US & World News, Tuesday 1/22

US & World Summary: --- NYSE Way Down, Cuts Interest Rates By Three-Quarters Of One-Percent (Washington, DC) -- U.S. stock markets have exploded on the downside. Within minutes of the opening trading bell on Wall Street, the Dow had lost over 450 points. This followed big losses in the overseas market which were driven by fears of a recession in the U.S. Before the markets had opened up in the U.S., the Federal Reserve cut benchmark U.S. interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point in an emergency bid to prop up the U.S. economy. Todays action took the key federal funds rate governing overnight lending between banks down to three-point-five-percent. Oil prices were also down to a new six-week low of 88-dollars-ten-cents a barrel. --- Best Film Nominees Announced For 80th Annual Academy Awards (Los Angeles, CA) -- The nominees for the 80th Annual Academy Awards are out. The films vying for Best Picture this year include "Atonement," "Juno," "Michael Clayton," "No Country For Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood." Oscar producer Gil Cates is promising that this years Oscar ceremony will go on, even if the nominees choose to boycott because of the ongoing writers strike. The 80th Annual Academy Awards will be presented Sunday, February 24th at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. ABC will broadcast the ceremony live at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific time. --- Fred Thompson Expected To End Presidential Run Soon (Murfreesboro, TN) -- The curtain may be coming down on the Fred Thompson Presidential play. The former Tennessee senator and actor is expected to pull the plug on his presidential bid, perhaps as soon as today. That decision follows Thompsons disappointing third place finish in Saturdays South Carolina Republican primary. Thompson had pinned his hopes on winning in South Carolina, but finished behind Arizona Senator John McCain and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. --- Cesar Laurean Thought To Be In Mexico (Onslow County, NC) -- A suspected Marine killer is thought to be in Mexico. Thats according to CNN, quoting authorities involved in the manhunt for Corporal Cesar Laurean. Onslow County District Attorney Dewey Hudson says he was shown, quote, "strongly compelling evidence", by federal authorities that Laurean is in Mexico. Laurean was born in Mexico and still has relatives living there. Hes accused in the murder of pregnant Marine Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach. --- Patriots Nation Concerned About Quarterback Tom Brady Rumors are swirling that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady may be hurt. Thats after pictures surfaced of the Super Bowl bound quarterback wearing a walking cast on his right foot and walking gingerly. The pictures were taken by TMZ.com and showed Brady entering the building where his girlfriend lives. The Pats QB was seen limping slightly during Sundays AFC Championship game. The Patriots begin practicing later this week for the February 3rd Super Bowl in Arizona. --- HBO Content Soon Available Online For Subscribers HBO fans will soon be able to access the cable channels programming on the Internet. Thats according to the "New York Post," which says the HBO on Broadband service will let consumers access the service if they are either HBO subscribers or customers of the high-speed Internet service offered by their local cable operator. The service rolls out today in Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in other markets soon after. --- Today Marks 35th Anniversary Of Roe Vs. Wade Decision Today is the 35th anniversary of the historic Roe vs Wade decision. The Supreme Court ruling gave women across the nation the right to choose to have an abortion. Opponents of the 1973 decision will be protesting the decision in various ways across the nation today. Proponents, including officials at Planned Parenthoods across the country, say theyll use the anniversary to redouble their efforts to help women prevent the need for abortions through increased family planning. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-01-22-08 0845CST