The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates last night and said it was keeping the core of its plan to tighten monetary policy intact even as central bank officials said they would likely slow the pace of further rate increases next year.

HOMEWORK WALKOUT

Irish boxing star Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan is still on target for a world title shot in 2013 — and next month he takes the latest step on that road.

US stocks reversed an early slide and ended higher today after the Federal Reserve issued a more upbeat assessment of the economy.

ANDY LEE added another gold medal to his collection with an impressive victory in the finals of the Four Nations championships in Liverpool last night.