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College rankings: Which countries have the best education systems?

A new higher education ranking focuses on evaluating quality by countries as a whole, rather than specific academic institutions. Here are some of the findings:
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.
Groundhog Day: 5 things you need to know about Punxsutwney Phil

Every Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil makes the most celebrated weather forecast of the year, usually around the crack of dawn. But does he get it right? And who are those dapper guys in top hats? Here are answers to five famous Phil mysteries.
Europe's debt crisis: 5 ways it's been put to good use

Europe’s debt crisis has roiled financial markets and populations. But beyond nationwide strikes and gyrating markets, Europe has put its crisis to good use. Here Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a research fellow at the Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics points out five trends that will ultimately strengthen the European Union and the euro currency.
Correspondent reflections: The 10 news events that shaped 2011

In this special section, we look at the year’s biggest stories, and seven staff correspondents reflect on events in hot spots from Latin America to the Libyan front.

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As fears about Europe's future worsen, the Dow closes down

Fearing a financial rupture in Europe, investors around the world fled from risk Wednesday. They punished stocks and the euro, and the yield on a benchmark US bond hit its lowest point since World War II. The Dow closed down 161 points to land at 12419.
EU still looking for way forward on Greece, growth, and euro zone

The latest summit in Brussels concluded with wide agreement that something needs to be done but with little consensus on what to do.
Global News Blog
Amid eurozone turmoil, Germany borrows money for free

Germany sold $5.7 billion of debt today to yield 0 percent, a reflection of how much Europe's largest economy has diverged from its southern neighbors who are paying far more to borrow.
Stocks climb, breaking losing streak

Apple stock soared, helping propel major US stock indexes to gains after a solid week of losses. The Dow Jones rose 135 points to close at 12504.
France says 'oui' to euro bonds, but Germany says 'nein'

German finance official says Berlin continues to oppose euro bonds, which would create debt backed jointly by European Union nations. EU members meet Wednesday in Brussels to discuss euro bonds and other growth-enhancing policies.
As its banking woes mount, Spain ponders where to go from here

Its banks struggling, Spain has moved closer to needing a bailout. But some argue the takeover of Bankia and other measures could mark the beginning of movement toward greater stability.
Stocks fall amid discouraging economic reports

The Dow fell 156 points to close at 12442 – the index's 11th loss in 12 days – after a pair of discouraging economic reports unnerved investors already worried about a possible exit from the euro by Greece.
College rankings: Which countries have the best education systems?

A new higher education ranking focuses on evaluating quality by countries as a whole, rather than specific academic institutions. Here are some of the findings:
Surfer catches 'biggest wave ever' off Portugal (+video)

The Guinness World Records recognizes Hawaii pro surfer for the biggest wave ever ridden. Garrett McNamara surfed a 78-foot wave off the coast of Portugal.
With Iran, Syria looming, can Obama save NATO from disaster at Chicago summit?

The 2010 NATO Summit in Lisbon produced a bold vision for NATO’s future. With one week to the Chicago summit, not nearly enough progress has been made. To avoid the Chicago summit ending up as a total bust, Obama must push NATO leaders to address three key issues.
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.
Tax VOX
With European elections, is austerity in the US doomed?

It's easy to look at European elections in France, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Denmark and see a massive rejection of fiscal austerity. Is that accurate, and what does it mean for proponents of austerity in the US?
Germany frets, markets falter over French and Greek election results

In Germany, the results of yesterday's elections are seen as a refusal to follow the austerity plan hammered out by European leaders in long, painful negotiations.
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.
French president-elect Hollande promises 'kinder, gentler austerity' (+video)

As leader of Europe's No. 2 economy, French President-elect François Hollande has the power to challenge German Chancellor Angela Merkel's austerity doctrine.
Hollande wins French presidency, signals revisit of austerity (+video)

Socialist candidate François Hollande defeated incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy for the French presidency in a vote that could reposition how the country responds to the eurozone crisis.
French candidate Hollande's projected win could change eurozone's course

French presidential frontrunner Francois Hollande, of the Socialist Party, could prompt major changes to the German-led austerity model, which much of Europe is already rising up against.
Finally, European debt crisis goes to the polls

Elections in France and Greece may help quell a rising sense of victimhood from this long euro crisis. Such popular sentiment is exactly what the European Union is meant to curb.
GM stock: Earnings down. Outlook cautious.

GM stock fell in Thursday trading after the company released a cautious outlook for North America, which so far this year has buoyed sales and GM stock.
May Day: Around the world, anger and fear

Continuing economic turmoil around the globe gave this year's May Day rallies an undertone of angry class conflict.
Arab Spring: now begins the education of Islamist politicians

In Tunisia and Egypt, Islamists are being elected into office to take on the daunting policy problems of their neglected societies. But Islamists, too, will be chucked out of office if they can’t deliver the goods. And they know it.
Spain enters recession; Dow and S&P 500 fall

Spain reentered a recession Monday, renewing fears about Europe's economic stability and sending stocks lower. The Dow fell 14 points to close at 13213; the Standard and Poor 500 index had its first monthly loss since November.
Stock market fallout from Spain downgrade? Quiet.

Stock market reaction muted in Germany, France, Britain, and US. First estimate of US GDP in first quarter could sway stock market sentiment.
US stocks boosted by home sales, corporate earnings

US stocks edged higher Thursday, pushed up by a batch of bright earnings reports and encouraging news about home sales. The Dow rose 113 points to close at 13204
Madeleine McCann: Why British police want to reopen missing child case (+video)

Madeleine McCann went missing five years ago. British police say they have 195 possible leads and are trying to get Portugal to reopen the case.