Morning Brief, Monday, January 28

2008 U.S. Elections

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images

Barack Obama faces considerable challenges after his South Carolina primary victory, the Wall Street Journal notes. But he'll get a boost today when Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy endorses him.

John McCain has a slight lead over Mitt Romney in the latest Reuters/ CSPAN/ Zogby tracking poll for Florida.

Asia

Former Indonesian strongman Suharto died at the age of 86 over the weekend, leaving a mixed legacy.

Thailand's new prime minister is a staunch ally of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The weak dollar has sent China on a "buying spree" of U.S. companies.

Middle East

Yemen's unique way of dealing with al Qaeda has U.S. officials on edge.

Iran's upcoming parliamentary elections: an opportunity for change?

Iran wants to join a new international nuclear fuel bank... as a supplier.

A "huge blaze" damaged Iraq's central bank.

Europe

The EU's enlargement commissioner says it's too early to consider Serbia's membership, i.e. before the country's presidential election is over and a key war-crimes suspect has been handed over.

The unraveling of Société Générale has been a blow to French national pride. More details are emerging about how a rogue trader allegedly exposed 50 billion euros of the bank's assets without anyone noticing.

In Germany, the results of two key state elections show eroding support for Angela Merkel's party.

Elsewhere

Investors are now expecting oil prices to continue to drop.

Riots broke out again in western Kenya.

Asian and European stock markets fell sharply again.

Gordon Hinckley, the president of the Mormon church, has died at age 97. 

Today's Agenda

• U.S. President George W. Bush gives his final State of the Union address at 9 p.m. EST tonight. The Washington Post expects him to focus on the economy and Iraq.
• U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon begins a tour of Africa's Great Lakes region with a visit to Rwanda.
• Ukrainian PM Yulia Tymoshenko talks trade in Brussels.