UN Names Norway Best Place to Live

Australia and Canada dominate the list

(NEWSER) - Dear readers, we have a question for you: Why don’t you live in Canada or Australia? Because apparently those are the world’s bestest places to live, according to an annual study from the Economist Intelligence Unit , which rates cities from around the world based on factors like political stability, health care, culture, education, and infrastructure. The big news this year is that Melbourne has broken Vancouver’s almost decade-long reign atop the list, the AAP reports. More»

Obama administration will consider trade and diplomatic penalties

(AP) - The US is set to announce possible trade and diplomatic sanctions against Iceland for ramping up its whale hunts despite an international moratorium on commercial whaling. The Obama administration will cite Iceland under a domestic law that allows the president to act against foreign nationals or countries who flout international animal conservation rules, say US officials. After today's announcement, the president has 60 days to decide on sanctions. Sometimes, the threat alone is enough to make targeted countries change their practices. More»

Pressure ramping up to end conflict

(NEWSER) - Fifteen weeks into its Libyan campaign, NATO is getting restless. The eight nations involved in the campaign can’t get the other 20 off the bench, and many seem to disagree on strategy. Norway, whose tiny air force has carried out a disproportionate 10% of the airstrikes, has set an end date for its involvement, while the Dutch defense minister last week complained of “mission creep,” and the Italian foreign minister called for a ceasefire, the LA Times reports. More»

...Norway, says index that considers maternity leave, mortality rates

(NEWSER) - Moms who want the good life should consider heading north. That's because Norway is the best place in the world to be a mother, according to new survey. Why? Norway has great health benefits, an average year-long maternity leave from work, and low child mortality rates, along with a high life expectancy for women (an average 83 years). Iceland and Australia also top the annual "Mother Index" compiled by the Save the Children organization. The US ranks 31st out of 164 countries because it has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among the richest nations, reports AP . More»

Yemen, Congo, Niger among lowest ranking

(NEWSER) - To mark International Women's Day, AoL News takes note of countries that treat their women the worst. The findings are based on a UN index that factors in categories such as jobs, education, political representation, and reproductive health. The worst offenders:

1. Yemen: Its female citizens routinely face "violence and discrimination," says Amnesty International.