WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday hiked interest rates to their highest point in 15 years, signaling that the central bank's battle against inflation is far from finished.

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to raise the overnight rate of borrowing by half a percentage point, continuing in the most aggressive rate raising cycle in 40 years. (US-Fed-Interest Rate)

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UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Wednesday adopted a resolution on the removal of Iran's membership in the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

The draft resolution, introduced by the United States, obtained 29 votes "in favor" while eight ECOSOC members including China voted against it and 16 countries abstained. (UN-Women's Commission-Iran)

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LIMA -- Peru declared a nationwide 30-day state of emergency on Wednesday in a bid to quash sometimes violent protests in various regions, Defense Minister Alberto Otarola said.

"We have agreed to declare a state of emergency for the entire country, due to the vandalism and violence, and the seizure of highways and roads," acts that are being controlled by the National Police and the Armed Forces, Otarola said following a meeting of the Council of Ministers. (Peru-Violent Protests)

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SANTIAGO -- Chile is battling eight forest fires and has contained another 25, which have together destroyed more than 4,400 hectares in the country's central and southern regions, the Interior and Public Security Ministry's National Emergency Office (Onemi) said Wednesday.

The biggest ongoing blaze has already razed 309 hectares in Palmilla, a commune in the O'Higgins Region to the south of the capital Santiago, said the Onemi. (Chile-Forest Fires) Enditem

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