US & World News, Wednesday 1/9

US & World Summary --- Clinton Stuns Obama; McCain Wins In New Hampshire Despite predictions of a double-digit loss, New York Senator Hillary Clinton has won the New Hampshire Democratic primary. Clinton beat Illinois Senator Barack Obama, who was thought to be headed toward back-to-back victories after his impressive win last week in the Iowa caucuses. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards finished third among the Democrats. On the Republican side, Arizona Senator John McCain got an impressive win over former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Iowa caucus winner Mike Huckabee finished third in the New Hampshire vote. --- FEMA Heads To Missouri In Wake Of Deadly Storms (Strafford, MO) -- Federal officials are expected to be on the scene today in Missouri as residents clean up and emergency crews try to restore power in parts of the state hit hard by tornadoes on Monday. Governor Matt Blunt toured the devastated area yesterday, while FEMA officials hope to arrive this morning. Two women were killed when the violent storms tore through the area northeast of Springfield. Violent weather also took a toll yesterday morning on parts of Arkansas, killing one man. A confirmed EF2 twister ripped through the communities of Moreland and Appleton destroying a number of homes and trailers. --- Peace, Security On The Agenda For Bush MidEast Visit (Tel Aviv) -- President Bush is in Israel on the first leg of his Middle East trip. The president arrived in Tel Aviv today hoping to further talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. In a welcoming ceremony with Israels president and prime minister, Bush said he sees a new opportunity for peace in the holy land and for freedom across the region. Bush took a different tone on the subject of Irans quest for nuclear power, warning the Islamic Republic not to, quote, "underestimate our resolve for self defense." --- Bush Signs Bill Toughening Screening Of Gun Buyers (Washington, DC) -- The federal database used to screen gun buyers could expand under a bill signed into law by President Bush. According to the "Los Angeles Times," the database will include more than two-million people, including felons and mentally ill individuals, who arent eligible to buy firearms. The measure was passed by Congress in response to last years Virginia Tech shootings. --- Intense Investigation Surrounds Fatal Bus Crash (Salt Lake City, UT) -- The investigation is underway into Sundays fatal bus crash in Utah. The bus was on its way back to Phoenix, Arizona with about 50 passengers on board who had just ended up a holiday ski trip. The roll-over crash at highway speed was violent enough to rip the roof off the bus, killing nine people. Investigators say preliminary findings indicate that speed and driver error may have been responsible for the crash. Investigators hope the vehicles black box and a small video recorder will help provide clues about the incident. --- Survey Says Non-attendees Find Faith Outside Church Most non-church goers still believe that God exists. Thats according to a new poll cited by "USA Today." The poll, conducted by the Southern Baptist Convention, found that 72-percent of those asked believe that God or a Supreme Being exists, but the same number cited "church hypocrites" as a reason for staying away. The survey defined "unchurched" as those who hadnt attended any religious service in a church, synagogue or mosque during the past six months. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-01-09-08 0742CST