1st LD: U.S. Fed slashes rates by 50 basis points, first rate cut in four years

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday slashed interest rates by 50 basis points amid cooling inflation and a weakening labor market, marking the first rate cut in over four years.

"The Committee has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent, and judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are roughly in balance," the