Talks stall at special EU leadership summit

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.

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.

Hashim Thaci, the ex-President of Kosovo has been accused of war crimes committed during the 1998-99 insurgency. Thousands protested in his support.

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.

Taiwan's President Tsai is set to meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Beijing said that the Republican leader should avoid repeating "disastrous" past mistakes.

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.

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.

All sides are closely watching whether China would respond by staging another round of large-scale military exercises near the self-ruled democratic island.

The EU and China have agreed that peace talks in Ukraine should begin, and their trade relations should be rebalanced. Analysts remain cautious.

The French president called for the EU to implement its stated policy of "strategic autonomy" and argued the bloc could become a "third pole" alongside China and the US.

The EU is under pressure from the US to take a tougher stance on China's strategic expansion in Southeast Asia. However, European leaders say they want to avoid being seen as an extension of Washington.

President Joe Biden met with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Wednesday as part of a visit to mark the 25th anniversary of Northern Ireland's 1998 peace deal.