IBT Staff Reporter

Asian shares fell on Wednesday as a rally fueled by speculation that the Federal Reserve may signal further moves to support the struggling U.S. economy swiftly petered out, while gold rebounded from its sharpest one-day slide in 18 months.

Singer George Michael told fans that he has split with longtime partner Kenny Goss. The couple went their separate ways more than two years ago but kept news of their separation under wraps.

Moody's Investors Service cut its rating on Japan's government debt by one notch to AA3 on Wednesday, blaming a build-up of debt since the 2009 global recession and the revolving-door leadership that has hampered effective economic strategies.

The job market might be tight for everyone, but when it comes to women working in the television industry, times are especially tough.

When MSNBC CEO Phil Griffin announced Tuesday that Al Sharpton would be taking over the 6 p.m. slot with the new show Politics Nation, he spoke about the decade-long relationship he has developed with the minister and civil rights activist.

Ben Affleck is attached to produce, star in and direct Line of Sight, a thriller now in development at Warner Bros., TheWrap has confirmed.

If Lady Gaga's public persona seems a little cartoonish already, you haven't seen anything yet.

Entertainment conglomerate Walt Disney Co axed Marvel Studios' marketing department as it seeks to cut film costs in a move that comes right after the company showcased The Avengers, Marvel's first movie under Disney, at their fan D23 convention over the weekend, Bloomberg said.

When Pavement reunited for a series of major shows in 2010 after splitting a decade earlier, frontman Stephen Malkmus indicated that it was a one-time affair, and nothing he's said since has afforded any more hope to the indie nation that continues to venerate the '90s band. End of the asphalt -- for real? Apparently.

Anschutz Entertainment Group, a behemoth in the world of sports and entertainment events and venues, has officially entered competition with Live Nation’s Ticketmaster in the ticketing market.

A truck driver featured on the America's Most Wanted TV show has been arrested in California over the 1999 killing of his ex-girlfriend in Canada, U.S. authorities said on Tuesday.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles has named Ben Stiller recipient of the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy, BAFTA Los Angeles announced on Tuesday.

Edward Zwick has signed on to direct Legendary East's first project, The Great Wall, the company said Tuesday.

Typically, Larry Flynt spends most of his time, effort and money getting people out of their clothes. In the case of Mike The Situation Sorrentino, he'll make an exception.

These are uneasy times for Bravo's Real Housewives reality-TV juggernaut.

NBC can smell what the Rock -- and Jerry Bruckheimer -- are cooking.

Tony Bennett will pay tribute to late singer Amy Winehouse during a special segment of the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards on August 28, the network announced Tuesday.

Disruption of cell phone service by a rare East Coast earthquake on Tuesday prompted renewed calls for Congress and regulators to provide a dedicated wireless network for emergency workers.

Apple Inc will release a cheaper iPhone 4 within weeks, jeopardizing profit margins to win lower-end customers from rivals such as Nokia in China and other emerging markets.

A New York judge dropped all criminal sexual assault charges against ex-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Tuesday, leaving him free to return to Franceand rebuild a shattered career.

A strong earthquake rattled the U.S. East Coast on Tuesday, sending tremors as far as Canada, shaking the nation's capital and scaring thousands of office workers who fled onto the streets.

The August 23 Virginia Earthquake, the most massive earthquake to hit the East Coast in 67 years, made the United States question the safety of its nuclear power plants Tuesday. The earthquake, a 5.8 on the Richter scale, was only a few miles from the North Anna nuclear power plant.

The Indian government Tuesday stepped its up efforts to end national anti-corruption protests led by an activist's hunger strike, but the first meetings to broker a truce ended without result.

An Alaska woman who punished her adopted son with hot sauce and cold shower was convicted of one misdemeanor count of child abuse Tuesday.

Several major banks cut sharply their oil price forecasts on Tuesday, with Citigroup saying that even if the United States printed more money, oil would stay depressed by weak economic growth and fresh supplies from Libya.

Asian shares rose on Wednesday as speculation the Federal Reserve may signal further moves to support the struggling U.S. economy sustained a modest rebound from this month's sharp sell-off.

Samsung Electronics unveiled on Wednesday four new smartphone models under its flagship Galaxy line to expand it to the mid to low-end segment and grow in emerging markets, as bigger rival Apple prepares a cheaper version of the iPhone 4.

Moody's Investors Service cut its rating on Japan's government debt by one notch to AA3 on Wednesday, blaming large budget deficits and a buildup of debt since the 2009 global recession.

The National Science Foundation said that they found no evidence of research misconduct from Pennsylvania State University climatologist Michael Mann. The climatologist is being simultaneously attacked by climate change skeptics urging him to decrease emission of greenhouse gases.