STOCKHOLM -- Imagine a life where work is optional and the state guarantees a minimal standard of living regardless of employment or effort. Last September, a political earthquake shook the Riksdag (parliament) here in Stockholm when Swedish voters decided to cast off former Prime Minister Goran Persson's venerable Social Democratic government in favor of a more market-oriented political alliance led by Moderate Party leader, Fredrik Reinfeldt. Last September, a political earthquake shook...

The company, whose first chairman pioneered the modern insurance brokerage industry in the late 1890s, made its name serving corporate giants such as U. Ever since it was hobbled by a bid-rigging scandal that lopped almost half of its market value in October 2004, the New York-based broker hasn't traded above $33. A mere two out of 13 analysts recommend buying Marsh & McLennan, the only one of the top three insurance brokers not to advance since a probe of sales practices that led to more...

BEIRUT (Reuters) - If rising sea levels force the people of the Maldive Islands to seek new homes, who will look after them in a world already turning warier of refugees? The daunting prospect of mass population movements set off by climate change and environmental disasters poses an imminent new challenge that no one has yet figured out how to meet. People forced to move by climate change, salination, rising sea levels, deforestation or desertification do not fit the classic definition of...

After falling 410 points over three days in the previous week, the Dow Jones Industrials staged a strong comeback to recover about three-quarters of its earlier losses. Despite fears of rising interest rates, Wall Street and global equity markets have been quite resilient this around, as investors appear to be embracing those expectations. Another argument is that rising interest rates are indicative of stronger economic growth ahead and that translates into better corporate profits. The...

Many farmers are sidedressing corn with additional nitrogen to make up for the losses estimated at 5% per day the soil was saturated at warm soil temperatures. Each morning, stop at this spot to get a feeling for the "tone of the day" - and some attitude about agriculture and the markets. And keep your comments coming! Don't forget to give me your location and to answer the question. Keep in mind that a lot of people locked in very good prices for the upcoming corn crop and could have...