Zimbabwe Makes US Dollar Legal Tender

Steer clear of these dangerous locales

(NEWSER) - If you're jonesing for a trip on the wild side, well, you'd probably still better steer clear of the 10 worst places in the world. Gadling.com rounds up these impoverished and war-stricken locales, and advises avoiding them in 2012:

• Harare, Zimbabwe: This city spiraled into turmoil when inflation surged, eventually hitting 231,150,000% per year in 2008. Unemployment hit 80%, services collapsed, and now most of Harare is in ruins.

Leaders also discuss North Korea

(NEWSER) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing today, and emerged with a number of deals—including one that will marginalize the US dollar in Asia. The countries agreed to promote direct yuan-yen trades, the Wall Street Journal reports; until now, the money has usually been converted to dollars first. Japan will also hold yuan in its typically dollar-dominated foreign-exchange reserves. More»

Police say women using victims' semen for magic

(NEWSER) - A nationwide syndicate of suspected witches is operating in Zimbabwe, kidnapping men and raping them to use their semen in magic rituals—or at least that's what the Zimbabwe police apparently believe, reports the BBC . After a year-long investigation, three women are going on trial today on 17 counts of aggravated assault (there are no provisions in Zimbabwe law for women raping men), after police found them driving around with 31 used condoms in their car. More»

Blame China, droughts for soaring cost of Thanksgiving staple

(NEWSER) - For those who can't face Thanksgiving without pecan pie, you're going to pay dearly for the privilege this year: the price tag on the tasty dessert is up by 22%, reports CNN . Sure, core inflation is a low 2% , but food prices are on the rise, and pecans are up a whopping 57% since 2009, now topping $11 per pound. "There has been a steady price increase in pretty much everything, but the increase this year for pecans was unusual," said a Brooklyn baker. More»

They reportedly assaulted scores of male hitchhikers

(NEWSER) - A late but strong contender for crime story of the week: Police in Zimbabwe say three women sexually assaulted scores of male hitchhikers over the last two years, apparently so they could collect semen in condoms for religious rituals, reports CNN . The trio, in their 20s, were arrested after a car accident when police found 33 used condoms in their vehicle. More»