Pedro Sanchez

Blizzard in Spain claims several lives, leaves thousands trapped

Ten provinces of central Spain were on their highest level of alert for Storm Filomena, including the capital, Madrid, where authorities have activated the red warning for the first time.

Parks packed, terraces open as Madrid and Barcelona celebrate easing

Spain urges foreign tourists to return from July as one of Europe's strictest lockdowns eased, with streets gradually filling again and some pupils returning to school.

European shares rise on recovery hopes, Bayer jumps

Investors focused on the positives despite growing US-China tensions stalling recovery for equities in May, amid signs that many European economies are coming back to life.

Italy's daily virus death toll lowest since early March – latest updates

The global coronavirus pandemic has affected more than 4.6 million people, with over 308,000 deaths, according to a tracker. Here are more coronavirus-related developments for May 16:

The normalisation measurements governments are taking around the world

To get back on their feet, many countries have started the process of easing the coronavirus lockdown, introducing the staged relaxation of quarantine rules.

World leaders wish UK PM Johnson a quick recovery

After British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's admission to an intensive care unit, many world leaders are wishing a quick recovery.

Venezuela orders 'collective quarantine' over coronavirus – latest updates

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has passed 155,000, driven by a spike in infections in Italy, which announced 3,497 new cases on Saturday. The virus has so far claimed almost 6,000 lives across 154 countries and territories.

Spain's govt sets timing of talks with Catalonia leaders

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says peace talks will begin this month after meeting with separatist president of Catalonia, Quim Torra, in Barcelona.

Spanish separatist lawmakers blast 'anachronistic' monarchy

Criticism of the Spanish king, long targeted by separatists and left-wing anti-monarchists, increased after 2017 when he called for Spanish unity following a violent police crackdown on people trying to votes for Catalonia's independence referendum.

Spain calls emergency meeting as Storm Gloria death toll hits 13

A calamitous storm has killed at least 13 people in Spain and left five others missing, as well as causing rivers to overflow their banks and contaminating vast agricultural areas in eastern Spain with salty seawater.

Sanchez wins cliff-hanger Spain vote to form new govt

Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez bags 167 votes in 350-seat assembly compared to 165 against, with a decisive 18 abstentions by Catalan and Basque separatist lawmakers.

Spain's Sanchez faces tight parliament vote to remain PM

Pedro Sanchez lost a first confidence vote having failed to win backing from an absolute majority in the 350-seat parliament. He now faces a second vote in which he needs just a simple majority –– more yes votes than no –– to remain prime minister.