Reuters

CAIRO (Reuters) - Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said on Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is blaming the delay of a Gaza ceasefire agreement on the Palestinian group unfairly.

Blinken, meeting Israeli leaders to discuss how to get more aid into Gaza, has repeatedly urged Hamas to accept an offer from Israel that will release hostages and achieve a ceasefire, describing it as "extraordinarily generous".

By Alun John

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar edged towards its highest level this year against a basket of peers and U.S. share futures dipped on Wednesday ahead of a Federal Reserve policy decision, though trading was thin with many European and Asian markets closed.

The dollar gained over 0.5% on Tuesday on all six currencies that make up the dollar index, leaving the gauge at 106.49, a whisker off its highest since November.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Violent clashes erupted on Wednesday on the University of California campus in Los Angeles between pro-Palestinian protesters and a group of counter demonstrators, according to live video coverage provided by a U.S. broadcaster.

(Reporting by Reuters)

(Reuters) - U.S. novelist and screenwriter Paul Auster died of complications from lung cancer at his home in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening aged 77, the New York Times reported, citing friend and author Jacki Lyden.

The New Jersey-born writer was known for a string of acclaimed works including "The New York Trilogy" and "The Book of Illusions".

"We are very sad to hear of the death of Booker Prize shortlistee Paul Auster, whose work touched... (continue reading...)

By Harry Robertson

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar inched towards its highest level since November on Wednesday ahead of a Federal Reserve interest rate decision later in the day, after data on Tuesday showed more signs of inflationary pressure in the U.S. economy.

Meanwhile, the yen dipped to its lowest level since suspected intervention by Japanese authorities on Monday, as traders tested the resolve of the Ministry of Finance.