Scandinavia Battles Genital Mutilation

Embassy surveillance program may have violated law

(NEWSER) - All five Nordic nations now suspect the US has been using its embassies to spy on their citizens: Iceland has joined Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland in launching a probe into whether American embassies acted illegally by carrying out surveillance of protesters without permission from national authorities, the BBC reports. Top prosecutors in the countries involved believe the embassies may have violated several laws. More»

Fault the Soviets, and other reasons for no medals since 1936

(NEWSER) - Though the Scandinavian nations generally fare well in the Winter Olympics, there’s a gaping hole in their success when it comes to figure skating (no medals since 1936), leading some bloggers to try to figure why. Some theories:

• Blame the Soviets. During the Cold War, the Eastern Bloc sunk untold money and energy into high-profile figure skating, writes Scott Beaulier —totally blotting out the Swedes, Finns, Norwegians, Danes, and Icelanders.

Male procedure just as backward as reviled female version

(NEWSER) - Virtually everyone in the Western world seems to agree that female circumcision is horrible. It greatly reduces sexual pleasure, violates individual autonomy, and provides no discernible health benefits. Well, all that is true of male circumcision, too, writes Ethan Epstein, yet the CDC is considering a plan to “promote routine circumcision” for infant boys. It’s “as degrading as it is illiberal.” More»

Brits, Americans land in top 5 on 'egalitarian index'; Aussies last

(NEWSER) - Swedish men make the best husbands, while Australian men, preferring beer and sports over housework, rank lowest on an “egalitarian index” outlined in a study of 12 developed nations. Domestic roles carry less stigma in egalitarian societies, one researcher tells the Telegraph, “so the likelihood of forming a harmonious household becomes greater.” Norwegian males took second, Britons third and Americans fourth. More»

(NEWSER) - The Institute for Economics and Peace has released its annual list of the world’s most peaceful countries, Bloomberg reports. The index is based on things like "international security" and "tolerant solidarity." New Zealand is No. 1; the US is No. 83. A sampling:

1. New Zealand: A new government and little strife make the island's 4.2 million people the most peaceful in the world.
2. Denmark. Norway is No. 3, and Iceland fell from the top spot to No. 4 due to the banking collapse and subsequent public protests.