January 2013 Current Events: U.S. News. Here are the key events in United States news for the month of January 2013. *. The Senate and House Approve Last Minute Budget Deal to Avoid Fiscal Cliff (Jan. 1):In the early hours of January 1, 2013, the Senate approve a deal to raise tax rates from 35 to 39.6 percent for those earning more than $400,000. The deal also temporarily suspends across-the-board spending cuts. Later that night, the House also passes the legislation. The House's vote ends the long dramatic showdown over the fiscal cliff with only a few hours left of the 112th Congress. *. Alabama Beats Notre Dame in BCS Championship Game (Jan. 7):Number two ranked Alabama rolls over top-ranked Notre Dame and wins its second straight national title. The 42-14 routing is also the Crimson Tide's third title in four years. *. President Obama Selects Nominees for Defense Secretary and CIA Director (Jan. 7):For CIA director, President Obamanominates John Brennan, the top counterterrorism adviser during the president's first term. Chuck Hagelreceives the nomination for defense secretary. Elected to the Senate in 1996 and retiring in 2008, Hagel is a Republican, a Vietnam veteran, and a longtime outspoken critic of President Bush's policies in Iraq. Hagel's nomination is met with opposition. Critics dislike how he once referred to pro-Israel lobbying groups as the "Jewish lobby" and how he referred to ambassador to Luxembourg nominee James C. Hormel as "openly, aggressively gay", a comment he made 14 years ago and apologized later for it. *. President Obama Proposes Sweeping Changes to Gun Control (Jan. 16):In response to recent massacres, including the killing of 20 first graders in Newtown, Conn., and 12 moviegoers in Aurora, Colo., President Barack Obama introduces proposals to tighten gun-control laws. His plan includes universal background checks for gun sales, the reinstatement and strengthening of the assault weapons ban, limiting ammunition magazines to a 10-round capacity, and other measures. Some of the measures outlined in his speech the president intends to achieve through 23 executive actions, while he called on Congress to do its part to enact stricter gun control legislation. *. President Obama Is Inaugurated for a Second Term (Jan. 21):On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President Obama is sworn in for a second term. Obama uses Dr. King's Bible as well as Abraham Lincoln's Bible to take the oath of office. He also becomes the first president to say the word gay in an Inaugural Address when he compares the battle for same-sex marriage to past battles over gender and racial equality. "Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law — for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well," Obama says in his address.

January 2013 Current Events: World News. Here are the key events in world news for the month of January 2013. *. French Troops Head to Mali (Jan. 1):In response to a plea from the Maligovernment, Francesends its military forces to the country to fight against extreme Islamist militants. French forces, including paratroopers, engage in combat in Mali with the Islamists militants. The exact number of French troops in Mali is unknown, but it is estimated to be between 800 and 900. French President Francois Hollandesays in a statement, "French forces brought their support to Malian army units to fight against terrorist elements. This operation will last as long as is necessary."(Jan. 17):France sends reinforcements, bringing the number of French troops in Mali to 1,400. Reinforcements are needed because the militants have seized much of the country and the battleground has expanded. *. More Than 60,000 Have Died in Syria's Civil War (Jan. 2):The United Nations releases information that more than 60,000 people have been killed during Syria's civil war, which has been going on now for 22 months. The report exceeds previous estimates of casualties. *. At Least 41 Engineers Are Held Hostage in Algeria (Jan. 16):Islamist militants take about 40 foreign hostages at a remote BP site in Algeria. At least sixty armed militants attack the BP gas field. Among the engineers who are taken hostage are several British and U.S. citizens. Many fear that the hostage situation is a result of the conflict in Mali.(Jan. 17):Algerian forces raid the site where the hostages are held. According to officials in Algeria, 37 hostages are killed in the raid, including three Americans. Also in the raid, 29 kidnappers are killed and three are captured. *. Election Shows a Slight Move Toward the Center for Israel (Jan. 22):As polls close in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuclaims victory for what will be his third term, but the election is not the expected landslide. The overwhelming favorite, Netanyahu is followed closely by Yair Lapid, who founded Yesh Atid, a new centrist party. With 99 percent of the vote in, Likud-Beiteinu, Netanyahu's party has 31 seats, followed by 19 seats for Lapid's party. Lapid, the host of a popular Israeli television show, says in a speech after the election, "The citizens of Israel today said no to politics of fear and hatred. They said no to the possibility that we might splinter off into sectors, and groups and tribes and narrow interest groups. They said no to extremists, and they said no to antidemocratic behavior." *. Protests Threaten Morsi Government (Jan. 25):Violent protests erupted throughout Egypton the second anniversary of the revolution. Demonstrators focus their ire on the Muslim Brotherhood and President Mohammed Morsi's government, frustrated that the country is on an ideologically conservative path under the Islamists and that Morsi has failed to bolster the economy or fulfill promises to introduce broader civil liberties and social justice. Dozens of people are killed in the violence at the protests. Morsi declares a state of emergency in three large cities: Suez, Ismailia, and Port Said.(Jan. 26):The violence is particularly gruesome in Port Said after 21 people are sentenced to death for their role in the deadly brawl at a Feb. 2012 soccer match that resulted in the death of about 75 people. Defying the state of emergency and attendant curfew, rioters, who are upset with the verdict, wreak havoc throughout the city, attacking police stations, a power plant and a jail. At least 45 people die in Port Said alone. News reports indicate the victims are shot by police. Police also reportedly shoot live ammunition and tear gas at protesters in other cities, including Cairo. *. Azarenka, Djokovic Repeat as Australian Open Champions (Jan. 26–27):Victoria Azarenka from Belarusdefeats Li Na of China, 4–6, 6–4,6–3 to win her second straight Australian Open Women's Singles Championship. Serbia's Novak Djokovicbeats Andy Murray of Scotland, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 to take the Men's Singles Championship. With the win, Djokovic becomes the first man in the 45-year-old Open era to win three consecutive singles titles at Australian Open. See also: Current Events: Business News, January 2013 Current Events: U.S. News, January 2013 Current Events: Disasters & Science News, January 2013 Recent Deaths People in the News

Highest Mountain Peaks of the World: The following table lists the highest mountain peaks of the world including mountain name, mountain range, vertical height, and location, according to the National Geographic Society. See Named Summits in the U.S. Over 14,000 Feet Above Sea Levelfor U.S. Peaks. See also Climbing the World's 14 8,000- meter Peaks, The Seven Summits, Mortals on Mount Olympus: A History of Climbing Everest, and the Everest Almanac. Mountain peakRangeLocationHeight ft.m Everest1 HimalayasNepal/Tibet29,0358,850 K2 (Godwin Austen) KarakoramPakistan/China28,2508,611 KanchenjungaHimalayasIndia/Nepal28,1698,586 Lhotse IHimalayasNepal/Tibet27,9408,516 Makalu IHimalayasNepal/Tibet27,7668,463 Cho OyuHimalayasNepal/Tibet26,9068,201 DhaulagiriHimalayasNepal26,7958,167 Manaslu IHimalayasNepal26,7818,163 Nanga ParbatHimalayasPakistan26,6608,125 AnnapurnaHimalayasNepal26,5458,091 Gasherbrum IKarakoramPakistan/China26,4708,068 Broad PeakKarakoramPakistan/China26,4008,047 Gasherbrum IIKarakoramPakistan/China26,3608,035 Shishma Pangma (Gosainthan)HimalayasTibet26,2898,013 Annapurna IIHimalayasNepal26,0417,937 Gyachung KangHimalayasNepal25,9107,897 Disteghil SarKarakoramPakistan25,8587,882 HimalchuliHimalayasNepal25,8017,864 NuptseHimalayasNepal25,7267,841 Nanda DeviHimalayasIndia25,6637,824 MasherbrumKarakoramKashmir225,6607,821 RakaposhiKarakoramPakistan25,5517,788 Kanjut SarKarakoramPakistan25,4617,761 KametHimalayasIndia/Tibet25,4467,756 Namcha BarwaHimalayasTibet25,4457,756 Gurla MandhataHimalayasTibet25,3557,728 Ulugh Muztagh KunlunTibet25,3407,723 KungurMuztagh AtaChina25,3257,719 Tirich Mir Hindu KushPakistan25,2307,690 Saser KangriKarakoramIndia25,1727,672 Makalu IIHimalayasNepal25,1207,657 Minya Konka (Gongga Shan)Daxue ShanChina24,9007,590 Kula KangriHimalayasBhutan24,7837,554 Chang-tzuHimalayasTibet24,7807,553 Muztagh AtaMuztagh AtaChina24,7577,546 Skyang KangriHimalayasKashmir24,7507,544 Ismail Samani Peak(formerly Communism Peak) PamirsTajikistan24,5907,495 Jongsong PeakHimalayasNepal24,4727,459 Pobeda Peak Tien ShanKyrgyzstan24,4067,439 Sia KangriHimalayasKashmir24,3507,422 Haramosh PeakKarakoramPakistan24,2707,397 Istoro NalHindu KushPakistan24,2407,388 Tent PeakHimalayasNepal24,1657,365 Chomo LhariHimalayasTibet/Bhutan24,0407,327 ChamlangHimalayasNepal24,0127,319 KabruHimalayasNepal24,0027,316 Alung GangriHimalayasTibet24,0007,315 Baltoro KangriHimalayasKashmir23,9907,312 Muztagh Ata (K-5)KunlunChina23,8907,282 ManaHimalayasIndia23,8607,273 BaruntseHimalayasNepal23,6887,220 Nepal PeakHimalayasNepal23,5007,163 Amne MachinKunlunChina23,4907,160 Gauri SankarHimalayasNepal/Tibet23,4407,145 BadrinathHimalayasIndia23,4207,138 NunkunHimalayasKashmir23,4107,135 Lenin PeakPamirsTajikistan/Kyrgyzstan23,4057,134 PyramidHimalayasNepal23,4007,132 ApiHimalayasNepal23,3997,132 PauhunriHimalayasIndia/China23,3857,128 TrisulHimalayasIndia23,3607,120 Korzhenevski PeakPamirsTajikistan23,3107,105 KangtoHimalayasTibet23,2607,090 NyainqentanglhaNyainqentanglha ShanChina23,2557,088 TrisuliHimalayasIndia23,2107,074 DunagiriHimalayasIndia23,1847,066 Revolution PeakPamirsTajikistan22,8806,974 Aconcagua AndesArgentina22,8346,960 Ojos del SaladoAndesArgentina/Chile22,6646,908 BoneteAndesArgentina/Chile22,5466,872 Ama DablamHimalayasNepal22,4946,856 TupungatoAndesArgentina/Chile22,3106,800 Moscow PeakPamirsTajikistan22,2606,785 PissisAndesArgentina22,2416,779 MercedarioAndesArgentina/Chile22,2116,770 HuascaránAndesPeru22,2056,768 LlullaillacoAndesArgentina/Chile22,0576,723 El LibertadorAndesArgentina22,0476,720 CachiAndesArgentina22,0476,720 KailasHimalayasTibet22,0276,714 IncahuasiAndesArgentina/Chile21,7206,620 YerupajaAndesPeru21,7096,617 KurumdaPamirsTajikistan21,6866,610 GalanAndesArgentina21,6546,600 El MuertoAndesArgentina/Chile21,4636,542 SajamaAndesBolivia21,3916,520 NacimientoAndesArgentina21,3026,493 IllampuAndesBolivia21,2766,485 IllimaniAndesBolivia21,2016,462 CoropunaAndesPeru21,0836,426 LaudoAndesArgentina20,9976,400 AncohumaAndesBolivia20,9586,388 CuzcoAndesPeru20,9456,384 (Ausangate) Toro AndesArgentina/Chile20,9326,380 Tres CrucesAndesArgentina/Chile20,8536,356 HuandoyAndesPeru20,8526,356 ParinacotaAndesBolivia/Chile20,7686,330 TortolasAndesArgentina/Chile20,7456,323 ChimborazoAndesEcuador20,7026,310 AmpatoAndesPeru20,7026,310 El CondorAndesArgentina20,6696,300 SalcantayAndesPeru20,5746,271 HuancarhuasAndesPeru20,5316,258 FamatinaAndesArgentina20,5056,250 PumasilloAndesPeru20,4926,246 SoloAndesArgentina20,4926,246 PollerasAndesArgentina20,4566,235 PularAndesChile20,4236,225 ChañiAndesArgentina20,3416,200 McKinley (Denali)AlaskaAlaska20,3206,194 AucanquilchaAndesChile20,2956,186 JuncalAndesArgentina/Chile20,2766,180 NegroAndesArgentina20,1846,152 QuelaAndesArgentina20,1286,135 CondoririAndesBolivia20,0956,125 PalermoAndesArgentina20,0796,120 SolimanaAndesPeru20,0686,117 San JuanAndesArgentina/Chile20,0496,111 Sierra NevadaAndesArgentina20,0236,103

Notable Explorers: Christopher Columbus Abruzzi, Luigi Amedeo, duca degli, Italian explorer and mountain climber Acuña, Cristóbal de, Spanish Jesuit missionary and explorer in South America Alarcón, Hernando de, Spanish explorer in the Southwest Amundsen, Roald, Norwegian polar explorer Andersson, Karl Johan, Swedish explorer in Africa Anza, Juan Bautista de, Spanish explorer and official in the Southwest and the far West Baffin, William, British arctic explorer Baker, Sir Samuel White, English explorer in Africa Balboa, Vasco Núñez de, Spanish conquistador, discoverer of the Pacific Ocean Barentz, Willem, Dutch navigator Barrow, Sir John, British geographer, promoter of arctic exploration Barth, Heinrich, German explorer in British service Bartlett, Robert Abram, American arctic explorer Beechey, Frederick William, British admiral and Arctic explorer Beke, Charles Tilstone, English explorer and author/dd> Bent, Charles, American frontiersman Bering, Vitus Jonassen, Danish explorer in Russian employ Block, Adriaen, Dutch navigator Bougainville, Louis Antoine de, French navigator Boyd, Louise Arner, American arctic explorer Bruce, James, Scottish explorer in Africa Bruce, William Speirs, Scottish explorer and authority on the polar regions Brulé, Étienne, English sea captain and antarctic explorer Burckhardt, Johann Ludwig or John Lewis, European explorer Burton, Sir Richard Francis, English explorer Byrd, Richard Evelyn, American aviator and polar explorer Cárdenas, García López de, Spanish explorer in the Southwest. Cabeza de Vaca, Álvar Núñez, Spanish explorer Cabot, John, English explorer Cabot, Sebastian, explorer in English and Spanish service Cabrillo, Juan Rodríguez, Spanish conquistador and discoverer of California Caillié, René, French explorer in Africa Cameron, Verney Lovett, English traveler in Africa Cano, Juan Sebastián del, Spanish navigator Cartier, Jacques, French navigator Carver, Jonathan, American explorer Chaillé-Long, Charles, American soldier, African explorer, and writer Champlain, Samuel de, French explorer, the chief founder of New France Chesney, Francis Rawdon, British soldier and explorer in Asia Clapperton, Hugh, British explorer Clark, William, American explorer Columbus, Christopher, European explorer Cook, Frederick Albert, American explorer and physician Cook, James, English explorer and navigator Coronado, Francisco Vásquez de, Spanish explorer Cortés, Hernán, Spanish conquistador da Gama, Vasco, Portuguese navigator Dampier, William, English explorer David, T.W.E., English navigator De Long, George Washington, American arctic explorer De Soto, Hernando, Spanish explorer Dias, Bartolomeu, Portuguese navigator Drake, Sir Francis, English navigator and admiral Du Chaillu, Paul Belloni, French-American explorer in Africa Duluth, Daniel Greysolon, sieur, French explorer in Canada Dumont d'Urville, Jules Sébastien César, French navigator Ellsworth, Lincoln, American explorer Emin Pasha, German explorer Entrecasteaux, Joseph Antoine Bruni d', French navigator Eric the Red, Norse chieftain, discoverer and colonizer of Greenland Frémont, John Charles, American explorer, soldier, and political leader Franklin, Sir John, British explorer Garnier, Marie Joseph François, French explorer and naval officer Gilbert, Sir Humphrey, English soldier Gosnold, Bartholomew, English explorer and colonizer Gray, Robert, American sea captain, discoverer of the Columbia River Greely, Adolphus Washington, American army officer and arctic explorer Hall, Charles Francis, American arctic explorer He, Zheng, explorer Hedin, Sven Anders, Swedish explorer in central Asia Henry the Navigator, prince of Portugal, patron of exploration Henson, Matthew Alexander, African-American arctic explorer Heyerdahl, Thor, Norwegian explorer and anthropologist Hillary, Sir Edmund Percival, New Zealand mountain climber and explorer. Hudson, Henry, English navigator and explorer Humboldt, Alexander, Freiherr von, German naturalist and explorer Ibn Batuta, Muslim traveler Johnson, Martin Elmer, American explorer and author Johnston, Sir Harry Hamilton, British explorer and colonial official Jolliet, Louis, French explorer Kane, Elisha Kent, American physician and arctic explorer Kotzebue, Otto von, Russian naval officer and explorer; La Salle, Robert Cavelier, sieur de, French explorer in North America Leif Ericsson, Norse discoverer of America Leo Africanus, Moorish traveler in Africa and the Middle East. Lewis, Meriwether, American explorer Livingstone, David, Scottish missionary and explorer in Africa Long, Stephen Harriman, American explorer Mackenzie, Sir Alexander, Canadian fur trader and explorer

Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations in the United States: StateElevation (ft.)1Highest pointElevation (ft.)Lowest pointElevation (ft.) Alabama500Cheaha Mountain2,405Gulf of MexicoSea level Alaska1,900Mt. McKinley20,320Pacific OceanSea level Arizona4,100Humphreys Peak12,633Colorado River70 Arkansas650Magazine Mountain2,753Ouachita River55 California2,900Mt. Whitney14,494Death Valley–2822 Colorado6,800Mt. Elbert14,433Arkansas River3,350 Connecticut500Mt. Frissell, on south slope2,380Long Island SoundSea level Delaware60Ebright Road, Del.–Pa. state line448Atlantic OceanSea level D.C.150Tenleytown, at Reno Reservoir410Potomac River1 Florida100Sec. 30, T6N, R20W, Walton County345Atlantic OceanSea level Georgia600Brasstown Bald4,784Atlantic OceanSea level Hawaii3,030Puu Wekiu, Mauna Kea13,796Pacific OceanSea level Idaho5,000Borah Peak12,662Snake River710 Illinois600Charles Mound1,235Mississippi River279 Indiana700Franklin Township, Wayne County1,257Ohio River320 Iowa1,100Sec. 29, T100N, R41W, Osceola County1,670Mississippi River480 Kansas2,000Mt. Sunflower4,039Verdigris River679 Kentucky750Black Mountain4,139Mississippi River257 Louisiana100Driskill Mountain535New Orleans–82 Maine600Mt. Katahdin5,267Atlantic OceanSea level Maryland350Backbone Mountain3,360Atlantic OceanSea level Massachusetts500Mt. Greylock3,487Atlantic OceanSea level Michigan900Mt. Arvon1,979Lake Erie572 Minnesota1,200Eagle Mountain2,301Lake Superior600 Mississippi300Woodall Mountain806Gulf of MexicoSea level Missouri800Taum Sauk Mountain1,772St. Francis River230 Montana3,400Granite Peak12,799Kootenai River1,800 Nebraska2,600Johnson Township, Kimball County5,424Missouri River840 Nevada5,500Boundary Peak13,140Colorado River479 New Hampshire1,000Mt. Washington6,288Atlantic OceanSea level New Jersey250High Point1,803Atlantic OceanSea level New Mexico5,700Wheeler Peak13,161Red Bluff Reservoir2,842 New York1,000Mt. Marcy5,344Atlantic OceanSea level North Carolina700Mt. Mitchell6,684Atlantic OceanSea level North Dakota1,900White Butte3,506Red River750 Ohio850Campbell Hill1,549Ohio River455 Oklahoma1,300Black Mesa4,973Little River289 Oregon3,300Mt. Hood11,239Pacific OceanSea level Pennsylvania1,100Mt. Davis3,213Delaware RiverSea level Rhode Island200Jerimoth Hill812Atlantic OceanSea level South Carolina350Sassafras Mountain3,560Atlantic OceanSea level South Dakota2,200Harney Peak7,242Big Stone Lake966 Tennessee900Clingmans Dome6,643Mississippi River178 Texas1,700Guadalupe Peak8,749Gulf of MexicoSea level Utah6,100Kings Peak13,528Beaverdam Wash2,000 Vermont1,000Mt. Mansfield4,393Lake Champlain95 Virginia950Mt. Rogers5,729Atlantic OceanSea level Washington1,700Mt. Rainier14,410Pacific OceanSea level West Virginia1,500Spruce Knob4,861Potomac River240 Wisconsin1,050Timms Hill1,951Lake Michigan579 Wyoming6,700Gannett Peak13,804Belle Fourche River3,099 United States2,500Mt. McKinley (Alaska)20,320Death Valley (California)–2822 1. Approximate mean elevation. 2. Below sea level. Source:U.S. Geological Survey.