Topic: Belgium

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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.
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.
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.
3 good new coming-of-age novels

From a 20th-century Jane Eyre to a Pakistani-American immigrant, three protagonists grow up and learn about life.
European debt crisis: Seven basics you need to know

Will this crisis ever be over?! Eurozone nations seem to be fighting endless battles to address fears about government finances. The worry is that unsustainable national debt loads will result in default, a financial panic, or a costly repair effort. Here's what you need to know about the problem and possible ways forward.

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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.
Change Agent
'Repair Cafes' reject a 'toss it out' culture

At Dutch 'Repair Cafes' folks come together to fix – or learn how to fix – their own broken stuff.
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.
Modern Parenthood
Hillary Clinton "au naturale" is no Kate Middleton. Is that OK?

Hillary Clinton has gone "au naturale," wags Drudge. And she doesn't deny it. But her eyeglasses and lack of makeup bear a lot less on her job as a superpower broker than, say, the glamor of Kate Middleton bears on her job as ... what?
Light from alien 'super-earth' seen for first time

NASA's Spitzer space telescope has detected a light source coming from a large earth-like planet.
Gerhard Schröder: Don't strangle Europe with austerity

Europe is churning after anti-austerity elections in Greece and France, where Socialist François Hollande ousted Nicolas Sarkozy. Europe must now shift from pure austerity toward growth. It must also keep working toward closer political union. Both moves will help Germany's economy.
Netherlands bans tourists from buying marijuana. Yes, in Amsterdam, too.

The Netherlands has banned non-residents from buying marijuana in the country. Neighboring governments are pleased, but the country's coffee shop owners and opposition party are not.
Tiny sharks glow in the dark ... for camouflage

The smalleye pygmy shark uses light-emitting organs in its belly to actually hide itself from predators, a new study suggests.
Carbon trading: Why 'good' companies embrace 'bad' credits

When it comes to Europe's carbon-trading system, top companies like Dow Chemical, ConocoPhillips, and BP prefer to save a little money than hone their 'green' reputation.
Boston Marathon: The village in Kenya where the elite train

Some Boston marathoners today will have trained at 8,000 feet above sea level in the Kenyan village of Iten. The big money in the sport has attracted younger athletes here.
Israel dismisses 'flytilla' protest, pointing to human rights abuses in Syria, Iran

Israel denied entry and deported several dozen pro-Palestinian activists who flew into Tel Aviv's airport on Sunday, arguing they are missing the bigger regional issues.
Thousands of comets orbiting new star collide every day, create visible debris ring

Comets, perhaps over 80 trillion, circle a young star that houses one alien planet and maybe more. There are thousands of daily comet collisions in the star's orbit.
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.
Top Picks: 'The Adventures of Tintin,' Philip Glass's opera 'Satyagraha,' and more

Bruce Springsteen mixes genres on a new album, Cooking Light reveals the 41 most common cooking mistakes, Matthew Bourne's 'Swan Lake' offers a more male-based cast, and more top picks.
Keep Calm
Afghan President Karzai's angry ultimatums have parallels in post-colonial Africa

After the massacre of 16 Afghan civilians by a US Army sergeant, Afghan President Karzai told the US to speed up withdrawal. Post-colonial experience from Africa suggests that US departure may not be pretty.
Swiss bus accident kills 28, mostly Belgian schoolchildren

A group of Belgian students and two adults were among the dead as the result of a bus accident in the Swiss alps late Tuesday.
Is this France or Phoenix? Sarkozy touts 'Buy American' and border security

Facing tough re-election, France's Nicolas Sarkozy is calling for beefed up European borders and for a 'Buy European Act' modeled on the American version.
Spain leads Europe's rebellion against German austerity

Prime Minister Mario Rajoy told EU officials that Spain would not meet its deficit target for 2012. Other countries, struggling to avoid further recession, may follow suit.
In powerhouse Germany, salaries for women lag behind

According to an OECD report published this week, women working full-time in Germany make 21.6 percent less than men and hold substantially fewer top business positions.
Early Brontë story about an ungrateful rat is discovered

A composition written by Charlotte Brontë for a French instructor during her stay in Brussels was recently discovered in a Belgium museum.
Bullhead: movie review

The Belgian movie ‘Bullhead’ takes a quirky premise and turns it into a high-stakes thriller.
German vote on Greek bailout hints at tough road ahead for Merkel

The German parliament endorsed a second bailout for Greece, but a drop in support among members of Chancellor Merkel's coalition is evidence that she'll have to work hard to get support for future assistance.
Chapter & Verse
Portugal plays each side against the other in World War II

Neill Lochery's new book "Lisbon" chronicles Portugal's pivotal role in World War II.
Lance Armstrong doping case closed

Lance Armstrong was gratified to learn that the investigation into his alleged doping has been closed.
Africa asks itself: Where is the aid money?

African nations pledged five months ago to do more to help each other when famine and disaster strike. But so far, they haven't come up with the promised cash.