Topic: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Oil subsidies: Surprise! Liberals are fans, too.

When asked if the federal government should eliminate subsidies for oil companies, most would respond with a resounding 'yes.' But such a policy would have unwelcome unintended consequences, and not just for billionaire oil tycoons.

Stocks rally to erase steep losses

Stocks closed mixed Wednesday after a late rally erased steep losses. The Dow lost seven points to close at 12496

OECD concerned that eurozone crisis could threaten world recovery (+video)

The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development said Tuesday the eurozone must get member nations with debt problems under control, so as to not pose problems for a less than robust world economic recovery.

Sweden: a spending reduction success story

Since 2006, when the current Swedish government was elected, government spending relative to GDP fell from 52.9 percent in 2006 to 51.8 percent in 2011, faring much better than the global average.

The PTA arrives in Mexico's schools

Parent-teacher associations are the face of the US public school system, but it is only recently that parents are starting to penetrate the hallways of Mexico's schools.

Working mom, stay-at-home mom: A debate that belittles motherhood

Our American weirdness about the working mom vs. stay-at-home mom debate, comes as much from our strange relationship with work as it does with our ambiguous, nostalgic-but-perhaps-belittling approach to motherhood.

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.

Home again in Mexico: Illegal immigration hits net zero

Tiny Tamaula is the new face of rural Mexico: Villagers are home again as the illegal immigration boom drops to net zero

Germany tries to convince Swiss banks to play by its rules

Germany and Switzerland signed a treaty today in which Switzerland agreed to impose taxes on Germans' secret accounts in Swiss banks, but the deal still falls short of the transparency Germany wants. 

EU leaders agree on need for more money - just not how much

Some European leaders want to give the permanent bailout fund as much money as possible, but others say that will do nothing to deter a repeat of the current debt crisis. 

US corporate tax rates must come down

Come April 1, America's corporate tax rates will be the highest in the developed world. That's bad policy for the United States.

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. 

Thanks to Occupy, rich-poor gap is front and center. See Mitt Romney's tax return.

Thanks to the Occupy movement and information easily disseminated on the Internet, Americans are better informed about the rich-poor gap. The issue will continue to figure prominently in this election. Case in point: The hoopla over Mitt Romney's tax return.

EU approves embargo on Iranian oil, despite economic concerns

Some EU countries who agreed to the Iranian oil embargo get as much as 30 percent of their oil from Iran. But as Spain's foreign minister said today, they are 'willing to make the sacrifice.'

Europeans fear Iran oil embargo will wreck economy

With a proposed embargo on Iranian oil, the European Union and the US could suffer from rising oil prices while Iran simply finds new buyers.

Has capitalism failed us?

How is it possible that the most dynamic, best capitalized, most high-tech economy in world history could not add a single dollar to the real wealth of the average working man over a 40 year period?

After sodomy acquittal, Malaysia's Anwar pressing for power

In an unexpected conclusion to a two-year trial, a Malaysian court acquitted opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on sodomy charges that he insisted were politically motivated.

Eight ingredients for a peaceful society

What makes for a peaceful society? Hot spots from Congo to the Middle East would benefit from such knowledge. But so would the United States, which, at home, isn’t always so harmonious and abroad, is still at war in Afghanistan.

Michael Shank, vice president of the Institute for Economics and Peace’s US office gives his take on eight ingredients America needs to build a peaceful society.

Health-care cuts in Britain: draconian?

Health-care reforms amount to most sweeping changes in the 60 years of Britain's health-care system. Now, more cuts are planned.

Activists showing impatience at Durban climate talks

Climate activists in Durban are expressing their displeasure at negotiators from wealthy countries, whom they see as dragging their feet on curbing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Climate change: 2011 temperatures the hottest ever during La Nina

Climate change studies show rising global temperatures – the 10th highest ever – and shrinking ice caps. This year saw the lowest volume of Arctic sea ice ever recorded, due to global warming, say scientists.

Fat tax: Denmark's answer for unhealthy foods

Fat tax – imposed on butter, oil, other fatty foods – could be world's first. Denmark's fat tax would raise price of a hamburger by 15 cents; small package of butter, 40 cents.

US losing its competitive edge due to high costs of higher education: OECD

The lack of financial assistance to offset rising costs of US universities is a major reason, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).