Morning Brief, Wednesday, January 9

New Hampshire Primary

In the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton pulled off an unexpected victory over Barack Obama, 39 to 36. John Edwards came in third with just 17 percent. Among Republicans, John McCain bested Mitt Romney 37 to 35, with Huckabee trailing with 11 percent. Next up: South Carolina on January 15.

Middle East

The Pentagon released grainy footage and audio of Sunday’s incident between the U.S. Navy and Iranian speedboats in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says the evidence is fabricated, but U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley warned the Iranians of “serious consequences” if there’s a repeat incident.

In a briefing broadcast live Tuesday, six provincial reconstruction team leaders gave U.S. President George W. Bush a mixed assessment of progress in Iraq.

Bush arrived Wednesday in Israel, where he hopes to put the post-Annapolis peace negotiations on track. (More on this visit later today, in a Seven Questions interview with former Israeli Ambassador Zalman Shoval.)

Asia

China is banning plastic bags.

Pakistani authorities have arrested a retired army major accused of plotting a suicide bombing that killed eight people on Nov. 1.

The World Bank expects global growth to slow to 3.3 percent this year, a slide backstopped by continued strong growth in China and other developing countries. Full report here. Martin Wolf comments.

Europe

Spain’s once-booming economy is beginning to stumble.

Spanish authorities have captured a pair of Basque separatists suspected of involvement in the Dec. 2006 Madrid airport bombing. 

French President Nicholas Sarkozy wants to create a French version of the BBC.

Elsewhere

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is scrutinizing carbon offsets.

Violence broke out again in Kenya after President Mwai Kibaki, whose election remains hotly disputed, announced his cabinet.

Chilean President Michele Bachelet, facing growing voter unhappiness with her administration, shook up her cabinet.

Today’s Agenda

• Over the next two days, President Bush is due to meet Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Yesterday on Passport

• Ten issues that will shape the election after New Hampshire
• A job for Miss South Carolina?
• Another Obama cousin revealed!

Web Exclusive

Suicide Bombers: Warriors of the Middle Class

We tend to imagine suicide bombers as hardened, bloodthirsty killers. But most people aren’t nearly as ready to commit violence as you think. It’s actually the quiet, docile members of the middle class who make the best human explosive devices. And that’s what makes this weapon of mass murder so hard to stop. By Randall Collins