The Lunch Box - 08/02 (updated 3.45pm)

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Welcome to Monday. Stodgy dodgy ol' Monday. How was the weekend? Washed away? You certainly were likely to have got a little soggy if lived in NSW and Queensland. Talk about rain. No! Here's a better idea - read about it. Rain, snow, climate change - all in our dose of news, updated several times daily, to ensure you're up to date with the worldwide around you.

Channel News

Former AMD country manager and industry veteran, John Robinson, has established a new distribution business.
ASX-listed integrator, Synergy Plus (ASX: SNR), is anticipating a return to pre-tax profitability in its first-half year.
Work on the Government’s $250 million Regional Backbone Blackspots program is set to commence in Mt Isa on February 17.

State of the market

The markets were volatile early, but managed to stay in positive territory throughout the morning. However, it fell away in afternoon trading and was holding just above the break even point at 3.45pm when the S&P/ASX was up 7.92 points at 45422.0.
The Aussie dollar is down to $US0.8664. Gold is continuing to slide and sells for $US1053.5 an ounce and oil is up 0.62 per cent to $US71.6 a barrel.

General News

Technology (1): How to get a grip on (almost) everything
Technology (2): NASA space alliance reviewed
Technology (3): Uh, Houston, another problem
The big wet: Heavy rain eases - but not for long
Climate change (1): Policy backlash takes shine off Rudd
Climate change (2): Turnbull turns on Abbott
Climate change (3): Opposition accused of 'selling fear'
US gas plant blast: At least five dead, 12 injured
Snowmageddon: How America is battling a real cold war
World: Palin says Obama must play the ward card
Strange but true: Space Cowboy sets sword-swallowing record
Strange but true (2):Watch the record attempt
Strange but true (3): Fantasy creature just along for bluebottle ride
Business: Top End food bowl ruled out by Rudd government taskforce
Money: Swan to resist low-income wage breakout
Migration u-turn: 'Caught between a rock and a hard place'

b>Sport

Super Bowl XLIV: Saints make history
Cricket (1): Pacemen's opening salvos prove Ponting's world best claim is no idle boast
Cricket (2): Hollow day at home of cricket
Cricket (3): Old guard falling in behind Clarke
AFL: Tigers to rest Cousins
Football: Arsenal lose ground as Drogba double seals Chelsea win
Tennis: Australia must join Fed Cup elite, says coach
A-League: Aloisi wins over Sydney FC fans
Rugby union: England efficient, effective but hardly memorable
Rugby league: tribute to dad wrings tears from Souths star recruit
Rugby league (2): Billy Slater injury compounds All Star woes
Rugby league (3): Manly mates fired up
Golf: No truth in Tiger's return, says caddie

Entertainment

Polyphonic Spree: So much material, so many options
Florence and the Machine: Whipping up a frenzy
David Byrne: Here Lies Love
Forever young: Notes from the 2010 AC/DC tour
Secret life of Hamish: Blake and the international romantic conspiracy
Angelina Jolie: Quest for power
<i>Top Gear</i>: James May on fast cars, fast food and ... fashion
Lifestyle: Jessica Alba's doppelganger distress
Aussie birds: Two cockatoos and a movie star

Tonight:

So culture vultures tonight's the night .. In Sydney, there's Tosca at the Sydney Opera House and Black Lips at the Manning Bar, Taylor Swift is at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre (take ear plugs is the tip - the teenies are screaming!), in Hobart, Brooke Greene at the Peacock Theatre, Kiss' Ace Frehley is at The Tivoli in Fortitude Valley, elsewhere it's it's all up to you and your imagination.

Tomorrow's weather: