Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, March 17

Brazilian former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been named chief of staff for President Dilma Rousseff's cabinet, the president said on Wednesday.

At a press conference held hours after the nomination was announced, Rousseff said she was seeking economic balance and control of inflation with this move. (Brazil-Rousseff-Lula)

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WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated Merrick Garland as the country's 113th Supreme Court justice, setting off a showdown with Senate Republicans who had vowed to block any nomination in the last year of Obama's presidency.

In a clear move to pressure defiant Republicans to go back on their pledge to block any of his pick, Obama chose Garland, a centrist and highly regarded appeals court judge, who "has earned a track record of building consensus," said Obama at the White House. (U.S.-Supreme Court)

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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its benchmark short-term interest rates unchanged as widely expected, noting that "global economic and financial developments continue to pose risks" to the U.S. economy.

The Fed raised its target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 0.25-0.5 percent in December, the first rate hike in nearly a decade, marking the end of an era of extraordinary easing monetary policy. (U.S.-Fed)

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NAIROBI -- Kenya's military troops serving under the Africa Union mandate in Somalia on Wednesday killed 19 Al-Shabaab militants who were planning to attack the military camps in Afmadhow in southern Somalia.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) spokesman Col. David Obonyo said the troops recovered 10 rifles and three rocket propelled grenades and destroyed one technical vehicle. (Somalia-Military) Endi