EU approves France’s €40 billion recovery fund plan

The watchdogs of EU democracy will have to be "much louder in the future" if they hope to see off a mounting threat from homegrown populists and autocrats who are chipping away at Europe's founding commitments to free speech and the rule of law, a top EU official has warned.

Coucouron has been receiving its drinking water by road. The surrounding region was previously not thought to be at risk of drought. The French government has announced a national plan to use water more efficiently.

Europe is monitoring its groundwater levels, hoping to avert acute shortages over the summer and mitigate a crisis in some of the driest areas. FRANCE 24's Science reporter Shirli Sitbon looks at the situation in France, where it has rained in some regions in recent weeks, but not everywhere. Many areas, particularly in the south of France, are still likely to face a drought this summer.

We take you to the westernmost point of France; the last piece of civilisation before the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. Ouessant, located 25 kilometres off the Finistère coast in Brittany, is a rugged and fascinating island, where less than 500 people live all year round. We meet a fisherwoman, a doctor and a photographer who appreciate its raw beauty.

Russia's Vladimir Putin has lifted the ban on direct flights with Georgia and introduced a visa-free regime for Georgian nationals. Georgian authorities welcome the initiative; critics see it as "provocation" by Moscow.

The European Union sees Romania as one of its frontline states when it comes to the war in Ukraine. The country of 19 million people, a member of both the EU and NATO, has a land and sea border with Ukraine of more than 600 kilometres. It has been a transit hub for weapons supplies to Kyiv.

The rally was organized by Moldova's government, which seeks to join the EU by 2030. Moldova has accused Moscow of trying to sabotage its membership bid.

EU leaders Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen are discussing economic cooperation with the South Korean president in Seoul. Their talks are also expected to focus on North Korea and the war in Ukraine.

The Green Claims Directive would require firms to substantiate their climate-friendly claims with evidence. DW looks at how existing claims by the likes of H&M and Shell would fare once the law comes into effect.

Located on France's Normandy coast, the Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most iconic and photographed places in the country. Every year, the site attracts nearly 3 million visitors. Built 1,000 years ago, the abbey on a tidal island, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, has stood the test of time and survived throughout the centuries. Our France 2 colleagues report on some of its secrets, with FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

In a small village deep in central France, the same family has run the "La Promenade" restaurant for four generations. The story began in 1960, when Lucienne created a small bistro. Then Jacky, the son, took over and won the first Michelin star in 1989. Today, the grandson Fabrice watches over this mecca of French gastronomy, and now his son Clément is studying for his chef's diploma. "La Promenade" is a moving family story, whose finest pages are perhaps yet to be written.

France's inaugural "gigafactory" is perceived as a critical milestone in the transition towards a green economy, given that the EU is set to prohibit the sale of petrol cars beginning in 2035. In anticipation of this deadline, both France and Europe aim to lessen their reliance on Chinese suppliers, who have enjoyed a lead of over a decade.