Daily briefing · Friday, October 30

U.S. growth picks up as the Fed holds rates

The U.S. economy grew at a 3.4% annualized rate in July–September, up from 2.2% in the previous quarter, Thursday’s initial government estimate showed. That translates to about 0.8% growth during the three months themselves. Investment, consumer spending and government spending increased, while exports fell. The figures followed Wednesday’s Federal Reserve decision to keep its benchmark rate at 3.75%–4%. Two of the 12 voting policymakers preferred a quarter-point increase, with the Fed saying inflation remained elevated. The GDP estimate will be revised as more information becomes available. GDP (Advance Estimate), 3rd Quarter 2026 — Bureau of Economic Analysis · Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement

Spain corrects train-crash death toll to 69

Spanish authorities revised the death toll from Wednesday’s high-speed train collision to 69 on Thursday, correcting an earlier figure of 74, ABC News reported. Fifty injured passengers remained hospitalized. Investigators are examining why one train was allowed to proceed while another remained stopped ahead, according to the transport minister’s preliminary account. The inquiry concerns how railway controls function after a computer-system failure. That account has yet to establish final responsibility. The government declared three days of mourning as identification work and support for affected families continued. Death toll climbs to at least 69 as Spanish officials probe high-speed train crash — ABC News

DoorDash agrees to buy Instacart for about $17 billion

DoorDash and Instacart announced an acquisition agreement Thursday valuing Instacart at about $17 billion, or $65 a share. At least three-quarters of the payment would be cash. The proposal would bring restaurant delivery and a major grocery platform under one owner, while retaining Instacart’s brand and app. Completion is expected in late 2027 or the first half of 2028, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. The companies remain independent until then. Their promised customer savings and additional opportunities for delivery workers are projections whose results remain to be demonstrated. DoorDash to Acquire Instacart to Help Local Stores Win — Joint company announcement

India restores power after Cyclone Arnab

At least six people died after Cyclone Arnab crossed India’s eastern coast, officials said Thursday, as electricity disruptions continued in parts of Andhra Pradesh. The storm made landfall early Wednesday. Authorities reported damage to at least 15,000 electricity poles, with power restored in most districts but outages continuing in Konaseem and West Godavari. More than 180,000 people had been evacuated across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha before the storm, Reuters reported. Schools and transport services were also disrupted. Six killed in cyclone off India’s eastern coast — Reuters via MarketScreener

Oleshky aid mission moves closer after reported mine clearance

Russian and Ukrainian officials said Thursday that routes around Russian-occupied Oleshky had been cleared of mines and a humanitarian convoy was ready to leave, Reuters reported. Their statements said supplies would reach the district hospital and residents wishing to depart would be allowed to do so during an agreed period. The town has faced shortages of food and medicine. Reported route clearance is a practical advance beyond the earlier local ceasefire agreement. The announcement establishes the officials’ account of readiness, without yet confirming that aid deliveries or evacuations have taken place. Russia, Ukraine say Oleshky demining operations complete, humanitarian operation to proceed — Reuters via AOL

Eaton Fire study tracks how buildings changed the smoke

A study published Wednesday tracked how smoke chemistry changed as the January 2025 Eaton Fire moved from developed areas into vegetation. Researchers found the urban plume contained more than 50 times as much lead as the vegetation-fire smoke used for comparison. They also estimated that nearly seven million people experienced 24-hour lead concentrations around 80 times typical background levels. Those figures use different baselines. Continuous measurements could improve exposure models by distinguishing smoke from buildings and vegetation. The study measured airborne chemicals and estimated exposure; it did not measure residents’ health outcomes. Chemical Data Collected from the Eaton Fire Plume Help Characterize Urban Fires — Caltech

UN assessment maps the scale of ecosystem restoration

A UN assessment presented Thursday documents restoration underway across 252 million hectares in 149 countries, equivalent to 2.52 million square kilometres. Progress is stronger on land than in rivers, lakes and coastal or marine ecosystems. The total measures areas being restored, rather than proving that every habitat has recovered. Lasting success requires tracking ecological recovery over time. Five projects in China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Italy and the United States also received UN recognition, offering examples ranging from urban greenery to coastal restoration. How one of Europe’s most polluted cities became a blueprint for nature restoration — Euronews

Ancient Mars rock links laboratory clues with orbital maps

A study published Thursday describes Teghaza 001, an 800-gram Martian meteorite found in Mali in 2022. Dating its minerals showed that the rock formed more than 4.1 billion years ago, providing a rare sample of Mars’ early crust. Its mixture of volcanic minerals resembles material observed from orbit in the planet’s southern highlands. Comparing the two helps connect laboratory chemistry with the geology of a much wider landscape. Its original location remains uncertain. Thursday’s paper characterizes the rock; a separate June study examined its water history. NASA-funded Study Details One of Oldest Mars Meteorites Ever Found