In brief | 28 April '25

Euronews: Spain, Portugal and parts of France hit by massive power outage

A nationwide power outage hit Spain and Portugal on Monday, leaving millions without electricity. Reports indicate issues with the European electric grid.

The Guardian: Spain and Portugal hit by massive power outage causing blackouts

The Spanish grid operator Red Eléctrica said it had activated plans to restore the supply, with “all resources dedicated to solving” the disruption. It said the Iberian Peninsula, with a combined population of more than 50 million people, had been affected.

Politico: Huge power outage cripples Spain and Portugal

Cyberattack not ruled out as grid operator says it’s working to restore power.

Reuters: Germany's Merz names utility executive as economy minister among first cabinet picks

Germany's Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz on Monday named utility executive Katherina Reiche as his likely economy minister and foreign policy expert and ally Johann Wadephul as foreign minister, as part of a raft of first appointments.

Reuters: Germany's new cabinet: who's who?

A new coalition government is taking shape in Berlin, with chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz picking close allies and corporate executives for his cabinet to tackle Germany's economic malaise amid trade tensions and a surging far right.

FT: Berlin faces EU test over German electricity market break-up

Germany’s new government faces an early test of its sway in Brussels as it defies pressure from neighbouring countries to break up the German electricity market.

FT: Vestas warns wind industry is falling behind global climate goals

Europe’s largest turbine maker notes “big discrepancy” between ambitious targets and reality on the ground.