$25K Sundae Comes With Mice, Roaches

It jumps ahead of Tokyo in new rankings

(NEWSER) - A stronger Swiss franc has given residents of Zurich, Switzerland, a distinction they might rather do without: It's now the most expensive city in the world in which to live, according to an Economist survey. It knocked Tokyo out of the top spot:

1. Zurich
2. Tokyo
3. Geneva (tie)
4. Osaka (tie)
5. Oslo
6. Paris
7. Sydney
8. Melbourne
9. Singapore
10. Frankfurt

Anthony Bologna accused of violating protesters' civil rights

(NEWSER) - Two of the women pepper-sprayed in the face by high-ranking NYPD officer Anthony Bologna last fall are taking him to court. The women say Bologna violated their civil rights, and they're seeking unspecified damages, Reuters reports. A YouTube video of the penned-in women being pepper-sprayed received more than 1.5 million hits and helped draw attention to the Occupy Wall Street movement. More»

New York gangsters grab pistols kept in hiding spots

(NEWSER) - Radiators, bushes, and wheel wells are popular. Garbage pails, too. All are handy hiding spots for the so-called "community gun" that New York gang members are turning to in times of need. After shooting someone, the New York Times reports, they kindly put it back. Today's economy might explain the popularity of communal guns—plus “the gangs are younger, and their resources are less,” says a Bronx assistant DA. More»

They want FCC, carriers to put safeguard in place

(NEWSER) - With smartphone robberies soaring, frustrated police are calling for regulators and service providers to shut down stolen phones remotely to reduce their value, reports the Washington Post . About 40% of robberies in Washington in 2011 involved smartphones, iPods, or tablets, while in New York City the figure was nearly 50%. “This is a national issue,” says the DC police chief, noting that the thefts have "clobbered" her department. “We have done all we can at the local level.” More»

They'll be able to summon help in a hurry while in a guest's room

(NEWSER) - The Dominique Strauss-Kahn saga may have resulted in dropped charges , but hotel staff in New York City will soon get little reminders of the case in the form of personal panic buttons, reports the New York Times . As part of a proposed new contract, the city's major hotels will provide housekeepers and waiters with buttons they can press to summon help if they feel endangered in a guest's room. They'll probably be happier with a different provision: one that raises the salary of a typical housekeeper from $46,000 to $60,000 over seven years. More»