The Mar Menor – the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe linked to the Mediterranean Sea – has become the first natural area in Europe to be protected as a legal entity. Environmentalists and locals have long complained that the lagoon suffers from serious pollution, which they blame on intensive farming.

After taking over their huge domestic market, Chinese e-vehicle manufacturers want to crash Europe. Can their wide range of electric cars make a breakthrough splash in Germany?

Pressure is piling on European governments as energy prices continue to soar. After Russia said it wouldn't deliver gas on its Nord Stream 1 pipeline until Western sanctions are lifted, Portugal announced a new support programme for households and Austria's chancellor presented a price cap on electricity. Pressure is also coming from the streets, with protests against rising prices in Germany and Italy. Plus, we look at sliced white bread's unlikely comeback in the UK.

Talking Europe’s summer look back: European decision-makers and debates from 2021-22

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, decried Russia's attacks during their joint trip to Ukraine.

A combination of geopolitical tensions and higher costs are pushing large firms to look for alternative production sites. Vietnam's strong economic performance in recent years has drawn the attention of European firms.

Last month, Giorgia Meloni, the president of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, strongly criticised EU defence policy, claiming that no country is meeting its defence spending commitments. FRANCE 24's Georgina Robertson and Sophie Samaille look at some defence spending figures to debunk this claim.

Moscow has set a Friday deadline for gas payments to be made in rubles. Germany has called this "blackmail" and insists on paying in euros or dollars.

"Atrocious" and "depraved": British and European dailies express their horror over Russian air strikes on a maternity hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. EU leaders are meeting in Versailles to discuss defence strategies and find consensus on sanctions; we look at some coverage. Also, European capitals have begun renaming the streets of their Russian embassies in honour of the Ukrainian resistance. Finally, we bring you the sports pages after Paris Saint Germain's loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, has said the crisis in Ukraine could be a "historic turning point" in how European countries source their energy. Speaking to FRANCE 24 on Wednesday, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Birol noted that supplies of Russian gas to Europe had already fallen last year before the recent escalation of tensions. He said it could be an impetus for EU policymakers to turn to alternative sources, as the cost of gas and electricity have soared.

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a border? It may be the infamous border wall in the United States, the barbed wire fencing used in several European countries, or simple border posts with armed guards - all used to keep migrants out. The vast majority of the world's borders are actually relatively nondescript, often even beautiful. That's what photographer Valerio Vincenzo reveals in his photography book borderline. He joined Erin Ogunkeye on Perspective.

Western powers are reassessing their mission to Mali amid deteriorating relations with the country's military junta. European and African Union leaders are set to meet later this week for talks.