The Bank of Canada raised its key rate by a quarter point to 2.5%, its first increase in more than three years, warning that further hikes may be needed as soaring energy costs stoke inflation. It raised its 2027 inflation and growth forecasts.

Bank of Canadainterest ratesinflationenergy prices

The Bank of Canada is expected to raise its interest rate by 25 basis points as inflation ticks upward.

Bank of Canadainterest ratesinflation

The Bank of Canada is widely expected to lift its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 2.5% on Wednesday. Most economists see the move as a safeguard against a possible wider spread of energy inflation.

Bank of Canadainterest ratesenergy inflation

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged less than a week before the US midterm elections, while inflation was weighing less on American households. CNN is providing live updates.

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Federal Reserve officials kept interest rates unchanged and reaffirmed their commitment to containing inflation, but gave no clear indication whether they might raise rates at their next meeting in December.

Federal Reserveinterest ratesinflation

The Federal Reserve announced its latest interest-rate decision on Wednesday, keeping rates unchanged despite concerns about inflation.

Federal Reserveinterest ratesinflation

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged in its last major decision before the midterm elections.

Federal Reserveinterest ratesinflation

The Fed left rates unchanged, as expected. A December rate hike remains likely as the central bank continues to focus on inflation, which is still well above its 2% target.

Federal Reserveinterest ratesinflation

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said Russia and Ukraine continue to observe the ceasefire set up to enable a humanitarian mission in Alyoshki. She said it has been in effect in certain areas since October 27.

AlyoshkiceasefireRussiaUkraine

Documents indicate that Oleshky residents seeking to reach Ukraine will travel aboard a Russian Defense Ministry aircraft first to Anapa, then to Gomel, Belarus, on October 31, accompanied by a Ukrainian delegation. Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a localized ceasefire mediated by Melania Trump to let residents leave.

Oleshkycivilian evacuationRussia-Ukraine ceasefirehumanitarian crisis

Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said Wednesday that the local ceasefire around Russian-occupied Oleshky in southern Ukraine had gone unbreached during its first 30 hours. Agreed through November 1, it is intended to let residents evacuate the frontline town, where conditions had become nearly uninhabitable.

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A local truce in the devastated, Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky remained in effect through its first day and night, while fighting between Moscow and Kyiv continued elsewhere. It began on Tuesday and is expected to last until Sunday.

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Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said the first 30 hours of the Oleshky ceasefire passed without incident. Meanwhile, local authorities reported that Russian attacks in other parts of Ukraine killed two people and injured 17 over the past day. Russia launched a ballistic missile and 88 Shahed-type drones overnight; Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 71 drones.

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Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova said no incidents had been recorded in Alyoshki during the ceasefire’s first 30 hours. She said she was coordinating implementation with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitry Lubinets. The truce is intended to enable humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.

AlyoshkiRussia-Ukraine ceasefireKherson Regionhumanitarian aid

Vladimir Putin said the summit in Moscow is a forum for leaders to exchange views as well as share experience and plan joint projects. He said Russia wants it to be more inclusive and focused, while highlighting areas of Russian progress and potential cooperation with African countries.

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Vladimir Putin said the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2027-2029 is due to be adopted after the October 29 summit. He said the framework will set the main direction for broader cooperation between Russia and African countries.

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At the Russia-Africa economic and humanitarian forum, Vladimir Putin urged African countries to use national payment systems for transactions with Russia. He called for stronger banking links and alternative payment-message mechanisms, saying these would cut costs, shield payments from politicized interference by unfriendly countries and strengthen African sovereignty.

Russia-Africa relationspayment systemslocal-currency settlements

Moscow is hosting the two-day third Russia-Africa Summit, where delegations from 48 African countries will discuss cooperation with Russia on politics, defence and technology. Trade and security are expected to dominate the agenda, while the gathering will indicate how the relationship is developing.

Russia-Africa SummitRussia-Africa relationstradesecurity

After its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the resulting rift with the West, Russia says it wants a “historic return” to Africa. The Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 28 and 29 will focus on economic cooperation. Yet trade remains limited, with Russia's strongest ties concentrated in a few countries, notably Egypt and Algeria.

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As African leaders meet in Moscow, the Kremlin is pursuing resources and protecting allied rulers, the article argues, while failing to deliver promised prosperity and security to ordinary Africans. Trade remains below Russia’s stated target, and the piece questions whether investment agreements and projects serve African development or leave countries bearing the risks.

RussiaAfricaRussia-Africa summittrade and investment

Two right-wing provocateurs face election-related charges in Minnesota after posting videos of an undercover stunt meant to expose weaknesses in election security.

Minnesotaelection chargesright-wing activists

A Minnesota district attorney charged conservative influencers James O’Keefe and Cam Higby on Wednesday with felony unlawful voting and identity theft counts.

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Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh holds a news conference after the central bank's interest rate decision, with live coverage available.

Federal Reserveinterest ratesKevin Warsh

Amazon introduced the Echo Studio with Home Camera, a premium speaker with a built-in camera for checking a room remotely and showing things to Alexa; video calls on Fire TV devices are planned for later. It adds automatic sound-adjustment features and costs $249.99. The updated Echo Dot adds a smart home hub and Eero Wi-Fi extension.

Amazonsmart speakersEcho Studiosmart home

Dolores Huerta, a labor leader, feminist and civil rights icon, has died at 96.

obituarylabor leadercivil rights

Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, battled US lawmakers and powerful growers to improve the lives of a previously powerless constituency. Her family said she died Wednesday at age 96.

Dolores Huertalabor movementhuman rightsUnited Farm Workers

Dolores Huerta, a pioneering labor organizer and civil rights figure who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez in the 1960s, has died at 96, her family said.

Dolores Huertalabor rightscivil rightsobituary

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, has died at 96, her family said.

obituarylabor rightsUnited Farm Workers

Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers with César Chávez, improving conditions for the largely Latino farmworker population in the United States and reshaping the labor movement.

Dolores HuertaUnited Farm Workerslabor movement

Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot are competing for power in a closely contested Israeli election. The report raises the question of who will prevail and what the result could mean for the Middle East.

Israel electionBenjamin NetanyahuGadi EisenkotMiddle East

The Dutch government outlined 1.2 billion euros in non-military aid for Ukraine, to be paid out from 2027 to 2029 and aimed at economic recovery. During a Kyiv visit, Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma said much of the funding would support energy and water, alongside private businesses and industrial recovery.

NetherlandsUkrainenon-military aideconomic recovery

Russia hopes a humanitarian operation to evacuate residents from Alyoshki in the Kherson Region will proceed safely and without provocations in the coming days, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He added that residents who want to leave should be able to do so.

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