A rail collision in Spain that claimed at least 68 lives on Wednesday came after a train was ordered to go in "error" despite a technical failure that halted all services, the transport minister said. The first findings about the accident in the central region of Castilla-La Mancha are likely to revive questions about rail safety in Spain after another high-speed collision in January killed 46 people. FRANCE 24's James Vasina reports.

Questions are being raised about Spain's rail safety as authorities launch an official investigation into the cause of Wednesday's high-speed train collision, which killed at least 68 people and wounded around 100 more, in the country's second fatal rail crash this year. 

François Picard is pleased to welcome Vitalii Kim, Minister for Veterans' Affairs of Ukraine. "If Europe will not support us, we also will fight because it's our motherland," says Kim, insisting that Ukraine's determination to resist Russian aggression will endure regardless of the outcome of negotiations over European financial assistance. Yet behind this assertion of national resolve lies a more complex reality: a country confronting not only the immediate pressures of war, but also its mounting psychological, social and institutional consequences.

François Picard is pleased to welcome Vitalii Kim, Minister for Veterans' Affairs of Ukraine. "If Europe will not support us, we also will fight because it's our motherland," says Kim, insisting that Ukraine's determination to resist Russian aggression will endure regardless of the outcome of negotiations over European financial assistance. Yet behind this assertion of national resolve lies a more complex reality: a country confronting not only the immediate pressures of war, but also its mounting psychological, social and institutional consequences.

A high-speed train collision south of Madrid killed 68 people and injured scores more on Wednesday, with the toll likely to rise, authorities said, in one of Europe's deadliest such disasters this century. The second such accident to strike Spain this year will raise fresh questions about the country's rail safety, with the transport minister speaking of an "error" and "inexplicable circumstances" that led to the collision. FRANCE 24's Sarah Morris reports from Urda, south of Madrid.

It has been five days since a gunman opened fire in the Paris suburb of Trappes in a racist attack that left one person dead and five others injured. Over the weekend, hundreds of people marched through the town to pay tribute to the 26-year-old victim, Bossio Wangi, and show solidarity with his family. The attack has left a deep mark on the local community, and mediators have been mobilised to provide support. Eliza Herbert reports.

At least 64 people died when two Spanish ​high-speed trains collided on Wednesday, with rescue workers scouring the wreckage for more bodies after Spain's second deadly rail accident this year.

A high-speed train collision south of Madrid killed 64 people and injured scores more on Wednesday (October 28), with the toll likely to rise, authorities said in one of Europe's deadliest such disasters this century. Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente gave some details in a press conference.

Spain suffered its second deadly high-speed train accident this year when one train on Wednesday, October 28, slammed into another that had stopped on the tracks, with the impact shredding cars and killing at least 64 people. The accident comes with memories still fresh of another crash between high-speed trains in southern Spain in January. France 24's correspondent in Madrid Sarah Morris gives us the latest.

In Spain, a high-speed train slammed into the rear of another train that had stopped, derailing two cars and killing at least 64 people on Wednesday, October 28. The central government’s office for Castilla La Mancha confirmed the death toll had risen. It is the second major train accident in Spain this year.

There ​have been ​no breaches of the US-brokered local ceasefire ​around ‌the ⁠Russian-occupied town of Oleshky ‌in southern Ukraine during its first 30 hours, ​Ukraine's human rights ‌ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on ‌Wednesday. A ceasefire has ​been agreed until November 1 to ​allow residents of ​the frontline ​town – who had ​been unable to leave amid near-uninhabitable conditions – to evacuate.

A local ceasefire in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky held through its first day and night, despite continued fighting between Moscow and Kyiv elsewhere. The truce, which began on Tuesday in the devastated city, is expected to remain in place until Sunday. Emerald Maxwell reports. 

At least ten people have died in a crash between two trains in central Spain. The crash occurred Wednesday morning  in the province of Toledo. Rail service is suspended between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia. France 24's correspondent in Madrid Sarah Morris reports the latest. 

At least 68 people were killed Wednesday after two high-speed trains collided in Spain's central Toledo province, regional authorities confirmed, with high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia suspended. It is Spain's second deadly train crash in less than a year. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the country would observe three days of mourning. 

A list of academics, engineers, artists and activists chosen by Serbia’s student assemblies defeated long-ruling president Aleksandar Vucic's right-wing Serbian Progressive Party Sunday. The shock victory comes after nearly two years of student-led anti-corruption protests – and may serve as a model for other movements hoping to turn street demonstrations into concrete political change.

French lawmakers held a minute of silence for Pengo Bossio Wangi. The victim of a racist attack died in a shooting last week, while at least five other people were wounded, including a 12-years-old girl. FRANCE 24’s Claire Paccalin reports from the ground.

If the French Senate passes this bill, rioters will have to pay for the damage caused during the recent unrest across the country. This "casseurs-payeurs" bill comes in the wake of nationwide violence. This draft law now has an explosive add-on aimed at social media. Senators will vote on whether the government can block platforms that are too slow to act on authorities' reports of dangerous content. 

A localised ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect early Tuesday (October 27) ahead of a humanitarian mission led by US first lady Melania Trump, as missile attacks resumed in Kyiv. FRANCE 24's correspondent in Kyiv, Emmanuelle Chaze, has more.

Harry Kane became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday. Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last campaign and smashed scoring records at the World Cup, where he captained England to a third-place finish.

In France, after weeks of student unrest, the government announced new school measures. Student union leaders said it's a first step but vowed to keep mobilising as they expected further proposals.