The US midterms take place in just a few days' time: on 3 November the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate will be up for election. According to the polls it cannot be ruled out that the Democratic Party will win a majority in one or even both chambers of Congress, which would make governing the country considerably more difficult for US President Donald Trump. Commentators are on tenterhooks.

Sixty-eight people lost their lives on the high-speed railway line from Madrid to Andalusia on Wednesday, when one train crashed into another that was stationary on the open track. This is the second serious train accident on the route this year. The media examine the causes and consequences for the country, where a snap election is due to take place in a month's time.

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finland's President Alexander Stubb have had a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin for the first time since the war began. Their initiative has drawn sharp criticism from their Nordic partners. Who should negotiate with Moscow, and what role can Europe play? Nordic media discuss diplomatic solo efforts and how to deal with Russia.