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SXSW: Look who Grumpy Cat has upstaged

The annual music, film and technology conference South By Southwest boasts a stellar lineup of guests this year: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, NSA leak Edward Snowden, music superstars Lady Gaga, Blondie, Spandau Ballet and Coldplay, and environmental advocate Al Gore. But have they all been eclipsed by a pussycat with a miserable expression etched on its face The so-called Grumpy Cat – a two year old mixed-breed cat which became an internet superstar in 2012 because of its seemingly unhappy demeanour – is also attending the conference in the Texas capital, Austin, and appears to be its breakout star

The greatest Kiwi leg-pullers

In a little country in the bottom corner of the South Pacific, there are a group of people with a wit so dry it could be worthy of a South Park episode.

Waris Dirie: supermodel survivor

Somalian supermodel Waris Dirie has graced the pages of glossy magazines and starred opposite 007 as a Bond Girl. But her glamorous appearances on catwalks and in magazines and films belies the personal battles Dirie has had to overcome.

Muslims around the world end fast, usher in Eid

Muslims around the world woke up Sunday and welcomed the end of a long month of fasting with hearty greetings of “Eid Mubarak,” or happy festivities. The faithful were ushering in Eid al-Fitr — three days of celebrations that Muslims mark with joyous community prayers, acts of charity, visits from far-flung relatives, gift-giving and elaborate feasts.

Jim Collins: How Mighty Companies Fall

Circuit City.

British Masters falls victim to recession

The economic downturn has claimed another prestigious event on the European Tour with this year’s British Masters dropped from the schedule. The event had been planned for September 17-20 at The Belfry, but joins the English Open in coming off the “Race to Dubai” – the new name for the European Tour. Sponsorship from Quinn Insurance came to an end after three years and tournament organizers ISM have been unable to find a replacement

Microsoft Follows in the Footsteps of McDonald’s and Wal-Mart

Microsoft just released earnings that were mediocre but not any worse than was expected. It said that the balance of the calendar year would not be much better

Man says bogus conviction leaves him without wife, job

Tim Masters squarely blames Fort Collins, Colorado, police and prosecutors for his inability to land gainful employment and for his not having a wife and kids at this stage in his life. In 1987, Masters became the prime suspect in the slaying of Peggy Hettrick, a 37-year-old found in a field near his house. Among the reasons police said they focused on Masters was that he failed to report the body after he found it and his childhood drawings and stories suggested he was fixated on death

Tennis Channel won’t air Dubai tournament

The Tennis Channel has canceled plans to broadcast a tournament in Dubai because an Israeli player was banned. Shahar Peer, the 45th-ranked women’s player according to the World Tennis Association, qualified to compete in this week’s Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships but was denied a visa by the United Arab Emirates.

Israeli tennis star ‘banned for own security’

Organizers of a tennis tournament in Dubai, criticized for banning an Israeli female player, said Tuesday they were trying to protect the woman from anti-Israel protests. “The Tournament respects Ms