Top News Stories

This is a collection of various news feeds that I like to read on a regular basis. Placed them all here on one page for ease of use. The rss feeds on this page are updated automatically every hour by there various suppliers (mostly Yahoo and Google) so is well worth bookmarking if you like to read about current News and Technology. Many of the news items published here are less than one hour old. Enjoy…

Odd But True…

  • Miami named most miserable U.S. city (Reuters) - Reuters - Warm sun, white beaches, and million-dollar mansions notwithstanding, Miami has captured the dubious distinction of being the most miserable city in the United States, according to a new poll.
  • Frozen sauerkraut causes German motorway chaos (Reuters) - Reuters - Piles of sauerkraut tumbled out of a truck on a busy German motorway and quickly froze to the autobahn surface, causing a massive traffic jam near Frankfurt during Tuesday's morning rush hour, police said.
  • China bans toddler palm-reading assessments (Reuters) - Reuters - China has banned kindergartens in a northern province from offering palm-reading tests that the schools had claimed could predict toddlers' intelligence level and potential, state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday.
  • Wanted: Retirees to live in Ecuador for a month free (Reuters) - Reuters - Interested in adventure and exploring new places? An international magazine is looking for volunteers to spend a month in Cuenca, Ecuador to test its potential as a retirement destination.
  • South African man escapes zombies but not police (Reuters) - Reuters - South African police have arrested a suspected fraudster for impersonating the award-winning traditional singer Khulekani Kwakhe "Mgqumeni" Khumalo, who died in 2009.
  • Anfield cat becomes Internet hit (Reuters) - Reuters - A cat that invaded the famous Anfield turf for three minutes during Liverpool's 0-0 Premier League draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday has become an internet celebrity.
  • Mum tells Westwood to say sorry for swearing (Reuters) - Reuters - Lee Westwood was forced to apologize after his mum caught him swearing on live television at last week's Qatar Masters, the world number three said on Tuesday.
  • Big freeze stops famed Brussels statue from peeing (Reuters) - Reuters - The Manneken-Pis, a bronze statue of a young boy urinating that is a symbol of Brussels and a major tourist attraction, has had to stop peeing because of sub-zero temperatures, Belgium's tourist office said on Wednesday.
  • Toledo hot dog chain made famous on "M*A*S*H" sold (Reuters) - Reuters - A troubled Ohio hot dog restaurant chain made famous in the TV series "M*A*S*H" has been sold after months of legal wrangling, allowing descendants of the eponymous Tony Packo's to keep running Cpl. Klinger's favorite frankfurter place.
  • Hole lotta fun as Japanese dig for Golden Shovel (Reuters) - Reuters - Over a thousand people gathered on the outskirts of Tokyo, shovels and ladders in hand. Their goal: to dig their way to victory in the Japan All-National Hole Digging Competition, and claim the coveted Golden Shovel.
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    RSS And Blogging…

    Empty List

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    Modern Technology…

  • Far-out footage: Water droplets orbit a knitting needle on the International Space Station (Yahoo! News) - Yahoo! News - When NASA astronaut Dan Burbank left Earth for the International Space Station as part of Expedition 30 last November, he took along some knitting needles, but not for making a space sweater. The mission's commander brought them to make a point — …
  • Apple's patent plea: Stop Samsung and Motorola from holding us hostage (Digital Trends) - Digital Trends - The world of patent licensing often seems like a maze of twisty little passages, all alike, but every so often the industry stumbles into a new tunnel — or, at least, one that seems new at first glance. Such is the case with Apple, which has asked the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to establish a set of basic principles governing so-called fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing of patented technologies included in wireless communications standards. That sentence may make many consumers’ eyes glaze over, but it boils down to this: Apple wants rules saying that if a company contributes their technology to a standard, they don’t get to use that technology to beat up competitors who use that standard.
  • Leaked photo of iPad 3 casing hints at upcoming changes (Digital Trends) - Digital Trends - An image has surfaced of what may well be the inside rear shell of the iPad 3. While it may not sound like the most exciting news of the year, if the shell is genuine then it gives some clues as to how the next version of Apple’s tablet will compare with the current device.
  • Operator of radical Muslim site to plead guilty (AP) - AP - A Muslim convert from Brooklyn who ran a website that posted threats against the creators of the television show "South Park" for supposedly insulting the prophet Muhammad is expected to enter a guilty plea.
  • Lawsuit seeks to block Google's privacy changes (AP) - AP - A consumer watchdog group is suing the Federal Trade Commission in an attempt to prevent Google from making sweeping changes to its privacy policies next month.
  • Lenovo 3Q profit up by half, warns of disk supply (AP) - AP - Lenovo Group Ltd., the world's second biggest personal computer maker, said Thursday that quarterly profit grew by more than half but warned hard drive costs would remain high amid a global shortage.
  • ESPN falls to third in online sports site rankings (Reuters) - Reuters - Yahoo Sports remained the most popular U.S. online sports site in January, but the most eye-catching news was ESPN.com falling to third place behind FoxSports.com.
  • Survey: One in six UK parents can't operate kids' gadgets (Digital Trends) - Digital Trends - Many parents may spend a good deal of time glued to the screen of their smartphones fiddling about with all manner of apps, but when it comes to getting a handle on the gadgets they buy for their children, many have no idea how to use them.
  • Vodafone hit by weak southern Europe (Reuters) - Reuters - Vodafone, the world's largest mobile phone operator, missed quarterly revenue forecasts on Thursday as increasingly tough trading in Spain and Italy overshadowed solid performances in emerging markets and northern Europe.
  • Gameloft releases new social platform app for Android (Appolicious) - Appolicious - Mobile game maker Gameloft is responsible for some of the biggest-budget, biggest-name games on Google’s Android operating system (as well as Apple’s iOS), which is probably why it has 7 million registered players in its proprietary gaming network. Today the company released a new app that lets dedicated Gameloft fans access that network even when they’re not playing Asphalt 6 or Modern Combat.
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    Yahoo News Most Viewed Stories…

  • TSA re-inspects elderly woman over wet diaper (AP) - AP - The family of a gravely ill 95-year-old woman says federal inspectors wouldn't let her mother board a plane because her adult diaper was wet, setting off alarms.
  • Washington state abandons all tourism marketing (AP) - AP - Washington state is shuttering the official tourism agency that unifies its marketing message and abandoning all public support for one of its largest industries.
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    Cyberspace And Web News…

  • iPhone Owners Protesting at Apple HQ Over Foxconn - Tom's Guide -

    Kansas City Star

    iPhone Owners Protesting at Apple HQ Over Foxconn
    Tom's Guide
    Thursday at 10 am local time (doesn't matter what zone), customers plan to waltz into Apple's headquarters and stores located in Washington DC, New York, San Francisco, London, Sydney and Bangalore. Their mission: to deliver petitions signed by 250000 ...
    Protests against iPhone factory conditions planned Thursday for Apple StoresGigaOm
    Apple store protests planned for ThursdayWashington Post
    Do Apple Users Care Enough to Protest Chinese Working Conditions?Gizmodo
    PC Magazine -Register -Apple Insider
    all 78 news articles »
  • Path CEO Apologises Over Privacy Goof Up - ITProPortal -

    ITProPortal

    Path CEO Apologises Over Privacy Goof Up
    ITProPortal
    A developer, Arun Thampi, revealed in his blog post that Path, a photo sharing application for the iOS platform, uploads entire iPhone address book from a users' handset to its servers without explicitly asking for any kind of permissions from the user ...
    Path apologizes for saving iPhone contacts, wipes data, updates appLos Angeles Times
    Path steals users' address books; apologizesMoneycontrol.com
    Lessons From Path and Pinterest: Tell Users EverythingBusinessWeek
    Forbes -InformationWeek -CNET
    all 205 news articles »
  • Microsoft, Facebook, Ericsson, Motorola: Intellectual Property - BusinessWeek -

    Chicago Tribune

    Microsoft, Facebook, Ericsson, Motorola: Intellectual Property
    BusinessWeek
    By Victoria Slind-Flor (This is a daily report on global news about patents, trademarks, copyright and other intellectual property topics.) Feb. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp., the largest software maker, said it would be “fair and reasonable” in ...
    Google says it won't support fair licensing in open standards as Apple ...Apple Insider
    US to Clear Google's DealWall Street Journal
    Apple to EU: Set FRAND Licensing StandardsThe Mac Observer
    MyBroadband -Android Community
    all 232 news articles »
  • Google Chrome Update Brings Faster Browsing - Mashable -

    ZDNet

    Google Chrome Update Brings Faster Browsing
    Mashable
    The new stable release of Google's web browser Chrome brings several improvements, most importantly faster browsing and more protection from malicious downloads. From now on, when you start typing in Chrome's address box (or omnibox, as Google calls ...
    Chrome for Android app reviewTelegraph.co.uk
    Chrome for Android comes with Easter eggsCNET
    New Stable Chrome 17 Preloads Autocomplete SitesPC Magazine
    Computerworld -Wired News -Engadget
    all 533 news articles »
  • Windows 8 Consumer Preview Date Confirmed - InformationWeek -

    News Quench

    Windows 8 Consumer Preview Date Confirmed
    InformationWeek
    Microsoft is set to release a trial version of its touch-centric operating system to everyday computer users. By Paul McDougall InformationWeek The general public won't have to wait long to get its hands on Windows 8, as Microsoft has confirmed the ...
    Why Metro now rules at MicrosoftCNET
    Microsoft fixes Windows 8 Consumer Preview launch event for Feb. 29Computerworld
    Designing Windows 8, or how to redesign a religionmsnbc.com
    Washington Post -PCWorld -PC Magazine
    all 306 news articles »
  • EPIC sues FTC over Google privacy changes - TG Daily -

    TG Daily

    EPIC sues FTC over Google privacy changes
    TG Daily
    The Electronic Privacy and Information Center has launched a lawsuit against the US Federal Trade Commission, aiming to force it to stop Google going through with its planned changes to its privacy policy. The new policy, announced last month, ...
    Lawsuit targets Google privacy policyKingsport Times News
    Privacy group wanting FTC to punish Google files lawsuitWashington Post
    Watchdog sues FTC over new Google privacy policyLos Angeles Times
    CNET -USA TODAY -BusinessWeek
    all 228 news articles »
  • America and Eurasia 'to meet at north pole' - BBC News -

    BBC News

    America and Eurasia 'to meet at north pole'
    BBC News
    By Neil Bowdler Science and health reporter, BBC News America and Eurasia will crash into each other over the North Pole in 50-200 million years time, according to scientists at Yale University. They predict Africa and Australia will join the new ...
    New supercontinent 'Amasia' will form over the Arctic with North and South ...Daily Mail
    Look North for the Next Supercontinent AmasiaDiscovery News
    Next Supercontinent Will Form in Arctic, Geologists SayNew York Times
    Wired News -USA TODAY -Science AAAS
    all 87 news articles »
  • Sprint Posts Sales Loss, but iPhone Lifts Revenue - New York Times -

    msnbc.com

    Sprint Posts Sales Loss, but iPhone Lifts Revenue
    New York Times
    Nabbing the iPhone was a victory for Sprint Nextel, but the blockbuster handset has yet to pay off in profits for the company. Sprint Nextel, the nation's No. 3 cellphone carrier, on Wednesday reported a net loss in the fourth quarter of $1.3 billion, ...
    Sprint's Widening Loss Signals IPhone Not Helping TurnaroundBusinessWeek
    Sprint loss widens on iPhone costsReuters
    Sprint Reports Wider-Than-Estimated Loss on Costs for Subsidizing IPhoneBloomberg
    Wall Street Journal -Washington Post -eWeek
    all 548 news articles »
  • Sprint gets the Nextel monkey off its back - CNET -

    GigaOm

    Sprint gets the Nextel monkey off its back
    CNET
    by Roger Cheng February 8, 2012 12:18 PM PST Follow @RogerWCheng Pretty soon, the Nextel in Sprint Nextel isn't going to make much sense anymore. Dan Hesse, pictured at the company's headquarters in July, has gently steered the Nextel network to its ...
    Sprint can barely wait to rid itself of Nextel networkGigaOm
    Sprint's iDEN shutdown visualized with map tool, coverage starts to shrink mid ...The Verge
    Sprint shows you where and when it's disabling Nextel's iDEN legacy networkEngadget
    FierceWireless -IntoMobile -Seeking Alpha
    all 8 news articles »
  • Life in Antarctic lake? It's everywhere else - The Associated Press -

    CBC.ca

    Life in Antarctic lake? It's everywhere else
    The Associated Press
    WASHINGTON (AP) — If scientists find microbes in a frigid lake two miles beneath the thick ice of Antarctica, it will illustrate once again that somehow life finds a way to survive in the strangest and harshest places. And it will offer hope that life ...
    Russian Scientists Bore Into Ancient Antarctic LakeNew York Times
    Russian Scientists Drill to Sub-Glacial Antarctic LakeRIA Novosti
    Lake Vostok drilling team claims breakthroughBBC News
    Washington Post
    all 853 news articles »
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    Australian And World News…

  • Syria's Homs under new deadly blitz - AFP -

    AFP

    Syria's Homs under new deadly blitz
    AFP
    DAMASCUS — Regime forces launched a new blitz on the Syrian city of Homs on Thursday, killing more than a dozen people, activists said, as the UN weighed a joint mission with the Arab League to end the unrest. Activists said at least 13 people were ...
    Syria: UN offers help as Homs assault continues - live updatesThe Guardian
    China says Syrian opposition visited, first such contractReuters
    China: Syria veto won't hurt cooperation with USThe Associated Press
    Herald Sun -ABC News -BBC News
    all 16,782 news articles »
  • Wyatt Roy ejected from Question Time in first 10 minutes by new Speaker Peter ... - Courier Mail -

    Wyatt Roy ejected from Question Time in first 10 minutes by new Speaker Peter ...
    Courier Mail
    FROM CANBERRA: Speaker Peter Slipper tosses QLD MP Wyatt Roy out of Parliament during Question Time. ON THE OUTER: Liberal MP Wyatt Roy in his office watching Question Time after being ejected from Question Time in the House of Representatives.
    Pete Slippers into something more comfortableNEWS.com.au
    Slipper plays the part in a tough parliamentary theatreABC Online
    Speaker Peter Slipper warns he will be tougher maintaining orderThe Australian
    Herald Sun -The Daily Telegraph -Sydney Morning Herald
    all 59 news articles »
  • Sparks fly in Parliament over Thomson allegations - ABC Online -

    ABC Online

    Sparks fly in Parliament over Thomson allegations
    ABC Online
    By Naomi Woodley and staff Prime Minister Julia Gillard has hit back sharply at the Opposition's latest attempt to raise questions about the Fair Work Australia investigation into controversial backbencher Craig Thomson. The Coalition has publicly ...
    Improper to push FWA on Thomson: PMNinemsn
    Oppn attacks Gillard integrity over HSUSydney Morning Herald
    Labor keeps economy, jobs in focusThe Australian
    Herald Sun -The Daily Telegraph -NEWS.com.au
    all 2,099 news articles »
  • Arrest warrant issued for ousted Maldives president - ABC Online -

    The Hindu

    Arrest warrant issued for ousted Maldives president
    ABC Online
    The former president of the Maldives faces arrest after being ousted from his post earlier in the week in what he said was a coup at gunpoint. A criminal court in the capital Male issued arrest warrants for ousted president Mohamed Nasheed and his ...
    Maldives court issues arrest warrant for former presidentThe Guardian
    Protests Rock Maldives After CoupWall Street Journal
    Police issue warrant for ex Maldives presidentThe Associated Press
    Newsday -CNN -BBC News
    all 2,664 news articles »
  • Military 'gun-shy' on discipline? QC asks - Herald Sun -

    Military 'gun-shy' on discipline? QC asks
    Herald Sun
    THE senior lawyer who investigated bad behaviour aboard HMAS Success has suggested that the "civilianisation" of Australia's military may have gone too far too quickly. Roger Gyles QC also has questioned whether concern for individual rights has made ...
    Flawed command contributed to Success troublesABC Online
    Civilianisation of military may be weakening defence discipline, new navy ...The Australian
    No resolution for 'ship of shame' sailorsThe Canberra Times

    all 14 news articles »
  • Court hears gruesome evidence in murder trial - ABC Online -

    BigPond News

    Court hears gruesome evidence in murder trial
    ABC Online
    By Peta Carlyon, wires The Victorian Supreme Court has heard gruesome details of the alleged killing of a man who found out about an associate's drug crop. Leonard Borg, 28, of Mickelham in Melbourne's north-west, is charged with murdering 56-year-old ...
    Man killed, dissolved in acid over fears he told police about drugs - courtNEWS.com.au
    Chainsaw, hatchet, acid used to dispose of body, court hearsThe Age
    Maltese man faces trial in Australia for killing, axing and dissolving victim ...MaltaToday
    BigPond News -Oye! Times
    all 18 news articles »
  • Minister not surprised Wivenhoe accounts differ - ABC Online -

    Brisbane Times

    Minister not surprised Wivenhoe accounts differ
    ABC Online
    Queensland's Water Minister has told the inquiry into last January's flood disaster that he is not surprised about conflicting evidence on how Brisbane's Wivenhoe Dam was operated. Counsel assisting the commission Peter Callaghan has accused the dam's ...
    Queensland floods commission of inquiry extended for a further two daysCourier Mail
    Minister missed flood report discrepanciesBrisbane Times
    Queensland Water Minister defends himself on dam report inconsistenciesThe Australian
    Sydney Morning Herald -ABC Local -Herald Sun
    all 238 news articles »
  • Ugg boots clue to prostitute Elaine's death - Sydney Morning Herald -

    Sydney Morning Herald

    Ugg boots clue to prostitute Elaine's death
    Sydney Morning Herald
    Police hope that a $100000 reward will help catch the murderer of prosititute Elaine King, nearly 40 years ago. A pair of ugg boots at a pub could be the key to police solving the cold case killing of a woman in a Sydney hotel almost 40 years ago.
    Police search for man in ugg boots for clues to 1974 murder of Elaine KingThe Australian
    Ugg boot man holds key to 40-year-old murderThe Daily Telegraph
    Reward to solve 1970s prostitute murder mysteryABC Online
    Ballarat Courier -BigPond News -Cumberland Courier Newspapers
    all 139 news articles »
  • Government appears to have means test numbers - ABC Online -

    Sydney Morning Herald

    Government appears to have means test numbers
    ABC Online
    By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths The Federal Government appears to have won a $2.4 billion budget reprieve by gaining enough support in Parliament to means test the private health insurance rebate. Government sources have told the ABC ...
    Private health insurance costs to jumpThe Canberra Times
    Federal Government on the brink of winning support for private health rebate cutsThe Daily Telegraph
    Private health bills to jump for higher earnersSydney Morning Herald
    Western Advocate
    all 151 news articles »
  • Train partly derails at Hurstville - Sydney Morning Herald -

    Train partly derails at Hurstville
    Sydney Morning Herald
    Train services on the Illawarra and Southern lines have been suspended after a train partly derailed just passed Hurstville station. Trains are running again on the Illawarra Line after a derailment this afternoon at Hurstville, but passengers are ...
    'Minor derailment' forces passengers off citybound Tanagra train outside ...The Daily Telegraph
    Train derails at HurstvilleBlue Mountains Gazette
    Services resume on Illawarra line with lengthy delaysSt George and Sutherland Shire Leader
    Illawarra Mercury
    all 79 news articles »
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    Entertainment News And Gossip…

  • Gender-bending model pushes limits of the runway (AP) -

    In this Jan. 27, 2012 photo, photographer transgender model Andrej Pejic has make-up applied by Cecelia Romero for a fashion shoot in New York. Transgender models have promoted the work of Marc Jacobs and Jean Paul Gaultier, but it’s a man with no plans for gender reassignment surgery who’s straddling the line like no other.  Pejic, 20, says he’s perfectly happy being gender neutral. Some in the fashion industry see Pejic as a sign of a new gender fluidity. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)AP - On a chilly winter afternoon, Andrej Pejic settles into a Manhattan cafe with a cup of Earl Grey tea, sitting gracefully, long legs crossed. The blue-eyed fashion model gazes out a window, unaware that almost every man sitting at surrounding tables is transfixed.


  • Rock Hall adds 6 groups to list of inductees (AP) - AP - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says six additional groups will be inducted this year after a committee determined they should be recognized with previously enshrined original lead singers.
  • Operator of radical Muslim site to plead guilty (AP) - AP - A Muslim convert from Brooklyn who ran a website that posted threats against the creators of the television show "South Park" for supposedly insulting the prophet Muhammad is expected to enter a guilty plea.
  • NBCU airing late-night encore of "Smash" (Reuters) - Reuters - NBCUniversal cable networks will join together tonight for a late-night encore of NBC's new musical drama "Smash," following up on its strong debut Monday.
  • French revolution film launches 2012 Berlin festival (Reuters) - Reuters - "Farewell My Queen", recalling the early days of the French Revolution through the eyes of servants at Versailles, has its world premiere on Thursday at the start of the 2012 Berlin film festival.
  • Katy Perry, Russell Brand finalize divorce (AP) -

    FILE - In this April 19, 2011 file photo, British actor Russell Brand and his wife Katy Perry arrive for the European premiere of 'Arthur,' in London. A judge signed off on the couple's divorce Wednesday, but the pair will have to wait until July 14 until they are legally single again. Financial details of the split are confidential. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, file)AP - A judge has granted Katy Perry and Russell Brand a divorce, although the pair won't be legally split up until July.


  • Prince Harry qualifies as Apache helicopter pilot (omg!) - omg! -

  • Dr. House hangs up his Fox TV stethoscope (AP) -

    FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2011 file photo, actor Hugh Laurie arrives at the FOX 2011 Winter Press Tour party in Pasadena, Calif. Fox's medical drama 'House' is ending its eight-year run this season. The show's producers, including Emmy-nominated star Hugh Laurie, said it was a 'painful' decision but that the time had come to bring 'House' to a close. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File)AP - Fox's medical drama "House" is ending its eight-year run this season.


  • Gender-bending model pushes limits of the runway (AP) -

    In this Jan. 27, 2012 photo, photographer transgender model Andrej Pejic has make-up applied by Cecelia Romero for a fashion shoot in New York. Transgender models have promoted the work of Marc Jacobs and Jean Paul Gaultier, but it’s a man with no plans for gender reassignment surgery who’s straddling the line like no other.  Pejic, 20, says he’s perfectly happy being gender neutral. Some in the fashion industry see Pejic as a sign of a new gender fluidity. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)AP - On a chilly winter afternoon, Andrej Pejic settles into a Manhattan cafe with a cup of Earl Grey tea, sitting gracefully, long legs crossed. The blue-eyed fashion model gazes out a window, unaware that almost every man sitting at surrounding tables is transfixed.


  • David Furnish On Those Madonna Facebook Status Updates, The Super Bowl & Baby Zachary (omg!) - omg! -

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