Rising Temperature

Denmark
Colombia
Tanzania
Mexico
Martinique
Dominican Republic
Spain

Miss Earth 2009 National Costumes

Philippines

Puerto Rico

Samoa

Slovak Republic

Some of Miss Earth 2009 National Costumes

Spain

Sudan

Taiwan

USA

Venezuela

Some of Miss Earth 2009 National Costumes

Miss Earth 2009 Coverage: Special Awards

Best in National Costume
The National Costume competition of Miss Earth 2009 was held in the afternoon of November 4, 2009 at the Amazing Theater at Pasay City, Philippines. 80 countries paraded their unique national costumes that best represent their respective countries.Some delegates have gestures and body expressions to symbolise and define their native costumes. At the end of the competition, Miss Tanzania, Evelyn Amasi bagged the coveted Best in National Costume award. Other special minor awards given by sponsors that day were Miss Placenta Award to Miss Puerto Rico, Dignelis Jimenez and Miss PASIGandahan award to Miss Guam, Maria Luisa Santos.

Miss Earth 2009 Coverage: Special Awards

Best in Evening Gown, Photogenic and Congeniality Awards
Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert bagged the award for the Best in Long Gown in the Miss Earth 2009 in an event held at PAGCOR Grand Theatre last November 16, 2009. Miss Photogenic was awarded to Miss Czech Republic. Miss Congeniality went to Miss Switzerland . The special awards have no bearing in the selections of the top 18 finalists.

Miss Earth 2009 Coverage: Special Awards

Best in Swimsuit Miss Earth 2009 Best in Swimsuit Final Competition was held last November 15, 2009 at Fontana Leisure Park and Casino in Clark, Pampanga. Miss Philippines, Sandra Ines Seifert was adjudged the Best in Swimsuit out of 15 finalists. Here is the lists of 15 swimsuit finalist: Brazil, Larissa Ramos
Canada, Lateesha Ector
Colombia, Alejandra Castillo
Cuba, Jamillette Gaxiola
France, Magalie Thierry
Hungary, Korinna Kocsis
Malaysia, Madelyne Nandu
Mexico, Natalia Quiñones
Paraguay, Gabriela Rejala
Philippines, Sandra Seifert
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria
Switzerland, Graziella Rogers
Turks & Caicos, Alison Capron
USA, Amy Diaz
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza

Take note: This and other special competitions held at different venues has no bearing to the judging of the top 18 semi finalists comes finals night on November 22, 2009 at Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Centre in Boracay Island Malay, Aklan,Philippines. The top 18 will be judged on their natural bearing and sophistication in swimsuit and evening gown, character and personality and preliminary interview.

Miss Earth

Miss Earth is an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness. Along with Miss Universe and Miss World contests, Miss Earth is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of national-level competitions to participate in the world finals. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote environmental projects and to address issues concerning the environment.
In 2006, the Miss Earth pageant started to cohost the United Nations Environment Programme's Champions of the Earth, an annual international environment awards established in 2005 by the United Nations to recognize outstanding environmental achievers and leaders at a policy level.


History


Carousel Productions organized and launched the first Miss Earth beauty pageant in 2001. It is intended to actively promote the preservation of the environment.
Those who participate in the pageant are involved with environmental causes. The pageant winner is expected to become involved with international environmental projects. These projects are also promoted during the pageant's broadcast. The delegates also take part in tree planting ceremonies, environmental and cultural immersion programs, sponsor visits and tours.
In 2003, Miss Earth adopted the slogan "Beauties For a Cause".In 2004, the Miss Earth Foundation was created to further the pageant's environmental cause and to work with the local and international groups and non-governmental organizations that are actively involved in conservation and improvement of the environment. The Miss Earth Foundation campaign focuses in educating the youth in environmental awareness. Its major project “I Love Planet Earth School Tour," teaches and distributes educational aides for school children.
The Miss Earth pageant has grown over the years, with an increasing number of countries participating each year. The number of national Miss Earth pageants has grown on every continent as well.
In 2006, the host country Chile failed to meet the requirements of the host committee; the pageant was moved back to the Philippines.
Since it began the pageant has been held annually in the Philippines, either October or November, and televised nationwide via ABS-CBN with international delayed telecasts in more than 80 countries via STAR TV and The Filipino Channel.
The Miss Earth winner is the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other environmental organizations.


Eco-fashion design competition


On November 4, 2008, the first Miss Earth Eco-Fashion Design Competition was launched by the Miss Earth Foundation as an annual event for professional and non-professional fashion designers to come up with designs that are eco-friendly. The outfit designs are made from recyclable, natural materials, organic materials, and eco-chic designs or patterns that can be worn in everyday life or are runway worthy.


Contestants


Miss Earth gained the attention of worldwide press in 2003 after Vida Samadzai, an Afghan woman, now residing in the United States, competed in a red bikini.Samadzai was the first Afghan woman to compete in an international beauty pageant in almost three decades, but the fact that she wore a bikini caused an uproar in her native country.
Miss Earth also made headlines in 2005 when a Pakistani beauty queen, Naomi Zaman, a Miss Pakistan World winner participated for the first time. She is the first delegate from Pakistan to compete in any major international pageants. Beauty pageants are frowned-upon in Pakistan.
Likewise, Miss Earth Tibet 2006, Tsering Chungtak, the first Tibetan who represented Tibet in any major international beauty pageants made headlines. Aside from her environmental cause, she raised international attention regarding the Tibetan struggle for freedom. She also advocated for the boundaries of acceptable social etiquette towards modernity, in a traditionally conservative Tibetan culture, where most grown women wear ankle-length dresses. Nevertheless, her participation in the pageant received an approval from the Dalai Lama.She made more headlines in December 2007, when she withdrew her participation in the Miss Tourism contest, a minor international beauty pageant held in Malaysia, after organizers reacted to pressure from Beijing and asked her to add "China" to her "Miss Tibet" title by wearing a sash labeled "Miss Tibet-China".
In 2007, Carousel Productions licensed the Miss Cuba organization to select the first Cuban representative to Miss Earth. Ariana Barouk won and became the first Miss Cuba in several decades and competed at the Miss Earth Pageant in which she drew in global publicity.Also in 2007, Miss Earth made history when delegates from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Tibet competed altogether for the first time in any international pageant notwithstanding its international conflict.
In 2008, the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, one of the world's most isolated nations,sent its first Miss Bhutan, Tsokye Tsomo Karchun.Rwanda also sent its first ever Miss Rwanda national winner, Cynthia Akazuba following a month after Rwanda became the first country in history to elect a national legislature in which a majority of members were women in September 2008,[39] both of them competed at the Miss Earth 2008 pageant.



Location



The pageant has been held in the Philippines every year since 2001. Miss Earth 2006 was scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile on November 15, but organizational problems forced the pageant to move back to the Philippines.
The 8th Miss Earth pageant finale was held for the first time outside the Metropolitan Manila at the Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga on November 9, 2008. Prior to the finals night, the candidates were toured to various destinations in the Philippines. Twenty-two year-old Karla Henry of the host country beat 84 other candidates.



Pageant system

Since the Miss Earth pageant has an environmental cause, it is primarily looking for young women who will stand for the protection and preservation of the planet. These women are pageant winners or chosen by national Miss Earth directors from different nations.
On national level competitions, the Miss Earth's cause is carried out to assure that each of the participating candidates are not just physically beautiful, but environmentally knowledgeable. As soon as the national winners are chosen, they will be subject to evaluation by the pageant organizer.
During the pre-finals weeks, the candidates are evaluated on each activity and event they have. Preliminary swimsuit and evening gown competitions also take place. In the pre-judging session, the delegates face the panel of judges for an interview in their simplest look (without make-up), where they speak of their environmental platform and personal thoughts.
As soon as the preliminary activities and interview are completed, the judges and the executive staff will select sixteen candidates who will comprise the group of semi-finalists.

During the live finals, the sixteen (16) semi-finalists will be announced. All previous scores will be disregarded and thereafter compete in the swimsuit round. The top eight (8) scorers in swimsuit will move on the next level of competition. The final eight (8) portion will have interview and evening gown competition components. The scores from these two (2) events will be averaged and the four (4) highest scorers will continue with the last competition - the final interview.
In the final interview, all four finalists will answer one environmental question, the candidates will be assessed based on the judges over-all impression on the candidate to determine the final ranking.

If in case the Miss Earth winner can no longer fulfill her duties and obligations as titleholder, the 1st runner-up will be the one who will take-over the title.



Titles and semi-finalists


In the early years of the pageant, from 2001 to 2003, ten (10) semi-finalists were chosen at Miss Earth. From 2004 and onwards, sixteen (16) semi-finalists are chosen. Semi-finalists are cut to eight (8) finalists, then to the final four (4) from which the runners-up and winner are announced.

The winner of the pageant is bestowed the title Miss Earth; her runners-up are also given titles named after the other natural elements: Miss Fire (equivalent to third runner-up), Miss Water (second runner-up), and Miss Air (first runner-up). Miss Earth is the only one of the "Big Four" pageants which have individual titles for the runners-up.



Crown and jewelry

New crown

In the 9th edition of the pageant, Miss Earth will unveil a new crown, which will be worn by the winner of Miss Earth 2009 with the preservation of the planet Earth as its primary consideration. The crown was designed by an environmentalist jewelry designer, Ramona Haar, the official jeweller of the Miss Earth pageant.

The new crown is made of 100% recycled precious metals comprising of 14kt gold and argentums sterling silver. What sets the Miss Earth crown apart is the fact that the gemstones used both precious stone and semiprecious stone were donations from over 80 different participating countries. These are gemstones that each country is known for either as the origin or source. The gemstones were sent in various forms: faceted, cabochons, beads or rough. The designer travelled to Jaipur, India to have these gemstones individually trimmed and faceted to the required cut and sizes.

The flower in the center of the crown represents Mother Earth, as inspired by the statement of an American poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson's "The earth laughs in flowers." The recurring spiral motif has always been associated with "maternal power" and "feminine prestige" which is the essence of Miss Earth. The gentle curves in the crown symbolize "unity" and the "spirit of cooperation."

Old crown

The Miss Earth crown used in 2001 and the swarovski crown in 2002-2008 were designed and created by a multi-awarded Filipino designer named Arnel Papa. The crown's frame from 2002-2008 was made up of sterling silver while clear swarovski and pearls composed the embellishments. Red and blue swarovski pearls were additional ornaments.

Jewelry

Starting 2008, Miss Earth winners are bestowed with a special set of jewelry designed and created by Ramona Haar Fine Jewelry, a Florida-based jeweller. The jewelry for Miss Earth winner is amounting to US$ 25,000, while Miss Earth-Fire, Miss Earth-Water, and Miss Earth-Air are amounting to US$ 10,000 each set. The designs symbolize the categories that each winner represents:

* Miss Earth necklace and earrings set has a floral and butterfly motif made of 14 karat yellow and white gold. The colored gemstones used are multishaped peridot, amethyst, blue topaz, rhodolite, citrine, multicolor tourmaline, and diamonds. Colored stones total weight is 56 carat and diamonds is 3.0ctw. total weight of gold is 96.6 grams. Necklace length is 17 inches and 3 inches extension chain.

* Miss Earth Air necklace and earrings set has billowy feathers as its motif. It is made of 14 karat yellow and white gold. It is decorated with colored gemstones and diamonds. The colored gemstones used are yellow and golden citrine with a total weight of 31.0 carats. The diamond total weight is 1.0 ctw. 14k gold total weight is 65 grams. The necklace is 17 inches long with additional 3 inches of extension chain.

* Miss Earth Water necklace and earrings set has graceful waves and fish as its motif. It is made of 14 karat yellow and white gold. It is decorated with colored gemstones and diamonds. The colored gemstones used are blue topaz and blue sapphire with a total weight of 63.0 carats. The diamond total weight is 2.0 ctw. 14k gold total weight is 78 grams. The necklace is 17 inches long with additional 3 inches of extension chain.

* Miss Earth Fire necklace and earrings set has a fireworks motif as its center pendant. It is made of 14 karat yellow and white gold. It is decorated with colored gemstones, diamonds and intricate texturing. The colored gemstones used are rhodolite, citrine, and Malaysian jade with a total weight of 27.50 carats. The diamond total weight is 3.5 ctw. 14 karat gold total weight is 87.8 grams. The necklace is 17 inches long with additional 3 inches of extension chain.

The four winners also receive a medallion necklace as part of their prizes. These medallions stand for the four elements that the winners represent. The designs for the medallions are different each year and will feature endangered species of Mother Earth's flora and fauna.


Special awards


* Venezuela is the most successful in Swimsuit awards: Alexandra Braun in 2005, Marianne Puglia in 2006 and Silvana Santaella in 2007.

* Venezuela is also the most successful in Long Gown awards: Silvana Santaella in 2007 and Daniela Torrealba in 2008.

* The Philippines has the most Miss Photogenic awards: April Rose Perez in 2002, Jeanne Angeles Harn in 2007, and Karla Henry in 2008.

* There are 2 countries have won twice Best National Costume awards:
o Korea: Jin-Ah Lee in 2002 and Hie Mi Yoo in 2005 .
o Panama: Jessica Barrios in 2003 and Shassia Ubillus in 2008.

* Bosnia & Herzegovina has two Miss Talent awards: Džejla Glavović in 2002 and Mirela Bulbulija in 2004.

* Only one Miss Friendship has gone on place in the pageant: Amale Al Khoder (Lebanon, 2007).

* Only one Miss Earth winner was awarded Miss Talent: Džejla Glavović (Bosnia & Herzegovina, 2002).

* Two Miss Earth winners were awarded Miss Photogenic: Priscilla Meirelles (Brazil, 2004) and Karla Paula Henry (Philippines, 2008)

* Miss Venezuela 2007, Silvana Santaella won 4 awards: Best in Long Gown, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Psalmstre Placenta and Gandang Ricky Reyes Award.

* Miss Philippines 2008, Karla Henry won five special major and minor awards: Miss Earth Designers Award, Miss Photogenic, Eagle Express Award, Miss Fontana, Pasigandahan Awards (for Manila). Currently, she's the only winner who received the most awards in the history of Miss Earth Beauty Pageant.


Trivia


* Miss Earth 2001, Catharina Svensson of Denmark is the first Caucasian winner of the pageant.

* Miss Earth 2002, Džejla Glavović is the first woman from Bosnia & Herzegovina to win a major beauty title for her country. She is also the first Miss Earth to be dethroned, for failing to fulfill her duties.

* Miss Earth 2002, Winfred Omwakwe of Kenya became the first African and black winner of the pageant after the original winner from Bosnia & Herzegovina was dethroned.

* Miss Earth 2003, Dania Prince of Honduras is the first Central American and Latin to capture the Miss Earth crown.

* Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Meirelles is the first Miss Earth Winner to host the Miss Earth Competition in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

* Miss Earth 2008, Karla Henry of the Philippines is the first Asian to win the Miss Earth crown.

* Miss Afghanistan 2003 Vida Samadzai was the first candidate of Miss Earth to win the special award Beauty for a Cause. She helped in establishing a US-based women's charity that seeks to raise awareness of women's rights and education in Afghanistan. Miss South Africa, Montjane was the second candidate to win the special award.

* In 2007 edition, two (2) countries hosted the pageant. Vietnam co-hosted some of the pageant activities; other activities up to the finals were done in its home base, the Philippines.

* In the history, only one woman has competed at all four major international pageants. She is Cynthia Kanema of Zambia who competed at Miss World 2003, Miss International 2004, Miss Universe 2005, and Miss Earth 2005. She was unplaced at all four pageants.

* Denmark won its first major beauty title in history when Catharina Svensson won Miss Earth in 2001.

* Bosnia & Herzegovina won its first major beauty title in history when Džejla Glavović won Miss Earth in 2002.

* Kenya also claimed its first major title when Winfred Omwakwe assumed the position of Miss Earth 2002.

* When Priscilla Meirelles won the title in 2004, Brazil became the first country to have a winner in all four major international pageants. The following year, Alexandra Braun completed the grand slam for Venezuela.

Miss World 2009 The Reign of Supreme Favorites 1 - 5

1. Philippines - Marie Ann Umali
2. Martinique - Ingrid Littre
3. Italy - Alice Taticchi
4. Mexico - Perla Beltran
5. Netherlands - Avalon Chanel Weyzig

Miss World 2009 Pre Arrival Favorites 6 - 10

6. Venezuela - Maria Milagros Veliz
7. Brazil - Luciana Bertolini
8. Egypt - Samah Shalaby
9. England - Katrina Hodge
10. Guatemala - Alida Boer

Miss World 2009 Pre Arrival Favorites 11 - 15

11. France - Chloe Mortaud
12. Jamaica - Kerrie Baylis
13. Latvia - Ieva Lase
14. Namibia - Happie Ntelamo
15. Portugal - Marta Cadilha

Miss World 2009 Pre Arrival Favorites 16 - 20

16. Barbados - Leah Marville
17. United States Lisa Marie Kohrs
18. Serbia - Jelena Markovic
19. South Africa - Tatum Keshwar
20. Spain - Carmen Garcia

Miss World 2009 Pre Arrival Favorites 21 - 25

21. Denmark - Nadia Pederson
22. Paraguay - Tamara Sosa
23. Turkey - Ebru Sam
24. Puerto Rico - Jennifer Colon
25.Ukraine - Evgeniya Tulchevska

World's Least and Most Corrupt Countries 2009 Table of Countries Performance

This table shows each countries fare in battling against corruption. You can view the index table of Transparency International on this site:

http://transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2009/cpi_2009_table



Rank


Country/Territory


CPI 2009 Score


Surveys Used


Confidence Range

1


New Zealand


9.4


6


9.1 - 9.5

2


Denmark


9.3


6


9.1 - 9.5

3


Singapore


9.2


9


9.0 - 9.4

3


Sweden


9.2


6


9.0 - 9.3

5


Switzerland


9.0


6


8.9 - 9.1

6


Finland


8.9


6


8.4 - 9.4

6


Netherlands


8.9


6


8.7 - 9.0

8


Australia


8.7


8


8.3 - 9.0

8


Canada


8.7


6


8.5 - 9.0

8


Iceland


8.7


4


7.5 - 9.4

11


Norway


8.6


6


8.2 - 9.1

12


Hong Kong


8.2


8


7.9 - 8.5

12


Luxembourg


8.2


6


7.6 - 8.8

14


Germany


8.0


6


7.7 - 8.3

14


Ireland


8.0


6


7.8 - 8.4

16


Austria


7.9


6


7.4 - 8.3

17


Japan


7.7


8


7.4 - 8.0

17


United Kingdom


7.7


6


7.3 - 8.2

19


United States


7.5


8


6.9 - 8.0

20


Barbados


7.4


4


6.6 - 8.2

21


Belgium


7.1


6


6.9 - 7.3

22


Qatar


7.0


6


5.8 - 8.1

22


Saint Lucia


7.0


3


6.7 - 7.5

24


France


6.9


6


6.5 - 7.3

25


Chile


6.7


7


6.5 - 6.9

25


Uruguay


6.7


5


6.4 - 7.1

27


Cyprus


6.6


4


6.1 - 7.1

27


Estonia


6.6


8


6.1 - 6.9

27


Slovenia


6.6


8


6.3 - 6.9

30


United Arab Emirates


6.5


5


5.5 - 7.5

31


Saint Vincent and the Grenadines


6.4


3


4.9 - 7.5

32


Israel


6.1


6


5.4 - 6.7

32


Spain


6.1


6


5.5 - 6.6

34


Dominica


5.9


3


4.9 - 6.7

35


Portugal


5.8


6


5.5 - 6.2

35


Puerto Rico


5.8


4


5.2 - 6.3

37


Botswana


5.6


6


5.1 - 6.3

37


Taiwan


5.6


9


5.4 - 5.9

39


Brunei Darussalam


5.5


4


4.7 - 6.4

39


Oman


5.5


5


4.4 - 6.5

39


Korea (South)


5.5


9


5.3 - 5.7

42


Mauritius


5.4


6


5.0 - 5.9

43


Costa Rica


5.3


5


4.7 - 5.9

43


Macau


5.3


3


3.3 - 6.9

45


Malta


5.2


4


4.0 - 6.2

46


Bahrain


5.1


5


4.2 - 5.8

46


Cape Verde


5.1


3


3.3 - 7.0

46


Hungary


5.1


8


4.6 - 5.7

49


Bhutan


5.0


4


4.3 - 5.6

49


Jordan


5.0


7


3.9 - 6.1

49


Poland


5.0


8


4.5 - 5.5

52


Czech Republic


4.9


8


4.3 - 5.6

52


Lithuania


4.9


8


4.4 - 5.4

54


Seychelles


4.8


3


3.0 - 6.7

55


South Africa


4.7


8


4.3 - 4.9

56


Latvia


4.5


6


4.1 - 4.9

56


Malaysia


4.5


9


4.0 - 5.1

56


Namibia


4.5


6


3.9 - 5.1

56


Samoa


4.5


3


3.3 - 5.3

56


Slovakia


4.5


8


4.1 - 4.9

61


Cuba


4.4


3


3.5 - 5.1

61


Turkey


4.4


7


3.9 - 4.9

63


Italy


4.3


6


3.8 - 4.9

63


Saudi Arabia


4.3


5


3.1 - 5.3

65


Tunisia


4.2


6


3.0 - 5.5

66


Croatia


4.1


8


3.7 - 4.5

66


Georgia


4.1


7


3.4 - 4.7

66


Kuwait


4.1


5


3.2 - 5.1

69


Ghana


3.9


7


3.2 - 4.6

69


Montenegro


3.9


5


3.5 - 4.4

71


Bulgaria


3.8


8


3.2 - 4.5

71


FYR Macedonia


3.8


6


3.4 - 4.2

71


Greece


3.8


6


3.2 - 4.3

71


Romania


3.8


8


3.2 - 4.3

75


Brazil


3.7


7


3.3 - 4.3

75


Colombia


3.7


7


3.1 - 4.3

75


Peru


3.7


7


3.4 - 4.1

75


Suriname


3.7


3


3.0 - 4.7

79


Burkina Faso


3.6


7


2.8 - 4.4

79


China


3.6


9


3.0 - 4.2

79


Swaziland


3.6


3


3.0 - 4.7

79


Trinidad and Tobago


3.6


4


3.0 - 4.3

83


Serbia


3.5


6


3.3 - 3.9

84


El Salvador


3.4


5


3.0 - 3.8

84


Guatemala


3.4


5


3.0 - 3.9

84


India


3.4


10


3.2 - 3.6

84


Panama


3.4


5


3.1 - 3.7

84


Thailand


3.4


9


3.0 - 3.8

89


Lesotho


3.3


6


2.8 - 3.8

89


Malawi


3.3


7


2.7 - 3.9

89


Mexico


3.3


7


3.2 - 3.5

89


Moldova


3.3


6


2.7 - 4.0

89


Morocco


3.3


6


2.8 - 3.9

89


Rwanda


3.3


4


2.9 - 3.7

95


Albania


3.2


6


3.0 - 3.3

95


Vanuatu


3.2


3


2.3 - 4.7

97


Liberia


3.1


3


1.9 - 3.8

97


Sri Lanka


3.1


7


2.8 - 3.4

99


Bosnia and Herzegovina


3.0


7


2.6 - 3.4

99


Dominican Republic


3.0


5


2.9 - 3.2

99


Jamaica


3.0


5


2.8 - 3.3

99


Madagascar


3.0


7


2.8 - 3.2

99


Senegal


3.0


7


2.5 - 3.6

99


Tonga


3.0


3


2.6 - 3.3

99


Zambia


3.0


7


2.8 - 3.2

106


Argentina


2.9


7


2.6 - 3.1

106


Benin


2.9


6


2.3 - 3.4

106


Gabon


2.9


3


2.6 - 3.1

106


Gambia


2.9


5


1.6 - 4.0

106


Niger


2.9


5


2.7 - 3.0

111


Algeria


2.8


6


2.5 - 3.1

111


Djibouti


2.8


4


2.3 - 3.2

111


Egypt


2.8


6


2.6 - 3.1

111


Indonesia


2.8


9


2.4 - 3.2

111


Kiribati


2.8


3


2.3 - 3.3

111


Mali


2.8


6


2.4 - 3.2

111


Sao Tome and Principe


2.8


3


2.4 - 3.3

111


Solomon Islands


2.8


3


2.3 - 3.3

111


Togo


2.8


5


1.9 - 3.9

120


Armenia


2.7


7


2.6 - 2.8

120


Bolivia


2.7


6


2.4 - 3.1

120


Ethiopia


2.7


7


2.4 - 2.9

120


Kazakhstan


2.7


7


2.1 - 3.3

120


Mongolia


2.7


7


2.4 - 3.0

120


Vietnam


2.7


9


2.4 - 3.1

126


Eritrea


2.6


4


1.6 - 3.8

126


Guyana


2.6


4


2.5 - 2.7

126


Syria


2.6


5


2.2 - 2.9

126


Tanzania


2.6


7


2.4 - 2.9

130


Honduras


2.5


6


2.2 - 2.8

130


Lebanon


2.5


3


1.9 - 3.1

130


Libya


2.5


6


2.2 - 2.8

130


Maldives


2.5


4


1.8 - 3.2

130


Mauritania


2.5


7


2.0 - 3.3

130


Mozambique


2.5


7


2.3 - 2.8

130


Nicaragua


2.5


6


2.3 - 2.7

130


Nigeria


2.5


7


2.2 - 2.7

130


Uganda


2.5


7


2.1 - 2.8

139


Bangladesh


2.4


7


2.0 - 2.8

139


Belarus


2.4


4


2.0 - 2.8

139


Pakistan


2.4


7


2.1 - 2.7

139


Philippines


2.4


9


2.1 - 2.7

143


Azerbaijan


2.3


7


2.0 - 2.6

143


Comoros


2.3


3


1.6 - 3.3

143


Nepal


2.3


6


2.0 - 2.6

146


Cameroon


2.2


7


1.9 - 2.6

146


Ecuador


2.2


5


2.0 - 2.5

146


Kenya


2.2


7


1.9 - 2.5

146


Russia


2.2


8


1.9 - 2.4

146


Sierra Leone


2.2


5


1.9 - 2.4

146


Timor-Leste


2.2


5


1.8 - 2.6

146


Ukraine


2.2


8


2.0 - 2.6

146


Zimbabwe


2.2


7


1.7 - 2.8

154


Côte d´Ivoire


2.1


7


1.8 - 2.4

154


Papua New Guinea


2.1


5


1.7 - 2.5

154


Paraguay


2.1


5


1.7 - 2.5

154


Yemen


2.1


4


1.6 - 2.5

158


Cambodia


2.0


8


1.8 - 2.2

158


Central African Republic


2.0


4


1.9 - 2.2

158


Laos


2.0


4


1.6 - 2.6

158


Tajikistan


2.0


8


1.6 - 2.5

162


Angola


1.9


5


1.8 - 1.9

162


Congo Brazzaville


1.9


5


1.6 - 2.1

162


Democratic Republic of Congo


1.9


5


1.7 - 2.1

162


Guinea-Bissau


1.9


3


1.8 - 2.0

162


Kyrgyzstan


1.9


7


1.8 - 2.1

162


Venezuela


1.9


7


1.8 - 2.0

168


Burundi


1.8


6


1.6 - 2.0

168


Equatorial Guinea


1.8


3


1.6 - 1.9

168


Guinea


1.8


5


1.7 - 1.8

168


Haiti


1.8


3


1.4 - 2.3

168


Iran


1.8


3


1.7 - 1.9

168


Turkmenistan


1.8


4


1.7 - 1.9

174


Uzbekistan


1.7


6


1.5 - 1.8

175


Chad


1.6


6


1.5 - 1.7

176


Iraq


1.5


3


1.2 - 1.8

176


Sudan


1.5


5


1.4 - 1.7

178


Myanmar


1.4


3


0.9 - 1.8

179


Afghanistan


1.3


4


1.0 - 1.5

180


Somalia


1.1


3


0.9 - 1.4

World's Least and Most Corrupt Countries 2009 Infographic Map

http://media.transparency.org/imaps/cpi2009/


This is the info graphic map released by Transparency International to indicate how each country performs in the fight against corruption

World's Least and Most Corrupt Countries 2009

Berlin - Transparency International releases the 2009 edition of its signature study of international corruption--this time with infographics.

Transparency International has just released its 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index, the preeminent, annual study of governmental corruption levels around the world.

This time, they've added a nice little interactive map--not much too it, besides the fact that mousing over the country gives you the numeric value. But it does give you a great indication of what countries do well, relative to their neighbors and what countries are basically sinkholes of graft and fraud. For example, Uruguay and Botswana do far better than the countries around them--no wonder that Botswana in particular is a prime example of economic development that works.

The CPI is a survey of surveys, which combines indexes found in 13 feeder studies with the expertise of academics who follow these issues. (Experts are polled on questions like how well a country's courts work, and the effectiveness of its watch dog agencies.)

If your new to the study, the most surprising thing will be how poorly the U.S. does, relative to its first world peers. We're basically just a shade above some pretty dicey governments. The reasons are complex, but you can point to the influence of lobbying on our lawmaking and the ongoing controversy over how we've prosecuted the war on terror, among other things.

Afghanistan has slipped three places to become the world's second most-corrupt country despite billions in aid meant to bolster the government against a rising insurgency, according to an annual survey of perceived levels of corruption.

Only lawless Somalia, whose weak U.N.-backed government controls just a few blocks of the capital, was perceived as more corrupt than Afghanistan in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

Iraq saw some improvement, rising to 176 of 180 countries, up two places up from last year. Singapore, Denmark and New Zealand were seen as the least corrupt countries in the list based on surveys of businesses and experts.

In Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai's inability or unwillingness to tackle cronyism and bribery the past five years have resulted in an increase of support for the Taliban insurgents. That has prompted calls by the Obama administration for Karzai to tackle the practice or risk forfeiting U.S. aid.

Since 2001, the U.S. Congress has appropriated more than $39 billion in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for Afghanistan, according to a report by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. European nations send about 1 billion euros ($1.49 billion) a year, a total of 9 billion euros since 2002.

International donors are increasingly questioning how much of the billions of dollars in aid might have been misappropriated.

The report said examples of Afghan corruption ranged from the sale of government positions to daily bribes for basic services.

Karzai unveiled an anti-corruption unit and major crime fighting force on Monday after heavy pressure from Washington.

In reaction to the report, Ershad Ahmadi, the deputy director general of the High Office of Oversight and Anti-corruption in Afghanistan, said that "corruption is a phenomenon that will not go away overnight. It is a problem that will continue to be with Afghanistan for a long time.

"Until we achieve that sort of national awakening that business as usual is not in the interest of a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, you will not be able to achieve success in your anti-corruption campaign," Ahmadi said.

Robin Hodess, Transparency's director of policy and research, said Tuesday that for a country to improve on the corruption perceptions index, it is imperative that "citizens believe that they have a government that works for them."

The governments have to show "that there is the political will to respond to the needs of the people," Hodess said.

In Iraq, corruption has become widespread since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003 with scarcity of serious government measures against corrupted officials.

That has undermined the largest nation-building efforts with siphoning billions of dollars away from the country's struggling economy, increasing frustrations among Iraqis mainly over corruption, lingering violence and poor public services.

A Bertelsmann Foundation report used in the corruption index noted that in Iraq "non-security institutions remain weak and debilitated. The Iraqi leadership faces many structural constraints on governance, such as a massive brain drain, a high level of political division, and extreme poverty."

The United States, which was in 19th place compared with 18th last year, remained stable despite Transparency's concerns over a lack of government oversight of the financial sector.

The report also pointed out that the U.S. legislature is another reason for concern, as it is "perceived to be the institution most affected by corruption."

There were some bright spots in the new report — Bangladesh, Belarus, Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland and Syria were among the countries that improved the most.

My Sims 3 first birthday video

List of Famous Gays, Lesbians Bisexual and Transgender

Here is a partial list of famous gays (both living and dead). Famous people who are simply rumored to be gay, lesbian or bisexual, are not listed.
The high prevalence of people from the West on this list may be due to societal attitudes toward homosexuality. The Pew Research Center's 2003 Global Attitudes Survey found that "[p]eople in Africa and the Middle East strongly object to societal acceptance of homosexuality. But there is far greater tolerance for homosexuality in major Latin American countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. Opinion in Europe is split between West and East. Majorities in every Western European nation surveyed say homosexuality should be accepted by society, while most Russians, Poles and Ukrainians disagree. Americans are divided–a narrow majority (51 percent) believes homosexuality should be accepted, while 42 percent disagree."

Legends: G - Gay L - Lesbian B - Bisexual T - Transgender


A



Leroy F. Aarons 1933-2004 American Journalist G
Louise Abbéma 1858-1927 French Painter, designer L
Berenice Abbott 1898-1991 American Photographer L
Boy Abunda b. 1955 Filipino Journalist G
Peter Ackroyd b. 1949 English Author G
Jane Addams 1860-1935 American Social reformer, Nobel prize winner L
Clay Aiken b. 1978 American Singer, songwriter, American Idol runner-up G
Alvin Ailey 1931-1989 American Dancer, choreographer G
Alexander the Great 356-323 BC Greek King and conquerer B
Chad Allen b. 1974 American Actor, gay activist G
Ted Allen b. 1965 American Food and wine connoisseur G
Pedro Almodóvar b. 1949 Spanish Filmmaker G
Antinous 110-130 Greek Beloved of Roman Emperor Hadrian G
Billie Joe Armstrong b. 1972 American Rock musician (Green Day) B



B


Lisa B b. ? Canadian Poet B
Jamie Babbit b. 1970 American Film and television director L
Babydaddy b. 1976 American Rock musician G

Quote of the Day

"You are the making of your own sufferings. If you choose to be happy then you will find it, and if you seek evil, expect misfortune and evil to come."

Come To Think Of This!

Could you imagine how the Filipinos treat Manny Pacquiao because of his wealth? He is given top priority and job and even have a media coverage and sensation on occasions like his birthday, his baby baptismal, his mum's birthday, and all other occasions involve with the family . They are all after Pacquiao's success and wealth.

Chris Brown and Rihanna Unsettled Business

Whats wrong with these two feuding and battering couple. With a blink of an eye the meteoric rise is as fast as the falling star when their fame sharply and steeply fell because of a romantic bickering. It would be a loss and a sad event for the fans since these two young artist (at their 20s) are promising big stars who can throw you hits after hits of rnb music to the taste and delight of its fans. Settlement of dispute and forgiveness and move on is the solution before its too late. We are still hoping they can redeem their battered image in the public and start anew since they already proved their worth in the limelight. Keep shining Rihanna and Chris Brown