2nd LD Writethru: U.S. Fed keeps interest rates unchanged at 4.25-4.5 pct as inflation picks up

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday left the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent, as recent data showed inflation is picking up.

"The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are roughly in balance. The economic outlook is uncertain, and the Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of it