Topic: Belgium
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16 books set to be adapted into movies in 2012-2013
Read these books before they hit the big screen!
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10 coolest cars you've never heard of
These 10 cars are so rare you won't see them on any lot. Click through for a list of 10 cars you've probably never heard of.
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Where gas prices are highest
Gasoline is a very visible price, and closely watched by many drivers. Petroleum prices impact many products, from food to industrial production. While the cost of crude is the major factor in gasoline price volatility, some countries levy taxes on fossil fuels. Here are ten countries where high gas prices are the norm, according to British insurance firm Staveley Head.
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Briefing
Gay marriage laws around the globe
There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.
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US tax time: A later deadline and other tax facts
Thanks to a holiday in Washington, D.C., the federal tax-filing deadline this year is April 17, two days later than usual. The extra time provides an opportunity to peruse some random tax-related facts.
All Content
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Quadrantid meteor shower: Will moon wash out the show?
Quadrantid meteor shower-watchers will have to deal with a three-quarter-full moon, but the event peaks overnight Wednesday, meaning the show will go on.
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Stefan Karlsson
French court strikes down tax on rich, but it won't save FranceFrance's court rules against the new 75 percent tax rate on incomes above €1 million, but not because of the rate, only because of the way it's applied. French Socialists can easily meet the objections with a new onerous tax on the rich.
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General Norman Schwarzkopf, Desert Storm commander, dies at age 78
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who had an illustrious military career which included many high-profile commands, died Thursday of complications from pneumonia.
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Energy Voices
Why are US firms going 'green': CEOs or customers?The number of large US corporations with a climate, energy strategy has soared in the past five years, a new survey says. Customers, employees are the two major forces pushing change.
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Why Amsterdam is banning marijuana use in schools
The Dutch are getting tough on smoking pot: On Jan. 1, weed-smoking will be banned from schools and playgrounds in Amsterdam. Marijuana usage rates are lower in the Netherlands than in France, Britain, or the United States.
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Cargo ship sinks in North Sea, search continues for survivors
Search planes, helicopters and ships were heading to the area to resume the search Thursday morning, but the icy conditions made survival virtually impossible.
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Global News Blog
A traditional Sinterklaas debate: Is 'Black Pete' racist?Every Dec. 5, Sinterklaas – the Dutch and Belgian Santa Claus – is celebrated. And the debate over Black Pete, his helper who is usually portrayed by whites in blackface and curly wigs, is rekindled.
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Change Agent
Would the lights go out if superstorm Sandy hit the Netherlands? Nope.The US can learn from the modern, disaster-resistant electric grid in the Netherlands.
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Baby box ban: Why the UN wants to ban the practice
Baby box ban: Eleven nations in Europe have drop boxes for unwanted babies, including Germany with 100 baby boxes. But a UN human rights group wants to ban them.
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The Monitor's View: Why the UN must respond to rebels splitting Congo
Before rebels known as M23 split up Congo any further, the United Nations must help this giant African nation find a unifying identity. The same goes for Rwanda.
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Energy Voices
Wind power: an interview with president of Shell WindDick Williams, the president of Shell Wind, discusses a range of topics with Consumer Energy Report, including the current state of the wind industry and how Shell is positioning itself to be the energy company of the future.
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Analysis: Why US will allow more LNG exports
Companies are eager to export cheap US natural gas, but only Cheniere Energy has an Energy Department permit to do so. The Obama administration is likely to issue more permits.
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Syrian rebels put choke hold on government supply lines
The Free Syrian Army has captured several critical areas from the government this week, curtailing delivery of supplies to those they are battling for control of Aleppo.
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Stefan Karlsson
Six types of European economic trendsRecent EU data shows great divergences in Europe between different countries in economic growth, Karlsson writes.
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Anti-austerity strikes rack Europe, but will they foment change?
Hundreds of thousands of workers marched in Spain and Portugal as part of a general strike to force leaders to rethink austerity measures. Workers also showed their discontent in Germany, Italy, Greece, and France.
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Anti-austerity strikes spread across Europe, lead to arrests, canceled flights
Arrests, and canceled flights are seen across Europe on Wednesday as millions of workers went on strike to protest against spending cuts they say have made the economic crisis worse.
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Home to Tintin and Smurfs, Belgium looks to reinvigorate comic industry
The 'home of the comic book,' Belgium wielded outsized influence in the comics industry until the 1980s. Now it's trying to regain that sway via government-supported innovation.
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Reverse brain drain: Poles circulate home and out again to Europe
In the global reverse brain drain, migrants begin to influence a frumpy, provincial Poland in everything from toilets to insurance coverage to workplace attitude.
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Opinion: Scotland independence movement sends dangerous message
Scotland's Alex Salmond and British Prime Minister David Cameron signed the 'Edinburgh deal' – allowing Scotland to hold a referendum vote on independence in 2014. As Europe's bonds are tested, the push for Scottish independence sends a dangerous 'go it alone' message.
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Energy Voices
Sanctions on Iran: Is there a limit to their effect on Iran's oil production?OPEC figures show a general decline in Iran's crude oil production after Iran was hit with economic sanctions this summer, according to OilPrice.com. But has the effect of the sanctions on Iran's oil production reached a limit?
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Global News Blog
How higher education may be easing the global recessionA new OECD report on education in the world's top economies highlights the importance of higher education, which includes vocational schooling, during an economic downturn.
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Loco for cocoa: Artisanal chocolate looks to Mesoamerican roots in Nicaragua
Artisanal chocolate is taking off, with many small chocolatiers taking production back to the basics.
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French berate billionaire who wants to become Belgian (+video)
A day after French President Hollande made his case for new taxes, the public responded angrily to a report that its richest man, Bernard Arnault, was trying to avoid taxes by heading to Belgium.
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Global News Blog
Empowering Prague's homeless by hiring them as tour guidesThe Pragulic service's guides share their experiences living on the streets of Prague with tourists – and share in profits from the tours with the sevice's founders, three graduate students.
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With death of Ethiopian leader Meles, US loses an anti-terror ally (+video)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died yesterday, was one of the US's closest allies on the continent, particularly when it came to efforts to combat Somali Islamists.
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