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.

UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk has said the number of civilian casualties in Russia's invasion of Ukraine far outstrips official figures.

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.

Ukraine's ambassador to Germany has criticized an appeal by former prominent members of Germany's Social Democrats that urged a cease-fire with Russia. He reiterated Kyiv's call for total Russian withdrawal from Ukraine.

Although there is currently no shale gas production in Europe, Polish energy experts say it could easily be brought back to the table to alleviate the European energy crisis.

Russia's top diplomat has said the EU is intent on inflicting "a strategic defeat on Russia." Meanwhile, Ukraine said Russian strikes have damaged the strategic port of Odesa.

French President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by EU's Ursula von der Leyen, is traveling to China in hopes of dissuading Beijing from backing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Tough trade talks are also expected.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan has shown unwavering support for Kyiv. The invasion of a young democracy by its larger neighbour is indeed a situation that hits close to home in Taiwan.

The proposed legislation is causing consternation in Southeast Asia, where local businesses are currently working to adapt to the EU regulations on the environment and sustainability.

The battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut has become the longest and bloodiest of the war, with severe losses on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. How has the situation developed since the start of the siege?

Germany's old-fashioned peace movement is increasingly divided on how to respond to the war in Ukraine. Their traditional Easter marches are growing less and less relevant to younger generations.