Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that he feared his US counterpart Donald Trump "will continue" lifitng sanctions on Russia. Zelensky's relationship with Trump deteriorated after the Washington eased sanctions on Moscow as part of a diesel-supply deal, despite Russia increasing strikes on Ukraine. 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday blamed the involvement of “foreign hands” for escalating protests, which he said are aimed at hindering Albania's bid to join the European Union. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Albania's capital since Tuesday, demanding Rama’s resignation and denouncing university conditions and high tuition fees.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated a mass at Rome's Gemelli hospital Friday after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung, photos released by the Vatican showed. Doctors said his recovery was progressing normally but that further tests would show whether the cancer had spread.

Critically acclaimed Irish novelist Sally Rooney's announcement that her books could no longer be sold in the UK due to her support for proscribed group Palestine Action has left British booksellers rushing to stock up on her works before distributors run out. The British government's ban on the group, which practiced non-violent direct action and sabotage against UK military assets believed to be working with the Israeli government, makes support for Palestine Action punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU will “not abandon Ukraine and the Ukrainian people” and that Kyiv’s request for extra funds will be examined, while addressing the media at a summit in Brussels Friday. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked EU leaders to provide Kyiv with an extra €70 billion next year to help with the country's ongoing fight against Russia. Read about the day’s events as they unfolded on our liveblog. 

Nineteen people were injured Thursday when a minibus carrying truck drivers crashed into a vehicle shuttle train at the French entrance to the Channel Tunnel near Calais, forcing a 90-minute suspension of shuttle services. Two people were hospitalised with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, French authorities said.

Paris and Berlin on Friday confirmed their deal aimed at protecting Europe's struggling automotive sector, having reached agreements on the flashpoint issues of EU car emissions and "made in Europe" components. A draft deal reviewed Thursday showed the two countries backing looser EU emissions rules for carmakers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought European backing Thursday after vowing to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries despite US President Donald Trump’s demands to stop. Tensions between Kyiv and Washington have escalated in recent days over sanctions, energy infrastructure attacks and restrictions on satellite communications.