The day's other headlines start at the Federal Reserve.

The central bank today cut its top-line interest rate by a quarter point for the second time this year.

Speaking to reporters, Chair Jerome Powell said the long-running risk of higher inflation had to be balanced with signs of weakness in the job market.

He said another cut this winter is not a guarantee.

With downside risks to employment having increased in recent months, the balance of risks

has shifted.

A further reduction in the policy rate at the December meeting is not a foregone conclusion.

Far from it.

Adding to the uncertainty over the Fed's next meeting is a lack of economic data with many reports affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

President Trump is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea in the coming hours on the last leg of his tour through the region.

Before that, though, Mr. Trump attended the APEC summit today, where he touted progress on a framework trade deal with South Korea.

South Korean companies are set to invest $350 billion in the American economy in exchange for U.S.

tariff relief. The deal hasn't been signed yet, but Mr. Trump told leaders it's all but done.

A lot was determined, very much determined, and we made our deal, pretty much finalized a trade

deal.

South Korean officials said the potential deal involves both cash, investments, and cooperation

on shipbuilding.

There was also pageantry amid the trade politics, including the president being presented

with this replica crown

from one of Korea's ancient dynasties.

In Eastern Europe, the U.S. military has confirmed it's reducing its presence along NATO's

border with Ukraine.

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