Spain Train Crash, Israel Deadlock, Bolsonaro Flight
Two high-speed trains collided near Toledo, Spain, killing at least 68 people. Israel's election left neither Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor Gadi Eisenkot's with a majority. Brazil's defeated candidate Flávio Bolsonaro flew to Miami despite a court ban. The US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady. In India, Jio Platforms rose 21% on its stock market debut after the country's largest public share offering.
World mood: Uneasy · 117 stories from 957 headlines
Two high-speed trains collided in Toledo province on Wednesday. At least 68 people died and more than 100 were hurt, officials said. The transport minister called the cause an "inexplicable" error after a computer system fault. Spain declared three days of national mourning, and protesters in Madrid demanded the transport minister resign.
Why it matters: It is Spain's second fatal high-speed rail crash this year and raises questions about rail safety in a country where train travel has surged.
Spain has one of the world's largest high-speed rail networks. A separate fatal crash occurred earlier in 2026 at Adamuz.
With nearly all votes counted, Netanyahu's bloc leads with about 53 of 120 seats. Neither his bloc nor Eisenkot's reaches the 61 needed to govern. Arab-majority parties won a record 19 seats and may decide who forms a government. Likud accused Arab parties of stealing the election, and the president urged against a new vote.
Why it matters: Weeks of coalition talks or a new election lie ahead, with consequences for the Iran war and Gaza.
Netanyahu has led Israel for most of the past two decades. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot leads the main opposition bloc.
Flávio Bolsonaro landed in Miami on Wednesday with his family after leaving Brazil despite a court order to surrender his passports. He lost Sunday's runoff to President Lula. He first called himself Brazil's "true president," then changed the word to "leader." The US granted visas, and Trump said he would not get involved.
Why it matters: The flight complicates Brazil's post-election transition and strains relations between Brazil, the US and Argentina.
Bolsonaro is a senator and son of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro. He faces several investigations in Brazil.
Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iran is in close contact with mediators on its seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said Vice President Vance's letter to an Iranian official concerned medical supplies. Iran earlier rejected a Qatari proposal. The war has cost the US at least $47.1 billion.
Why it matters: The standoff over Hormuz keeps oil above $100 a barrel and raises costs worldwide.
The US and Iran have been at war since February 2026. A ceasefire was agreed but Trump has said new strikes are possible after the midterms.
The outbreak passed 10,000 confirmed cases, mostly in DR Congo. DW reported nearly 4,900 deaths. The WHO urged sustained efforts. Africa CDC's head warned it could reach the UK without more funding.
Why it matters: No approved vaccine exists for this virus, so spread risks neighboring countries.
A drone strike on a market in Nyala, South Darfur, killed over 100 people and injured 112. A rights group blamed the Sudanese army. Many victims were women and children.
Why it matters: Civilians face rising drone attacks in a war that has caused one of the world's worst hunger crises.
Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces have fought since 2023.
The Fed voted 10-2 to hold rates. Two members wanted a quarter-point rise. Chair Warsh called inflation too high. Treasury Secretary Bessent said another hike would not necessarily be a mistake.
Why it matters: Higher borrowing costs may last, affecting mortgages and business loans.
Houthi missiles hit Aden airport for the sixth time in days, injuring civilians. The Houthis also said they hit Saudi Arabia's biggest oil refinery. The US ordered non-emergency embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters: Attacks on Saudi energy sites and shipping lanes keep global oil supply at risk.
The Houthis are an Iran-aligned group controlling much of Yemen. They have fought a Saudi-led coalition for years.
Chancellor John Healey gave 20 million households a £100 energy payment. He raised taxes on banks and landlords. Departments must make 1% cuts to fund defense. The OBR, the budget watchdog, said living standards will rise just 1% over the decade.
Why it matters: Energy costs from the Iran war are squeezing UK households and limiting government options.
Healey is the new chancellor under Prime Minister Andy Burnham. This is his first budget.
Russia and Ukraine reported no breaches of the truce in Oleshky. It now covers the wider Kherson region. Zelensky called it a great success and proposed three-way talks on Nov. 6-10. Russia said talks would come after Nov. 4.
Why it matters: Civilians in a city without power or water for three years can be evacuated, and peace talks may follow.
Oleshky is Russian-occupied and faces Kherson across the Dnipro river. The truce was brokered with help from Melania Trump.
Putin spoke at the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow. He said Russia will not pursue neo-colonialism. Ethiopia's PM said Ethiopia received 12 Russian Su-35 jets. Russia-Africa trade topped $27 billion last year.
Why it matters: Russia is seeking trade and security ties in Africa as relations with the West are strained.
Russia has expanded its Africa presence since the 2022 Ukraine invasion.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church said at least 60 Christians died in attacks in Oromia over a week. Over 50 residents were detained after burying victims. About 50,000 people have fled to Kenya after fighting in the south.
Why it matters: A refugee surge is straining Kenya and deepening instability in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia faces several armed conflicts, including in Tigray and Amhara.
Trump campaigned in Ohio and Obama in Georgia before the Nov. 3 vote. A group leaked data on more than 40,000 Homeland Security staff. It was the third such government leak in a month.
Why it matters: The vote decides control of Congress for the rest of Trump's term.
All House seats and a third of Senate seats are up.
Draft summit text dropped 'associate membership' for 'ever closer association'. Canada also faces an EU carbon tariff threat and signed a trade deal with the UAE.
Why it matters: Canada is diversifying trade away from the US.
A minor with two knives wounded a police officer outside the embassy early Wednesday. The officer shot and killed him.
Serbia's interior minister said the attacker was being monitored by security services.
Why it matters: It is the second attack at the embassy in two years, raising security alerts.
In June 2024 an attacker shot a police officer at the same embassy.
Three sea drones struck the Liberia-flagged Contship Jet off Bulgaria, Bulgaria's minister said. Turkey's defense minister warned Russia and Ukraine against more attacks on merchant ships.
Why it matters: Attacks on commercial ships threaten Black Sea trade routes.
Russia and Ukraine have both struck vessels in the Black Sea during the war.
Australia's inflation rose in the third quarter, pushed by fuel. Markets bet on a fifth rate rise this year.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers blamed global events.
Why it matters: Borrowers in Australia face higher loan repayments.
Oil prices have risen since the Iran war began, lifting prices globally.
TotalEnergies of France bought a 25% operating stake in 26 US offshore leases run by Chevron. The deal expands its US exploration portfolio.
UBS and Deutsche Bank also reported profit gains.
Why it matters: Companies are investing in new oil supply as prices stay high.
Offshore leases give companies rights to explore for oil and gas.
Syria's President al-Sharaa received Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and opened talks on partnership. Zaidi donated $10 million to the Umayyad Mosque and a Damascus shrine.
Why it matters: Closer Iraq-Syria ties could affect regional trade and security.
Syria has been rebuilding relations with neighbors since its government changed.
The Villa Vie Odyssey ended its three-year voyage. More than 200 passengers, mostly Americans, were left stranded. The operator said it ran out of money.
Why it matters: Fuel costs are pushing some businesses into trouble.
NASA integrated the Artemis III core stage with its twin solid rocket boosters on October 28. The stage was assembled inside the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute scientists filmed a rarely seen barreleye fish during a recent expedition. The footage was captured in 4K video.
A new study of the wild dogs in Chornobyl found genetic differences from other isolated dog groups. The researchers say the differences point to directional selection.
Astronomers in China found three planets that were not destroyed when their star became a red giant. The find suggests some planets can survive a star's death.
Hong Kong International Airport became one of the first two organizations certified under an aviation industry digital identity program. The certification comes from IATA, the global airline trade group.
Japan has enacted a new law that regulates human genome-edited embryos and germ cells. A researcher at Hiroshima University says it raises global ethics questions.
Italian researchers say they found a burial ground beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. They say its layout matches some biblical accounts of the burial site.
Transnet, South Africa's state rail and logistics firm, tested a freight train 7.6 kilometers long. The train has 696 empty wagons, and the company wants to break a world record.
Oil near $110 and record gas prices kept inflation worries at the center of markets. The Fed held rates and Bank of Canada raised them. US stocks edged up 0.28% while Brazil's Bovespa fell 2.68%. Brent slipped 0.86% to $110.68 a barrel.
Energy prices from Iran war
Brent is up 7.9% over a month. EU gas passed €100. Bills and fuel costs are rising.
Central banks and yields
The Fed held rates while Canada raised them. The US 10-year yield rose to 5.045%.
AI and chip earnings
SK Hynix and Microsoft results lifted tech while Alphabet fell. Nikkei rose 0.71%.
Asia listings and China weakness
Jio rose 21% in Mumbai. Chinese stocks fell, with the Hang Seng down 0.5%.
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