Fed meets on rate hike amid global pressure for caution

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The US Federal Reserve opened a two-day meeting on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) to weigh a historic interest rate increase amid calls for it to move gingerly as world economic growth slows.

The World Bank has warned developing economies to prepare for more capital and currency market turmoil while the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) urged the Fed to move slowly and make its policy plans clear, whatever it decides.