US & World News, Wednesday 1/23

US & World Summary:US --- Actor Heath Ledger Dies At Age 28, Autopsy Scheduled (New York, NY) -- An autopsy later today may shed some light on how actor Heath Ledger died. The 28-year-old Academy Award nominee was found dead in his New York apartment yesterday with sleeping pills near his body. Authorities dont suspect foul play in Ledgers death, and no suicide note was found in the bedroom. Police say Ledger was found after a masseuse arrived in the apartment for a scheduled appointment. Ledger received an Academy Award nomination for his role in the film "Brokeback Mountain." He portrays The Joker in the next Batman movie "The Dark Knight," which is due out in July. --- Stocks Rebound Yesterday After 400 Point Drop (New York, NY) -- Investors will be keeping another nervous eye on Wall Street today after yesterdays roller coaster ride. Stocks managed to rebound after falling more than 400 points during trading. The drop and rebound came after the Federal Reserve implemented an emergency interest rate cut of three-quarters of a percentage point. Wall Street finished the day down 128 points. Meanwhile, political and business leaders are meeting in Davos, Switzerland today to discuss what they are calling the worst worldwide economic crisis since World War Two. --- Attorney: Evidence Marine Fugitive Has Been In Mexico Theres strong evidence that fugitive Marine Corporal Cesar Laurean has been in Mexico for more than a week. Thats according to Onslow County, North Carolina District Attorney Dewey Hudson, who says hes seen what he calls, quote, "strongly compelling evidence" that Laurean has fled the U.S. Laurean is being sought in connection with the murder of pregnant Marine Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach, who disappeared in December. Her charred remains and those of her fetus were found in the backyard of Laureans North Carolina home. --- Chopper Crash Kills Two Near Florida Everglades (Miami, FL) -- Investigators are trying to determine what caused a fatal helicopter crash. It happened yesterday afternoon at a remote airstrip on the edge of the South Florida Everglades, about an hour west of Miami. Witnesses say the two-seat chopper appeared to be practicing takeoffs and landings when it suddenly flipped over and crashed onto the runway. Investigators say the helicopter exploded on impact, killing at least two people. --- Red Computers To Benefit Africa Health Programs (Seattle, WA) -- Microsoft and Dell are teaming up to help fight AIDS in Africa. The computer companies are set to release a Product Red computer, with some of the proceeds going to combat the epidemic. Beginning Friday, Dell will begin selling two red laptops and one desktop operating on the Microsoft Windows Vista platform. Both companies will donate 50-dollars for every laptop and 80-dollars for every desktop they sell to the Global Fund which finances health programs in Africa. --- Ringo Walks Out On "Live With Regis And Kelly" (New York, NY) -- Ringo Starrs promotional efforts for his new album have gotten off to a rocky start. The former Beatle was supposed to be a guest yesterday on the syndicated "Live with Regis and Kelly" on behalf of his new work, "Liverpool 8," but bailed out at the last minute. According to TMZ.com, Starr decided to walk rather than trim a four-minute-plus song to three minutes. The singer didnt leave in anger, though, and theres no word on whether his appearance will be rescheduled. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-01-23-08 0744CST