WORLD IN BRIEF: US inflation rises, Ukrainian drones hit Russia's largest data centre, Liberia offers 29 offshore oil blocks
US inflation rose to 3.7 percent in September, Ukrainian drones hit Russia's largest data centre, and Liberia opened a 29-block offshore oil licensing round.
US consumer prices rose 3.7 percent in the 12 months to September 2026, up from 3.4 percent in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ukrainian drones struck Sberbank's Balakovo data centre, which Reuters describes as Russia's biggest. Liberia launched its 2026 offshore licensing round, offering 29 blocks for direct negotiation. Here is what we know about each story as of October 15, 2026.
Contents
- US inflation rises to 3.7 percent
- Ukrainian drones hit Russia's largest data centre
- Liberia offers 29 offshore oil blocks
US inflation rises to 3.7 percent
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.6 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted basis and 3.7 percent over the year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Wednesday, October 14. That is above the 3.6 percent economists had expected and up from 3.4 percent in August. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose to 2.6 percent over the year from 2.4 percent.
Energy is the main driver. Gasoline prices rose 9.1 percent in September alone and account for more than half of the monthly increase, according to the BLS. CNBC reported that economists link the rise to the conflict involving Iran, which has pushed up oil and fuel prices, while tariffs, spending on artificial intelligence data centres and strong travel demand also add to price pressures. The timing matters for markets: the report came days before the Federal Reserve's next policy meeting, and some analysts said it raised the odds of a rate increase. Social Security recipients will receive a 3.6 percent cost-of-living increase in 2027, compared with 2.8 percent in 2026.
Ukrainian drones hit Russia's largest data centre
Ukrainian drones struck the Balakovo data centre in Saratov region on October 14, according to Reuters. The facility is owned by Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, and was scheduled to host the country's biggest supercomputer when it goes into operation in 2027. Sberbank confirmed the attack but said it did not disrupt operations. Neither Sberbank nor Yandex has said whether supercomputers used to train AI models were damaged.
The strike follows three attacks in the past week on Yandex data centres, which hosted that company's operating supercomputers. Ukraine says it is responding to Russian attacks on its own data sites. Russia's digital development ministry said it was discussing protection for data centres with the military, and some lawmakers have proposed moving them underground.
Liberia offers 29 offshore oil blocks
The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority launched its 2026 Offshore Direct Negotiation Licensing Round on October 14, offering 29 offshore blocks across the Liberia and Harper basins. Reports differ on how many blocks are open to new applicants, with some saying 14 are available for direct negotiation and others describing the full 29-block grid. Prequalified companies can negotiate directly for blocks, and the round is supported by seismic data from TGS.
Liberia produces no oil commercially at present. The previous round in 2024 produced eight production-sharing contracts, with four blocks awarded to TotalEnergies and four to Nigeria's Oranto Petroleum. The latest round is another attempt to attract companies to explore the country's offshore potential, and its results will depend on exploration outcomes and fiscal terms.
