1st LD: U.S. Fed keeps interest rates unchanged at 5.25-5.5 pct as inflation cools

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday left interest rates unchanged at a 22-year high of 5.25 percent to 5.5 percent, as the latest consumer price data shows that inflation continues to be cooling.

"Inflation has eased over the past year but remains somewhat elevated. In recent months, there has been some further progress toward the Committee's 2 percent inflation objective," the