Spain is seeking answers after a high-speed train collision south of Madrid killed 69 people and injured scores. On Wednesday, a Renfe train struck the rear of a stationary train operated by private company Iryo.
Key Facts
The collision happened south of Madrid on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
The death toll rose to 69 by Thursday.
Scores of people were injured.
A train operated by state rail company Renfe struck a stationary Iryo train.
Relatives sought news about loved ones after the crash.
The report described the collision as one of Europe’s deadliest rail disasters this century.
The crash was Spain’s second high-speed train collision this year.
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Dockworkers’ unions in 22 countries are holding an international day of action at more than 110 ports, with strikes ranging from brief work stoppages to 24-hour actions. Organisers say they oppose arms shipments and wars, call for an end to the war in Gaza, and seek broader support from workers in other industries.
Key Facts
More than 25 trade unions representing over 110 ports in 22 countries and regions across five continents are taking part.
The action is called the International Day of Action of Dockworkers and Port Workers, also known as “Dockworkers do not work for war.”
Unions in France, Italy, India, Greece and Türkiye have called 24-hour strikes.
Some ports in Morocco, Cyprus and elsewhere have announced strikes of up to two hours.
The unions’ main demand is an immediate end to the war in Gaza and other wars they describe as imperialist.
The Istanbul Declaration, issued in May, set October 30 as the day of action.
The declaration calls for an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Organisers have invited workers from other sectors to join the action; Italy’s USB union has called for a general strike.
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Alex Rondos and Mark Medish argue that the United Nations needs renewed support from major powers to help manage wars, emerging technologies, and other global threats. They say the UN should serve as a place for adversaries to negotiate and that the United States, China, Russia, India, and a more integrated European Union should share responsibility for keeping the world stable.
Key Facts
The authors say the next UN secretary-general will need coordinated backing from powerful members of the Security Council.
They argue that the UN was created to provide a meeting place for states that distrust or oppose one another.
They identify conflicts involving Ukraine, the Horn of Africa, the Gulf and Red Sea, and Taiwan as examples of current tensions.
The article says drones and other new technologies have made violence more accessible and intensified competition over minerals and supply routes.
The authors warn that artificial intelligence in military planning and command systems can shorten decision time and enable deception.
They name the United States, China, and Russia as states with especially strong capacity to contain or intensify global threats.
They say India and a more integrated European Union could also have a role in managing international risks.
The authors argue that middle powers cannot by themselves end major wars or govern technologies largely developed elsewhere.
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A glacial lake outburst in northern Bhutan caused flash floods that swept away a popular hot spring complex and prompted evacuations. Indian states Assam and West Bengal issued flood alerts.
Key Facts
The flooding followed a glacial lake outburst in northern Bhutan.
Flash floods swept away a popular hot spring complex.
Authorities forced evacuations.
Assam issued a flood alert.
West Bengal issued a flood alert.
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Saudi Arabia’s coalition in Yemen said it intercepted a Houthi drone headed toward the Mecca region and a cruise missile aimed at western Saudi Arabia. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, saying their cross-border attacks focus on Saudi energy and military sites, while the coalition also reported intercepting missiles aimed at other parts of the kingdom.
Key Facts
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone on Friday morning.
Al-Malki said the coalition also intercepted and destroyed a Houthi cruise missile targeting western Saudi Arabia.
A Houthi spokesperson denied targeting Mecca or the surrounding region.
The Houthi spokesperson said the group’s cross-border attacks focus on Saudi energy and military infrastructure.
The coalition said on Thursday it destroyed a ballistic missile fired toward Saudi Arabia’s eastern region.
The coalition later said it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh.
The article reports that hostilities between Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government and the Houthis continue to escalate.
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El Salvador says it will send up to 2,000 troops to Haiti as part of efforts to fight gangs and search for four Salvadoran military personnel missing after an ambush. According to sources briefed on a call, President Donald Trump told Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, “Do what you have to do,” after Bukele sought his approval for the deployment.
Key Facts
Haiti approved a bilateral agreement authorizing Salvadoran forces to operate in the country.
Sources cited in the article said the initial deployment could grow to 4,000 or 6,000 troops.
Four Salvadoran aviation technicians went missing after an ambush on October 18, according to the Miami Herald.
El Salvador is part of the UN-established Gang Suppression Force, which operates in Port-au-Prince.
The article says the Salvadoran force appears to be operating alongside, rather than as part of, the existing UN-backed effort.
Haiti's electoral council postponed presidential elections until next year because of gang violence.
The article reports that gang violence in Haiti killed more than 5,700 people this year.
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Andy Burnham said he wants to discuss the next stage of devolution at a meeting in Glasgow with the leaders of Scotland and Wales. He plans to promote regional empowerment within the nations, rather than focus mainly on transferring powers between parliaments, and said economic uncertainty limited the ambition of his first budget.
Key Facts
Burnham is chairing a meeting of the national economic council in Glasgow.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth are attending the meeting.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill will not attend; officials will represent Northern Ireland instead.
The DUP vetoed O’Neill’s attendance amid an ongoing dispute over Drumcree.
Downing Street said devolution should empower local places and communities to support growth and access to opportunities.
Burnham said his first budget was less radical than he wanted because of economic uncertainty.
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An oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region was struck during renewed Ukrainian drone attacks. Russian authorities said they intercepted more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions overnight.
Key Facts
An oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region was struck.
The strikes were part of renewed Ukrainian drone attacks.
Russian authorities reported intercepting more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones overnight.
The reported interceptions covered multiple regions.
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Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta says it will close, citing pressure from authorities. Editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov said the newsroom will shut down its servers and end its work on November 9.
Key Facts
Sokolov announced the closure in a video statement published on YouTube.
Russian authorities questioned Sokolov this month and searched his home in connection with a criminal case involving colleague Oleg Roldugin.
Authorities detained Roldugin in April and charged him with unlawful access to computerised information; he pleaded not guilty.
Roldugin is awaiting trial under house arrest, which has been extended until November 10, according to Novaya Gazeta.
Moscow has classified Novaya Gazeta as a “foreign agent,” a designation used against groups and individuals it says receive foreign support.
Novaya Gazeta reduced its operations in Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and authorities revoked its media licence that year.
Former editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov jointly won the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.
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Taiz Governor Nabil Shamsan said Houthi forces were restricting access to the besieged Yemeni city, leaving residents short of water, food, fuel, and medical supplies. The Houthi leader denied that the city was under siege and said aid and food could enter. Shamsan called for humanitarian access as fighting and civilian hardship continued.
Key Facts
Shamsan said Taiz needed about 35,000 cubic metres of water daily but was receiving no more than 1,000 cubic metres.
He said shortages had closed restaurants, suspended 120 health centres, and shut schools, affecting hundreds of thousands of children.
Shamsan said up to 1,800 people needed dialysis but could not access supplies.
He reported 64 deaths and 173 injuries from August through 20 October 2026.
He said more than 6,400 displaced families had arrived in Taiz to escape fighting.
Shamsan said more than 800,000 people were inside the city and that Houthi forces controlled most roads leading into it.
Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi said food, medicine, and aid could enter Taiz and denied there was a siege.
Shamsan urged aid agencies, including the United Nations, to be allowed to deliver supplies.
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Spanish investigators are examining Wednesday’s train crash in Toledo province, which killed 69 people and injured many others. An interim report says a high-speed Ave train was traveling between 160 and 200 km/h when it hit a stationary train; investigators say the full inquiry could take weeks or months.
Key Facts
The crash happened in Toledo province on Wednesday.
The crash killed 69 people and injured many others.
An interim report by Spain’s independent investigating body says the Ave train was traveling between 160 and 200 km/h at the time of the collision.
The Ave train struck a stationary train ahead of it.
Investigators have not yet spoken to some key witnesses, according to the interim report.
The investigation is expected to take weeks or possibly months.
The article says the crash could affect Spain’s political debate ahead of parliamentary elections next month.
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Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta announced it will close, saying pressure from Russian authorities forced its staff to stop working. The newspaper plans to shut down its servers and office on November 9, as Russia continues to restrict independent media following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Key Facts
Editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov announced the closure in a statement posted on YouTube.
Sokolov said authorities searched his home and questioned him earlier this month.
The search related to a criminal case involving colleague Oleg Roldugin, who was arrested in April.
Roldugin faces a charge of unlawful access to computerised information, has pleaded not guilty, and is awaiting trial under house arrest.
Russian authorities classify Novaya Gazeta as a foreign agent and revoked its media license in 2022.
The newspaper reduced its operations in Russia after Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022.
Former editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov shared the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.
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A Centre for Information Resilience investigation identified 25 commanders from the Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces and allied groups who appeared in areas and periods linked to reported sexual violence during Sudan’s war. The investigation matched verified footage and other evidence with reports from survivors and organizations, but said it did not establish that every identified commander personally committed or ordered rape.
Key Facts
The investigation examined five locations and periods of reported sexual abuse.
It included Khademallah Khashmin Herika, an RSF major whose video appeared to encourage rape; the investigation could not establish where the video was filmed.
The UN fact-finding mission documented mass and gang rape during the RSF takeover of el-Fasher, including at the Saudi Hospital and el-Fasher University.
A survivor cited in the report said soldiers held and raped girls for two nights at quarters near Garni.
CIR verified RSF deputy commander Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo at the former 6th Infantry Division base and the Saudi Hospital in el-Fasher.
The investigation also tracked Gedo Hamdan Ahmed, known as Ibn Shouk, from the RSF assault on Zamzam camp to the takeover of el-Fasher.
Investigators checked identities, locations and, where possible, filming dates, and had two analysts independently verify commander sightings.
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A report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air estimated that air pollution caused 5,310 deaths in Indonesia in September, including 3,560 linked to smoke from forest and land fires. The report said 58 million people faced unhealthy to hazardous air quality, while Indonesia’s government said it had deployed emergency workers, activated health staff and distributed masks.
Key Facts
CREA said total air pollution-related deaths rose from an estimated 3,740 in August to 5,310 in September.
The report attributed 3,560 deaths to smoke from forest and land fires and 1,750 to urban and industrial pollution.
Fire smoke accounted for 94–99 percent of air pollution-related deaths in Kalimantan and more than 80 percent in Sumatra, according to the report.
An estimated 58 million people experienced unhealthy to hazardous air quality in September, a record peak, the report said.
The number of people exposed to hazardous-level air in Kalimantan nearly tripled from 2.8 million to 6.4 million during the worst days.
The report linked the fires to severe drought amid an El Niño weather pattern and said smoke also raised pollution in neighboring countries.
Indonesia’s government said it deployed more than 72,000 people for firefighting and cloud-seeding, activated over 2,100 doctors and health workers, and distributed 5.3 million masks.
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A Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years in prison over an alleged security breach during England’s 2024 cricket tour. They denied removing road barriers and obstructing police; additional sentences for those alleged offenses will run at the same time as the 10-year terms.
Key Facts
The case concerns an incident on 25 October 2024 at Zero Point, a major road junction in Islamabad.
Prosecutors accused the couple of removing barriers on a road assigned to the cricket team’s security convoy and obstructing police officers.
The court also imposed one-year and two-year sentences for obstructing and using force against public servants; all sentences will run concurrently.
The court fined each lawyer 200,000 Pakistani rupees.
The couple have been in custody since January in connection with separate cases, including one involving social media posts critical of Pakistan’s military.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court suspended earlier prison sentences over the social media posts and granted the couple bail, but police arrested them again in another case.
Amnesty International said the couple were denied an open and fair trial and raised concerns about hearings held inside the prison.
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Hamed Mirzaei says a U.S.-Israeli attack on a residential building in Tehran on March 9, 2026, killed 12 members of his family. He describes returning to the destroyed building for 20 days to search for them, including his wife, Mohadeseh, who was 26.
Key Facts
The attack struck a residential building in Tehran on March 9, 2026.
Mirzaei says 12 members of his family died in the attack.
Those killed included Mirzaei’s wife, Mohadeseh, his parents, grandparents, and other relatives.
Mirzaei and his wife had married a year earlier and were preparing to start a family.
Mirzaei said he was about five minutes from home when he heard the first missile strike.
He said five more missiles struck the building after the first impact.
Neighbours trapped under rubble were rescued with help from the Red Crescent.
Mirzaei said he returned to the rubble for 20 days to search for his family.
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Australia’s Supreme Court of Victoria dismissed Erin Patterson’s appeal against her convictions for murdering three people with a meal containing death cap mushrooms and attempting to murder a fourth. The court ruled that she will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole; she can still seek to appeal to Australia’s High Court.
Key Facts
Patterson was convicted of murdering Gail and Donald Patterson and Heather Wilkinson.
She was also convicted of attempting to murder Heather Wilkinson’s husband, Ian, who survived the meal.
The court rejected her lawyers’ arguments about evidence, cross-examination and the jury’s accommodation arrangements.
The judges said the crimes involved “shocking criminality” and did not warrant a parole period.
Patterson had received a life sentence with a 33-year non-parole period.
The High Court is Patterson’s final appeal option.
The article says Patterson is the second woman in Australia to receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
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Mayon Volcano in the Philippines erupted, sending ash plumes 3,000 metres above its summit. Authorities raised the alert to Level 3, which signals that the volcano has entered a new phase of eruption.
Key Facts
Mayon Volcano is in the Philippines.
The volcano erupted.
Ash plumes rose 3,000 metres above the summit.
Authorities raised the volcano alert to Level 3.
The alert level signals a new phase of eruption.
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Russia said it struck energy infrastructure in and around Kyiv, as well as facilities in the Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions. An aid convoy carrying food and medical supplies began moving toward Russian-held Oleshky, where a local ceasefire had held for a third day. The developments followed a Russian drone strike on a Dnipro train station that killed at least 14 people.
Key Facts
Russia’s defence ministry said its forces struck energy infrastructure in and around Kyiv.
Russia also reported strikes on port facilities in the Odesa region, the Dnipropetrovsk region, and cargo vessels it said were used by the military.
An aid convoy carrying food, medical supplies and other items began traveling toward Russian-held Oleshky overnight.
Officials from Ukraine and Russia said a local ceasefire in Oleshky held for a third day.
A Russian drone struck a railway platform in Dnipro on Thursday, killing at least 14 people and wounding 14 others.
Six people wounded in the Dnipro strike were reported to be in severe condition.
Russia’s Interfax news agency reported that Russian air defences shot down 1,043 Ukrainian drones overnight, citing Russia’s defence ministry.
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The article argues that the UK should impose sanctions not only on Israeli settlers but also on Israel and companies that support or profit from settlements. Its author says UK sanctions should take effect quickly and target the wider settlement economy, while also raising concerns about arms sales and components for F-35 jets.
Key Facts
The author says Israeli forces detained a delegation that included three British parliamentarians for nearly eight hours and then barred them from entering the West Bank.
The visit was organised by Global Justice Now, according to the article.
The UK has announced new sanctions related to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the article says.
The author calls for the sanctions to take effect rapidly and to cover the Israeli state as well as settlers.
The article says UK sanctions rules could cover companies that profit from or support settlements.
The author says sanctions should target companies providing finance, insurance, or surveillance technology to settlements and related infrastructure.
The article says components for F-35 jets remain permitted despite a UK commitment to stop arms sales that materially contribute to the occupation.
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