U.S. News & World Report – Ignore, for just a second, the recently concluded decade’s two bull markets and two recessions. Forget, if even for just an instant, everything that happened throughout the course of the topsy-turvy decade we just emerged from. Because once you filter out all the noise–as preposterous of a task as that may be–something curious happens: By one measure, we’re right back where we started in 2000.

Reuters - Confidence in the euro zone's economy rose for a second consecutive month in February, a survey showed on Tuesday, confirming a wider stabilization across Europe that likely signals only a mild recession this year.

Reuters - Saudi Arabia has raised oil exports and the United States is considering releasing crude from its strategic reserves as oil prices hit nine-month highs on Friday and concerns deepened over Iran's nuclear program.

The Christian Science Monitor - In bad news for drivers and the US economy, on Friday the price of crude oil and gasoline both moved higher.

Reuters - For the first time, more than 30 percent of Americans over 25 have at least a bachelor's degree, the Census Bureau said on Thursday, in figures that showed those with more education fared better during the recession's hefty job cuts.

AP - SHIFTING SANDS: A European Union committee failed to reach a decision on labeling oil sands crude as contributing more to climate change than other crude. The proposal is vigorously opposed by Canada, which has lots of oil sands.

AP - A European Union committee failed Thursday to reach a definite decision on labeling oil derived from oil sands as worse for climate change than crude oil — a proposal vigorously opposed by officials in Canada, where such oil is produced.

Reuters - Could history repeat itself? That is a question uppermost in the minds of many Americans as they warily watch gasoline prices at the pump rise week after week.