45 m. ago Major power outages across Spain and Portugal hit transport systems, mobile networks, traffic lights and more – Europe live

Cities across Spain and Portugal experience blackouts and transport chaos after power outageWe are just getting a line from Reuters news agency saying that the Conclave to elect new pope will start on 7 May, according to its source.We have not independently verified this report. Continue reading...

Events

1 hour ago Conclave to choose new Pope to start on 7 May, Vatican confirms – Europe live

Process to decide on successor to Pope Francis will begin next weekWe are just getting a line from Reuters news agency saying that the Conclave to elect new pope will start on 7 May, according to its source.We have not independently verified this report. Continue reading...

Economics

2 h. ago Russia claims it is ‘ready’ for Ukraine talks but demands recognition of occupied territories – Europe live

Comments from foreign minister Sergei Lavrov about ‘ownership’ follow suggestions from Trump that Ukraine could cede CrimeaAt the European Commission’s midday press briefing, the chief spokesperson Paula Pinho has just been asked about the EU’s reaction to Donald Trump’s comments over the weekend after he met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral.She said:President Zelensky has been very much aligned with the EU position, and vice versa, we’ve been very much aligned with President Zelensky on the position with regard to peace and negotiations regarding a ceasefire agreement, where absolutely the position of Ukraine is the determining position.We’ve also heard, indeed, the comments by President Trump after these talks, and we welcome those comments that go in the sense of also acknowledging that the attacks of Russia on Ukraine, which, by the way, continued over the weekend, cannot be accepted. Continue reading...

Events

3 h. ago Europe live: Russia claims it is ‘ready’ for Ukraine talks but demands recognition of occupied territories

Comments from foreign minister Sergei Lavrov about ‘ownership’ follow suggestions from Trump that Ukraine could cede CrimeaIn other European developments over the weekend, the National Rally leader Jordan Bardella said he would be ready to step in as the French far-right’s presidential candidate in 2027 if Marine Le Pen is ultimately barred from running.Le Pen was handed a five-year public office ban after a court found her and some members of her party guilty in March of misappropriation of funds. Continue reading...

Events

38 h. ago Barcelona v Real Madrid: Copa del Rey final, extra time – live

Updates from the 9pm BST kick-off at La CartujaContact Luke McLaughlin | Live scores around Europe12min: Lamine Yamal makes a bright run down the right for Barcelona. The score is nil-nil.“I’d love to watch the game but a 10pm kick-off is getting a bit too near my bedtime,” emails Mark. “How do the players put up with it? It must be hard to be at your peak performance level so late in the day. Good night. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago Pope Francis funeral live: 400,000 bid farewell to pontiff after ‘potentially historic’ Trump

The late pontiff’s coffin has been transported from St Peter’s Square to the Basilica of St Mary Major, where it has been laid to rest

Politics

48 h. ago Pope Francis funeral live: Pontiff to be laid to rest after ‘potentially historic’ Trump

The late pontiff’s coffin has been transported from St Peter’s Square to the Basilica of St Mary Major, where it will now be laid to rest

Politics

49 h. ago Pope Francis funeral live: Trump and Zelensky meet in Vatican as mourners told pontiff wanted to ‘build bridges’

The late pontiff’s coffin has been transported from St Peter’s Square to the Basilica of St Mary Major, where it will now be laid to rest

Politics

50 h. ago Pope Francis funeral live: Cardinal says pontiff aimed to ‘build bridges, not walls’ in apparent Trump rebuke

Huge crowds have gathered near St Peter’s Square as major world leaders watch the solemn funeral service

Politics

51 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Trump, Zelensky and Prince William join 200,000 mourners as service takes place

More than 200,000 people are believed to be attending the funeral, along with major world leaders

Politics

52 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Historic service begins at Vatican as world leaders join thousands of mourners

More than 200,000 people are believed to be attending the funeral, along with major world leaders

Politics

54 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: World leaders arriving to pay respects at historic Vatican ceremony

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the funeral, along with major world leaders

Politics

62 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: World leaders to pay respects to late Pontiff in historic Vatican ceremony

Pope Francis will be remembered as a humble leader and champion of the poor in a ceremony attended by world leaders

Politics

66 h. ago Zoe Ball lands huge TV hosting gig after stepping down from breakfast radio show

Zoe Ball, 54, will host VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember, a live concert marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, on May 8, the BBC has announced

Culture

3 d. ago Putin and Witkoff meet in Kremlin after car bomb kills Russian general near Moscow – Europe live

US envoy and Russian leader hold planned meeting following the death of Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik in BalashikhaPjotr Sauer is a Russian affairs reporter for the GuardianA senior Russian military official was killed in a car explosion near Moscow on Friday, just hours before a Kremlin meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Reeves hints at priority as she says ‘trading relationship with Europe arguably more important’ than US – UK politics live

Chancellor said she understood the focus on possible deal with US, but added the EU remained ‘our nearest neighbours and trading partners’Water company bosses face up to two years in prison if they cover up illegal sewage spills under new laws coming into force, PA Media reports. PA says:The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said no prison sentences have been handed to water company executives since privatisation despite widespread illegal sewage discharges, and the tougher penalties were essential because some firms have obstructed investigations.Environment secretary Steve Reed said: “Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability. From today, there will be no more hiding places.”I’m now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.In the end, I think everybody understands that this is about our security in Europe. It requires cooperation between democracies, friends, allies, countries with the same values.The...

Politics

3 d. ago Steve Witkoff arrives in Moscow for further talks with Russia about Ukraine peace plan – Europe live

US peace envoy to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine ahead of US president’s 100 days in office next weekAnd the Interfax news agency has now reported that Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow, where he is expected to meet Vladimir Putin.Reuters noted that Witkoff has emerged as Washington’s key interlocutor with Putin as Trump pushes for a deal to end the war in Ukraine, and has already held three long meetings with the Kremlin leader. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’: Trump criticises Putin as Starmer and von der Leyen warn over Russian energy ‘blackmail’ – Europe live

US president says he is ‘not happy’ over Kyiv attack as death toll rises to 12 with 90 people injuredWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump criticises Putin over attack on Kyiv – Europe live

US president says he is ‘not happy’ with Russian attack and criticises the ‘very bad timing’ We understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Zelenskyy calls for more ceasefire pressure on Russia after ‘massive’ Kyiv attack – Europe live

Ukrainian president says his country, unlike Moscow, has agreed to ceasefire demands and calls on US to play a greater role in guaranteeing peaceWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events