Thursday, October 29, 2009 HELSINKI: Finland takes the lead in this year’s ranking of the world’s most prosperous countries announced by the UK-based economic think-tank the Legatum Institute on 27 October. Finland’s position, up from third place in 2008, is due to a variety of factors that include monetary wealth and economic development as well as the level of democratic governance, public health and quality of life. The top three includes two other small liberal democracies, Switzerland and Sweden.According to the Institute’s report, Finland in terms of economic fundamentals, promotion of entrepreneurship and democratic institutions barely makes the top ten. It is in terms of security, education and governance that Finland is superior.As expected, the top 20 is dominated by European countries and North America, with the United States ranking 9th overall. The lowest rungs of the list are heavy with African countries. Afflicted by hyperinflation and nearly 80 per cent unemployment, Zimbabwe has the lowest scores on almost every indicator.The list holds some surprises, too. Despite giant leaps in economic development, China lags behind in the prosperity index, in 75th place. Both China and fellow giant Russia were far below average in overall prosperity, with dismal scores in democratic institutions, personal freedom and safety and security for both countries. The most prosperous countries, according to the Legatum ranking, are not necessarily those with the highest GDP but those that also have happy, healthy and free citizens.The Legatum Institute Prosperity Index was first launched in 2007, and this year included 104 countries.The 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index, published on Tuesday ranked 104 countries that are home to 90% of the world's population."The index is based on a definition of prosperity that combines economic growth with the level of personal freedoms and democracy in a country as well as measures of happiness and quality of life."Finland came out on top this year, up two spots from last year. The nordic country is the ideal place for anyone who values freedom of expression, health, wealth, and prosperity. The Nordic countries held four of the top five slots, with Switzerland holding the second slot. The United States fell this year from the sixth spot to the ninth spot.Top 10 1-Finland2-Switzerland3-Sweden4-Denmark5-Norway6-Australia7-Canada8-Netherlands9-United States 10-New Zealand Bottom 1094-Iran 95-Kenya96-Algeria97-Tanzania98-Nigeria99-Pakistan100-Cameroon101-Central African Republic102-Yemen103-Sudan104-Zimbabwe
BEIRUT: Thousands of people converged Saturday on central Beirut to mark the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Lebanese former premier Rafiq Hariri.Waving Lebanese flags and carrying pictures of the slain leader, men, women and children gathered under sunny skies in Martyr's Square where members of the parliamentary majority were to address the crowd. The rally comes as final preparations are underway in The Hague for the launch of the international tribunal set up to bring Hariri's killers to justice. It also comes as the country prepares for legislative elections in June that will pit Western-backed political parties against a Hezbollah-led alliance backed by Syria and Iran.Hariri died in a massive car bombing on February 14, 2005 that also killed 22 others. The assassination was widely blamed on then Lebanese power-broker Syria, which has denied any involvement. The attack on the Beirut seafront was one of the worst acts of political violence to rock Lebanon since t...
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