Briefly

UNITED STATES

Fed holds rates steady amid high energy prices

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, but in its most divided decision since 1992, noted rising concerns about inflation in a policy statement that drew three dissents from officials who no longer feel the US central bank should communicate a bias toward lowering borrowing costs. A fourth dissent at the meeting favored a quarter-percentage-point rate cut."Inflation is elevated, in part reflecting the recent increase in global energy prices," the Fed said in its policy statement, a shift from previous language saying that inflation was just "somewhat" elevated. "Developments in the Middle East are contributing to a high level of uncertainty about the economic outlook," it said. "In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent," the statement said.

LIBYA

17 killed, 7 rescued after week at sea

The Libyan Red Crescent said on Wednesday that a patrol boat recovered 17 bodies and rescued seven people during an operation to assist a stranded vessel off the North African country. The organization shared photos on its Facebook page showing aid workers hauling black body bags from a boat. It did not give information about the nationality of those killed or those rescued, but said it provided humanitarian assistance to survivors along with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which suggests they were migrants. "After eight days of distress, the Almarqab patrol boat, attached to the naval base, successfully rescued a stranded vessel. The operation resulted in the rescue of seven survivors and the recovery of 17 bodies," the Red Crescent said on Facebook.

Agencies - Xinhua