Powell says no need for Fed to rush rate cuts given strong economy. Ongoing economic growth, a solid job market, and inflation that remains above its 2% target mean the Federal Reserve does not need to rush to lower interest rates, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said. (Reuters)

Tropical Storm Sara bringing “catastrophic” Central America floods. Due to warming ocean waters and air temperatures from human emissions of greenhouse gases, tropical storms and hurricanes are now delivering heavier precipitation than just a few decades ago. (Axios)

Trump’s pick of Rubio as America’s top diplomat could reshape US policy in Latin America. For decades since the end of the Cold War, Latin America has faded from the U.S. foreign policy agenda even as U.S. adversaries like Russia, Iran and especially China have made deep inroads. If confirmed, the Florida Republican is likely to end the neglect. (AP)

Biden set to meet South Korean and Japanese leaders amid growing worries about North Korea. The meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru comes as North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to Russia to help Moscow try to claw back land in the Kursk border region that Ukraine seized earlier this year. (AP)

Lebanon’s prime minister asks Iran to help secure a cease-fire in Israel-Hezbollah war. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister on Friday asked Iran to help secure a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah and appeared to urge it to convince the militant group to agree to a deal that could require it to pull back from the Israel-Lebanon border. (AP)

Trump Pick Rubio Could Harden Oil Sanctions on Iran, Venezuela. President-elect Donald Trump’s pick of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state could signal stricter enforcement of oil sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, but concerns about retaliation by China could temper any efforts. (US & World News)

UK must rebuild post-Brexit relations with EU, says Bank boss. The U.K. must “rebuild relations” with the EU “while respecting the decision of the British people” who voted to leave in 2016, the Bank of England’s governor has said. (BBC)

UK economy barely grows with Budget fears blamed. The U.K. economy barely grew between July and September, with uncertainty about the Budget being blamed for the weak growth. (BBC)

US import prices unexpectedly rise in October. U.S. import prices unexpectedly rose in October amid higher prices for fuels and other goods, the latest indication of lack of progress lowering inflation in recent months. (Reuters)

Dollar set for strong weekly rise as markets anticipate fewer rate cuts. The U.S. dollar was set for its biggest weekly gain in over a month on Friday, as markets reassessed expectations of future interest rate cuts and with the view that President-elect Donald Trump’s policies could stoke inflation. (Reuters)

Germany’s Scholz speaks to Russia’s Putin for first time in two years. The Russian leader said he is open to talks, but intends to keep the territory Moscow seized in Ukraine. (Al Jazeera)

Canada orders binding arbitration to end port lockout. With the lockouts, $930m of goods are being affected daily, affecting supply chains and local economy, the government says. (Al Jazeera)