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28.04.2025

28.04.2025Day the Darkness Fell on Spain

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Spain for 28.04.2025.

It displays 153 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

28.04.2025Day the Darkness Fell on Spain
Spain woke to news of Prime Minister Sánchez's brother being indicted for influence peddling and prevarication, along with first-quarter unemployment data showing the largest rise since 2013, with 92,500 jobs lost and unemployment climbing to 11.4%.

These stories were overshadowed at 11:00 AM when an unprecedented nationwide blackout struck Spain and parts of Europe. The outage, which eventually affected 15 countries, was caused by the sudden loss of 60% of the electric supply (15 gigawatts) within five seconds. Prime Minister Sánchez convened two emergency National Security Council meetings, declaring he would not rule out any hypothesis regarding the cause.

By evening, Interior Minister Marlaska declared a national emergency in eight communities as power was gradually restored. After nine hours, only about 50% of electricity demand had been met, with Red Eléctrica warning full restoration would take many more hours.
28.04.2025

03:51Political Polarization Deepens as Opposition Likens Sánchez to Kirchners

The newspapers report extensively on political polarization in Spain. Prime Minister Sánchez faces criticism from opposition figures, with PP's Juan Bravo claiming negotiations on tariffs are stalling (El Periódico) and Madrid's mayor Almeida comparing Sánchez and his wife to "the Spanish Kirchners" (La Razón). Media coverage includes RTVE's viewership decline for politically-aligned programs (El Confidencial) and the pending nuclear power phase-out (El Mundo). International topics include potential successors to Pope Francis (RTVE), Spain's position on military spending relative to NATO requirements (20minutos), and minimal Congressional action on Gaza (Público).
04:03
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07:26Spanish Unemployment Jumps as Job Market Loses 92,500 Positions

The newspapers report on economic concerns with Spain losing 92,500 jobs in the first quarter, pushing unemployment to 11.4% (20minutos), while the Competition authority will leave the BBVA-Sabadell merger decision to the government (El Periódico). Madrid's public education system faces a total strike (El Salto), and private healthcare waiting times reach three months despite insurance companies earning nearly €12 billion in profits (infoLibre). Other topics include the cardinals meeting to set a date for the papal conclave (RTVE), FC Barcelona's current success (La Vanguardia), and a documentary about Dana flood survivors (Libertad Digital).
07:56
08:05
08:05

10:04Sánchez's Brother Indicted as Unemployment Spikes

The newspapers report extensively on the indictment of Prime Minister Sánchez's brother for influence peddling and prevarication (La Razón, RTVE, 20minutos). Economic concerns feature prominently with unemployment rising to 11.4%, the largest first-quarter increase since 2013, with 193,700 more unemployed and 92,500 fewer jobs (El País). Other significant stories include public broadcasting challenges as RTVE's "Berlusconi model" shows viewership decline (El Confidencial), nuclear power plant closures and their economic impact (El Mundo), and Catalonia's regional government securing a €1.3 billion funding injection from ERC despite lacking a formal budget (El Periódico).

12:02Massive Blackout Plunges Spain Into Darkness

The newspapers report extensively on a major blackout affecting all of Spain and Portugal. Several outlets provide live updates on the power outage, which has left millions without electricity, internet, and mobile data (El Mundo, El Periódico, La Razón, RTVE). Red Eléctrica has begun restoring power from the northern and southern regions (RTVE). Other significant news includes the Vatican announcing May 7th as the start date for the conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor (El Confidencial) and reports of Israel killing 100 people in Gaza over the past 48 hours (El Salto).
12:17
13:16

14:26Massive European Blackout Could Last 10 Hours

The newspapers report extensively on a major electrical blackout affecting Spain and half of Europe. The outage has forced businesses and schools to close with people told to "walk home" (El Confidencial). Red Eléctrica estimates power restoration will take 6-10 hours, possibly until midnight (RTVE, Libertad Digital). Minister Teresa Ribera has ruled out cyberattack or sabotage as causes (El Periódico). The crisis prompted Prime Minister Sánchez to convene an emergency National Security Council meeting (El Español). Meanwhile, unrelated international coverage notes Trump's popularity falling after 100 days in office (La Vanguardia).
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16:44Massive Blackout Cripples Spain as Government Rules Out No Cause

The newspapers report on a massive blackout affecting Spain, Portugal, and Andorra. Prime Minister Sánchez stated they have "no conclusive information about causes" and are "not ruling out any hypothesis" (El Español). The power outage has paralyzed Spain (infoLibre) with Red Eléctrica gradually restoring electricity in nine regions, including Catalonia, Andalusia, and Basque Country (infoLibre, El Periódico). Barcelona is preparing potential overnight accommodations for affected people (El Periódico). Recovery efforts are expected to take 6-10 hours, with the government managing the crisis in Andalusia, Extremadura and Madrid (RTVE).
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18:41

19:35Nationwide Blackout Enters 8th Hour With Just 20% Power Restored

The newspapers extensively report on the massive blackout affecting Spain, Portugal, and Andorra. Prime Minister Sánchez acknowledged the "enormous impact" but assured there are no security problems (El Plural), while stating they lack "conclusive evidence" about causes but "aren't ruling out any hypothesis" (El Español). Red Eléctrica has restored about one-fifth of power supply across all regions (RTVE) but "cannot quantify" how long full restoration will take (El Periódico). The blackout has caused queues and delays at Madrid's Barajas airport (infoLibre) and gas station closures (20minutos).
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21:04Massive Blackout Caused by Sudden 60% Power Loss

The newspapers report extensively on a massive power outage affecting Spain, Portugal, and Andorra. Interior Minister Marlaska has declared a national emergency in seven autonomous communities (El Periódico). The blackout was caused by a sudden loss of 60% of electricity supply in just five seconds (El Plural, Libertad Digital), with 15 gigawatts disappearing from the system. Prime Minister Sánchez stated they "aren't ruling out any hypothesis" regarding the cause (Público). Meanwhile, Madrid has suspended classes for Tuesday though schools will remain open (20minutos). Additionally, unemployment rose to 11.4%, marking the largest first-quarter increase since 2013 (El País).
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22:17System Failure Causes Unprecedented 60% Power Loss

The newspapers report extensively on a nationwide blackout that continues to affect Spain. Prime Minister Sánchez confirmed the outage occurred due to a "sudden" disappearance of 60% of the energy supply, approximately 15 gigawatts, within five seconds (infoLibre, La Razón, RTVE, Público). The government has declared a national emergency in eight communities with Interior assuming control of the response (20minutos), while stating they aren't ruling out any hypothesis about the cause (El Plural). Red Eléctrica attributes the outage to a system failure and warns restoration will take "hours" (El Mundo). Only half of electricity demand is currently being met (Libertad Digital). Separately, Madrid's public education sector is experiencing a total strike (El Salto).
22:40