Roundup: U.S. Fed holds rates steady, ending string of cuts

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held rates steady, marking a pause in the recent cutting cycle.

In line with expectations, the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee voted for key interest rates to remain in the range of 3.5 percent to 3.75 percent.

That put a stop to three straight quarters of rate cuts, which were an effort to cushion risks to the economy, inc