UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed deep sadness over a train crash in Spain that killed at least 60 people.

UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, told journalists on Wednesday in New York that Guterres was shocked to learn of the accident.

Dujarric said the UN chief extended his deepest condolences to the victims’ families, the Spanish people and the government.

Reports said at least 68 people died when two Spanish high-speed trains collided on Wednesday.

Rescuers continued searching the wreckage for more bodies following Spain’s second fatal rail crash this year.

The accident was also reported as Europe’s deadliest rail disaster since 2013.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a televised address near the crash site, south of Madrid, that “all of Spain” was mourning.

Sánchez said the opposition, People’s Party, had cancelled all campaign events ahead of next month’s election.

He described the incident as a “terrible tragedy” and promised a full investigation into its causes.

The prime minister added that the causes of the two rail crashes appeared unrelated.

“If we need to further strengthen safety in order to rebuild confidence in our high-speed rail system, we will do so,” Sánchez said.

He said it was unacceptable for Spain to experience two high-speed rail accidents in the same year.

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Pope Leo XIV has cautioned against using food as a weapon of war, an instrument of geopolitical pressure or a volatile financial asset.

The Pope gave the warning in his message at the 2026 World Food Day Ceremony, delivered by Monsignor Fernando Chica Arellano, the Vatican’s representative to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

The ceremony, held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, was monitored by our reporter via webinar.

The Pope said that despite advances in technology, hunger persisted because of inadequate political will and collective commitment to ensuring access to food.

“In an era of greater technological advancement than ever before, it is intolerable that bread should be considered a privilege rather than a contested commodity,” he said.

He stressed that access to safe, adequate and sufficient food was a basic human right, adding that guaranteeing it was an obligation of individual states and the international community.

The Pope also cautioned against technological advancement driven solely by profit, warning that agricultural practices that depleted soil fertility or displaced farmers could not be considered progress.

He called for greater investment in sustainable agricultural research and the restoration of degraded soils, while urging the integration of modern technology with farmers’ traditional knowledge.

“A new global food order is essential, one in which technological innovation is unconditionally subordinate to respect for God-given human dignity and the universal common good.

“If we sow unethical innovation based on our desire to dominate the earth and exclude the weak, we will reap violence and strife.

“If, on the other hand, innovation stands for respect for the natural order and justice for the hungry, tomorrow will bring nourishment for humanity,” he said.

Earlier, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said innovation must be people-centred and accessible, particularly to farmers and rural communities, to improve food security, livelihoods and economic development.

Qu said technologies such as satellite crop monitoring, early-warning systems, smart irrigation and digital platforms were helping farmers manage climate risks, conserve water and access markets and financial services.

“Yet, innovation alone is not enough. Its true value lies in reaching the people who need it the most, and that it will be shared and scaled,” the D-G said.

He noted that a wide gap remained between what science could achieve and what reached farmers, urging stronger investment and partnerships to ensure that innovations addressed local needs.

Qu said climate extremes, water scarcity and conflict were placing increasing pressure on agri-food systems, making innovation essential to producing more food with fewer resources and strengthening resilience.

He called for collaboration among governments, researchers, producers and communities, stressing that no single institution could achieve the transformation required.

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Pope Leo XIV is expected to spend about a week in hospital recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous nodule from his right lung, as details of his further treatment remain uncertain.

The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the operation at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on Tuesday, following the detection of a lung nodule during routine medical checks.

His medical team said subsequent examination confirmed that the nodule was an adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer.

The surgery, which lasted about three hours, involved the removal of the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung and was conducted by a team led by renowned Italian professor Stefano Margaritora.

The medical team said the procedure went smoothly and without complications, adding that the Pope returned to his room after the operation.

However, no details have been provided on whether he would require additional treatment.

Leo had announced the planned surgery to thousands of faithful at St Peter’s Square on Sunday, saying the nodule had been detected at a “very early stage” and was “well localised”.

“The doctors consider an operation appropriate,” he said, explaining that he had decided to follow their advice and have the nodule removed.

The Pope’s hospitalisation has prompted the cancellation of all his audiences until the middle of next week.

He will also miss the closing service of an international bishops’ meeting on marriage and the family, scheduled for Wednesday at St Peter’s Square.

Attention has also turned to his planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November, although the Vatican has not announced any changes to the almost two week trip.

The visit is expected to include Cusco, Peru, which lies about 3,400 metres above sea level, where the high altitude can cause breathing difficulties and altitude sickness.

Leo spent several years as a missionary and bishop in Peru and previously served as the worldwide head of the Augustinian order. He also holds Peruvian citizenship.

Before the discovery of the lung nodule, no major health problems had been publicly reported concerning the Pope, who was elected leader of the Catholic Church in May 2025.

He maintains an active lifestyle through tennis, swimming and regular exercise.

The Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, located on the outskirts of Rome, has a dedicated wing for popes on its 10th floor. Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, also received treatment there before his death at the age of 88.

The Vatican has traditionally maintained a high degree of discretion regarding the health of popes, making Leo’s decision to disclose his planned surgery publicly a notable departure from the usual practice.

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Starmer, in a statement, said: “Now is the right time to step down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras and hand the baton over to a successor.”

He said he would now focus on “international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world.”

Starmer’s resignation will trigger a by-election in the London constituency.

He said that whoever emerged as the Labour Party’s candidate for the seat would have his “full support and backing”.

Starmer resigned as leader of the governing Labour Party in June.

In July, Andy Burnham was confirmed as the new Labour Party leader and subsequently became the British prime minister.

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The prime minister’s official spokesman said Starmer’s mood this morning was “upbeat” and “confident” as he gave an address to No 10 staff amid the fallout over the Peter Mandelson scandal.

Downing Street communications chief Tim Allan has announced he will stand down to allow “a new No 10 team to be built” after chief of staff Morgan McSweeney quit on Sunday.

Asked if Starmer was going to resign today, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “No.”

He added: “The prime minister is concentrating on the job in hand. He is getting on with the job of delivering change across the country.”

Asked about reports going into the weekend that Starmer had been remorseful and wavering over his political future, he said: “That is not the prime minister who appeared in front of staff this morning.

“It is very clear that he remains determined to tackle the job in hand.”

The prime minister is confident he has the unanimous support of the Cabinet, the spokesman said.

Starmer told staff at Downing Street on Monday morning that they must “go forward from here” and prove that politics can be a “force for good.”

The prime minister is expected to address a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) amid anger over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States despite knowing that the peer’s links with Jeffrey Epstein continued after the financier’s conviction for child sex offences.

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Rubio described the meeting as a continuation of progress made during talks in Geneva and throughout the past week.

He stressed that Washington’s goal extends beyond halting hostilities, saying the United States wants to help ensure Ukraine “never again” faces an invasion and is positioned for lasting economic growth.

“This is comprehensive. It’s not just about the terms that end the fighting; it’s about the terms that set up Ukraine for long-term prosperity,” Rubio said, noting that negotiations remain complex with “many moving parts,” including input from Russia.

He confirmed that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Moscow later this week for further discussions.

Despite the challenges, Rubio said the talks reflected shared determination to pursue both peace and a secure future for Ukraine.

Umerov echoed that sentiment, expressing gratitude for U.S. support and highlighting the constructive nature of the ongoing dialogue.

“We are grateful to the American people and American leadership,” he said. “Our objective is a prosperous, strong Ukraine. We discussed all the issues important to our people, and the United States was extremely supportive. After successful talks in Geneva, today we continued that progress.”

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The government also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria in the area of security.

The German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, disclosed this during a meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, in Berlin, as both nations marked 65 years of diplomatic relations.

According to a statement by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Senior Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to Tuggar, Nigeria and Germany renewed their commitment to deepening cooperation under the framework of the Nigeria–Germany Bi-National Commission.

He said Germany praised Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in combating terrorism, describing the country as a valued and reliable partner for the European Union in the fight against radical Islamist extremism.

The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Lake Chad Basin and its continued cooperation with regional and international partners to counter violent extremism.

“Germany reaffirms its commitment to supporting Nigeria through capacity building, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian assistance aimed at restoring peace and development in affected regions,” the statement added.

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To many African youths, Ibrahim Traore, who is popularly called “IB”, represents something rare in modern African politics. He is seen as a leader who defies Western dominance, takes decisive action, and speaks the language of sovereignty. His reception in Russia was more than a diplomatic gesture; in fact, it was a symbol of Africa’s shifting allegiances and growing disillusionment with democracy as practised under Western influence.

The Crisis of Democracy in Africa has been going on for decades. The West has presented democracy as the only legitimate path for African nations. But then, across the continent, democratic governance has often been marred by corruption, inefficiency, and neocolonial exploitation.

In Nigeria, for example, many believe that the country’s most enduring infrastructures, like roads, bridges, and refineries, were built during military rule but that since the return to democracy in 1999, the country has struggled with systemic corruption, worsening insecurity, and a failure to deliver basic services. The question then arises, if democracy was supposed to bring development, why do so many Africans feel left behind? Why are they suddenly celebrating a coup d’état if democracy has done better?

Burkina Faso under Ibrahim offers a stark contrast. In just two years, his government has made giant strides in combating jihadist threats, which is something France has failed to do despite years of its democratic presence. By expelling French troops and partnering with Russia, Ibrahim has not only improved security but also ignited a sense of national pride amongst his people and the entire African continent. His rejection of Western hypocrisy and his commitment to African self-determination is something that resonates deeply with a generation tired of empty promises.

To understand rise of African Defiance and why it unsettles the West, we must revisit Africa’s colonial past. France is one of the most brutal colonisers, which maintained control over its former colonies long after independence through economic and military dominance. The CFA franc, a colonial-era currency, still forces African nations to keep half their reserves in the French Treasury, effectively handing Paris control over their economies. French corporations dominate key sectors, while military bases ensure political compliance.

The U.S., even though they are less colonial, she has propped up dictators who serve her interests (like Mobutu in Zaire) while using institutions like the IMF and World Bank to keep Africa in eternal debt. When Africans elected leaders like Patrice Lumumba, who sought true independence, they were overthrown or assassinated. Democracy, as promoted by the West, was only acceptable if it produced zombie regimes.

Traoré’s Burkina Faso, alongside Mali, Niger, and the Central African Republic, is now challenging this system. By turning to Russia for security and China for infrastructure, these nations are asserting their right to choose their own partners. The West’s response? Accusations of “authoritarianism” and warnings about “Russian exploitation.” Yet, where was this concern when France controlled Burkina Faso’s gold mines or when the U.S. conducted drone strikes that killed civilians?

This debate is not just about military rule versus democracy. It is about governance that delivers. Traoré’s popularity stems from his ability to act decisively where democratic governments have failed. But military rule carries real risks like suppression of dissent, human rights abuses, and the lack of long-term stability. The challenge for Africa is not to romanticise authoritarianism but to demand systems that are both effective and accountable.

Or maybe, the solution lies in reimagining democracy itself, one that prioritises African interests over foreign agendas, a total crackdown on corruption, and one that empowers leaders who genuinely serve their people. Traoré’s rise is a symptom of a deeper frustration: the failure of Western-style democracy to meet Africa’s needs.

The hero’s welcome Traoré received in Moscow is a wake-up call. Africa is no longer willing to accept Western dominance disguised as democracy. If the West wants influence, it must offer real partnership, not exploitation. I foresee more African nations following Burkina Faso’s lead, seeking alliances with countries like Russia who treat them as equals rather than subordinates.

The question is no longer “Is military rule better than democracy?” but rather: “Why should Africa remain loyal to systems that have failed it for so long?

…Daniel writes this piece from Moscow, Russia

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