Topic: Western Europe

German hotdog stands that don't stand still

Frank Schubert is a 'grillwalker,' a sort of German hotdog stand on foot, zigzagging through the busy shopping artery of Zeil. 

The Spanish reversal

Belgian train crash kills at least 12: governor

Two commuter trains collided in a Brussels suburb after one ran a stop light, killing at least 12 and halting all high-speed train traffic between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Ukraine election result -- a balancing act

The likely presidential winner, Viktor Yanukovich, was once the villain of the 'Orange Revolution.' He needs to bridge deep divisions at home and abroad -- and revive a badly beaten economy.

Apple iPad has tablet market cornered -- for now

The Taiwanese company Acer says it will not produce its own tablet computer in 2010. That leaves the Apple iPad the flat-screen machine to beat.

The next step for the EU: Europe 3.0

A European Union serious about its global role and responsibilities should take the lead in trying to establish a more effective system of global governance.

Swiss minaret ban reflects European fear of Islam

The Swiss vote to ban minarets comes at a time when Muslim populations are growing and Europeans worry about losing traditional Christian culture.

China leads surge of foreign students into US colleges

Education is becoming more globalized, with more foreign students coming to the US, while more American college students head abroad to new destinations such as India and China, according to two new studies.

ECONOMIC SCENE: Social Security pensioners deserve a $250 ‘raise’

With no COLA adjustment this year, the Obama administration is right to give seniors a $250 boost.

China confronts global warming dilemma

China, the world leader in both economic growth and carbon emissions, faces the dilemma of how to respond to the challenges of global warming while not harming its robust economy.

Generosity: An Enhancement

A new novel from Richard Powers poses a disquieting question: Is it abnormal to be happy?

Norway reelects center-left government, dimming EU prospects

A hotly contested election campaign concluded with reconfirmation that Norway won't join the EU.

Secular France gives religion a seat at the political table

The opening of a Foreign Ministry office for religion signals a rising awareness of the political clout of the world's faiths.

The real US healthcare issue: compassion deficiency

The fact that many of us do not feel any urgency to revamp a system that leaves millions of our sick without care is appalling.

Want a US green card? Bring cash.

A surge of foreign entrepreneurs are getting visas in exchange for investing in US companies.

France must look beneath the burqa

President Sarkozy assails the veil, but he neglects the women who wear it.

Healthcare crisis solved (with vouchers)

They helped end hunger in America. Applied to healthcare, they could cover the uninsured yet keep government from taking over.

A year after war, Georgia and Russia point fingers over provocations

Tensions are spiking again, creating concerns about another conflict.

Report: Internet use in Asia, Africa, and Mid-East set to soar

Dell sees US PC market finding its low point

Dell Inc. said Tuesday that the U.S. personal computer market has reached its low point but that the timing of a global turnaround in the technology industry remains anyone's guess.

Spain goes halfway on nuclear power

Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's decision to keep a small nuclear plant operating has been criticized on both the right and the left.

What the future of the auto industry will look like

Surging demand for cars in rapidly growing nations will mean a robust car industry in 20 years. The US will have a piece of it – though smaller than today – and the models it turns out will be much greener as the iconic industry reinvents itself.

Zuma promises 500,000 new jobs. Can he deliver?

In state of nation speech, critics say South Africa's president failed to make tough choices needed in a recession.

From Albania, freed Guantánamo prisoner watches detainee debate unfold

As Congress worries about the dangerous prisoners, a Chinese Uighur asks: Why not release those deemed innocent?

With Arabs, Obama never had a honeymoon

Two recent polls show that Arab nations have not embraced the president the way other areas of the world have.