But here, too, there is a silver lining: Ireland is a great destination.

WSJ: Best Places to Retire Abroad: Ireland

By refusing to insist on the existence of agreements that just months ago she trumpeted as her great claim to fame, Livni is lining up behind the Obama administration as it seeks to blame the absence of peace in the region on the Netanyahu government's refusal to accept obligations that she herself never accepted.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Livni's loyalties

Sweden's great and good, ignoring traditional political divisions, are lining up to woo a euro-sceptic people.

ECONOMIST: Sweden's euro referendum

If every cloud has a silver lining, then the bright side of the Great Recession may be fewer people dying from on-the-job injuries.

FORBES: America's Deadliest Jobs