Unhappy hookers

A prostitute with HIV topped Italy's most-unwanted list, following reports that she had unprotected sex with thousands of unwitting johns. Rome was buzzing after the media ran a snapshot of the woman, Giuseppina Barbieri, 49, accompanied by a buyers-beware alert and a call for former clients to get tested for HIV. A hotline set up by police in Ravenna, the hooker's hometown, was clogged with more than 1,000 calls on the first day, as news stories revealed that Barbieri was famous for doing it without a condom. Barbieri, who is under police investigation while being treated for HIV in a Ravenna hospital, has allegedly been positive for two years. Italian AIDS researchers and activists slammed the hooker hysteria, and said customers ought to be responsible enough to don a love glove.

Just southeast of the boot, Israel's Health Ministry is trying to persuade a 70-something, HIV positive prostitute to close shop. Reportedly, the woman sells it for 10 shekels ($2.80), doesn't make clients wear rubbers and does most of her business with teens due to her cheap rates. "We don't know how many people have been infected by her. She is a danger by the minute," said AIDS activist Inon Schenker.