JIM LEHRER: Democrat Barack Obama won a major endorsement for president today from Senator Edward Kennedy. It came after Obama's landslide win over Hillary Clinton in the South Carolina primary. Kennedy made his announcement at American University in Washington. He called Obama a man with extraordinary gifts.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), Massachusetts: He is tough-minded, but he also has an uncommon capacity to appeal to the better angels of our nature.
I'm proud to stand with him here today and offer my help, offer my voice, offer my energy, my commitment to make Barack Obama the next president of the United States.
JIM LEHRER: Kennedy said he would actively campaign for his fellow senator.
And Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy, also endorsed Obama.
On the Republican side, the focus was on Florida. Polls had John McCain in a virtual dead heat with Mitt Romney just one day before the state's primary. We will have more on the campaign right after this news summary.
A Chicago businessman who raised money for Barack Obama and others was ordered back to jail today. Tony Rezko is accused of fraud, attempted extortion and money laundering. A federal judge revoked his bond today, citing concerns he might flee the country. Obama has said he was unaware of any wrongdoing when he accepted campaign funds from Rezko.
President Bush made ready today for his final State of the Union address. He's expected to focus tonight on an economic stimulus plan, and on security gains in Iraq. We'll have live coverage of the State of the Union address and the Democratic response, starting at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time on most of these PBS stations.
There was more grim news on housing today, but it fueled a rally in stocks. The Commerce Department reported new home sales fell more than 26 percent last year, the worst showing on record. On Wall Street, the news raised hopes for another interest rate cut to boost the economy. And the Dow Jones industrial average gained more than 176 points, to close just under 12,384. The Nasdaq rose more than 23 points, to finish close to 2,350.
A wave of ethnic killing swept across western Kenya again today. Rival mobs faced off in several towns with machetes, clubs, and bows and arrows. Local reports said nearly 100 people have been killed since Friday. The violence defied efforts to mediate a political settlement. A spokesman for the opposition appealed for calm.
SALIM LONE, Orange Democratic Movement Spokesperson: The violence is threatening to get completely out of control. It is bad enough as it is, but it could get even worse. We have all seen the pictures and images. So, we must do everything possible, every group, every individual, every institution must do everything to try to end this violence.
JIM LEHRER: Some 800 Kenyans have been killed since the disputed presidential vote in December.
In Iraq today, a roadside bomb killed five American soldiers in the city of Mosul. It brought the U.S. toll to 36 killed so far this month. That's up from 23 in December, as U.S. forces hunt for al-Qaida fighters in northern Iraq. Bombings last week in Mosul killed up to 60 Iraqis. On Sunday, Iraqi army reinforcements moved into the area for a new offensive.
The former dictator of Indonesia, Suharto, was buried today in central Java. He died Sunday of multiple organ failure. Suharto ruled for 32 years from the mid-1960s to his ouster in 1998. He brought economic order and growth, but also widespread corruption and human rights abuses. Suharto was 86 years old.
The funeral for Palestinian radical leader George Habash took place in Jordan today. He died on Saturday of heart trouble. Thousands of mourners turned out as his coffin was carried through the streets of Amman. He had lived in Jordan since 1992. For years, Habash led the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. That group gained world attention in 1970, when it hijacked four airliners, let the passengers go, and then blew up the planes. George Habash was 81 years old.
The head of the Mormon Church also died over the weekend. Gordon Hinckley passed away Sunday in Salt Lake City, Utah, of complications from old age. He led the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for nearly 13 years. During that time, membership grew by four million people, and the number of Mormon temples doubled. Gordon Hinckley was 97 years old.
