The U.S. economy added 243,000 jobs in January, the second straight month of better-than-expected results, the Department of Labor announced Feb. 3. In a separate measure, the unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent from 8.5 percent in December.
See "Jobs Outlook," CQ Researcher, June 4, 2010.
Social networking giant Facebook announced on Feb. 1 its intention to become a publicly traded company by later this year. The company said in its initial public offering filing that it was seeking to raise $5 billion.
See "Social Networking," CQ Researcher, Sept. 17, 2010.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Feb. 1 that the United States and NATO will step back from their combat mission in Afghanistan in 2013 and that remaining forces will transition to an “advise and assist” role helping Afghan forces until the end of 2014, though he was not specific about the nature of that role.
See "Afghanistan Dilemma," CQ Researcher, Aug, 7, 2009, updated May 25, 2011.
A federal judge on Jan. 31 said the U.S. government must notify Occupy DC protesters if it intends to evict them from a public park. The decision gives protesters the opportunity to challenge any eviction.
See "'Occupy' Movement," CQ Researcher, Jan. 13, 2012.
The African Union’s election for its next chairman ended inconclusively on Jan. 30, after neither incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon nor South African Home Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma secured enough votes. A new election will be held in June, in which neither will be permitted to run again.
See "Sub-Saharan Democracy," CQ Global Researcher, Feb. 15, 2011.
The Republican-controlled Indiana House of Representatives on Jan. 25 approved legislation banning unions from collecting mandatory fees from workers. The measure is expected to pass the Republican-controlled Senate and be approved by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels.
See "Public-Employee Unions," CQ Researcher, April 8, 2011.
The Syrian government on Jan. 23 denounced an Arab League peace proposal calling for President Bashar Assad to relinquish power to his deputy. Officials said the plan infringes on Syrian sovereignty.
See "Turmoil in the Arab World," CQ Global Researcher, May 3, 2011.
The Supreme Court on Jan. 20 instructed a Texas lower court to re-examine redistricting maps it drew to replace maps the state legislature had drafted. The Texas court had said the legislature’s maps unfairly favored Republicans. The justices said the lower court did not defer enough to the legislature’s choices.
See "Redistricting Debates," CQ Researcher, Feb. 25, 2011.
The Obama administration released a draft of the nation’s first National Alzheimer’s Plan, which sets 2025 as a target year for finding proven ways to delay or prevent the disease.
See "Treating Alzheimer's," CQ Researcher, March 4, 2011.
The NCAA has delayed a decision on whether student-athletes will be eligible for a $2,000 stipend in addition to any scholarships they receive. The association’s board of directors supports the plan but asked for a working group – including several university presidents – to review it.
See "College Football," CQ Researcher, Nov. 18, 2011.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani fired Defense Secretary Naeem Khalid Lodhi, accusing the former general of “gross misconduct and illegal action.” Lodhi was replaced by a civilian aide, Nargis Sethi.
See "U.S.-Pakistan Relations," CQ Researcher, Aug. 5, 2011.
Struggling Internet giant Yahoo! appointed a new CEO. Scott Thompson was previously president of PayPal, an online payment service owned by eBay. Analysts say his technology background can help Yahoo! compete with Google and Facebook. See "Google's Dominance," CQ Researcher, Nov. 11, 2011.
The Labor Department is expected to report a rise in manufacturing jobs in 2011, marking two years of gains. Until 2010, manufacturing employment hadn’t risen since 1997. See "Reviving Manufacturing," CQ Researcher, July 22, 2011.
The Supreme Court refused to put new limits on the use of questionable eyewitness testimony at trials. The justices ruled 8-1 that such limitations would be too big a change in criminal law.
See "Eyewitness Testimony," CQ Researcher, Oct. 14, 2011.
