Haitian Earthquake Relief, Obama Musical & More: Top Business News

Obama musical set to open in Germany
A musical about Barack Obama's "Yes we can" election campaign premieres in Germany this weekend, including love songs by the president to his wife Michelle and duets with Hillary Clinton. [The Grio]

As Wallets Open For Haiti, Credit Card Companies Take A Big Cut
As a massive human tragedy unfolds in Haiti, relief organizations are soliciting credit-card donations through their hotlines and websites. About 97 percent of these donations will actually make it to the designated organizations -- but the other 3 percent will be skimmed off by banks and credit card companies to cover their "transaction costs." [The Huffington Post]

George Clooney planning telethon for Haiti earthquake relief
George Clooney is planning a telethon to to raise money to benefit victims of the earthquake in Haiti, reports Showbiz 411's Roger Friedman. The plan: It will air on MTV on Friday, Jan. 22. [USAToday]

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Haiti: Earthquake Aftermath

People walk by a woman lying dead in the rubble of a collapsed building in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti Tuesday. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

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Haiti Earthquake Aftermath

This United Nations TV video grab handout shows rescue efforts on January 13, 2010 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Planeloads of rescuers and relief supplies headed to Haiti Wednesday as governments and aid agencies launched a massive relief operation after a powerful earthquake that may have killed thousands. US President Barack Obama ordered a swift and aggressive US rescue effort, while the European Union activated its crisis systems and the Red Cross and United Nations unlocked emergency funds and supplies for the destitute nation. AFP PHOTO/Clarens Renois (Photo credit should read HO/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

People look through destroyed buildings on January 13, 2010 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Planeloads of rescuers and relief supplies headed to Haiti Wednesday as governments and aid agencies launched a massive relief operation after a powerful earthquake that may have killed thousands. US President Barack Obama ordered a swift and aggressive US rescue effort, while the European Union activated its crisis systems and the Red Cross and United Nations unlocked emergency funds and supplies for the destitute nation. AFP PHOTO/Clarens Renois (Photo credit should read Clarens Renois/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

People carry the injured on January 13, 2010 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Planeloads of rescuers and relief supplies headed to Haiti Wednesday as governments and aid agencies launched a massive relief operation after a powerful earthquake that may have killed thousands. US President Barack Obama ordered a swift and aggressive US rescue effort, while the European Union activated its crisis systems and the Red Cross and United Nations unlocked emergency funds and supplies for the destitute nation. AFP PHOTO/Clarens Renois (Photo credit should read Clarens Renois/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

PACOIMA, CA - JANUARY 13: Los Angeles County Fire Department urban search and rescue team members load US Agency for International Development supplies to be flown to Haiti in the aftermath of the magnitude-7 earthquake onto truck on January 13, 2010 in Pacoima, California. Thousands are believed to have died and unknown numbers are trapped in rubble. The 72-member California Task Force 2 team is taking 55,000 pounds of prepackaged search-and-rescue tools and medical equipment to conduct round-the-clock search and rescue operations. The team includes firefighters, paramedics, rescue specialists, emergency room physicians, structural engineers, heavy equipment specialists, search dogs and handlers, hazardous material technicians, communications specialists and logistics experts. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Getty Images

PACOIMA, CA - JANUARY 13: Los Angeles County Fire Department urban search and rescue dog Baxter and handler Gary Durian prepare for deployment as other team members load US Agency for International Development supplies to be flown to Haiti in the aftermath of the magnitude-7 earthquake onto truck on January 13, 2010 in Pacoima, California. Thousands are believed to have died and unknown numbers are trapped in rubble. The 72-member California Task Force 2 team is taking 55,000 pounds of prepackaged search-and-rescue tools and medical equipment to conduct round-the-clock search and rescue operations. The team includes firefighters, paramedics, rescue specialists, emergency room physicians, structural engineers, heavy equipment specialists, search dogs and handlers, hazardous material technicians, communications specialists and logistics experts. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gary Durian

Getty Images

Injured are carried through the rubble on January 13, 2010 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Planeloads of rescuers and relief supplies headed to Haiti Wednesday as governments and aid agencies launched a massive relief operation after a powerful earthquake that may have killed thousands. US President Barack Obama ordered a swift and aggressive US rescue effort, while the European Union activated its crisis systems and the Red Cross and United Nations unlocked emergency funds and supplies for the destitute nation. AFP PHOTO/Clarens Renois (Photo credit should read Clarens Renois/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

In this Jan. 12, 2010 photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson departs from the Naval Station in Norfolk, Va. The USS Carl Vinson is expected to arrive off the coast of Haiti Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010 as part of a larger international effort overseen by the United Nations, whose peacekeeping operation headquarters was destroyed in the quake. (AP Photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Rafael Martie, U.S. Navy)

Haiti's National Palace is seen damaged in Port-au-Prince, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 after a powerful earthquake struck the country on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Jorge Cruz) ** NO PUBLICAR EN REPUBLICA DOMINICANA **

Injured people sit along Delmas road the day after an earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Haiti on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Jorge Cruz) ** NO PUBLICAR EN REPUBLICA DOMINICANA **

Tiger Woods Haitian Earthquake Relief Donation?
Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons has been encouraging his Twitter followers to donate to Haiti relief funds, and he claims that shamed sportsman Tiger Woods is so moved by the tragedy in the Caribbean, he's donating to the effort. [PopCrunch]

Taxorama: 7 changes in the works
Everybody's angry at banks. Federal deficits are wide and need addressing. And the president and Congress are starting to map out next year's budget. That means they're talking taxes in Washington. The capital is awash in proposals for how to raise revenue and score political points. [CnnMoney.com]

Obama tells banks: 'We want our money back'
President Barack Obama told banks Thursday they should pay a new tax to recoup the cost of bailing out foundering firms at the height of the financial crisis. "We want our money back," he said. [Yahoo Finance]

China Responds To Google: Go To Hell
China's initial public response to Google's threat is in, and it's what one would have expected: Go to hell. Now the two can start negotiating quietly behind the scenes. [The Business Insider]