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Regional News

Google will be hoping to challenge Microsoft Windows with the Chrome operating system. (Google)

Google shows off Chrome operating system

20 Nov 2009, 5:20PM

Google Inc is opening its much-anticipated Chrome software to external developers, as the search giant prepares to expand its reach into operating systems. Read more

The smoking bongs were apparently disguised as Christmas ornaments. (Getty)

Bong bust leaves crims crackers

20 Nov 2009, 3:07PM

Customs officials in the US have uncovered 316,000 smoking bongs disguised as Chrstmas ornaments.
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US Customs officials found the bongs had ben 'disguised' as Christmas ornaments. (Getty)

Bong bust leaves crims crackers

20 Nov 2009, 2:48PM

Los Angeles customs officials have uncovered 316,000 bongs disguised as Christmas crackers.
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Popcorn

Cinema popcorn 'a nutritional horror'

20 Nov 2009, 12:31PM

Forget Freddy Krueger or flesh-eating zombies: the real villain of a night at the movies could be lurking in a bag of popcorn or drinks carton, according to a new US study. Read more

Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey (Getty)

Oprah Winfrey calls time on TV show

20 Nov 2009, 11:14AM

Talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey is set to announce the end of her hugely successful TV program, calling it a day after 25 seasons.

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Stem cells (Getty)

Human stem cell trials a step closer

20 Nov 2009, 10:32AM

Embryonic stem cell therapy has got a step closer, after US researchers filed a request for government approval of human trials. Read more

Child's letter to Santa Claus, care of North Pole, Alaska (Getty)

Santa's helpers banned from writing to kids

20 Nov 2009, 9:06AM

Children around the world are busy writing letters to Santa, but this year they may have to go without a reply - after one of his helpers was identified as a sex offender.

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People ride through floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans (Getty)

US army to blame for New Orleans floods

20 Nov 2009, 8:19AM

The deadly levee failures that led to the flooding of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina were due to negligence by US army engineers, a  judge has ruled. Read more

US economy rebounds 'but at heavy cost'

20 Nov 2009, 7:56AM

The US economy is recovering much faster than expected but with heavy toll on public finances, the OECD has warned. Read more

US officials have played down the significance of the falling US dollar. (AP)

Fed officials play down impact of weak dollar

19 Nov 2009, 8:05PM

Federal Reserve officials on Thursday downplayed the consequences of the falling U.S. dollar, underscoring that deflation is still a threat, especially with commercial real estate prices falling. Read more

Down Syndrome suffer (AP)

Study offers hope of reversing Down Syndrome

19 Nov 2009, 2:16PM

Boosting a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine in sufferers of Down Syndrome could help reverse the condition, which is the most common cause of mental retardation in children, a study showed Wednesday.
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US President Barack Obama (Getty)

Greyer, thinner Obama 'doesn't blame job'

19 Nov 2009, 2:13PM

Barack Obama concedes he has lost weight and gone greyer during his first year as US president, but insists he remains healthy despite the relentless demands of his job. Read more

Picture of Virgin Mary and baby Jesus (AAP)

Fortune left at shrine 'for safe-keeping'

19 Nov 2009, 1:36PM

A US woman left her life-savings - $40,000 in rare coins - at a Catholic shrine so the Virgin Mary would watch over them while she was out of town.

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Detainee at Guantanamo Bay (AAP)

Obama to miss Guantanamo closure deadline

19 Nov 2009, 12:14PM

Barack Obama has admitted for the first time that the US will miss the January 2010 deadline he set for closing the "war on terror" prison at Guantanamo Bay. Read more

Person holding Taser stun gun (Getty)

Girl, 10, tasered in shower row

19 Nov 2009, 10:26AM

A US policeman used a taser stun gun on a 10-year-old girl because her mother was angry that she would not take a shower before going to bed.

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