Happy Vikings

According to rankings by the United Nations Development Programme, Norway is the best place to live in the world, due to its high literacy, life expectancy, school enrollment, and good economy. It beat its closest rival, Australia, and its Nordic cousin Iceland for the title.

Complete standings and individual profiles of countries, as well as the explanation of the methods used are available on the UNDP page.

Women in the News, etc.

First, some education on Victoria Claflin Woodhill (1838-1927), an uncelebrated women's rights pioneer and the first woman to run for U.S. President in 1872.

In Sudan, a journalist is making the most of her public status to challenge that country's law condemning 'indecent' clothing for women. In her case, 'indecent' means trousers. She faces forty lashes or a high fine for wearing pants in public.

Women are also catching up to men in drinking and DUIs nowadays. The number of DUI arrests is on the rise among women and in decline among men.

Meanwhile, Norway is helping break the glass ceiling by demanding that 40% of boardroom members be women. The corresponding audio is below.