The lunch box - 18/02 (updated 4.50pm)

Thursday comes after Wednesday, and it’s a good day – nearly at the end of the week. A couple of quick news bites, and the weekend will be here sooner than you think.

Channel News

The NBN has hit the mainland – digging has started on the first piece of the network – bringing fast Internet to rural Queensland.
The debate over the R18+ rating for videogames is heating up, with the Industry continuing to throw its weight and research behind the introduction of the rating.
Ingram Micro has a new marketing director, with former HP marketing manager, Grant Cleary, taking up the role.

State of the market

After a good day yesterday, the ASX settled back a little on opening. It then wobbled around for the rest of the day. At close of trading it was down 13.0 points to 4654.9.
The Aussie dollar has dipped back under the magic $US0.90 mark. It currently sits at $US0.8963. Gold is hanging around $US1120 an ounce while oil dipped a bit to $US76.9

Technology

Showing off: Google phone translates German menu
Back step: Report highlights nanotech retreat
Scam low: New scams scammed

General News

Peter Garrett: Who's gonna save him?
You decide: 'UFO wormhole' opens in sky over Mexico
State politics: Metro is doomed as start delayed
Installation debacle: Solar panels put homes at risk of fire, according to Clean Energy Council
Ian Gray death: Socceroo 'given heroin'
Riddle of King Tut: DNA unlocks secrets
Politics: Bal executions bad for Rudd, says embassy
World: BBC broadcaster arrested over mercy-killing
Wages: Aid workers earning more than Rudd
World: Passengers banned from Indian train roofs
Truckie talks: Abbott needs a kick in bum after highway 'media stunt'
Strange but true: Toad's leg sausage a recipe for survival in the wild
Society: Homeless people spend more than $1000/day on drugs, say street workers
Thanks for the clues: Our dumbest crook leaves trail of evidence
Secret files: UFO gave man skin condition

Winter Olympic Games 2010

Mother of all Olympians: Pregnant curler poised to make Olympic history
Women's downhill: Queen Vonn delivers gold as US go 1-2
Snowboarding: Cast won't prevent Aussie teen prodigy from competing
More problems: Ticket scramble as weather makes Olympic venues unsafe
Embarrassment: Organisers forced to cancel 20,000 more tickets over safety fears on Cypress Mountain
Women's speed skating: Rookie stands up for herself
Begg-Smith: Rejects surly bird tag
Ice hockey: Red sea roars for Canada's hockey stars
Jacqui Cooper: Veteran clings to her dream of a medal
Women's luge: Huefner wins second gold for Germany
Official website Schedule and results

Sport

World Cup Hockey: Troops counter terrorist threats
Champions League: It's Dreamtime for new T20 star
AFL: Dumped Lovett wants St Kilda to pay up
Football: Aloisi left out in the cold
Formula One: Webber reveals how close he came to quitting F1
A-League: Fired-up Merrick sure goals will come
Rugby Union: Force in bind as Staniforth return blocked
Rugby league (2): Injury blow for Broncos' Yow Yeh
Rugby league: Foran stays at Brookvale nest
Tiger tales: Woods to face the public on Friday

Entertainment

RIP: Pioneering indigenous singer Ruby Hunter dies
<i>Australian Idol</i>: Rumours fly as key staff jump ship to Australia's Got Talent
TV ratings: Top Gear zooms all the way to number one
Lady Gaga: Broke and homeless
Not fit?: Biggest Loser trainer sued again over diet pills
No bad blood: For AC/DC's first bassist, rock is hard, feelings aren't
Safety first?: Uni union says no to risky rockers
TV: The law of the jungle
Travel: Qantas flags higher airfares
Gossip: DiCaprio's girlfriend Rafaeli seen with ring on engagement finger