In a forceful move to contain the growing credit crisis, the central bank slashes its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to 2.25%. The Federal Reserve, fully embracing its role as rescuer of financial markets and the economy, slashed interest rates again Tuesday even as it conceded that a traditional target of its efforts, inflation, was picking up.

The Federal Reserve spoke loudly this week with a huge interest rate cut – three quarters of a percent – and it may cut more next week. Mortgage rates nationally also fell this week to near four-year lows. And there may be new help in an economic stimulus plan from Washington.

The country struggles to build momentum to boost its economy. When the Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by three-quarters of a point this week to bolster the U.S. economy, the Bank of Japan's board of governors could only watch and wish it had room for that kind of aggressive action.

The Federal Reserve slashed a key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point yesterday, a bold action designed to prevent steep losses in world stock markets from causing an all-out panic.

The thrift will lay off 3,150, slash its dividend and raise $2.5 billion to cover shortfalls. Washington Mutual Inc., citing growing mortgage losses, said Monday that it would slash its dividend by almost three-quarters, cut 3,150 jobs and raise $2.5 billion in new capital.

Almost three-quarters of women who’d recently given birth reported being plagued by terrifying nightmares involving their infants, according to a study published this month in the journal Sleep.