President-elect Barack Obama finishes speaking about the economy, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
Gaza Glare
Fire and smoke from Israeli military operations in Gaza City, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009. Lebanese militants fired at least three rockets into northern Israel early Thursday, ripping through a crowded nursing home and threatening to open a new front for the Jewish state as it pushed forward with a bloody offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed nearly 700 people.
Road Closed
Interstate 5 is covered by the flooding Chehalis River Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, in Chehalis, Wash. Rain and high winds lashed Washington state, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures from rapid snowmelt and the three main highways across the Cascade Range were closed.
U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris is sworn in before testifying during the Illinois House Impeachment Committee hearing at the Illinois State Capitol Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, in Springfield, Ill. The man who appointed Burris, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, is the subject of the hearing. It is alleged that Blagojevich wanted to "sell" the seat.
Sifting Through The Ashes
Bobra Goldsmith, left, 78, and Lynley Nichol look into the charred wreckage of Goldsmith's home on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, which caught fire after 80 mph winds brought down power lines adjacent to the house Wednesday sparking the first of three fires in rural Boulder County, Colo.
Off Roading
KTM rider Marc Coma of Spain competes in the 6th stage of the Argentina Dakar Rally 2009 between San Rafael and Mendoza, Argentina, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009.
Education Event
President George W. Bush marks the anniversary of his No Child Left Behind law during a visit with students, teachers and national educators at the General Philip Kearny School in Philadelphia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009.
Choice Seats
A man follows the tennis match between Andy Roddick from the U.S. and Victor Hanescu of Romania during their quarterfinal match at the ATP Qatar tennis open in Doha, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009.