Labor

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** FILE ** In this Monday, Sept 17, 2012, file photo, Robert Orkin, of the company TxT-Alert, third from left, talks with job seekers during a job fair held by National Career Fairs, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Economists forecast that the unemployment rate edged up in September to 8.2 percent from 8.1 percent, according to a survey by FactSet. Employers are expected to have added 111,000 jobs. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

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Dr. Mohammad N. Akhter on Thursday outlined the District’s plans for a virtual marketplace where the uninsured and small businesses can buy health insurance to comply with the Affordable Care Act. (Associated Press)

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**FILE** Sheila Bird (right) waits in line for employment interviews at a Aug. 17, 2012, job fair at City Target in Los Angeles. (Associated Press)

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**FILE** Demonstrators protest Feb. 13, 2012, outside of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals after a panel heard oral arguments in San Francisco in a lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposition 209, which barred racial, ethnic or gender preferences in public education, employment and contracting. (Associated Press)

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke offers a defense Monday of the Fed’s policies to stimulate the weak economy, while cautioning Congress to respect its private discussions. Mr. Bernanke says the Fed needs to drive down borrowing rates because the economy isn’t growing fast enough to reduce unemployment. The unemployment rate is 8.1 percent. (Associated Press)

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D.C. United defender Dejan Jakovic, left, battles for the ball with Philadelphia Union midfielder Eduardo Coudet, right, during the first half of their MLS soccer game at RFK Stadium in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010. DC United defeated the Union 2-0. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)