At least 39 people were killed when two high-speed trains collided near Urda, Spain. The crash derailed two carriages and suspended service on the Madrid-Andalusia line; another deadly accident on the same route killed 46 people nine months earlier.
Key Facts
At least 39 people were killed in the collision.
Two high-speed trains collided near Urda, Spain.
The crash derailed two carriages.
The collision suspended service on the Madrid-Andalusia line.
A rail accident on the same route killed 46 people nine months earlier.
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Journalist Charbel A. Antoun argues that President Donald Trump’s pause involving Iran sets a date but does not define measurable diplomatic goals. Antoun says the pause lacks clear terms for uranium accounting, inspection access and shipping protocols, and could amount to a delay rather than diplomacy.
Key Facts
The article discusses President Donald Trump’s pause involving Iran.
Journalist Charbel A. Antoun argues that the pause sets a date without measurable diplomatic goals.
Antoun says the pause does not specify how Iran’s uranium would be accounted for.
Antoun says the pause lacks clear terms for inspection access.
Antoun says the pause lacks clear shipping protocols.
Antoun warns that the pause could serve as a calendar delay rather than lead to diplomacy.
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Russell Brand testified at Southwark Crown Court that a 2023 documentary about allegations against him had a “devastating” effect on his relationships and life. He denies all seven charges against him, and the trial is continuing.
Key Facts
Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Six women brought allegations covering the period from 1999 to 2009.
Brand answered “no” when asked whether he committed each alleged offence.
He told the jury that friends and colleagues had turned away from him after the documentary aired.
Brand said the documentary’s publication led Great Ormond Street Hospital to bar him from staying with his son during the child’s heart surgery.
Brand said he remembered meeting the first complainant at the 1999 Labour Party conference in Bournemouth and denied her rape allegation.
He told the court that consent was fundamental to him. The trial continues.
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A local ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky, in southern Ukraine, held through its first 30 hours, including a day and night. Fighting between Russia and Ukraine continued elsewhere, and the truce is expected to last until Sunday.
Key Facts
The ceasefire began on Tuesday, October 27, in Oleshky.
Oleshky is a city in southern Ukraine occupied by Russia.
The truce held through its first day and night.
The ceasefire is expected to remain in place until Sunday.
Fighting between Moscow and Kyiv continued elsewhere.
The report describes Oleshky as devastated.
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The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission has proposed requiring employers to share information about colleagues’ pay when workers request it. It also wants employers barred from asking job applicants about their current or previous salary, saying both changes could help reduce pay discrimination.
Key Facts
Employers in the UK do not currently have to answer employees’ requests for information about colleagues’ pay.
The EHRC wants employers to provide requested information within a set timeframe.
The proposed information could include basic pay, hours worked, bonuses, overtime, shift premiums and performance-related pay.
UK employers can currently ask job applicants about their current salary, but applicants do not have to answer.
EHRC chief executive John Kirkpatrick said salary-history questions can carry past disadvantage or discrimination into future salaries.
The EHRC has previously called for employers to publish salary details in job adverts.
The Fawcett Society has said salary-history questions may perpetuate pay differences linked to gender, race and disability.
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Russell Brand testified for the defence at Southwark crown court, where he faces charges linked to allegations by six women. He denied the charges and told the court he believed he had obtained consent in an alleged 1999 encounter.
Key Facts
Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.
The allegations concern events between 1999 and 2009.
Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The prosecution finished presenting its case after nearly two weeks of evidence, and the defence began its case with Brand’s testimony.
Brand denied intending to carry out a non-consensual assault in an allegation involving an MTV worker in 2001.
The judge amended an indecent assault charge to attempted indecent assault, saying there was insufficient evidence to support the original charge.
Brand told police in a 2023 statement that he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.
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Israeli forces continued raids in Hebron and other parts of the occupied West Bank as Hebron entered its sixth day under lockdown. UNRWA said the restrictions and incursions had displaced nearly 5,000 Palestinians in Hebron and limited access to essential services.
Key Facts
Israeli forces raided neighbourhoods in Hebron and towns across the governorate on Wednesday and tightened restrictions at city entrances.
Troops searched homes in the Fawwar refugee camp near midnight.
Israeli forces detained four Palestinians in Tulkarem, including a journalist, his two brothers, and an officer with the Palestinian General Intelligence Service, Wafa reported.
In Beita, Israeli troops fired tear gas at protesters opposing the demolition of two homes belonging to families of Palestinian prisoners.
A Palestinian man suffered hand fractures after Israeli forces beat him in Yasid, while troops raided homes in Burin and turned several into military barracks, Wafa reported.
Schools in southern Nablus were ordered to move to remote learning.
UNRWA said the Hebron lockdown had severely restricted movement and access to critical services and that nearly 5,000 Palestinians had been displaced.
The Israeli campaign followed the killing of two Israeli soldiers by Palestinian gunmen at a checkpoint; Israeli forces later killed the gunmen.
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African students and professionals at Moscow’s RUDN University describe Russia as a place for education, friendships and career development. They also discuss how their studies and connections could benefit African countries, while a Sudanese lecturer notes opportunities for Russia-Africa cooperation and risks to food security from the war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
RUDN University in Moscow hosts students from across Africa and other regions, with campus events featuring national cultures and languages.
Zambian medical graduate Keturah Musonda said a Russian government scholarship enabled her studies and praised Moscow’s healthcare services, including paediatric care.
Musonda hopes African countries will invest more in specialist medicine.
Zambian medical student Chinyama Kazombo said he hopes to use his education to help address Zambia’s need for doctors and other specialists.
Sudanese lecturer Abobakr Mohamed Abbakar Khussein said Russia-Africa ties include training in fields such as medicine, agriculture, humanities and linguistics.
Khussein identified potential cooperation in mining and nuclear energy, including with Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom.
Khussein said disruptions to Russian and Ukrainian grain and cooking-oil exports amid the war in Ukraine threaten food security.
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Finland’s president and Norway’s prime minister held a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The leaders said they wanted to open a channel for dialogue and influence peace efforts, while stressing their support for Ukraine; the Kremlin’s account said peace would require Russia’s interests to be fully considered.
Key Facts
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke with Putin on Tuesday.
The leaders said the call was prepared in consultation with Ukraine and the United States.
Stubb said the call followed an October 20 meeting in Oslo between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Stubb said the leaders spoke as representatives of their own countries, not on behalf of Europe.
Støre said talking to Russia did not mean easing pressure on it.
The leaders called Zelenskyy after speaking with Putin.
The article said U.S.-brokered talks were planned for Abu Dhabi next month.
The Kremlin said a lasting peace required Russia’s interests to be fully and unconditionally taken into account.
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The U.S. military said it struck a boat accused of drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific on Tuesday, killing five people. The military provided no evidence that the vessel carried drugs; the strike brings the reported death toll from U.S. boat strikes to at least 240 across more than 70 attacks.
Key Facts
U.S. Southern Command said intelligence indicated the boat was involved in drug trafficking.
A video posted on X showed the boat before an explosion destroyed it; the vessel did not appear to be moving beforehand.
The Trump administration began targeting people it calls “narcoterrorists” in September 2025.
President Donald Trump has described the United States as being in an “armed conflict” with Latin American cartels.
Critics and some lawmakers have questioned the strikes’ legality and effectiveness.
The Pentagon’s watchdog plans to review whether the military followed its targeting framework, but not whether the strikes were legal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States would seek regional allies’ approval for such operations while retaining the option to act unilaterally.
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Qatari mediators delivered Iran a draft proposal to end the war on Sunday, and Tehran is considering it. Reuters reported that Iran plans to respond by the end of the week. The article also reports on the war’s estimated cost to the U.S. military and Israel’s election results, which exit polls indicated could leave both political blocs short of a majority.
Key Facts
Qatari mediators handed Iran a draft deal to end the war on Sunday, according to Reuters, citing an official briefed on the talks.
Iran is considering the proposal and is expected to respond by the end of the week, Reuters reported.
A source cited by Reuters said Tehran had concerns that Israel might resume bombing Iran this week.
U.S. Central Command estimated the war had cost the U.S. military about $47.1 billion by mid-October; the estimate excludes damage to U.S. bases in the Middle East.
About $29 billion of the estimated U.S. military cost is for replacing used munitions.
Israel’s election exit polls projected that neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition had a clear majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
Exit polls showed Netanyahu’s Likud party as the largest party, while Israel’s two Arab parties won more seats than in any previous election.
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Early election results in Israel were increasingly favorable to Benjamin Netanyahu and his bloc, but they had not secured a clear victory. Final results were expected later on October 28 or the following morning, and Netanyahu needs 61 parliamentary seats for a majority.
Key Facts
Netanyahu’s bloc appeared to be gaining ground in the early results.
Netanyahu still lacked a clear victory at the time of the report.
A majority requires 61 seats in Israel’s parliament.
Final election results were expected that night or the next morning.
Netanyahu addressed supporters at the National Congress Centre at about 3 a.m. local time.
The report was filed from Jerusalem by France 24 correspondent Clovis Casali.
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Serbian police shot and killed a minor outside the Israeli embassy in Belgrade after, according to Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, the suspect attacked an officer with two knives. The officer suffered a minor facial wound, and authorities raised Serbia’s terrorism threat level to its highest setting while investigating.
Key Facts
Dacic said the suspect rushed at a police officer with two knives and shouted “Allahu Akbar.”
The officer shot the suspect and sustained a minor knife wound to the face; Dacic said the officer did not need hospital care.
Dacic said the suspect was an unidentified minor and a Serbian citizen who was monitored by security services.
Security services said the suspect had posted a picture of the Islamic State flag on Instagram.
Serbia’s interior minister raised the terrorism threat level to red alert, prompting stricter security checks and more police at key sites and crowded areas.
Israel’s foreign ministry said no embassy staff were injured and the mission was closed when the incident occurred.
In June 2024, a Serbian man shot an officer outside the same embassy with a crossbow; the officer survived and killed the attacker.
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Two trains traveling in opposite directions collided in southern Spain on the route between Madrid and Seville. Local authorities confirmed at least 10 deaths; the cause of the crash remains unknown.
Key Facts
The collision happened in southern Spain.
The trains were traveling in opposite directions on the route between Madrid and Seville.
Local authorities confirmed at least 10 deaths.
Some media reports put the death toll as high as 39.
The cause of the collision was not known at the time of the report.
The article refers to a deadly train accident in Córdoba in January.
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At least 10 people were killed when two trains collided on Spain’s Madrid-Andalucía high-speed line on October 28, 2026. Officials said the trains, operated by Renfe and Iryo, were traveling on the Madrid-Seville route; the regional spokeswoman said the death toll could rise.
Key Facts
The collision occurred near the towns of Mora, Orgaz and Urda.
The trains involved were operated by Renfe and Iryo.
Both trains were traveling on the Madrid-Seville route.
Esther Padilla, a spokeswoman for the Castilla-La Mancha region, reported at least 10 deaths.
Padilla said the death toll could rise.
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Israeli exit polls show a tight election with no clear majority, while Arab parties are projected to win a record 18 to 19 seats. Press coverage described both pro- and anti-Netanyahu camps as facing a possible political deadlock, with government formation likely to require rival politicians to reach agreements.
Key Facts
Israeli media reported record-breaking voter turnout.
Exit polls from Kan11, Channel 13 and N12 showed no bloc with a majority.
The exit polls projected Arab parties would win 18 to 19 seats, a record.
Israel Hayom described the result as a political deadlock and said it differed from opinion polls in recent months.
The Times of Israel said forming a government could require politicians to set aside longstanding divisions.
The article also reported that Gaza residents were focused on daily survival rather than the Israeli election.
Macklemore’s Paris concert was scheduled for Thursday, with profits to go to 12 charities supporting Palestinians.
The article said scientists do not have a clear explanation for how antidepressants relieve mental health problems. One hypothesis is that they change how the brain processes negative emotional information.
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Argentina’s government said on October 28 that Brazilian senator Flavio Bolsonaro was traveling to Ecuador after leaving Brazil. Bolsonaro, a defeated right-wing presidential candidate, and his family received U.S. visas from the Trump administration the previous day.
Key Facts
Argentina’s government said Flavio Bolsonaro was on his way to Ecuador from Argentina.
Bolsonaro had left Brazil, according to the report.
The article describes Bolsonaro as a defeated right-wing presidential candidate.
Bolsonaro is a 45-year-old senator.
Bolsonaro and his family received U.S. visas on October 27.
The visas were granted by the Trump administration.
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Final results from Israel’s election were still pending on October 28, 2026, and no clear winner had emerged. Arab-led parties appeared to make a historic showing, but it remained uncertain whether other parties opposed to Benjamin Netanyahu would join them to form a parliamentary majority.
Key Facts
Final election results had not been reported as of October 28, 2026.
The election had no clear winner, according to the article.
Arab-led parties appeared to make a historic showing.
It was unclear whether other opponents of Netanyahu would form a coalition with Arab-led parties.
A coalition is an agreement among parties to govern together.
Debate over Palestinians and their descendants remains highly sensitive in Israel.
Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot had both pledged to form a government, according to a related report listed in the article.
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At least 10 people died when two high-speed trains crashed in central Spain on Wednesday morning. The crash occurred in Toledo province, and rail service was suspended between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia.
Key Facts
At least 10 people died in the crash.
Two high-speed trains were involved.
The crash happened Wednesday morning.
The crash occurred in Toledo province, central Spain.
Rail service was suspended between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia.
France 24 published the report on October 28, 2026.
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A High Court judge is due to rule on a Portadown Orangeman’s challenge to Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant’s decision to ban the Drumcree parade. Bryant acted on security advice from PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, after police said facilitating the procession would require a disproportionate intervention and pose risks of serious injury and disorder.
Key Facts
The challenge names Sir Chris Bryant and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher as respondents.
Mr Justice Scoffield said he would deliver his ruling on Wednesday morning.
The chief constable told Bryant that lawful and proportionate options to facilitate the procession had been exhausted.
The court heard that dissidents may have mounted gun attacks on police if officers had cleared a route for the parade.
The Parades Commission initially barred the march, then allowed it to proceed on 27 September with restrictions after a court overturned its original decision.
Up to 1,000 people blocked the Garvaghy Road on 27 September, preventing the march from proceeding.
The ensuing stand-off between protesters and the Orange Order and its supporters lasted almost two weeks.
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