The site 24/7 Wall Street has created a list of ten countries where its citizens do not feel safe. Interestingly it is a mix of emerging economies and very poor economies.  It is hard for me to imagine how Honduras or Congo did not make this list!   The site reports:

Some of the nations where residents do not feel safe are among the world’s poorest, including Afghanistan and Madagascar, which were estimated to have among the lowest per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of any nations.

Some of the countries where residents feel the least safe, however, have relatively stable governments and enjoy prospering economies. Among these is South Africa, which is one of the world’s largest emerging economies. Additionally, Botswana has been led for decades by a well-functioning, democratically elected government.

Yet, government stability and prosperity do not necessarily ensure residents feel safe. While Botswana is considered to have among the most stable governments in its region, residents are among the most fearful in the world.

According to Steve Crabtree, senior research analyst at Gallup, as nations develop and their economies grow, “some countries experiencing rapid economic development may have ‘growing pains’ in terms of rising income inequality.” These inequalities, and the sense of injustice they often foster, may contribute to rising crime rates and, as a result, fears of crime.

In any country, one of the most meaningful measures of how safe people feel is the way law enforcement officials are perceived. Of the 10 nations where people feel least safe, four also had the lowest ratings of their police forces. In Bolivia and Chad, 66% and 64%, respectively, of those polled disapproved of the local police, the two worst reviews out of the nations measure

1. Venezuela

- Pct. feel unsafe at night: 74%
- Life expectancy: 74.1 years (76th highest)
- Corruption index: 70.5 (61st lowest)
- GDP per capita: $13,616 (71st highest)

In no country do people feel more unsafe than Venezuela, where the State Department says that kidnappings are a major problem. This includes “express kidnappings,” where victims are kidnapped in order to get quick cash in exchange for release. Other issues common in the country, according to the State Department, include robberies and piracy. Murder is a significant problem in the country as well. According to Venezuela’s interior minister, the country’s murder rate in 2010 was 48 per 100,000 people, while an independent estimate placed the 2011 murder rate at 67 per 100,000 people.

2. South Africa

- Pct. feel unsafe at night: 73%
- Life expectancy: 52.1 years (19th lowest)
- Corruption index: 80.8 (41st highest)
- GDP per capita: $11,375 (81st highest)

Armed robberies, muggings and carjackings are all problems in the South Africa, according to the State Department. Gun violence is a significant problem in the country as well, with more than half of all murders and robberies involving a firearm. There is also distrust of police among many South African residents. According to The Economist, 566 people were killed by police in 2009 and 2010, while another 294 died while in police custody. Although GDP per capita is better in South Africa than in most countries in Africa, in 2009 it had the highest income inequality in the world.

3. Chad

- Pct. feel unsafe at night: 67%
- Life expectancy: 49.5 years (9th lowest)
- Corruption index: 83.9 (25th highest)
- GDP per capita: $1,924 (32nd lowest)

In November 2012, the State Department restated its travel warning for Americans visiting Chad, even as the nation’s war with Sudan ended and active rebel groups now have been disarmed, due in large part to the historical volatility of the region. Because of the potential for sudden outbreaks of violence, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the U.S. embassy forbids unapproved visits to eastern Chad or bordering regions. The nation ranks as one of the world’s least developed, with an average life expectancy of just under 50 years, among the lowest recorded by the World Bank.

4. Botswana

- Pct. feel unsafe at night: 65%
- Life expectancy: 53.0 years (20th lowest)
- Corruption index: 77.1 (58th highest)
- GDP per capita: $16,820 (57th highest)

Botswana is especially stable, with a civilian democratic government that has led the country for more than 40 years and a strong economy that specializes in diamond mining. Demonstrating the strength of the economy, Botswana’s per capita GDP was estimated to be $16,820. This would place the nation among the top third of all countries. Despite these developments, Crabtree told 24/7 Wall St. that rising income inequality may be perceived as an injustice by many residents of developing nations. He added that “under those kinds of pressures, crime rates may rise and the prevailing sense of personal security may drop.” The State Department notes that crime is a serious concern in the country and that home invasions, smash-and-grabs and muggings are “not-uncommon.”

5. Gabon

- Pct. feel unsafe at night: 62%
- Life expectancy: 62.7 years (45th lowest)
- Corruption index: 83.5 (28th highest)
- GDP per capita: $16,548 (58th highest)

Petty crime is common in Gabon, with more violent crimes such as armed robberies taking place in urban areas, the State Department notes. Gabon is considered to be one of the more prosperous countries in Africa due to its “small population, abundant natural resources and considerable foreign support,” according to auditor KPMG. However, much of the country remains poor due to high income inequality. In 2009, Ali Ben Bongo won a disputed election to lead the country. The election was fraught with allegations of voter fraud, as well as violence against members of the opposition party. Political protests have continued since the contested election.

SEE THE REST OF THE TOP TEN BY CLICKING HERE>>>>>

Public Policy Polling has released it monthly national poll on the 2016 Presidential race. Senator Rand Paul has doubled his support from 7% to 14%. The other interesting factor is that Ted Cruz enters the poll with a solid 7%. Congressman Paul Ryan continues to lag behind in fifth place.

The poll shows basically a four way tie for the Republican nomination. Here are the results:

Marco Rubio: 16%

Chris Christie: 15%

Jeb Bush: 15%

Rand Paul: 14%

Paul Ryan: 9%

Ted Cruz: 7%

Rick Santorum: 5%

Bobby Jindal: 3%

Susana Martinez: 1%

Hillary Clinton continues to dominate the Democratic field with 63% of Democrats wanting her to be the nominee. The Vice-President is way back with just 13%.

If both Hillary and the Vice President don't run then the race is wide open. Interestingly, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has steadily risen in the poll and is now at 5% if the 'big two' don't run. She ties with O'Malley and leads Warner. Cuomo has the lead with 25% in that race.

Finally, which Republican gives Hillary the toughest race? Hands down it is Governor Christie. In a match-up:

Hillary Clinton: 47%

Chris Christie: 44%.

For Rubio and Paul, she leads them by 10%! She defeats both of them by 51% to 41%.

There really isn't much anyone can say anymore about the horror. As always, hard working photojournalists have captured this moment as a nation mourns and rallies to help its neighbors in Oklahoma. Click here for more photographs and photographer credits.

A CBS reporter was interviewing an elderly lady who lives alone with her dog. The tornado tore the dog out of her hands and she thought she had lost him for ever. This is a moving tape in the mist of utter devastation.

After surviving initial votes in the House of Commons , a resurgent anti-LGBT movement among Conservatives is placing marriage equality in jeopardy. Prime Minister David Cameron is unrelenting in supporting marriage equality despite over 100 members of his Conservative Party pushing back.

While it is important for the Conservatives to push on with marriage equality, it is equally important that the Labour Party not hurt our chances by being 'too cleaver for their own good'. They must not sit on the sidelines and allow the Prime Minister to twist in the wind on this issue. Labour MP's must speak up and fight hard for marriage equality. Silence is an enemy in this case.

The BBC reports:

Nick Clegg has warned against attempts to "hijack" proposals to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales ahead of key votes in the House of Commons.

Tory critics have tabled an amendment saying heterosexual couples should be allowed to have civil partnerships, if gay couples are allowed to get married.

Ministers say the move, which Labour may back, would delay the whole bill.

Mr Clegg said he backed extending civil partnerships in principle but would not allow the bill to be "derailed".

And Downing Street played down any suggestions the bill would be dropped, saying the government "has a legislative programme and it is getting on with it".

The Marriage Bill was approved by a 225-vote majority when it was last debated by MPs in February, but nearly half of all Tories voted against it and many party activists remain deeply opposed to it in principle.

The legislation returns to the Commons on Monday amid other divisions within the Conservative Party on Europe and attitudes towards the party's grassroots.

David Cameron has said equal marriage would help build a stronger and fairer society, and the bill also has the backing of the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour Leader Ed Miliband.

But according to ministers, reconsidering the status of civil partnerships would delay the introduction of same-sex marriage by two years, as it would prompt a fresh consultation period and possibly have a knock-on effect of adding as much as £4bn to pension liabilities.

MPs get a free vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill because it is considered an issue of conscience.

Tim Loughton is among a group of Tory MPs who will try to amend the bill, with a plan to extend civil partnerships to heterosexual couples.

BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said some in Westminster - including some Tory MPs - were saying the amendment was an attempt to "wreck the bill" because it could delay its passage beyond the 2015 general election.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE>>>>

LGBT Kenyan citizens gathered in Nairobi today to protest conditions in the nation for the their community. Courageously gathering despite a ban by the government, they were immediately limited by the police to the staging area in Freedom Corner of Uhuru Park. 'Out in Kenya" leader Julie Jules said, "Basically the police stopped the procession because we would be seen to be 'promoting homosexuality' ".

Plaza Tower Elementary School

Thousands of homes have been totally destroyed and the death toll has risen to over 50 people including some children at an elementary school. The tornado by size, distance and destructive power is one of the worst to hit the United States. Above is the picture of the Plaza Towers elementary school.

The damage from this mile wide monster tornado is massive. Some long time observers describe it as the worse they have seen. Here is the first clear video of the tornado. It was hard to get clear shots because it was so massive and rain-wrapped.

Warning in second video you can hear people cry for help.  Just click on the second one to start it.

New York University President John Sexton in a message to the entire NYU community soundly has condemned the vicious hate killing that took place in the shadow of NYU. He urged the university community to attend the march and rally this evening (Monday) that begins at 5:30PM at the LGBT Center located at 208 West 13th Street.

Here is President Sexton's entire message:

Dear Friends,

I am saddened to report to you that on Friday night, a 32-year old man was fatally shot on Sixth Ave, near the heart of our campus. That sadness is compounded by a sense of shock and outrage, as the Police Department has indicated the victim was targeted and killed for being gay.

Such a crime is an assault on the values we hold dear as a University community and which we share with our neighborhood: a commitment to the diversity that makes New York City great, and support for members of the LBGTQ community. We stand united with those who reject and condemn the attacks on individuals who are perceived as different or identify as such, and we offer our deepest sympathies to the loved ones and friends of Marc Carson.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and other elected officials and community leaders have organized a rally this evening to denounce hate violence. I am certain many members of the NYU community will wish to join to signal our own community’s longstanding and unwavering commitment to protect and celebrate the diversity. The March will begin at the LGBT Center at 208 West 13th Street at 5:30 pm and conclude with a rally on West 8th Street and 6th Avenue at 6:00 pm.

New York is the safest large city in America, and NYU is in one of its safest neighborhoods. Nonetheless, as shocking and unusual as this crime was, I want to take this opportunity to remind all members of the NYU community to use common sense in your daily activities; to avail yourselves of the round-the clock presence of NYU Public Safety Officers; to make use of the safety resources offered by NYU, including safe rides that will take you to or from any NYU building during nighttime (available by calling (212) 992-VANS (992-8267)); to contact the Wellness Exchange (wellness.exchange@nyu.edu; 212.443.9999) directly or on behalf of a friend if you are having any difficulties coping with the news of this senseless tragedy; and, in the event of an emergency, call 911 or NYU's emergency number, 212.998.2222.

We especially encourage our students to be mindful of the fact that the diversity we all celebrate at NYU remains a contested notion for some, but that we have every right to assert and demand the freedom to be who we are and the protections that go with it.

Be safe and be well.

Sincerely,

John Sexton

Chicago Would Have Been My Sixth Pick

BusinessInsider.com has picked their twenty-five favorite city skylines in the world. The site ranked them with Hong Kong coming in first. Going through the list, I picked my five favorite ones but ordered them differently

Here are my five favorite urban skylines. What are yours?

1. NEW YORK CITY

2. HONG KONG

 3. SINGAPORE

 4. SHANGHAI 

5. CHONGQING

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BUSINESS INSIDER LIST>>>>>