Oct 28, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC

Multiple fatal transportation incidents were reported across Spain and Turkey. In Spain, a high-speed train collision near Los Yebenes in Toledo province resulted in at least 64 deaths after two carriages tumbled down a slope. The trains were operated by rail firm Renfe along the Madrid-Seville route.

In Turkey, a series of traffic accidents caused further casualties. A head-on collision between two cars in Ankara's Polatlı district left three people dead and four injured. In Isparta, a midibus carrying seasonal agricultural workers struck a truck from behind on the Keçiborlu-Uluborlu junction, injuring 17 workers. Additionally, another rear-end truck collision resulted in one death and three injuries. Authorities have launched official investigations into the respective accidents.

Sources: Anadolu Ajansı (Anadolu Agency), Cumhuriyet, Bianet, TRT Haber (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation)

Ukraine's parliament has approved legislation guaranteeing educational rights in native languages for national minorities, with 266 lawmakers voting in favor. The law regulates classroom instruction and the issuance of official educational documents in minority languages, addressing a long-standing dispute regarding the country's ethnic Hungarian community.

The measure fulfills conditions set by Hungary, which previously indicated it would permit the opening of the second and third negotiating clusters in Ukraine's European Union accession process once the legislation was adopted. Beyond advancing Kyiv's European integration efforts, the reform lowers bilateral diplomatic tensions and opens the door for high-level talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Hungarian leaders.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex

French firefighters have contained a wildfire in the Aude department near Montséret after it burned 100 hectares of land. However, emergency crews continue to struggle with an active blaze in nearby Puilaurens, which remains spread across 225 hectares due to inaccessible terrain.

Authorities in the Var department have banned public access to seven forest massifs because of heightened fire risks, despite local blazes being extinguished. Meanwhile, in Gironde, conditions have stabilized enough for Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu to plan an August 17 visit aimed at beginning local reconstruction efforts.

Official figures from the Ministry of the Interior indicate that wildfires have consumed 115,000 hectares across France since the beginning of the year.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.

Former French presidential candidate Ségolène Royal has officially secured the endorsements required to enter the left-wing primary for the 2027 presidential election, organized by the Socialist Party and Place Publique. Socialist Party First Secretary Olivier Faure has also formally joined the contest, bringing the total number of declared candidates to seven.

The two-round primary will take place on October 9–10 and October 16–17. Royal noted that she had "kept many friendships within the PS" to gather the needed support. However, her early sharp remarks directed at rival candidate Raphaël Glucksmann, whom she called the "media darling", have drawn attention to internal tensions.

Meanwhile, French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel has announced a separate presidential bid, declining to participate in the unified primary process.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération.

French authorities deployed nearly 3,000 security personnel in Orléans to secure the Rassemblement National congress, where between 20,000 and 30,000 counter-demonstrators gathered following nationwide unrest. To prevent clashes, the Loiret prefecture prohibited all undeclared public gatherings in Orléans on Sunday, October 25, during Marine Le Pen's address, and imposed a night curfew for minors under 15. In Paris, police authorized aerial drone surveillance to monitor crowds. Across the country, October 24 demonstrations resulted in 1,314 arrests and left 53 law enforcement officers injured, with 126 individuals held in custody in the capital. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that security tactics would remain "massive" to maintain public order and counter violent groups.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, RTBF Info.