WNOROWSKI, a POLISH CENTRAL BANK official, said the key for rate decisions is whether the rise in inf is "sustained".

Bahrain condemned an escalation in attacks by Houthi militants and reiterated its full support for Saudi Arabia.

Investors are focused on the Fed rate decision due later, with markets broadly pricing a rate hike. Tickmill analyst Patrick Munnelly says traders will parse Fed language and policymakers’ resolve to tackle inflation over the coming months. He adds price action in the dollar, gold and equities will most clearly signal whether investors see the Fed as regaining control or merely chasing markets that have moved ahead.