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Cambridge Students Disciplined For Cruel Prank On Public School Applicants

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jesus college chapel court cambridgeIt is a Cambridge college anxious to show it is open to the brightest from all backgrounds. So when applicants were confronted by student pranksters telling them state school pupils need not apply, authorities failed to see the funny side.

Three undergraduates face disciplinary action after dressing up in smart Eton suits and telling teenagers lined up for an interview at Jesus College that only public school pupils were allowed in.

The applicants must have been anxious enough already as they prepared to try to convince dons that they were worthy of a coveted place at a college whose celebrated alumni include royalty, archbishops and senior politicians.

Their nerves must have been further shredded when second year undergraduates infiltrated their waiting room to play a joke on them - which fell flat after they were spotted by invigilators and the college Dean was informed.

Those responsible for the prank are believed to have been told not to return to Jesus this term and are awaiting formal punishment.

Some fellow undergraduates appear to have been tickled by the stunt, with a Facebook posting about it receiving 158 “likes”.

One of those involved appears to have been unrepentant.

A post on his page of the social networking site reading: “This evening in Jesus… ‘I got Dean’d today. And, all we did is dress up in suits and pretend to be interviewees… We said we were from Eton’.”

However one Jesus first-year student, who did not wish to be named, said: “I can’t believe anyone would want to shake up applicants like that. They were in the same position once.”

Cambridge University spends more than £2.7 million a year on hundreds of schemes aimed at persuading students from less privileged backgrounds to apply.

In September, it revealed that there were almost 200 fewer freshers from fee-paying students starting than the year before – a decline of 5% and a 30-year low.

Jesus College, founded in 1496, boasts alumni including Prince Edward, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Thomas Cranmer, the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury.

Today, its website says that it is “committed to academic excellence, offering talented students, whatever their means, the advantages of a first-rate system of education”.

The college confirmed yesterday that three students were facing disciplinary action as a result of the prank, described by Dr Geoff Parks, the Senior Tutor, as “stupidity”.

He said: “Three undergraduate members of Jesus College caused a disturbance in the area where a number of applicants were waiting for interview.

“This disturbance was cut short by the prompt intervention of other undergraduates who were acting as helpers during the interview process.

“The College condemns this stupidity. The Dean of College is investigating the incident and will in due course decide what disciplinary action is appropriate.

“Applicants will not be disadvantaged as a result of this incident.”

Leading universities have been ordered to widen their intake with the Government setting up the Office for Fair Access to try to ensure that working-class students are not deterred by tuition fees of up to £9,000.

Professor Les Ebdon, who has the power to fine institutions £500,000 or ban them from charging tuition fees of more than £6,000 a year, has threatened “nuclear” penalties if they miss their targets.

He has also criticised the “patchy” record of leading Russell Group universities at increasing the number of students they take from state schools and poor areas.

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Giant Swedish Ice Hotel Will Melt Away In Few Months

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ice hotel

In a small Arctic town in Sweden, a construction crew bundled up in heavy parkas is bustling around a building site unlike any other: a massive ice hotel is taking shape.

ice hotelArmed with thick gloves and safety helmets over fur-lined hats, the builders in the northern town of Jukkasjaervi assemble two-tonne blocks of ice as if they were a large set of Lego blocks, with the end result a giant igloo with several domes, vaulted ceilings and archways.

In one hallway, a worker uses a large pick to carve a door out of the blue-tinged packed snow, working up a sweat despite the sub-zero temperatures as he exhales feathery puffs of breath.

The builders had just a few weeks to sculpt 65 hotel rooms, a lobby and reception area, a main hall and an ice bar in a race against the clock ahead of the December opening.

An ice chapel will be added to host weddings and christenings, complete with an ice-sculpted altar, font and pews.

And yet all this effort is ephemeral: in a few months the entire structure will melt away with the spring thaw.

"We're completely dependent on the weather, we have a schedule to adhere to but it varies from year to year," Icehotel representative Beatrice Karlsson said.

The construction method is unique to the Icehotel, according to Nordic architecture expert Rasmus Waern.

"It's totally original. There's no tradition in Scandinavia of building with ice," he said.

But it is rapidly becoming a tradition: the Icehotel is being staged for the 23rd time this year on the shores of the Torne river from where the ice is taken.

"In March, 5,000 tonnes of ice are pulled from the river and then conserved in two-tonne blocks in two warehouses where the temperature is maintained at between minus eight and minus five degrees Celsius (between 17.6 and 23 Fahrenheit)," explains Jens Thoms Ivarsson, in charge of the hotel's interior design.

Construction typically begins in the autumn, when the first polar chills descend on Sweden's far north.

But five months later, once spring arrives and with it the long-awaited sun, the entire site melts down.

"We return to the Torne what we borrowed," says Thoms Ivarsson, grateful for the river's loan without which the Icehotel could not exist.

Once the building process is completed, the interior still needs to be decorated: ornate chandeliers will embellish the main hall, while avant-garde sculptures, bas reliefs, and chairs and beds all cut out of ice await.

Each of the 16 suites is considered a unique piece of art, designed by artists selected from more than 100 applicants from all corners of the globe.

While management refuses to disclose how much the entire endeavour costs each year, the hotel's interior design alone has a budget of five million kronor (580,000 euros, $752,000).

Details of the suites' themes and designs are kept a well-guarded secret until the hotel's opening: all that is known so far is that some of the artists hail from France, Argentina and the United States.

Ambitious sculptures in the past have included a pinball machine with coloured lights inside the ice, a man sitting on a toilet in a bathroom, a female Buddha, a rocket ship, and the inside of a refrigerator.

The hotel also has 49 standard rooms with less elaborate decor, some of which will feature scenes of northern lights, a spectacular phenomenon also known as aurora borealis in which streams of coloured lights streak across the night sky, a show some visitors will be lucky enough to see during their stay.

As in the suites, all of the regular room beds are made of ice blocks covered with reindeer skins. Visitors spending the night are given thermal sleeping bags when they check in -- and a diploma when they check out to prove they survived a night at minus seven degrees Celsius (19 degrees Fahrenheit).

The hotel -- copies of which are now erected in several other countries -- has no stars the way other hotels do.

But that doesn't mean it's for budget travellers: the cost of a room ranges from 2,200 to 7,000 kronor (between 255 and 810 euros) per night.

Alternately, tourists can pay 325 kronor a head to tour the hotel, which also makes money off the weddings and christenings it hosts, as well as the popular ice bar where drinks are served in glasses made of ice.

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10 Free Ways To Get The Most Out Of Winter

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snowball

Wintertime has become veritable breeding ground for debt.

Not only are we under constant pressure to finance all the usual trappings of the season –– gifts, travel, and parties –– with credit, but there's always a constant stream of friends and relatives to entertain as well. 

The good news there are still ways to get in the holiday spirit that don't mean starting off the New Year in the red. 

We've rounded up a list of fun freebies that'll bring you closer to friends and family without breaking the bank.

Make your own festival of lights

If you can't make it to these ten cities for the best holiday light shows, look no further than your own front yard.

Host a "lighting ceremony" with your friends and family at home, then pile into the car to check out your neighbors' handiwork. Use last year's lights or borrow extras from family or friends.

The suburbs are known for friendly holiday decoration wars, with frosted yards filled with more LED-lit reindeer and blow-up Santas than you can shake a peppermint stick at. 

If you really want a show, hit up the wealthiest 'hoods in your town. If homeowners are crazy enough to enlist professional decorators to deck their halls for $1,500, why let all their hard-spent cash go to waste?



Play your own winter games

If you're lucky enough to live in snow-friendly parts of the U.S., grab your gloves and a couple of able-bodied friends for some good old fashioned snow games. 

Find a good hill for sledding or hit the lake for ice fishing.

For those in warmer climates, ice rinks often offer free admission as long as you bring your own skates.



Host a film festival at home

Movie tickets can cost up to $15 a pop these days, but your home is far cozier, comes with your own parking spot and – the best part – all the snacks are free. 

Try hosting a film festival from your living room. These days, you can stream Netflix and Hulu straight to your TV or, if you've cut cable, invite friends to bring their own flicks. 

Pop popcorn, make hot chocolate and curl up next to people you know, rather than rows of gibbering strangers. 



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Virus Outbreak Has Turned Baltic Cruise Into A 'Plague Ship'

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oriana cruise ship

A dream Christmas cruise has turned into the holiday from hell, according to passengers who claim as many as 400 travelers have been struck down with the norovirus winter vomiting bug.

One traveler aboard the P&O liner Oriana, which is on a 10-night Baltic cruise out of Southampton visiting Christmas markets, said people felt like they were sailing on a "plague ship".

P&O's parent company Carnival said there had been "an incidence of a mild gastrointestinal illness" among the passengers.

The spokeswoman added that, as of Thursday, out of 1,843 passengers "the number of passengers with active symptoms is six".

One passenger, Paul Gilman, 62, told the Daily Mail: "It has been outrageous from start to finish. People were falling like flies, yet the crew were trying to insist everything was fine.

"Everyone is saying this is a plague ship. It's a living nightmare."

Another passenger, Brian Weston, 67, from the Isle of Wight, said: "It's been a shambles from start to finish. Passengers became ill almost immediately when we set sail and the outbreak swept like wildfire through the ship.

"At one stage there were dozens and dozens of people falling ill, though the ship's senior officers were trying to play it down."

His wife, Denise, 60, said: "A viral specialist who is a passenger told us the ship should not have set sail for 48 hours and should have gone through a deep clean."

The UK's Health Protection Agency has reported a 72% increase in the vomiting bug so far this season.

The Oriana left Southampton on 4 December, with passengers paying up to £1,400 for the voyage, which included visits to Copenhagen, Oslo and Amsterdam.

The Carnival spokeswoman said: "Enhanced sanitation protocols have already been implemented to help minimise transmission to other passengers. These comprehensive disinfection protocols have been developed by P&O Cruises in conjunction with UK and US public health authorities.

"The safety and comfort of passengers and crew is always our number one priority.

"As is currently standard procedure across our fleet, all the ship's passengers were provided with a precautionary health notice advising of widespread norovirus activity and the health measures to avoid contraction and spread, both on board and while ashore."

This article originally appeared on guardian.co.uk

SEE ALSO: Yacht Of The Week: Buy The Yacht From 'Skyfall' For $14 Million

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Columbia Student Writes About How She 'Bought' Her Way Into College

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columbia university

Columbia University student Carlene Buccino wrote an op-ed for The Baltimore Sun claiming the main reason she got accepted there is because her family could afford an expensive SAT prep course.

She believes this is true for many of the kids who get into Ivy League schools and that's "massively unfair," she explains. 

"I bought myself a higher score because my family could afford to, and many of my peers at Columbia did the same. We like to think we're all here because we earned it. But many of us are here because we could pay the price of admission," Buccino writes.

Here's the meat of her argument from her op-ed

Admission into the Ivy League and other top schools is also considered to be meritocratic. A major part of a student's application is his or her SAT score. Admissions officers use this "standardized" test to compare students from different backgrounds against each other.

But in practice, the SAT is far from standardized. Many high schoolers take prep classes that teach not actual knowledge but SAT-specific tricks. Some of these classes, like Princeton Review's SAT Honors prep class, can cost roughly $2,000.

She writes that Ivy League schools should stop focusing so much on SAT scores for admission. 

Read Buccino's full op-ed here >

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Can You Spot Gucci's Awful Photoshop Fail?

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Gucci recently ran the following ad in an American Express Departures magazine.

Can you spot the Photoshop disaster on model Joan Smalls?

Click here to see>

photoshop fail december 2012

That's not how legs work! Photoshop Disasters wrote, "If you’re going to slather your model in flamingo-pink, try to avoid giving her the legs of one too."

Click here for Photoshop Disasters>



There's more from where that came from.

Click here to spot the worst Photoshop fails of 2012>



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5 Reasons Why You Should Date An Expat

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kissing, eiffel tower

Every time I see my grandmother she asks me without fail, if—alongside my native country—I’ve forsaken the opportunity to love.

Her question isn’t completely absurd, nor is it unusual. Expats are transient by nature. Even those who have committed to their new homeland for life are often surrounded by those who have not; as strangers in a strange land, settled expats too are pulled into the orbit of itinerants.

It’s a bit like drunk driving—just because you’re not doing it doesn’t mean you won’t be hit by someone who is.

These truisms add up to a bad reputation for expats when it comes dating. And yet, I believe that expat life is conducive to finding love to a higher degree than dating in my home country, the United States.

Here’s why.

1. Expat situations are self-selecting.

Adventurous? Check. Liberal? Check. Open to new experiences? Check. Independent? Check.

Not all the expats you meet abroad will be just like you (see point two) — and certainly not all people — but I’ve found that the kind of person who commits to a life abroad tends to have certain attributes, such as a natural curiosity and openness (perhaps restlessness), qualities that tend to reinforce themselves around likeminded individuals.

2. You meet people you never would have at home, and are exposed to a wider range of options.

When at home, a lot of people tend to spend an awful lot of time with people of their own race, their own socio-economic status, their own political persuasions, their own experiences. For some people this works, by creating bonds that are immediately strong across religious and cultural levels. But for others, it can be stifling.

Cross-cultural relationships are hard, but when they work, they can be amazingly fulfilling and even revelatory. It’s not just a question of meeting someone who tests your own assumptions and introduces you to new worlds, although this can be wonderful and life changing; you can also end up connecting across levels you didn’t yet know existed within yourself.

Even among inter-expatriate couples, a similar broadening of horizons occurs. Expats are often more likely to socialize across age groups. They’re more likely to find themselves with someone from the opposite side of their native country. It’s kind of like The Breakfast Club — a group of disparate individuals with seemingly nothing in common drawn together by the intimacy of a shared situation.

3. People pay more attention to one another abroad.

Living abroad—especially when you don’t speak the language—can be lonely. You come to rely on your friends in a way that most rely on family at home. They become your home.

Living somewhere like rural India can feel like living at the end of the world. People begin to really talk to each other, and to listen. Conversations get pretty deep, pretty fast, and people reach out to one another with more eagerness and attention. Perhaps expats in isolated situations move more quickly past faces and appearances. The incentive to embrace is more pressing than the incentive to judge. And in this fertile ground of closeness and isolation, love can quickly take seed and grow.

4. Dating in the US is competitive.

When my friends in New York City (my hometown) meet new people, they tend to approach them with a critical, appraising attitude. A city like New York has such an overwhelming wealth of cool people that you need a good reason to let one into your own circle. This overabundance of potential friends leads to an understandably parsing attitude in choosing them. People are quick to classify and dismiss one another (hipster, wall street jerk, gothic navel-gazer, model) if only to make sense of the social flood.

Just as with making friends, there are so many options in a city like New York that intense competition in dating (and the rejection that accompanies it) is inevitable. Almost all my friends in America have had to go online to avoid the stress placed on first impressions and physical appearance. (Of the romantic partnerships formed in the United States between 2007 and 2009, 21 percent of heterosexual couples and 61 percent of same-sex couples met online, according to a study by Michael J. Rosenfeld, an associate professor of sociology at Stanford.)

My ex-boyfriend, who I met in India, and I have everything in common. We’re from the same country, the same religion, interested in all the same books and movies and bands. But though we lived in New York City at the same time, we never met, nor would we have dated if we had. We would have dismissed one another on superficial grounds, and moved on. But in the social wilderness in India, we had the time and space to recognize each other as kindred spirits and connect.

The heightened sense of camaraderie abroad makes dating feel less like a competition, and more like a gift.

5. You’re forced to be more independent, self-critical, and self-reflective.

This may sound like a tall claim, but I think that life in a foreign place can push a person to be stronger, more ethically minded, and more communally minded. I’m talking about a certain kind of expat of course—not the businessman in his high-rise, surrounded by domestic help—but the individual who chooses to navigate a foreign culture more or less alone. The deeper you immerse yourself abroad, the more likely you are to confront a culture radically different from your own, broaden your horizons, and gain a deeper understanding of what connects us as human beings.

We take for granted the emphasis in Western culture on our identity as individuals; immersed in a culture deeply rooted in communal co-dependence, we have the opportunity to re-evaluate the importance of love, and of family.

And when you do meet someone whom you can share this with, you’re inclined to hold on to him or her.

SEE ALSO: Here's What A Cheap Date Costs Around The World

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7 Things That Are Cheaper To Buy Than Pack

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travel luggage

Most people struggle to find one less thing to pack.

How about seven?

Simplify your suitcase by purchasing certain items at your destination instead of schlepping them on the odyssey from home to hotel.

Most major airlines charge hefty fees for checked luggage, as well as oversized and overweight bags. So it makes budgetary sense to lighten one's load by buying a few things in the airport terminal or upon arrival, after suitcases have already been weighed and measured. Some things weigh more than others, but the more you leave out of your bag overall, the lighter your luggage will get.

Reading material

Books and other print materials are likely some of the heaviest things you'll need to pack.

If you don't already have an e-reader (which we recommend for travel), you should make a point to buy your reading provisions at the airport or your destination.

Visiting an independent bookstore is an excellent way to get acquainted with an unfamiliar city. And browsing for books and magazines in your terminal will help pass the time before departure.



Pajamas

Few people will see you in your pajamas (we assume) during your trip.

Therefore, any old tee or set of cotton PJs that you pick up on your travels will work.

Seek out a discount clothing store or even a thrift shop when you reach your destination, spend a few bucks on some pajamas, and donate or dispose of them before you return home. Voila! Your bags are now much lighter.

 


Toiletries

You've undoubtedly noticed that complimentary mini toiletries are often offered in hotels.

But if you've opted for a B&B or a vacation rental, you should consider purchasing shampoo, mouthwash, and other products at your destination instead of packing them and bringing them with you.

Affordable brands can almost always be found at convenience stores around the world. Moreover, a bottle of basic shampoo can double as a makeshift laundry detergent.

 


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The Grippy Pad Lets You Stick Your Gadgets Anywhere

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This is the Grippy Pad from Firebox.

Why We Love It: Whether you're driving in your car or running on the treadmill, smartphones don't tend to stay where you need them to be. That's where the silicon Grippy Pad can help with its anti-slip mat that works on any device from smartphones to your iPad, and on either horizontal or vertical surfaces.

It's inspired by the feet of a tree frog, and doesn't leave any residue on your surfaces — even in high temperatures or direct sunlight. The Grippy Pad is water resistant, and if the stickiness ever begins to wear off, just wipe it with a damp cloth and it'll be good as new.

Grippy Pad

Where To Buy: Available through the Firebox website.

Cost: $11.29.

Want to nominate a cool product for Stuff We Love? Send an email to Megan Willett at mwillett@businessinsider.com with "Stuff We Love" in the subject line.

DON'T MISS:  Aesop Essentials For Your Masculine Maintenance Routine

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The 20 Most Expensive Cities In The World

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tokyo japan

The cost of living may be going up in U.S. cities, but it's nothing compared to the price inflation that some global cities are experiencing.

ECA International, a global management consulting firm, recently came out with its semiannual cost of living survey, which compares the cost of a basket of consumer goods and services in over 400 places worldwide.

The survey is most commonly used by multinational companies to calculate salaries for employees sent abroad. But the prices also provide a fascinating glimpse into what expats pay to live in cities around the world, and where everyday expenses are highest.

Want to know why developing cities like Luanda, Angola, and Juba, South Sudan, ranked so highly? Click here to read our explainer.

For reference, Manhattan placed 36th — the highest of any U.S. city

Ranked #46 in 2011

Movie Ticket: $13.69

Can of soda: $1.66

Dozen eggs: $4.58

Beer at a bar: $7.33

Source: ECA International



20. Stockholm, Sweden

Ranked #19 in 2011

Movie Ticket: $17.42

Can of soda: $1.91

Dozen eggs: $4.51

Beer at a bar: $10.19

Source: ECA International



19. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Ranked #30 in 2011

Movie Ticket: N/A

Can of soda: $2.26

Dozen eggs: $4.34

Beer at a bar: $7.28

Source: ECA International



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It Took Models 45 Minutes To Strut Down The World's Longest Catwalk

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On Monday, a new Guinness World Record for the longest catwalk was set in Hong Kong.

The runway was a total of two miles, and was a collaboration between the Danish Fashion Institute and the Hong Kong Fashion Designer's Association. 343 models participated as well as 35 Danish fashion, jewelry, and accessory brands. It took the models an average of 45 minutes to walk the entire length of the bright pink catwalk.

Danish Fashion Institute’s CEO, Eva Kruse said of the event, “I was extremely proud when I saw the models walking down the runway with Hong Kong’s skyline as the back drop. It was simply the best of Danish fashion represented in a beautiful international environment.”

World's Greatest Catwalk Hong Kong

SEE ALSO:  These Virtual Models Could Be The Future Of Online Shopping

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Fixed Costs Are What's Really Driving Americans To The Poorhouse

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annoyed girl

Thumb through any personal finance book written over the last five years and chances are you'll come across at least a handful of chapters on how cutting daily luxuries like coffee and cable.

It's that kind of finger-wagging criticism that's rubbed so many hardworking people wrong –– the idea that they wouldn't be in this position if only they'd watched less TV, traded in their car, or tried cooking more meals at home. 

In case you're in need of a reminder of the bigger picture, Personal finance expert Helaine Olen nails the issue right on its ugly head in her forthcoming book, Pound Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry

"The problem was fixed cost, the things that are difficult to "cut back" on. Housing, health care, and education cost the average family 75 percent of their discretionary income in the 2000s. The comparable figure in 1973: 50 percent. 

And even as the cost of buying a house plunged in many areas of the country in the latter half of the 2000s (causing, needless to say, its own set of problems) the price of other necessary expenditures kept rising. The cost of medical services continued to increase at numbers far exceeding the rate of inflation with the price of health insurance doubling in the period between 2001 and 2011, even as that insurance required steeper co-pays and deductibles from families." 

Couple that with the 40 percent surge in the cost of raising a child over the last decade, and soaring college tuition costs, and you've got a recipe for financial disaster any average consumer would have trouble thwarting. 

Now, for the final blow: 

"At the same time, household income was falling. According to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, the median income for families in the 35 to 44 age bracket fell by 14 percent between 2001 and 2010, from $63,000 to $53,900. This was not a problem of relative youth. Median income for Americans ages 45 to 54 fell from $66,800 to $61,000 in 2010."

Need more proof? See how much it costs to be a consumer in the U.S. today >

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How The Mafia Is Ruining Naples' Food Scene

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pizza

People around the world have embraced the local food movement as a way to support local economies, eat healthier and reduce their carbon footprint. Residents of Naples, Italy, however, are doing just the opposite.

Napolitanos like Antonio Trotta read grocery store labels to avoid eating local fruit and vegetables, meat, even the region’s famed buffalo mozzarella produced in eastern Campania, outside Naples.

The area north of Naples* was once an important agricultural center. But the local mafia, the Camorra, has been dumping waste from European factories and hospitals on the land for decades—an environmental problem compounded nightly when dozens of these illicit waste heaps are set on fire, releasing toxic emissions that waft across pastures grazed by farm animals and coat the crops.

"They are full of heavy metals, dioxins and other carcinogens. What can you do but avoid eating them," says Trotta, a fashion designer and environmental activist, of the local produce.

Italian Senator Ignazio Marino, president of the parliamentary commission on sanitation services, says nearly 10 million tons of waste has been illegally dumped in the region in recent decades.

Once known as "Campania Felix" for its fertile land and "happy" farmers, the area acquired a more macabre nickname, "the triangle of death," in 2004. That year, an article published in the oncology journal The Lancet first examined high cancer mortality rates within an area bounded by three towns near Naples—Nola, Marigliano and Acerra— where Camorra dumping dates back at least to the early 1980s.

In July 2011, a new study published in the journal Cancer Biology & Therapy provided further scientific evidence.A multidisciplinary Italian-American team of researchers led by oncologist Antonio Giordano found higher rates of cancers, cancer deaths and serious birth defects in areas where dumping had occurred.

Giordano, a Naples native who divides his time between his research institutes in Italy and Philadelphia, has taken a personal interest in the problem. In September, he launched a petition signed by hundreds of researchers taking on the mafia’s allies in the political and business worlds and demanding action.

But illicit waste management has proved a lucrative business. According to Interpol and the U.S. Justice Department, the illegal waste business in the wider region, along with other types of transnational trafficking, brings in more profits for organized criminal syndicates today than cocaine and heroin trafficking combined.

"The criminals aren’t afraid because the penalties are so low and the profits so high,” says Michele Buonomo, president of the Campania branch of the Italian environmental group Legambiente. Buonomo says his group has proposed environmental reforms but they’ve gone nowhere in the Italian parliament.

For now, Senator Marino is spearheading a plan to deploy the Italian army alongside Carabinieri and local police to crack down on the nightly fires at illicit landfills. But Marino acknowledges that a cleanup is still a long way off. "Probably, we can quickly stop the fires. I don’t think we can quickly fix the waste problem that’s been accumulating for decades," Marino says. "It must be faced as a nation or it will never be resolved."

*This post has been updated to clarify that the area south of Naples is still an active agricultural center.

SEE ALSO: 10 U.S. Pizza Joints Worth A Road Trip

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21 Clever Gifts That Will Save You Money

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moviepass main image

If you're serious about giving the best to loved ones this year, why not give them something that's built to last –– and help them save at the same time? 

We've rounded up a list of great gift ideas that are not only functional, but have the added bonus of helping break the bad habits that tend to waste cash.

Save on movie tickets with a MoviePass subscription

If anyone on your list is a Netflix or Hulu fan, they'll go nuts for MoviePass.

It's only been out a few months, but MoviePass is new app that lets users see as many movies as they want for a monthly fee ($25 to $40, depending on location). 

For cinephiles in cities where some theaters charge up to $17 for a 3-D flick, this can mean huge savings over time. 

Price: $39.99 and up



Save on movie rentals with a Hulu Plus or Netflix subscription

Cable can be expensive, costing anywhere from $30 a month and upwards, but if your loved one is looking for nothing more than TV and movies, aim for a Hulu+ or Netflix subscription this holiday season.

All their favorite shows and movies are available—and not just the most recent episodes, but entire seasons, too.

Price: $7.99/month for 
Hulu Plus and Netflix



Ditch your daily coffee habit with the Bodum French Press

Dumping your daily coffee habit won't rescue your finances necessarily, but it certainly could leave a few extra bucks in your pocket each day.

The Bodum French Press includes an 8-cup French press as well as a 15-ounce travel press for caffeine fiends on the go.

Price: $40



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Here's Why Poverty-Stricken Luanda Is One Of The World's Most Expensive Cities

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luanda angola

We recently took a look at the 20 most expensive cities for expats, based on rankings by global management consulting firm ECA International.

Most of the cities that made the list are sprawling, lucrative metropolitan hubs that are notorious for their high prices, like Tokyo, Moscow, and Oslo.

But a few big cities in poor and developing countries also made the list. Juba, South Sudan, and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, ranked highly, for example.

And Luanda, Angola where the average per capita income is $740  ranked fourth.

So why do those cities rank so highly on ECA's list?

Remember, the list compiles the cost for expats living abroad, not locals. International businesspeople tend to purchase a similar, more expensive basket of goods. Supply, government restrictions, and inflation have a strong affect on prices in the developing world, and that's especially true of luxury or imported goods, Steven Kilfedder, ECA's manager of Cost of Living and Remuneration Services, told Business Insider.

"In a country like Angola, expats are going to be buying very different products from the other locals in the country, " Kilfedder said. "They will be buying more imported goods — brand names from their home countries for example, which are often much more expensive based on import restrictions."

Juba, the capital of newly-independent South Sudan, is a telling example. Since the country gained its independence in July 2011, it has seen an influx of expats who are interested in doing business in the country — aid workers, oil companies, and foreign government workers working to establish working relations between South Sudan and their respective homelands.

The increased demand has led to inflation and price spikes. That's why it moved from #60 to #14 on ECA's annual list this year, and a dozen eggs cost $5.51, a dollar more than they would cost in Manhattan.

SEE ALSO: The Insane Cost Of Living In Poverty-Stricken Luanda

SEE ALSO: The 20 Most Expensive Cities In The World

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The 10 Restaurants With The Best Service In New York City

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Some of the world's most famous restaurants wouldn't have a star to their name if it weren't for the staff. The food and the atmosphere are only part of what makes a fabulous dining experience — the rest comes down to your waiter.

So the editors at Zagat went back to their 2013 New York City Restaurants guide to see which of the high-end eateries were rated with the best service.

Just remember when you visit any one of these establishments to be prepared not only for the hefty price tag of your meal, but the 20+ percent tip at the end. Don't worry — it'll totally be worth it.

#10 Mas (farmhouse)

39 Downing Street

This West Village New American spot is still slightly under the radar, but gaining popularity thanks to its cozy atmosphere, seasonal menu, and rave-review service.

They make sure to ask about allergies and dislikes up front, so you can be confident your experience will be spot-on.



#9 Gramercy Tavern

42 East 20th Street

The expensive tabs at this prix fixe-only, Michelin-starred restaurant are easily forgivable due mainly to the superb waitstaff.

They are not only knowledgeable about everything on the seasonal tasting menu, but friendly and accommodating, too.



#8 Four Seasons Restaurant

99 East 52nd Street

The Four Seasons in NYC is a classic for a reason with it's impressive decor and chic Mad Men-era menu.

Not to mention the outstanding waiters and waitresses who are praised in every review for their attentiveness and professionalism.



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Lays Has An Absolutely Bizarre Flavor That's A Smash Hit In China

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Lays launched a new smash hit in China: potato chips flavored with Pepsi and chicken

Chicken cooked with Pepsi is a popular entree in China, so the chips weren't difficult to sell, executives told AdAge's Angela Doland. Frito-Lay is owned by Pepsi. 

"We thought it would be really cool to have a cola combined with chicken. ... It's a very popular dish in China," the executive said "Also it would be very cool to involve one of our most-iconic soft drinks."

Lays said this launch was its most successful in China. 

Other strange flavors the brand has released include cucumber, lemon tea and hot-and-sour fish soup.

The flavor of the chips is somewhat similar to barbecue, but with a sweeter aftertaste, Doland said. 

Pepsi and Coca-Cola are both making strides to expand in China, a consumer boon. 

DON'T MISS: 13 Fast Food Items With Fanatical Cult Followings >

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See The Stark Contrast Between A Supermodel's Professional Photos And Reality

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Victoria's Secret Angel Cameron Russell recently gave a TED talk and addressed what it's like to work in the fashion industry. 

"Those pictures aren't me," the 25-year-old model said. "Photoshop is just the beginning; they're a construction." 

To illustrate her point, Russell showed some of the modeling shots she's taken throughout the years and contrasted them with candid shots of her at the time. 

For this shoot, she was 15 and had "never worn a bikini," Russell said. She contrasted it next to a picture of her with her grandmother around the same time: 

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A picture of a bikini shoot and Russell with her friend on the same day: 

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A shot of her in French Vogue and at a slumber party: 

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A sexy shoot with V magazine and Russell with her high school soccer team: 

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And one of Russell on the cover of Vogue and in present day: 

cameron russell

DON'T MISS: The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show >

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15 Of The Best Luxury Hotels In America

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The Grand Del Mar, San Diego

Who hasn’t dreamed of traveling like royalty, sleeping in some of the world’s most expensive suites, and eating in Michelin-starred restaurants?

The time and money for that kind of trip can be tricky to come by, but it’s always good to be ready just in case the opportunity arises, right? We here at Oyster have been lucky enough to have visited thousands of hotels around the globe and across the states.

The U.S. is known for having high standards when it comes to hotels, and hotels stateside offer some of the most decadent services around. So we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite luxury properties in the States for those planning a luxe trip — and for those who just like to dream. Enjoy!

The St. Regis New York

There are dozens of ultra-luxurious hotels in New York, but The St. Regis is second to none, with a refined atmosphere, extraordinary service that includes butlers on call 24-hours, Clefs d’Or concierges, a signature bath menu, gorgeous guest rooms, a great Fifth Avenue location (the better for shopping), and a stunning Beaux Arts lobby. (Phew! That was a long list.) It won’t come cheap, but the level of luxury offered here is not found in any other hotel in the city.

Our favorite luxe amenity: The packing and unpacking services offered by the guest’s personal butler.



Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

Those who associate the Trump brand with over-the-top (in a bad way) glitz and glamor will be pleasantly surprised by this tasteful luxury hotel. The 339-room Trump International Hotel & Tower is the top luxury hotel in Chicago, with a riverside location near the Magnificent Mile, a Michelin-rated restaurant, a gorgeous indoor pool, a first-rate spa, and excellent service. The huge, refined rooms have limestone bathrooms with soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows (often with phenomenal views).

Our favorite luxe amenity: The custom-stocked minibar set up prior to arrival, based on the guest’s preferences.



Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas

The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek feels like a Tuscan villa — the hotel is pink stucco, the roof is terra cotta, and beautiful fountains, tile mosaics, and trellis plants surround the pool. The property is lavish from top to bottom, with a grand lobby; large, upscale rooms with patios; renowned dining at Mansion Restaurant, and outstanding services such as free car service and concierges. In Dallas, only The Joule, A Luxury Collection Hotel compares.

Our favorite luxe amenity: An outdoor heated sauna near the lovely pool.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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HOUSE OF THE DAY: This Modern SoHo Penthouse Sold For Way Under Its $16 Million Asking Price

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A penthouse in the famous SoHo Gallery building has sold for $10.6 million, a 33 percent discount from its initial asking price of $16 million, according to The Real Deal.

The gorgeous triplex at 94 Thompson Street boasts a 29-foot living room ceiling, a glass-enclosed Zen viewing garden and a big terrace with 360-degree views. Square footage is 3,500 on the interior and 2,200 on the exterior.

Owned by Ian Tarr, the CEO of a scientific database company, the property was gutted and rebuilt a few years ago by architect Nico Rensch.

The buyer was listed only as an anonymous LLC, according to The Real Deal. Stribling & Associates had the listing.

A beautiful double-height living room

Full listing at Stribling.



From the other side

Full listing at Stribling.



Looking out on the zen garden

Full listing at Stribling.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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