Germany ready to support EU ban on Russian oil

Talking Europe speaks to the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit. With anger growing in France about the government's push to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64, and the EU facing an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, his portfolio is very much in the spotlight – including recommendations to encourage a Minimum Income for all.

The EU's ambition is to turn hydrogen from a polluting niche market to a clean mass market. Renewable hydrogen is seen as crucial for Europe to meet its international climate commitments, and to limit its dependence on natural gas providers, be that Russia or other countries.

Germany is not a nuclear power, but it is part of US nuclear strategy. As arms control treaties between the US and Russia come undone, Germany faces a more clear and present nuclear danger.

The harvest saw an 8% drop over 2021 and had not been lower since 2013. Statisticians say the drop in productivity is a result of less land being dedicated to planting the vegetable.

A phase-out on the sale of polluting vehicles has been given the final approval to become law in the EU. Opposition from Germany had delayed the legislation for weeks.

Tallinn has hit back at reports that it upset its EU allies with reimbursements it has sought for weapons sent to Ukraine, in a trying moment for the bloc.

Total public debt is up in Germany, reaching a new record of over €28,000 per person. Much of the debt on the national level is connected special COVID and energy funds from the last years.

Pakistan's exclusion from the EU's list of "high-risk third countries" is likely to boost exports to the bloc and reduce the legal and financial costs of business with the EU.

Some 1.5 million German households are spending more than half of their income on rent, according to a study. Poorer people and city dwellers face the biggest burdens.

A right to die with dignity, or a slippery slope to legalised murder? Debates over assisted dying have been going on in Europe for a long time, but they seem to have intensified, with France, Belgium, Portugal and Ireland all recently re-considering their legislation, or at least launching consultations on the subject. A right to die with dignity, or a slippery slope to legalised murder? Debates over assisted dying have been going on in Europe for a long time, but they seem to have intensified, with France, Belgium, Portugal and Ireland all recently re-considering their legislation, or at least launching consultations on the subject.

The earthquake in Turkey destroyed 230,000 buildings or made them uninhabitable, according to official figures. Many people of Turkish origin in Germany have seen their retirement plans destroyed.

Voters in Paris overwhelmingly approved of outlawing the e-scooters. However, fewer than one in 10 chose to cast a ballot. The city government said it would nevertheless treat the result as binding.