Spain’s blackout started by abrupt loss of power at Granada substation

However, investigators are still in the dark about what caused the shutdown

Russia jails head of independent election watchdog for five years

Co-chair of the Golos movement pleaded not guilty at his trial but will now spend five years in a penal colony

Digital rights group challenges Meta over data use for AI training

Meta plans to start using personal data from European users of Instagram and Facebook from May 27

Russian economy in worse shape than Moscow claims, says report

Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics document highlights structural weaknesses, questions reliability of Russian GDP and inflation data

Assisted dying bill approved in key vote by Scottish parliament

Polls show majority of Britons back assisted dying and supporters say law needs to catch up with public opinion

Germany cracks down on far-right group and arrests leaders

Prosecutors raid headquarters of extremist ‘Kingdom of Germany’ group accused of working to undermine state

Albania votes as Prime Minister Edi Rama seeks fourth term

Exit poll shows Rama, who has promised EU membership, poised to beat rival Sali Berisha in general election

Substantial progress made in US-China trade talks, says Bessent

US treasury secretary says there will be a complete briefing on the details on Monday

American Cardinal Robert Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV

First US pontiff spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and became a cardinal only in 2023

European Commission sets out possible €95bn response to US tariffs

EU repeats that it would prefer a negotiated solution but is also looking into export curbs and a WTO complaint

Ukraine chides Russia for violating own three-day ceasefire

Russian assaults continued in east, says Ukraine foreign minister

Macron and Merz talks focus on security and economic risks

New chancellor hails reset in Franco-German relations in first trip abroad since taking office

China’s Xi Jinping arrives in Moscow for Putin talks after Ukrainian drones target capital

World leader hands Russian president a potent diplomatic boost ahead of World War 2 victory commemoration

Czech court halts $18bn nuclear deal until losing bidder has been heard

Court injunction stops biggest public procurement in Czech history and a key part of the country’s energy strategy

UK construction activity drops again in April, PMI shows

Commercial real estate work fell at the fastest pace since May 2020

Black smoke signals first conclave vote has not elected a pope

Cardinals took secrecy oaths before start of conclave, with voting taking place in the Sistine Chapel