Serena Advances in Australian Semi-Finals
Serena Williams beat Vera Dushevina of Russia today in a 6-2, 6-2 win, giving her an easy win in the Sydney semifinals of the Australian Open. Williams will play Aravane Rezai of France next. [BBC Sports]

Devastating Earthquake Has Haitians Begging for Help
Now said to be the "strongest earthquake" in more than 200 years, the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday has Haitians pleading for nations to help. Tens of thousands of homes and buildings were brought to the ground, including the National Palace and the UN headquarters. It is still unknown what the true effect of the earthquake was on human life, since communication is down. Of the missing, the head of the UN peacekeeping mission Hedi Annabi is yet to be found. President Barack Obama has pledged "full assistance" from the United States. [AP]

White House Reports $2 Million Gain in Jobs Due to Stimulus Package
In spite of what the GOP is saying about the effects of President Barack Obama's stimulus package, the White House is reporting that the stimulus package's effects are "stunning," in that it saved 2 million jobs and the 10 percent unemployment rate would have been much worse if not for the stimulus money. The analysis is from the President's Council of Economic Advisers and from a "range of private sector summaries," illustrating that the annual growth rate would have been about 2 percentage points lower in 2009 and there would have been millions less in jobs. [ABC News]

Obama Wants Billions for War
In order to properly assist the war in Iraq and expand the war in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama will ask Congress for $708 billion for next year. For Afghanistan alone, $33 billion has been earmarked, with an additional 30,000 troops. [Examiner]

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