WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. employers slashed 598,000 jobs in January, the biggest monthly loss in 34 years, and the jobless rate soared to a 16-year peak, putting pressure on lawmakers to act quickly to counter a deepening recession.

The US unemployment rate rose to 7.6% in January, the highest level since 1992.

uefa.com takes its pick of the weekend action as FC Bayern München host BV Borussia Dortmund and high-flying Genoa CFC take on AS Roma. There is also the Seville derby and AZ Alkmaar are in record-breaking mood.

UEFA has applauded the work of its leading referees and urged them to continue striving for perfection – with particular emphasis given to the challenge of positive decision-making in the penalty area.

Paris Saint-Germain FC striker Mateja Kežman will miss the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie with VfL Wolfsburg on 18 February after being suspended for four games by his club for a breach of discipline.

Hertha BSC Berlin were unable to take the Bundesliga lead on Friday night when they drew 1-1 at DSC Arminia Bielefeld after Andriy Voronin’s early goal was cancelled out before the break by Artur Wichniarek’s header.

After an exceptional year in 2008, Manchester United FC winger Cristiano Ronaldo tells the uefa.com Magazine he is ready to do it all again. “I am definitely not going to relax. I want to win more.” Click here to watch.

FCR 2001 Duisburg defender Annike Krahn is a doubt for the UEFA Women’s Cup semi-final against Olympique Lyonnais after suffering an ankle ligament injury that has ruled her out of Germany’s forthcoming friendlies.

The 17th UEFA Advanced Course for Elite and Premier Referees closed with advice to match officials that their chief priority for the remainder of the European club competition season would be to protect the players.

Keld Bordinggaard has extended his contract as Denmark Under-21 coach by two years and will now lead the host nation at the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. “It will be a big challenge,” he said.