NEW YORK -- The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.5 to 3.75 percent, as widely expected by the market.
The move marks the Fed's fifth monetary policy meeting in a row with a wait-and-see stance, while expectations for an interest rate hike have been building for the coming months.
The year-on-year growth rate of the U.S. headline consumer price index dropped to 3.5 percent in June from 4.2 percent in May as oil prices plunged in the period. (US-Fed-Interest Rate)
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ISLAMABAD -- At least seven policemen were killed and 22 others injured when a group of militants attacked a police checkpoint in Hangu district of Pakistan's northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said late Wednesday.
District Police Officer Tariq Habib told local media that security personnel returned fire, killing eight militants and injuring six others.
A clearance operation was continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants, police said. (Pakistan-Attack-Police)
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CAIRO -- Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said on Wednesday that a fire had broken out on a regasification vessel and a storage vessel at Damietta Port on the Mediterranean coast, adding that the incident was brought under control immediately and caused no casualties.
Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi headed to the scene to monitor the situation on the ground and oversee containment and safety operations, according to a statement by the ministry. (Egypt-Fire-Vessels)
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MOSCOW -- Ukrainian attacks against Russia killed at least seven people and injured 53 others, said regional authorities on Wednesday.
The heaviest casualties were reported in the Belgorod region, where four people were killed and 46 injured, acting regional Governor Alexander Shuvaev said, adding that the region came under 91 attacks and that air defense systems intercepted 128 drones. (Russia-Ukraine-Drone Attacks) ■
