whilst “Gomorra” directed by Matteo Garrone (Italy), swept up the Grand Prize of the festival.

In June, European Union member states are expected to consider whether to normalize relations with Cuba. This follows a call by the EU's Commissioner of Development to permanently lift diplomatic sanctions. In 2003, a Cuban government crack down on dissidents prompted Brussels to freeze relations with Havana. All high level visits were halted and Cuba told the EU it did not need its aid. The EU temporarily suspended its actions 2005, but now Europeans will debate a permanent thaw.

France is expected to urge the European Union to place greater priority on agriculture and food security in the 27-member bloc during a meeting of European agricultural ministers in Luxembourg.

The European Parliament says it wants the 27 EU members to consider boycotting the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies if the Chinese government does not resume talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

EU leaders agreed on a timetable for action to tackle climate change that they hope will enable them to set the pace in global talks next year, but some voiced unease about the methods.

The European Union's parliament celebrated its 50th anniversary on Wednesday with speeches, musical performances by the European Youth Orchestra, and a very large cake.

Sweden’s foreign minister Carl Bildt has called on Serbia not to isolate itself from the rest of Europe as Belgrade’s refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence threatens future efforts to join an enlarged EU.

Leaders of the opposition Green Party says they do not now want Sweden to leave the EU.

The European Union has fined Microsoft a record $1.3 billion for charging unreasonably high royalties to competing software developers.

Russia has sharply criticized the planned European Union mission to Kosovo, saying the deployment without prior approval by the United Nations' Security Council violates international law.