A roundup of today's other world news in brief
US becomes world’s ‘most admired country’
NEW YORK – The US is the most admired country globally thanks largely to the star power of US president Barack Obama and his administration, according to a new poll.
It climbed from seventh place last year, ahead of France, Germany, the UK and Japan, which completed the top five nations in the Nation Brand Index (NBI).
“In all my years studying national reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in its standing as we see for the United States for 2009,” said Simon Anholt, founder of NBI, which measures the global image of 50 countries each year.
He said he believed that during the administration of George W Bush the US suffered in the world ranking due to its unpopular foreign policies but since Mr Obama was elected the country’s status had risen.
“There is no other explanation,” he said, referring to the impact of Mr Obama.
The survey, conducted by GFK Roper Public Affairs Media, involved 20,000 people in 20 rich and developing countries.
Canada took the biggest hit, falling to seventh from fourth place, while China climbed several spots to 22nd. – (Reuters)
Emergency decree lifted in Honduras
TEGUCIGALPA – Honduras’s de facto leader Roberto Micheletti has lifted an emergency decree that had suspended some civil liberties and shut two media outlets loyal to ousted president Manuel Zelaya.
Mr Micheletti had come under international pressure to lift the emergency measures as the OAS tries to negotiate an end to a crisis triggered when Mr Zelaya was toppled in June.
Mr Zelaya slipped back into the country two weeks ago and has taken refuge in the Brazilian embassy. – (Reuters)
Merkel to address houses of Congress
BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel will travel to the United States next month and address both houses of Congress. Government spokesman Thomas Steg said Dr Merkel would address Congress on November 3rd after accepting an invitation by House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“It’s a rare honour for foreign guests of state to be able to speak before the Senate and the House of Representatives,”Mr Steg said. “Of Germany’s chancellors, only Konrad Adenauer . . . in May 1957, has had this privilege.” – (Reuters)
Pirates say ransom paid for ship's release
SOMALIA - Somali pirates freed a Turkish ship yesterday after a pirate source said the hijackers received a $1.5 million (€1.02 million) ransom. A regional maritime official confirmed the carrier Horizon-1, which was seized on July 8th, had been released. "We accepted $1.5 million to release the Turkish ship," one of the pirates said. - (Reuters)