The Fed holds rates as two officials push for a hike, the U.N. condemns the U.S. Cuba embargo with weaker support, a tornado watch for the Twin Cities, Microsoft beats forecasts, and Anthony Edwards faces a knee procedure.
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The Federal Reserve held its benchmark rate in a range of 3.75 to 4 percent in a 10-2 vote. Governor Lisa Cook and Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack dissented, favoring a quarter-point hike. The statement says inflation "remains elevated" and that more information will help the committee decide its next move. It is the Fed's last decision before the November 3 midterm elections.
The U.N. General Assembly voted 130-17, with 25 abstentions, to condemn the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, the 34th year it has done so. Last year the vote was 165-7 with 12 abstentions. Germany, Italy and Latvia abstained for the first time in 34 years, and several countries, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Paraguay, voted no after a Trump administration pressure campaign.
A tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Wednesday for the greater Twin Cities area, including parts of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, KSTP reports. Storms produced 3-inch hail near Atwater, FOX 9 reports. Forecasters warned of large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes, a rare threat for late October.
Microsoft reported quarterly revenue of $92.28 billion and earnings of $4.89 a share, above analysts' estimates of about $90.6 billion and about $4.72. Its shares rose in after-hours trading Wednesday.
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will have an arthroscopic cleanup on his right knee, and no return timeline has been set. Timberwolves executive Tim Connelly said, "we don't think it's going to be something that's going to cost the season." Edwards was averaging 33 points a game for the 3-1 Wolves, who host Golden State Wednesday night.
1. In this year's U.N. vote condemning the U.S. embargo on Cuba, how many countries voted in favor?
From story 2: U.N. condemns U.S. Cuba embargo again, with weaker support
2. Which Fed governor dissented in favor of a rate hike at the Fed's October 28 meeting?
From story 1: Fed holds rates steady; two officials wanted a hike
3. Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is having a procedure on which part of his body?
From story 5: Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to have knee procedure
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