29 October 2026A deadly high-speed train collision in Spain, debate over the EU-Australia trade deal, and Israel’s election count.
Featured image: A Spanish AVE high-speed train. Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
In brief
Top story: At least 68 people died when a high-speed train hit another train that had stopped on the tracks south of Madrid.
Australia
1. Farmers and Coalition question EU-Australia trade deal
Trade Minister Don Farrell was due to meet the National Farmers Federation, whose president Hamish McIntyre said the deal offered no material improvement. The Coalition said it will not support it, and Nationals leader Matt Canavan called it a dud deal. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the agreement would make 98 per cent of exports tariff free to a market of 450 million people. Ratification depends on the Coalition and Senate crossbenchers.
2. New alliance seeks 20-year national housing plan
A newly formed alliance of housing and community groups asked the federal government for a 20-year housing strategy. The Housing Australia Future Fund is concluding a third round, and the Coalition said it would cut the fund if elected, along with Help to Buy, the New Homes Bonus and Build to Rent incentives.
Around the World
3. High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 68
Transport Minister Oscar Puente said a safety system failed and that the control centre ordered trains to resume without it working, calling the decision inexplicable. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promised a full investigation. It was Spain’s second deadly high-speed collision this year.
4. Investigation after attack outside Israeli embassy in Serbia
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said the suspect is a minor monitored by security agencies for support of the Islamic State group. Serbia raised its terrorism threat level to red.
5. Israel’s election count leaves no clear majority
With more than 85 per cent of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 53 of 120 seats, Eisenkot’s opposition 48 and Arab-led parties 19. Israel’s president said he hopes a second election can be avoided.
