IBT Staff Reporter

The Federal Reserve's policy making committee is expected to announce a cut U.S. interests rates this afternoon at 2:15 p.m. EST.

A record number of foreigners visited Japan last year as the weak yen lured more Chinese shoppers, French gourmets, and fans of Japanese pop culture, though the country still ranks low among holiday destinations.

Kosovo will declare independence from Serbia with Western backing the weekend after the February 3 Serbian presidential election if the nationalist candidate wins, political sources said on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles County coroner has opened an investigation into the death of Hollywood legend Marlon Brando's eldest son, acting at the request of his family, a spokesman for the medical examiner said on Tuesday.

The United States, Sweden and Japan topped a new ranking that measures how well countries use telecommunications technologies - networks, cell phones and computers - to boost their social and economic prosperity.

Microsoft Corp. continues its bid to topple Google and Yahoo by announcing on Tuesday it will become the new provider of paid search and contextual advertising links on sites run by The Wall Street Journal.

Copper rose on Tuesday as stock markets recovered and worries about the health of the U.S. economy decreased as the Federal Reserve met to decide on interest rates.

U.S stocks advanced Tuesday as the Federal Reserve as investors anticipate another interest-rate cut on Wednesday by the Federal Open Market Committee.

A ground-breaking move to launch a new free global music download service that could help overcome the music industry's cash crisis faced uncertainty Tuesday.

IAC/InterActiveCorp, parent company of LendingTree, reacted on Tuesday after its controlling shareholder Liberty Media Corp asked a court to remove IAC Chairman Barry Diller, saying Liberty's request was preposterous and a incomprehensible.

EBay Inc. said on Tuesday it will reduce the fees it charges sellers to list their goods online by about 50 percent in an effort to retain and attract more sellers while improving customer service.

Current Media Inc., a TV network and web site founded by U.S. Vice President Al Gore, filed papers for an initial public offering on the Nasdaq stock market worth as much as $100 million.

Yahoo Inc reported a drop in quarterly profit on Tuesday and its shares fell nearly 7 percent as Chief Executive Jerry Yang predicted a tough 2008 amid a weakening U.S. economy. Yahoo reported a fourth-quarter profit of $205.7 million, or 15 cents per share, down from $268.7 million, or 19 cents per share, a year ago.

Uranium declined on Tuesday following an increase in production from Australia and Kazakhstan, two of the world's largest producers.

Gold futures ended lower Tuesday, after surging to a record in earlier trading session, as traders predict the Federal Reserve will cut borrowing costs by half a percentage point on Wednesday and mining resumes in South Africa following power cuts.

Wheat fell following Argentina's statement on Tuesday that dropped its export ban for the grain.

Crude oil rose on Tuesday amid speculation the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting will result in a reduction of interest rates to fuel economic growth.

Is the Starbucks formula the ticket for restaurant chains to take their brands national? More than one startup in the food industry is modeling itself after the successful coffee group.

Hollywood's striking writers said on Monday they will grant an interim agreement to organizers of the Grammy awards allowing the ceremony honoring musicians to be written by union members.

A New York state employee who had access to government-owned archives has been arrested on suspicion of stealing hundreds of historic documents, many of which he sold on eBay, authorities said on Monday.

More than a quarter of people who bought Apple Inc's iPhone are using them on wireless networks other than AT&T's, the exclusive iPhone carrier in the U.S., a stunning number that will pressure the company's business model, an analyst said on Monday.

U.S. President George W. Bush insisted on Monday he had plenty of unfinished business for his last year in office but he will leave some serious challenges for his successor in January, 2009. In his State of the Union address, Bush focused on passing an economic stimulus plan and cutting wasteful spending.

President Bush, standing before Congress one last time, urged the nation Monday night to persevere against gnawing fears of recession and stay patient with the long, grinding war in Iraq. He pressed Congress to quickly pass a plan to rescue the economy. We can all see that growth is slowing, Bush said in a blunt acknowledgment of rising food and gas prices, increasing unemployment and turmoil in the housing and financial markets.

Walt Disney's ABC Network has come under the line of attack by the Federal Communications Commission, five years after airing an obscene NYPD Blue episode and will be fined a collective $1.43 million.

As President George W. Bush addresses lawmakers and the American people in his final State of the Union speech tonight, among his goals will be to boost the nation's economy, reauthorize education and anti-terrorism surveillance laws, maintain active support for war in Iraq and diversify the nation's energy supply.

NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says that actress Mary-Kate Olsen will not be questioned by detectives about a possible connection with Heath Ledger's death.

Gold futures hit a new record of $929.80 an ounce on Monday as the dollar fell against the euro among expectations of another Federal Reserve rate cut while platinum rallied to a record high of $1,733 an ounce on South African supply concerns.

Crude oil prices declined today on falling stock markets in Europe and Asia, and a report about new home sales in the U.S.

NBC Local Media Division announced on Monday its acquisition of LX Networks, a producer of local entertainment programming, in a bid to create more local lifestyle content.