The central bank trims rates by a quarter of a point, but many analysts had hoped for a half-point reduction. Dow Jones sinks 294 points. The Federal Reserve trimmed its key lending rate for the third time in a row Tuesday. But the quarter-point cut was smaller than many expected, indicating uncertainty at the central bank over how serious a threat the turmoil in the nation's financial markets poses to the economy.

Nearly 75 percent of women in a Self.com poll said they overindulge on weekends and will often start a major diet on Monday. The fix: Our exclusive plan, designed with Kathy McManus, R.D., of Boston, trims calories (not satisfaction) early in the week to make room for later feasting.