The world’s 29 October came down to three lines. In Moscow the Russia–Africa summit ended, and at the closing press conference Vladimir Putin spoke not only about Africa but also about Europe and his call with the leaders of Finland and Norway [1][2]. In the US the Federal Reserve left its rate unchanged on the eve of midterm elections, while the economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter [3][4]. Overnight the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, halted all operations after more than 3 billion dollars flowed out of its wallets [5].
29 October in the world
- 27 billion dollars
Russia–Africa trade - 3.75–4%
Fed rate range, unchanged - 3.4%
US GDP growth in Q3 (3.2% expected) - 53
48 — 19 — Knesset seats of Israel’s blocs after the count - 42 million barrels
Europe’s reserve release over three months
Based on the issue’s materials
- 27 billion dollars
Moscow: Africa, Europe and 2030
At the press conference following the Russia–Africa summit Putin called current trade with African countries of 27 billion dollars only the beginning and promised to increase supplies of grain and medicines; Russia’s programme helping Africa fight infections was extended to 2029 [1][6]. Russia and African countries also came out against the unjustified detention and seizure of civilian ships, including those under African flags [7].
Most of the statements concerned Europe. Putin said many in Europe are preparing for war with Russia by 2030, and that Russia is ready for it but does not want war [2]. Of his conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, he said his interlocutors stressed at the start that they did not represent the European Union [8]. The call, ahead of the planned talks in Abu Dhabi, remains one of the main topics of European diplomacy.
On the front line in Kherson region, the sides completed demining a route for a humanitarian mission to Russian-controlled Oleshky: aid deliveries and civilian evacuations will follow it under a temporary ceasefire [9].
The US: rates, growth and a crypto shock
The Fed kept the federal funds rate range at 3.75–4% less than a week before the midterm elections to Congress [3]. The decision coincided with data showing US GDP growth of 3.4% in the third quarter — faster than the expected 3.2% and than 2.2% in the second quarter; growth was supported by investment and government spending [4]. For Kazakhstan Fed decisions matter through the tenge exchange rate and the cost of external borrowing: a high dollar rate sustains demand for dollars.
The overnight event at Binance was the loudest in the crypto industry this year: the exchange suspended all deposits and withdrawals, promised to cover losses and reported freezing 2.54 billion dollars, most of it stopped by the stablecoin issuers Tether and Circle [5]. The exchange has not officially confirmed a hack; its founder Changpeng Zhao said the transfer looked like one. If a theft of that size is confirmed, it will more than double the previous record — about 1.5 billion dollars stolen from Bybit in 2025 [5].
Israel, Europe and fuel
In Israel the count of votes in the Knesset election was completed: Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, the opposition 48 and Arab parties 19; neither side reached 61 of 120 seats, turnout was 77.7% — the highest since 1999, and official results are due on 4 November [10]. Democrats leader Yair Golan has already met Mansour Abbas, head of the Arab party Ra’am, to discuss a coalition without Netanyahu [11].
Europe meanwhile is tackling its fuel problem with reserves: 42 million barrels over three months, half of it diesel; France will sell 10 million barrels at cost from 1 November [12]. This is part of the G7 agreement to release up to 100 million barrels; according to the International Energy Agency, global diesel exports in September were 700,000 barrels a day lower than a year earlier [12]. For Kazakhstan, which plans to raise refining from 18 to 39 million tonnes a year, it is an argument for its own refineries.
