The Short List

• Moktada al-Sadr reappeared in Iraq, but for how long and for what reason people aren't sure.


• Nobel prize winner Muhammad Younis is under fire from the Bangladeshi government and there are concerns he could be removed from his leadership role with Grameen Bank.


• Robert Gibbs is stepping down as Press Secretary in early February, which is part of a broader staff shuffle at the White House.


• The United Nations reports a sharp rise in food prices, but the situation isn't as dire as the number would suggest for now.


• An investment unit inside Goldman Sachs declined to get in on the Facebook deal, in part due to the implied valuation of the company.