Authorities found Colorado Mountain College students Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, dead on Wednesday in a basin on West Apostle Mountain. The students went missing during a planned hike in the Rocky Mountains as a heavy snowstorm hit; officials are investigating the cause of death, and foul play is not suspected.
Key Facts
Matsuda and Donlon left the college’s Leadville campus on Friday and were expected back by Sunday.
The students had told family and friends they planned to hike Ice Mountain, a peak near West Apostle Mountain that requires technical climbing.
College staff reported them missing on Monday morning.
About 60 search and rescue volunteers used helicopters, drones and dogs in the search.
A helicopter crew found a collapsed tent, sleeping bags, a stove and clothing near a lake north-west of Ice Mountain on Tuesday.
Authorities said climbing equipment was not found in the students’ dorms, tent or vehicle.
Officials said the causes of death remain under investigation and they will wait for autopsy results before offering theories.
Matsuda was studying to become a wildland firefighter, and Donlon was studying to become a mountain guide.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, whom the article describes as the Pentagon’s top military planner, according to a Pentagon official. The headline links Sylvia to Iran planning and says he allegedly failed polygraph tests, but the article text provided does not give further details about those claims.
Key Facts
A Pentagon official said Hegseth removed Sylvia.
Sylvia is an Army lieutenant general.
The article describes Sylvia as the Pentagon’s top military planner.
The headline connects Sylvia’s role to Iran planning.
The headline says Sylvia allegedly failed polygraph tests.
The provided article text does not include details about the reported polygraph tests or the reason for Sylvia’s removal.
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Finland’s president and Norway’s prime minister spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin, prompting criticism from Denmark and Sweden over the lack of coordination. The dispute reflects broader European divisions over whether and how to engage Moscow as governments seek a role in possible negotiations over the war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
Alexander Stubb and Jonas Gahr Støre held a 90-minute call with Putin on Tuesday.
The Finnish and Norwegian leaders said they had informed allies in advance and that the call was conducted on Ukraine’s behalf.
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said she was skeptical of the initiative and complained that Copenhagen had not coordinated it.
Sweden’s prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, said he had not been informed before the call.
European leaders have discussed appointing a representative to negotiate directly with Moscow, but have made little progress.
The article says a new round of peace talks is expected in Abu Dhabi next month, raising European concerns about being sidelined.
Støre cited shared fish stocks in the Barents Sea and border security as reasons for Norway to engage with Russia; Stubb said the call could help prevent misunderstandings.
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HM Revenue and Customs says it will assign a dedicated compliance manager to each of more than 200 billionaires with a UK tax footprint. The effort aims to address unpaid tax among wealthy taxpayers and is expected to contribute at least £500 million toward the government’s goal of raising £10 billion in additional tax revenue by 2030.
Key Facts
HMRC says its billionaire list covers people required to pay UK tax, whether or not they formally live in the country.
Each billionaire on the list will be offered voluntary discussions with a dedicated customer compliance manager before filing taxes.
HMRC says complex affairs spanning taxes, entities and countries can make billionaire tax cases harder to manage.
The authority plans to use analytics, automated alerts and artificial intelligence to identify risks among wealthy taxpayers.
HMRC defines wealthy individuals for this monitoring effort as people with income above £200,000 or assets over £2 million in any of the past three years.
HMRC estimated the wealthy tax gap at £3.6 billion for 2024–25, or 6% of the UK’s total tax gap.
The authority says its actions will contribute at least £500 million toward a target of £10 billion in additional tax revenue by 2030.
A parliamentary committee questioned HMRC last year about its understanding of tax compliance among about 1.3 million wealthy taxpayers.
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Sen. Tim Scott called on the Department of Justice to investigate Democrat Mary Peltola’s campaign. His request followed reports that the campaign sought to recruit “spoiler” candidates in Alaska to influence next week’s election.
Key Facts
Tim Scott is a Republican senator from South Carolina.
Scott called for a Department of Justice investigation of Mary Peltola’s campaign.
Reports cited in the article say the campaign sought to recruit “spoiler” candidates in Alaska.
The reported effort was aimed at affecting an election scheduled for the following week.
Scott said Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic apparatus were involved.
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Maine laundromat owner Kelly Kusnirak says she believed she was appearing in an ad for Republican Senator Susan Collins, but later found that the ad supported Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson. She now appears in a Collins campaign ad criticizing the original ad’s producers.
Key Facts
Kusnirak told The Robinson Report she thought the original ad was for Collins.
The original ad supported Jackson and included the message, “Susan Collins is too expensive for Maine.”
The Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy PAC paid for the original ad.
The original ad’s disclaimer said it was not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
Kusnirak said she was surprised when she saw the ad and realized it supported Jackson.
Kusnirak appears in a counter-ad paid for and authorized by the Collins campaign.
Newsweek said it contacted the Jackson campaign and the group that produced the original ad for comment.
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A train crash in Spain killed 69 people and injured scores, according to the article issued on October 29, 2026. The transport minister cited an error and what he called inexplicable circumstances, and the disaster renewed attention to railway safety.
Key Facts
The crash occurred in Spain.
The article reports 69 deaths.
The crash also injured scores of people.
Spain’s transport minister said an error contributed to the disaster.
The minister described the circumstances as inexplicable.
The crash renewed national attention to railway safety.
The article was issued on October 29, 2026.
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Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged drone and other attacks as a six-day humanitarian ceasefire continued around Russian-occupied Oleshky. Ukrainian officials reported civilian deaths and injuries in several Russian strikes, while Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses had downed 1,214 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Key Facts
Russian drones struck two districts of Kharkiv early Thursday, including an educational institution; officials had not confirmed casualties from those attacks.
Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone strike on two passenger trains at a Dnipro station killed at least 13 people and injured 10.
Russia's Defense Ministry said it had downed 1,214 Ukrainian drones overnight and described the attack as one of Kyiv's largest.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said about half of the drones were heading toward the Russian capital.
A six-day humanitarian ceasefire was in effect around Oleshky in the Kherson region to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.
Ukrainian regional officials reported that a Russian strike on a civilian business in the Sarny district of Rivne killed one man.
A Russian strike on an industrial facility in Dnipro injured a 35-year-old man, according to regional officials.
Washington was seeking to restart peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv, with discussions expected next month, the article reported.
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UK Treasury Committee chair Meg Hillier asked the Treasury and Financial Conduct Authority to investigate whether information about a bank tax change was improperly disclosed before the budget. A Bloomberg report published more than an hour before John Healey’s statement preceded movement in bank share prices; the FCA and Treasury have been asked to assess what happened.
Key Facts
Bloomberg published a report at 10:45 a.m. saying the bank surcharge would be below the 8% lenders had feared and would be temporary.
Healey announced that the bank corporation tax surcharge would rise from 3% to 6% for 15 months starting 1 January 2027.
Hillier wrote to the Treasury’s permanent secretary and the FCA chief executive asking them to review the report and its market impact.
Hillier asked the Treasury to confirm whether banks or their representatives received advance information about the changes.
The article says bank share prices moved after the Bloomberg report appeared and before Healey’s budget statement at 12:30 p.m.
Healey is due to appear before the Commons Treasury select committee next month, where he will be asked about the leak.
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UK economic forecasts point to weak growth in household living standards through the end of the decade. Think tanks say incomes will barely rise, while higher inflation and energy costs will add pressure despite government support payments.
Key Facts
The Resolution Foundation forecasts disposable income for typical working-age households will fall by £1,050, or 3%, between now and 2029.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies says the current decade is on track to be the worst on record for household income growth.
The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts UK GDP growth slowing from 1.2% in 2026 to 1% in 2027.
The OBR raised its 2027 inflation forecast from 2% to 3.4%, citing pressures including higher borrowing costs and energy prices linked to the US-Iran war.
The government announced a £100 payment to help with rising energy costs, but the Resolution Foundation says it will not fully offset higher bills.
The OBR projects living standards across all households will grow by less than 0.1% per year by the end of the decade.
Frozen tax thresholds are reducing the take-home pay people keep from their income.
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Georgia is a key state in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff’s seat is at stake, and the result could affect which party controls the Senate. The report describes efforts to encourage African American voters, who make up about one-third of Georgia’s electorate, to vote early.
Key Facts
Jon Ossoff is a Democratic senator from Georgia.
Ossoff’s Senate seat is on the ballot in the 2026 midterms.
The race could affect control of the Senate.
African Americans make up around one-third of Georgia’s electorate.
Voters are being encouraged to vote early.
The report was issued on October 29, 2026.
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Fighting has intensified between Yemen’s Houthis and government forces on several fronts near Taiz, while both sides reported air strikes and military operations. The United Nations warned that road damage and fighting are restricting aid to Taiz, where about 800,000 people are trapped.
Key Facts
Government-affiliated media reported fighting on the Al-Aqroudh and Al-Masrakh fronts and in Al-Rahn village south of Taiz.
A Yemeni government forces spokesman claimed that government forces conducted 749 military operations in 24 hours, killing or injuring 239 militants and destroying 117 vehicles and armored vehicles.
Houthi-affiliated media reported four air strikes on Mocha and its Red Sea port.
A military source said government forces carried out three air strikes southeast of Taiz; the Houthis reported more than 100 air strikes across Sanaa and eight other governorates in 24 hours.
Flights resumed at Aden International Airport after services were suspended on Wednesday following a reported missile strike near the airport.
The UN said more than 281,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since the beginning of August.
The UN warned that about 800,000 people in Taiz need aid and that damage to a key road has made access increasingly difficult.
The UN urged all parties to protect civilians and aid convoys and allow safe, sustained humanitarian access.
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President Donald Trump criticized U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes for extending an order blocking tree removal at a Washington, D.C., golf course he wants to renovate. In a Truth Social post, Trump said his administration would hold Reyes “fully responsible” if anyone were hurt; the article excerpt ends before giving more details.
Key Facts
Trump posted his criticism on Wednesday evening.
The judge is U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes.
Reyes extended an order blocking tree removal at the golf course.
The golf course is East Potomac in Washington, D.C.
Trump wants to renovate the course into a championship-level course.
Trump wrote that his administration would hold Reyes “fully responsible” if anybody were hurt.
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Afghan farmers say worsening economic conditions and drought are pushing them to grow poppies despite a ban. Some families say other crops, including cotton, do not earn enough to feed their children.
Key Facts
Farmers in Afghanistan report turning to poppy cultivation to make a living.
Poppy cultivation is banned in Afghanistan, according to the article.
Farmers cite worsening economic conditions as a reason for growing poppies.
Drought is also contributing to the pressure on farmers.
Some families say cotton and other crops do not bring in enough money to feed their children.
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U.S. gross domestic product grew at a 3.4% annualized rate in the third quarter of 2026, up from 2.2% in the second quarter, Commerce Department data showed. Growth came as inflation remained elevated: prices rose 3.7% from a year earlier in September, while the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady after raising them in September.
Key Facts
Third-quarter economic growth was 3.4% at an annualized rate.
Growth accelerated from 2.2% in the second quarter and exceeded the 2.5% rate in the first quarter.
U.S. prices rose 3.7% in September compared with a year earlier, above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point in September, its first increase in three years.
The Fed left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday as officials awaited more economic data.
Spending on artificial intelligence chips and data centers helped support economic growth in recent quarters.
Hiring continued to grow more slowly, while unemployment remained low by historical standards.
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A Resources for the Future analysis estimates that the Senate permitting bill would expand power transmission and renewable energy, lower power-sector emissions at first, and reduce electricity system costs compared with current law. The study projects emissions would rise later but remain below the no-bill outlook; it does not directly model household electricity bills or the bill’s effects outside the power sector.
Key Facts
The analysis compares the bill’s effects with a baseline of current laws and policies.
In its central scenario, the bill produces about 60 gigawatts more clean energy capacity in 2028 than the baseline.
The study estimates electricity system costs would be 3.5% to 7% lower each year through 2041 and save more than $350 billion through 2050 in present-value terms.
The analysis says expanded transmission would enable more use of clean energy and existing power resources.
The bill’s projected power-sector emissions initially fall as coal use declines, then rise while remaining below the no-bill projection.
The study uses a high-electrification demand scenario that accounts for rapid demand growth from data centers and other sources.
The analysis does not model retail electricity prices or effects on mining, pipelines, and other activities outside the power sector.
The article says a Senate test vote on the permitting bill was expected on Nov. 9.
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Ukrainian officials say a Russian drone struck a crowded platform at Dnipro railway station, killing at least 13 people and wounding at least 10. Officials also reported two girls killed in a separate Russian missile strike in Chernihiv, as attacks on railway facilities and other infrastructure continue.
Key Facts
A train bound for Zaporizhzhia was at a Dnipro platform when the drone hit, according to Ukraine’s railway operator.
An 11-year-old boy was among those wounded in Dnipro, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said.
Chernihiv regional head Vyacheslav Chaus said two 15-year-old girls were killed in a Russian missile strike and at least 11 people were injured.
Ukraine’s railway chief said authorities had announced an elevated threat level in Dnipro before the strike, but many people remained on the platform.
President Volodymyr Zelensky called for further U.S., European and G7 sanctions on Russia and criticized a deal that eased some sanctions, including those affecting U.S. imports of Russian diesel.
Ukrzaliznytsia figures supplied to AFP say attacks on railway facilities rose from 1,206 in 2025 to 1,700 so far in 2026.
Moscow’s mayor said 613 Ukrainian drones were launched overnight toward the Moscow region and that most were shot down.
The article says a local ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky was holding into its third day as a Ukrainian delegation traveled there through Belarus and Russia.
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The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 0.5% in September, after declining in August, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The index was 3.6% higher than in September 2025 and is the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation.
Key Facts
The PCE price index rose 0.5% in September.
The index had declined in August.
Prices measured by the index were up 3.6% from September 2025.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis released the data on Thursday.
The Federal Reserve uses the PCE price index as its preferred inflation measure.
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South Korean prosecutors renewed their request for the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk-yeol at an appeal hearing in Seoul, arguing that his 2024 martial law declaration threatened democracy. Yoon, who was sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection, denies that he sought to establish authoritarian rule; the appeals court plans further hearings before reaching a decision.
Key Facts
Prosecutors renewed their death-penalty request at a Seoul High Court hearing on Thursday, October 29.
Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment in February after a court convicted him of leading an insurrection.
Yoon declared martial law on December 3, 2024, and sent soldiers and police to the National Assembly.
Lawmakers voted down the martial law measure, and the government withdrew it about six hours after its announcement.
The lower court found that Yoon tried to prevent parliament from functioning, detain political opponents and remain in power.
Yoon’s lawyers said he intended to warn parliament, not establish authoritarian rule.
South Korea has retained the death penalty but has not carried out an execution since 1997.
Parliament impeached Yoon in December 2024, and the Constitutional Court removed him from office in April 2025; the appeals court plans another hearing for November 5.
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Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly had blocked their attendance at a National Economic Council meeting in Glasgow with Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The dispute comes amid unionist anger over Sinn Féin’s role in protests that stopped an Orange Order march in Portadown, and pressure on the DUP to take action against O’Neill.
Key Facts
O’Neill and Little-Pengelly had both been invited to Friday’s National Economic Council meeting in Glasgow.
O’Neill said Little-Pengelly’s decision would leave Northern Ireland unrepresented at the event.
O’Neill called the decision reckless and said it was driven by DUP internal pressures and electoral concerns.
Police have interviewed O’Neill and other senior Sinn Féin figures over unnotified demonstrations in Portadown last month.
DUP MP Carla Lockhart resigned from the party’s officer board after leader Gavin Robinson did not withdraw Little-Pengelly to force O’Neill from their joint office.
DUP assembly members Diane Forsythe and Maurice Bradley have called for O’Neill to leave office or for official engagements through the joint Executive Office to stop.
A court heard that police intelligence suggested dissidents might have attacked officers if police had cleared a route for the parade.
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