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EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker plans to present his ideas for the future of Europe today in preparation for the EU summit at the end of March. Last week he endorsed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's proposal for a multi-speed Europe. Commentators take a critical view of the idea.

Two of the candidates in France's presidential election, Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, want France to leave the Eurozone if they win. Coming from the far right and far left of France's political spectrum, these plans draw scathing criticism from observers.

US President Donald Trump wants to increase his country's military spending by 54 billion dollars - or 10 percent. According to his plan cuts in the areas of environmental protection and foreign aid programmes will free up the necessary extra cash. Observers doubt whether Trump will be able to finance his plan and explain the origins of the close ties between politics and the military in the US.

From this Wednesday on, same-sex couples can get married in Finland. The new law, which was approved by the Finnish parliament two years ago, has sparked a debate in the Church. Its highest decision-making body, the General Synod, has ruled that despite the new law its clergy can only perform marriages between a man and a woman. The Church is behind the times, the Finnish press concludes.

VIDÉO - Le candidat Les Républicains a annulé au dernier moment sa visite au Salon de l'agriculture. Suivez en direct et en vidéo son intervention prévue à 12h et posez toutes vos questions au Figaro.

Romania has increased its defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP in line with NATO demands - and the country's defence minister has said half of the new funds will go on new equipment. 

Der EU-weite Anstieg gefälschter Smartphones 2015 schade nicht nur den Absatzzahlen in der Industrie, sondern auch der Verbrauchergesundheit, warnt ein aktueller Bericht. Euractiv Brüssel berichtet.