The Week Ahead: Jan. 31-Feb. 4

This is a new weekly feature we’re trying out. Every Friday, we’ll run down the highlights of the week to come. -JK The U.S. Congress is in for a busy week. The Senate will review Obama’s stimulus package and begin to hold confirmation hearings for CIA director designate Leon Panetta. Meanwhile the House will work ...

This is a new weekly feature we're trying out. Every Friday, we'll run down the highlights of the week to come. -JK

This is a new weekly feature we’re trying out. Every Friday, we’ll run down the highlights of the week to come. -JK

The U.S. Congress is in for a busy week. The Senate will review Obama’s stimulus package and begin to hold confirmation hearings for CIA director designate Leon Panetta. Meanwhile the House will work on legislation for the financial industry and healthcare for kids. Never one to miss out on the fun, the Treasury will get involved, potentially re-introducing 7-year government bonds.

Weekend

Highly anticipated provincial elections will begin in Iraq on Saturday.

The World Economic Forum in Davos continues.

Monday

NATO will begin to train the newly formed Kosovo army.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas meets with Czech President Vaclav Klaus.

Hugo Chavez celebrates a decade in power by holding a summit of Latin American leftist leaders.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao wraps ups his European tour.

A different kind of international dignitary, Punxsutawney Phil, will make an appearance on Groundhog’s Day.

Tuesday

The Australian Reserve Bank will meet and is widely expected to cut rates significantly.

The Czech Republic’s parliament will hold a vote on EU integration.

India will unveil a $10 laptop to promote education for poor students.

The Obama team will rollout some options for fixing the banking sector.

Wednesday

South African courts will hold a hearing to set the date for presidential candidate Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial.

Senior officials (below the level of minister) from Russia, China, France, Britain, the U.S. and Germany will meet in the Frankfurt area to discuss Iran’s nuclear program.

The U.S. Congress examines the Bernard Maddoff case again.

South Africa will increase the price of petrol by 10 percent.

Mahmoud Abbas hits the road again, this time to address the EU parliament in Strasbourg.

Thursday

The Berlin Film Festival will open with an especially diverse set of filmmakers submitting works.

The European Central Bank will hold a rate meeting. It is uncertain whether the bank will cut rates, as Jean-Claude Trichet has signaled that the next important policy meeting won’t be until March.

Friday

The Fed will release updated consumer credit figures.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, National Security Advisor, James Jones, and special envoy to South Asia, Richard Holbrooke, among others, will attend a security conference in Munich. Biden may use the forum to deliver the Obama administration’s first significant policy statement on security and defense.

Holbrooke will head to South Asia after the meeting.

European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, arrives to Moscow to talk energy with Vladimir Putin.

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