Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Spain PM hopes Gaza deal will lead to 'lasting peace'

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Thursday hailed the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, saying he hoped "this marks the beginning of a just and lasting peace."

"Now it is time to engage in dialogue, to support the civilian population, and to look to the future with hope. But also with justice and with remembrance, so that the atrocities experienced are never repeated," he added.

The Socialist leader is one of the most vocal critics in Europe of Israel's offensive in the Palestinian territory.

Fugitive bull puts town on alert

The tables have turned on bullfighting Spain, at least in one small town. According to the mayor of the Castilla-La Mancha municipality of Brihuega, on October 4th a bull escaped during a nearby bullfight and has since been free roaming the area, causing panic among locals.

On a recent Instagram post, mayor Luis Viejo recommended that residents "exercise extreme caution throughout the town, especially in rural areas and on the roads connecting Brihuega with its surrounding districts, as the animal could be nearby".

He also warned of the danger of walking or participating in sports activities in the countryside before the animal is found.

Fortunately, the fighting bull was located on Thursday evening and returned to its owners.

Ouigo launches €9 ticket sale for train travel until August 2026

Low-cost rail operator Ouigo is offering tickets from just €9 for travel from December 14th to August 2nd, 2026, on all its routes.

Ticket went on sale on Thursday October 9th and will continue until they book up.

The rail company has also announced four new frequencies connecting Madrid with Barcelona, ​​Seville, Málaga, and Murcia, increasing the number of seats offered on all routes by 14 percent compared to 2025.

It also offers five return trains between Madrid and Valencia, one of which extends to Segovia and Valladolid, and three return trains between Madrid and Alicante. Some of these services also include stops in Segovia, Cuenca, Albacete, and Elche.

Spanish court rules out separate trials for PM's wife

A Spanish court on Thursday said it had overridden a judge who ordered separate trials against the prime minister's wife for alleged embezzlement and influence peddling, a case rocking the government.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado's long-running and highly politicised investigation into Begoña Gómez is one of several corruption affairs roiling Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's fragile leftist coalition.

Peinado set off the saga in April 2024 by opening a probe to determine whether Gomez exploited her position as Sánchez's wife for private benefit after complaints by groups with far-right ties.

Last week, Peinado sent Gomez to trial for alleged corruption in the private sector, influence peddling, misappropriation and unqualified practice, after ordering a separate embezzlement trial for her in September.

But in an October 3rd ruling made public on Thursday, a Madrid court said the decision to investigate the alleged embezzlement separately was "premature and groundless from a factual, regulatory and procedural point of view".

With additional reporting by AFP.